The band "Tumsa" releases a new song and video "Nemiera kaijas"

The band "Tumsa" continues to work on its upcoming studio album, expected in autumn and to be released by latvian lkabel “MicRec Publishing”.. This will be the band's seventh studio album in its turbulent history. This week, they released their latest work, the song "Nemiera kaijas." The songwriters are the founder of the band "Tumsa" and the unchanged bassist of the collective since 1991, Jānis Daugalis, and the new soloist of the band Jānis Dreimanis, who previously sang in the bands "Vietu nav" and "Dawn Town."

The band members describe the message of the song: "In times when everything is happening a bit too fast, the song "Nemiera kaijas" invites you to pause for a moment, reflect, and look at everything from the outside. Sometimes we are like "restless ants" - impatient and intolerant towards others. For us, as residents of Liepāja, the sea is the place to deal with our thoughts, reflect on our actions. There we can face our "restless ants" and it is best to do it together with loved ones."

The song was recorded at the Factory Sounds studio in collaboration with Gints Stankevičs, the producer of several previous albums by Tumsa. Unlike many other current bands, Tumsa's musicians recorded all the instruments in the studio themselves, including drums. This unique approach allowed them to maintain the group's characteristic, slightly melancholic but lively pulsating sound, a signature of Tumsa's music.

The video was filmed on the beach in Liepāja, including the restaurant "7. Līnija." Part of it was filmed at the rehearsal space "Lighthouse Studio." Thanks to Jānis Dreiblats for that. The video also features violinist Katrīna Fabriciusa and the children of band members Gustavs Daugalis, Daniels Bodnarčuks, and Elīza Bodnarčuka.

The band "Tumsa" was founded on January 4, 1991, when Jānis Daugalis was only 13 years old. It all started when Jānis, on his childhood friend Mārtiņš's birthday, suggested forming a band to another childhood friend Gints Jurķis. The initial idea was to play in the style of "Depeche mode" because both of them are fans of this band. At the same event, the offer was made to their mutual friend Raimonds Drozds, who also agreed, and the band "Tumsa" was formed. This journey of friendship and music has seen several lineup changes, but the spirit of Tumsa has always remained strong.

The first lineup consisted of Jānis Daugalis (vocals), Gints Jurķis (drums), Raimonds Drozda (bass), Krists Brūvers (guitar). The first performance was at "We are for Liepāja - 93". Over the years, the band has experienced several lineup changes. From 1994 until his untimely departure in 2011, the band's vocalist was Mārtiņš Freimanis. This was the time of the band's most significant achievements and creative successes. Shortly after Mārtiņš's passing, the vocalist position was taken by singer Valters Frīdenbergs, who, like Mārtiņš, after a severe illness, passed away in 2018.

Upcoming concerts: May 17 in Riga, at the "Angārs" venue in the Tallinas ielas quarter, together with the band "Linga"; July 6 at the Šlokenbekas Manor event "Powerful with their own", together with the bands "Dakota", "Linga" and "Opus Pro"; July 13 in Sigulda and August 10 in Aizpute.

Photo Toms Bokums / MicRec

After a much-anticipated creative break, singer–songwriter Kārlis Būmeisters is thrilled to present his new song and music video, both of which were beautifully captured using a 16 mm film camera. The music for the song "Varbūt" was composed by himself, while the lyrics were penned with his bandmate Valters Sprūdžs, a collaboration that fans have been eagerly awaiting.

Kārlis: "I am pleased to finally bring to life a song that has resonated in my mind and recordings for quite some time. As usual, the basic hope remains the same when writing songs that do not aim for current beats - that each listener can grasp the true message. Songs do not always have to say something; sometimes they need to be able to ask questions."

In addition to Kārlis Būmeisters the recording of the song it also involved Valters Sprūdžs (bass), Raitis Aukšmuksts (drums), Kristaps Rullis (pedal steel), Edgars Jass (keyboard), and Jānis Kalniņš (guitar).

"We deliberately allowed the sound to remain unadulterated, as there must be a moment for the mind to engage. Often, it is enough if you manage to capture that moment as it is. As long as it seems important to me, such songs will be created, paraphrasing the old masters - for my pleasure and, hopefully, for the pleasure of others," adds Kārlis.

The music video shot using a Bolex cine camera and 16mm film, was created by director Māris Ločmelis, cinematographer Elīna Matvejeva, lighting technician Jānis Kukulis, and assistants Artūrs Lūriņš and Gerda Ločmele. Inese Kalva did the makeup.

