“Kā ir, tā ir”: Citi Zēni and Edavārdi Release Modern Single Reflecting Everyday Realities
The popular Latvian group “Citi Zēni” has collaborated with acclaimed hip-hop artist Edavārdi to release a new single and music video, “Kā ir, tā ir” (As it is). The song is described as an honest, ironic, and relatable tribute to those days when things are simply “six out of ten,” acknowledging the often-unremarkable nature of daily life.
“everyone has days when you feel somewhere between the road and the ditch, between the will and the power. Our new song is a reminder that sometimes it’s perfectly normal for things to go a little crazy and you’re a little depressed. That’s ok!” explains Dagnis Roziņš, the band’s soloist and saxophonist. LA.LV
Jānis Pētersons, the other soloist of the group, adds, “Today, work has to take a detour, since unfortunately we only got three hours of sleep. You don’t always have to be a general in life – sometimes you can just exist and not work at one hundred percent.” LA.LV The collaboration with Edavārdi is described as crucial to amplifying the song’s message of embracing “mediocrity.”
Edavārdi’s Perspective on the Collaboration
Rapper Edavārdi shared his thoughts on the collaboration, noting the contrast between the typical hip-hop ethos of boasting about success and the reality of simply “trying to survive until Friday.” LASI.LV He contributed a verse reflecting the feeling of being left behind, stating, “It was cool to write a verse about that feeling when the train leaves, but you’re just standing there, because… well, today is how it is.” LASI.LV
Production Details
Roberts Memmēns and Toms Jēkabs Kagainis are credited as the music authors and mix engineers for “Kā ir, tā ir,” with Roberts Memmēns producing the track. Marks Rēpelis handled the mastering. The lyrics were penned by Jānis Pētersons, Dagnis Roziņš, and Edavārdi. LASI.LV
The music video, directed and produced by Mārtiņš Goldbergs, was filmed in Riga. Goldbergs aimed to visually represent the feeling of having only “fifteen percent battery” remaining, portraying characters who are present but disengaged. LASI.LV
The video’s camera team included Indriķis Zunde (1st AC), Aldis Bičevskis (Gaffer), and Kārlis Bergs (Spark). The art department, led by set designer Nauris Stalažs, featured contributions from Oskars Madernieks, Jānis Straupe, Dāvids Jurjāns, and Andris Holms. The video stars Linda Kalniņa, Dagnis Roziņš, Gita Koltsova, Francisa Gazimagomedova, Līva Pārupe, Kristīne Gulbe, and the members of Citi Zēni. LASI.LV
The release is a joint effort between SIA “TCLV Records” and SIA “Forte Production.”
Citi Zēni consists of Jānis Pētersons (vocals), Dagnis Roziņš (vocals, saxophone), Reinis Višķeris (keyboards), Krišjānis Ozols (guitar), Toms Kursītis (bass), and Toms Jēkabs Kagainis (drums).