RAP: A Latvian Rock Reunion After 17 Years
At the beginning of the 2000s, the alternative rock group “Rāpuli ar putniem” was active on the Latvian music scene, evolving into the group “RAP” through what appears to be a fortunate coincidence. Now,after a hiatus of almost 17 years,the band members have decided to reunite,promising to delight audiences across Latvia with both familiar favorites and entirely new compositions. Artis Rozītis and Artis Dvarionas, members of the group, recently shared with Latvian Television’s “Kultūrdeva” how their reunion came about and what fans can anticipate in the future.
The band quickly cultivated a dedicated following in Latvian cities like Liepāja and jelgava, fueled by word-of-mouth in the early days of the internet. They actively engaged fans through unique initiatives, such as renting a circus tent for a performance and filming a music video during the Kuldīga city festival, simply advertising a free concert with a few posters. This event drew a full house and marked the solidification of their initial fan base around the beginning of the 2000s.
“I remember we also had a core fan base that traveled to any city with us and was always in front of the stage,” the band members recalled.
While hesitant to label their impact as a “revolution” in Latvian rock music,both Artis Rozītis and Artis Dvarionas readily admit to having meaningful ambitions during their initial run.
Latvian Rock Band Reveals Reunion Story and New experimental Sound
After a lengthy hiatus, Latvian rock band, featuring Artis Dvarionas and Artis Rozītis alongside guitarist Aleksandrs Štro and drummer gatis Kaizers, has officially returned with a new music video completing the cycle for their latest song. The track marks a departure for the group, embracing synthesizer-dominated arrangements and an experimental sound.
The path to reunion wasn’t immediate. The idea surfaced periodically over the years, but timing never felt right. Štro was focused on his family, finding it challenging to balance with the demands of rock and roll, while Dvarionas needed a decade-long break from music altogether.
“The stars just didn’t align at that moment,” rozītis explained.
Dvarionas,who also works as an on-air personality,continued to nurture his creativity,but the wave of band reunions in 2023,coupled with his solo project “My child,” sparked the idea of a comeback. He initiated the conversation with Rozītis, cautiously proposing a reunion.
“To be honest, it wasn’t such a big surprise,” Rozītis admitted. “As we were raging from time to time, and that unrest was already there. It wasn’t like we had entirely put the tools aside.” both he and Kaizers remained active in other musical projects, consistently feeling a pull back towards rock.
Dvarionas anticipated Štro might be the biggest obstacle, recalling his previous reluctance. However, to his surprise, Štro enthusiastically agreed before Dvarionas could even finish the question. Kaizers’ agreement followed, solidifying the reunion in December 2023.
The band spent a year in a “productive creative camp,” culminating in their official comeback declaration and a sold-out concert at Palladium this spring. The positive reception reaffirmed their continued relevance and the enduring support of their fanbase.
the band boasts a discography of three albums: “Feel,” “Maze,” and “Divi.” Their journey began under the name “Reptiles with Birds,” hinting at a rich musical history yet to be fully explored.
Artis Dvarionas on Evolving Songwriting, Collaboration with Igo, and the Story Behind “Life Without Stopping”
Latvian musician Artis Dvarionas recently discussed his evolving songwriting process, his triumphant collaboration with Igo, and the origins of their hit song “Life Without Stopping” in a radio studio interview.Dvarionas emphasized that his current work reflects a deeper level of consideration given the rapidly changing world. He anticipates being inspired to write about current events, stating, “Who me will trigger [strong feelings], as we say in English, I will also want to write about it.”
The interview also touched upon the enduring popularity of “Life Without Stopping,” a song originally released in 2007. Dvarionas clarified that Igo authored the lyrics and that the song was first performed together at the Palladium concert hall. The collaboration earned them the Copyright Infinity Award, and their “Palladium” concert was nominated for the “Kilogramā kulturas” spring vote.
The story behind the song’s creation is notably noteworthy. Dvarionas and drummer gatis were participating in a creative retreat – a practice less common for Latvian artists at the time – where they rented a secluded house to focus on their music. during a storm that knocked out the power for several days, Dvarionas began improvising lyrics over a musical theme played by the drummer. Igo arrived the following day, and, inspired by the atmosphere and the initial musical ideas, penned the final lyrics by candlelight.
“At that moment,there was such a scream of nature outside the window,and everything shut down,” Dvarionas recalled. While they didn’t immediately foresee massive success, the song quickly gained traction after being featured on Latvian television shows six months later.
Dvarionas is scheduled to conclude his Latvian concert tour on November 22nd at the “Angārs” concert hall in Riga.
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