Kārlis on filming: "The song has been given significant value by the master of his craft, photographer and director of the song's film, Māris, cinematographer Evija, and the entire professional team. The song now has its film - a 16mm film wrapped in several rolls. Māris is a practitioner of capturing fleeting moments, and I must say, analog aesthetics and vibrations appeal to me. Our understanding of the expected result was similar. From the director comes: "Lights, camera,..." in the studio, there is a sound similar to the sound of sewing machines, as the film captures the moment in its true form. This time, however, Māris went a step further, and as a result of double exposure, the moment, through the photons already captured, was captured again in the atoms of the film. The magic of it all is that there are no actual edits. How it turned out is how it is. Like a concert."

The song is available on popular streaming and download platforms worldwide : https://orcd.co/varbut

Gatis Mūrnieks publishes an emotional tribute to his father 

Gatis Mūrnieks, a renowned singer-songwriter, has unveiled his most poignant creation yet, 'Vai tur būs laiks?'. This soul-stirring composition is a heartfelt tribute to his late father, a fellow musician who departed this world prematurely a year ago.

Gatis shares,' In April last year, I bid farewell to my father, a pillar supporting my musical and personal journey. His love for music, evident in his mastery of the saxophone, was the catalyst that ignited my passion for music from a tender age.'

The recording of this heartfelt song was masterfully produced by Gints Stankevičs. The accompanying music video, a labor of love, was filmed at the Meka bar in Ozolnieki, a place dear to Gatis and his friends. The video features Gatis' father's former comrades-in-arms, Uldis Jaunzems and Agris Koknevičs, and the talented drummer of Gatis' band, Aigars Kudrickis. A poignant detail in the video is a shirt designed by the talented Cappi, adorned with a heart on the chest, a touching tribute to Gatis' father.

Gatis: "In gratitude for everything, I wanted to write a dedication to my father. However, I hope this song will serve as a small consolation to anyone who has lost something significant and dear."

The song is available on streaming and download platforms worldwide: https://orcd.co/vaiturbuslaiks

"Brainstorm" legendary album, "Among The Suns," is finally available online!

Finally available on music streaming platforms is the first internationally released album "Among The Suns" by Latvia's all-time favorite pop-rock group, "BrainStorm." Recorded at EMI Music Studios in Stockholm and partially at PUK Studios in Denmark, the album was produced by the band members themselves in collaboration with Guntars Račs. Released in 2000 by Microphone Records, the album features the group's Eurovision hit of the same year, "My Star," as its opening track. "Among The Suns" was initially launched in Scandinavia, Belgium, and other regions, garnering widespread acclaim.

Now, it is fully accessible on all music streaming platforms worldwide here: https://orcd.co/amongthesuns 

At the end of summer, songwriter and singer Gatis Murnieks and Horens Stalbe releases joyful song “Dari, dari” in sunny reggae rhythms. Music by Gatis Murnieks, lyrics by Gatis Murnieks and Horens Stalbe.

Produced by the expierenced studio producer Gints Stankevics. The video was filmed at sea on the yacht "Crazy Daisy" near Pāvilosta. Video producer Dween Productions.

Gatis: "The song is about the fact that being around and supporting each other, is the best way to make us feel better. Just to be near by.”

The song is available on all major music streaming and download platforms worldwide: https://orcd.co/daridari

Songs, celebrities, and ice cream at the "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu 2" Book launch party!

Last weekend, in the delightful taste and sensation oasis "Hercogs Garden" in Riga, the book launch party for Laura Reinika and her sister Rūta Renika-Preisa's new creation - the book "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu 2" took place. The event was well attended, bringing together many socially recognized young parents with their children. Songs played, uplifting speeches were given, there was a shared photoshoot, ice cream-making workshops, and indulgence!

During the event, the attendees were introduced to the main character of the book, the spirited bear Ričijs Rū, and his new friends - the squirrel Kikī and the bear cub Rūbijs! Performances of songs from the attached 13-song album accompanied by the book were also featured. The composer of the new songs' music is once again Lauris Reiniks, but unlike the first book, where the verses were written by Reiniks' grandmother Veronika, this time they were composed by the project's idea originator Rūta Reinika-Preisa.

Ričijs Rū's journey to readers and listeners began two years ago, in August 2021, with the release of the first book "Ričijs Rū Throws a Concert." The creators of the album that accompanied the book received both the "Gold Disc" for more than 5000 copies sold and later the "Platinum Disc" for over 10,000 album copies sold.

Similar to the first edition, this one is a colorful and interactive poetry and coloring book, complemented by a new song and the instrumental accompaniment album for these songs.

