Brief History of Latvian Rock Music
The history of Latvian rock music can be tracked back to 1960’s. In that period of time Soviet Nations experienced the first glimpses of the western culture in the so far isolated Soviet music scene. Latvia at that time was one of the first Soviet countries to experience such western treats as rock’n’roll, vinyl recordings etc. That led to the formation of one of the first Latvian rock’n’roll bands – predecessors of Latvia's rock music - the newly formed Latvian band The Revengers (with Latvia's legendary rock activist Pete Anderson in line up) in 1962.
However, rock music in the sixties and seventies still was rather unpopular in Latvian society. Besides, it was more or less just a generic reinterpretation of American rock’n’roll, than real, authentic rock music with its distinct sound and ideas. But then came 1980’s and the reformation of USSR, nowadays known as„Perestroika”. While 80’s brought some notable social and political reforms, one of its greatest achievements was the possibility for the culture and music to flourish within the USSR and Latvia, which was one of the first states to catch up with the western influences.
80’s in Latvia was an era where rock music and national awakening came hand in hand. National awakening is a term that describes social and cultural movement in the mid 80’s in Latvia that led to the restoration of Latvian independence. Music played a huge part in these seemingly political processes, so by the end of eighties national awakening led to series of events which is today recognized as the „Singing Revolution”, part of which was the outgrowing scene of rock music.
By now we know that the first seeds of rock music in Latvia were planted in early 60’s, and by the end of 80’s rock music became a social phenomenon, influencing an entire revolution. So let’s find out what bands took part in these events that so radically changed the future of an entire country?
We might say that in the 80’s and early 90’s the „headquarters” of rock music were situated at the city of Liepāja. In this coastal city in western part of Latvia, rock music developed to be one of the strongest elements of Latvian culture. Such bands as Līvi, Credo and Remix all came from this area. Liepāja was also the home for one of the most notable Latvian music festivals – Liepājas Dzintars, which was active from 1964 – 2006. The festival and free spirited atmosphere of Liepāja later gave the city its nick name – „The capital of Latvian rock music” as well as "The city of winds"
Interesting thing about this music is that talented and professional academic composers also took part in this rock movement by the end of the 80’s. Such composers as Zigmars Liepiņš and Imants Kalniņš are authors of many well known Latvian rock songs. In 1988 Zigmars Liepiņš along with the Latvian poet Māra Zālīte composed a rock opera Lāčplēsis(Full lenght), which had clear anti soviet undertones and became one of the symbols of national awakening.
As for the underground scene in the rock music of Latvia, it became more noticeable in early 90’s after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Part of this movement was, for example, Zig Zag, predecessor of the later famous Latvian hard rock band Linga, and Aurora - one of the first post punk bands in Latvia or Inokentijs Mārpls, a well known Latvian punk rock band. Altogether the decade of the 90’s brought into the Latvian music a lot of new sounds and influences, but at the same time it marked the end of the Latvian rock music’s golden age and, by the beginning of the new millennium, rock music was almost pushed out of the Latvian popular music stage.
Although it is hard to compare the last decade with 80’s or 90’s in the sense of the rock music, it would be wrong to say that rock music in Latvia is long forgotten. Latvians still have many great rock bands, for instance, one of the best selling Latvian bands is Brainstorm, a band widely known in all of Europe. Dzelzs Vilks is also one of the top bands in Latvian music scene today. And if you look deeper inside the world of Latvian rock music, you can still find some freshly-formed bands that play some decent rock music.
Examples of Latvian Rock Music
Pērkons - Pie Baltas Lapas (Near the White Sheet)
Pērkons – Legendary rock band, formed in the 80’s by composer Juris Kulakovs. This band is commonly associated with the sound combinations of hard rock, rock'n'roll and folk music.
Dzeltenie Pastnieki - Nāc ārā no ūdens (Get out of the Water)
Dzeltenie Pastnieki – Another band hailing from the golden era of Latvian rock music, the 80’s. This band is known to be first Latvian band to include new wave and regae sound in their music.
Jauns Mēness - Piekūns Skrien Debesīs (Hawk Runs in the Sky)
Līvi - Vēju Muzikants (Musician of the Winds)
Līvi – Possibly the most notorious rock band of Latvia with the hell of a history, line up changes and real rock’n’roll life style.
Aurora - Sadauzītais Bundzinieks (Smashed Drummer)
Aurora – One of the first post punk bands in Latvia, sounds little bit like Latvian version of Joy Division.
Dzelzs Vilks - Vienas Nakts Meitene (One Night Stand Girl)
Dzelzs Vilks – Great example of modern Latvian rock music, which started out as a death metal project in early 90’s now is one of the most popular bands in Latvia
By Eginhards Volāns
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