The new book and music album are already available in the most famous bookstores in Latvia and can also be ordered on the MicRec website here: https://rb.gy/jf0x3

The album launch event was enriched by the book's illustrator Guna Miķelsone, the entire Reiniks family, the charismatic event host Renārs Zeltiņš, influencer Simona Kubasova-Prakaša, the friendly Jānis Palkavnieks, TV show star Magone, TV presenter Elīna Fīrmane, rocker Edgars Rakovskis, "Latvijas Radio 2" chef Kaspars Mauriņš, singers Rūta Dūduma-Ķirse and Laura Raila, and journalist Eva Johansone. Also in attendance were the multimedia artist Kašers, "MicRec Publishing" director Guntars Račs, and many others!

Notable performances were not only delivered by the authors and characters of the book but also by "Hercogs Garden" head chef Andris Rūmītis, who specially prepared ice cream in front of the guests' eyes! It was captivating and drew a crowd of dessert enthusiasts around!

Beloved by Latvian childrens and parents, teddy bear Ričijs Rū and his creators Lauris Reiniks and Ruta Reinika-Preisa receives The Platinum Record award for 10thousands sold copies of their album "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu"! This is a rare sucess in Latvian music business lately.
Project authors celebrates and announces the new book and music album "Ričijs Rū rīko koncertu 2" release in this summer.

At the end of previous summer, the Reiniks family and MicRec Publishing introduced the small listeners and their parents in Latvia with a new protagonist – little bear Ričijs Rū and his friends in the forest. The audience listening to the little bear Ričijs Rū grew so fast that the protagonists from the book transformed into a concert show and the shows are sold completely and continue travelling around Latvia. The book has been in the list of bestsellers, and Riga Central Library has named it the best children's book of 2021.

photo: Ritvars Stankevičs / MicRec

Denijs Grieze ft. Nikolajs Puzikovs releases new song and video "Pēc saules rieta"

Denijs Grieze ft. Nikolajs Puzikovs releases a new song “Pēc saules rieta”. Written by Denijs Grieze, produced - Artūrs Palkevičs. Mastered and mixed by Jānis Kalve at "Labo ierakstu studija" (Latvia).
Video by Kaspars Dween.

The Reiniks family creates a song album and book for children “Ričis Ra su muzika gera”

At the end of previous summer, the Reiniks family and MicRec Publishing introduced the small listeners and their parents in Latvia with a new protagonist – little bear Ričijs Rū and his friends in the forest. The audience listening to the little bear Ričijs Rū grew so fast that the protagonists from the book transformed into a concert show and the shows are sold completely and continue travelling around Latvia. The book has been in the list of bestsellers, and Riga Central Library has named it the best children's book of 2021, whereas the music album received “Gold disc” status in Latvia.

It is planned that at the end of this summer that Ričis Ra (Ričijs Rū in Lituaninan) will go to Lithuania to meet his readers and listeners.

The book “Ričis Ra su muzika gera” is interactive – every page contains a QR code which “animates” the lyrics after scanning, allowing to look into and hear the adventures of the little bear Richy Ru, in a specially created video version channel of the lyrics on YouTube. The book also includes painting pages and a CD with songs and their music. Author of the music is Lauris Reiniks, author of the lyrics is Veronika, granny of Lauris, and lyrics were reproduced in Lithuanian verse by Deivydas Zvonkus. Songs are performed by Liepa Norkevičienė and Lauris Reiniks.

“It was huge and pleasant challenge to compose songs especially for children. They are the most demanding and honest audience. I have never done it before. The all idea of this book created by my sister Ruta. The most important thing for me was that Ruta's son Richards likes them. He is the main reason for the entire project. I am really glad that he genuinely likes it, and he asks me to play more and more. I believe that also Lithuanian children will love our little bear Ričis Ra and his friends and that we will be able to sing together these songs in concerts”, the composer and singer of the songs, Lauris Reiniks, reveals.

Singer and songwriter Niklāss sings about the fairies

The young Latvian pop music performer Niklāss starts a new month with a new composition. In the song “Laumiņu nakts” he sings about mythical creatures, which, as many believe, can protect us from misfortunes.

Niklāss says: “The new song is about magical summer nights. I wrote it during a retreat in Saulkrasti, sitting by the fire under an illuminated apple tree. Night is my favorite part of the day. You know that feeling when you feel like someone is watching you when you’re outside at night? I truly believe they are fairies. This is the story of the fairies who take care of our joy and quietly watch over us. I felt a lot more that night and that’s why I called it night of fairies. I wish everyone to experience that!”