Warming up with a behind-the-scenes short film of the album’s creation
Apart from the already mentioned three events in the life of the “astronauts”, there was another one that many may have missed: while waiting for the concert in “Arena Riga”, the group “Astro’n’out” released a behind-the-scenes short film of the creation of the album “777”. It’s like a testament to a two-year phase in the band’s life.
The behind-the-scenes video moments and the feelings of the group members were recorded by the team of the creative association “Colortime”, while the role of the director was taken by Emils Alps. “Each concert or other cultural event is actually the culmination of a much larger creative process,” says the director. “As my personal experience also proves, it is often this process that is best remembered and motivates to move on. Therefore, the opportunity to look into the creation of the “Astro’n’out” album is a gift to the band itself, its friends, supporters and listeners. A memoir about the sincerity and passion that forms the core of this band’s music and gives them the strength to conquer new heights.”
Elizabete Gaile follows in Patricia’s footsteps
This mentioned sincerity and passion was also very noticeable in the “astronauts” concert in “Arena Rīga”, for which almost the entire week the reviews of the enthusiastic visitors on social networks did not stop, the most interesting and apt of which seemed to be “this was not just a concert, this was a festival!” (Kristine Spure).
By the way, have you ever been to an event in the arena hall before the very first artist performed? A rather spooky feeling… The honor of warming up those who had already gathered and getting those who had not yet entered the hall fell to the interesting and promising singer Elizabeti Gaile (and after her – the rapper Finkis), and she coped with her duties quite well. Admittedly, the musician looked a bit tied up, but the reviewer remembered the “Astro’n’out” big concert “Palladium”, when there was also a young singer on stage with good songs, but she looked pretty cool – it was just four years ago, and this singer was called Patricia… So Elizabeth also has everything ahead of her.
When you could do without Cowper
Starting with the songs “Manifesto” (it seems that even the leader of the group Mara Upman-Holstein has become especially close to it) and “Multivitamins multipack”, the “astronauts” lured the audience into their more than two-hour long program, which did not lack either special guests or surprises , nor something expected and taken for granted by everyone. This time, Mara herself had sacrificed her feminine image a little in favor of a sporty one, which was justified, because she had to fill the huge arena stage. She was able to do this today, sometimes moving almost or with the movement of an artistic gymnast.
Strangely enough, it takes time for domestic musicians to get into the groove – foreign guests put them in the fifth slot already with the first songs, but it’s not so easy for ours. A couple of weeks ago, Aminata spent almost half an hour in rather sleepy tones, and Mara’s team woke up just a little faster, getting the audience to sing along with the piece “No to gravity!” from the 2006 album “Kuš kuš”. The audience was also well moved by the collaboration with “Sudden Lights” in the song “Haosā”, organizing a unique singing competition between the two sides of the hall. Well, yes, this time was also something similar to the group’s 20th anniversary concert, so there was no reason to be surprised about the various guests.
True, if DJ Rudd and Andis Ansons left their mouths open with the “Bandmaster” project (something between “Kraftwerk” and “Zodiac” sound material included in the “Disco Alliance” disc), then the “Viegli” foundation made this mouth gape, and Renars Cowper & Co. were given too large a role. Of course, this foundation is close to Mara, but this was an “astronauts” concert! In addition, after that there was a joint song with Shipsea and a cover version of the hit song “Lūgums” sung by Mirdza Zīvere, which already made you look at the wardrobe, but fortunately, the ending proceeded in much more cheerful tones with “Airplane mode” and “Annoying melody (mani)”. trump card. Of course, it was not quite the end, because where would you be without “Daļa Rīga” (and “Dejot crapāk”), but the “astronauts” are not to blame, because without this song they will not be let off the stage for at least the next 20 years…
The stage structure and sound are surprising
Excluding the “Viegli” fund, the sound surprised in an unpleasant sense, which was noted by many gathered – “Arena Rīga”, however, can afford to roar much louder, besides, this time the “astronauts” were armed with an impressive additional line-up. With the lights and video projections, everything was in the best order, and the stage construction (the author of the idea – artist Artūrs Analts) was also successful, which allowed Māra, together with the “man of the group” Goran Gora, to climb onto a politburo tribune, from which to perform the joint work of the two, “Stuck”.
In general, the concert “Arena Rīga” certainly did not disappoint: the reviewer has heard Māra and her team “live” this year both at the concert dedicated to the 800th anniversary of the city of Limbaži (also before the “Bermuda Triangle”!), and as a warm-up for the 2nd Latvian Music “Big Concert” In Mežaparka’s Great Stage, both now and in all cases, they were able to draw the audience to hundreds. The reviewer’s favorite songs “Esi man žar” and “Atskatos” were also played – there is no reason to complain.
“Acites” album as a continuation of everything beautiful
In conclusion, special praise should be given to the “Astro’n’out” attribute or “merchandise” stand, where the band’s fans probably thoroughly enjoyed themselves. More on the new album though.
The seventh studio masterpiece of the “Astro’n’out” group, with a dozen new songs, was created over a period of two years and also includes the magical sevens or “777” in its name, which will rather remind bohemians who have experienced the Soviet era of the then popular “bomb wine”.
The album was made in close cooperation with producer Andi Anson, who has also been present at all seven (again seven!) creative camps of the group. “777” was recorded at “Labo koku” home “Anna koku school”, “Hotel Zeit” and “Mute” studio. “Anna’s tree school” is especially noted. “During the recording of the album, we watched how nature changes, the music also went through all the seasons,” recalls “astronauts” leader Māra Upman-Holštein. “This unofficial headquarters of the band for the last year, with its natural environment and closeness to nature, helped shape the live sound of the album, and also introduced more natural metaphors into the music.”
As the “astronauts” (and Mara herself) become more and more experienced, they also become more and more interesting. Perhaps the new album will even lose to its predecessors in terms of commercial performance, but listening to it is a joy. “Manifestė” and “777” are still not tired of the radio stations, as well as “Lai gejër utvaldu”, and “Abeles” and “Palaid, palaid” are definitely commendable (and recommended), but the biggest and most pleasant surprise is “Radari”. Before the release of the album, Māra released her autobiographical book “Notes on the Edges of Doubt”, saying that she started writing to find inspiration for the lyrics of the new songs – if so, then the goal has been achieved and the writing training has really come in handy, because a lot is noticeable in the lyrics more beautiful language fluency. Kudos also to the guitarists of the “astronauts” Juris Kalniš and Mārtiņš Elerts (how they “soloed” in the big arena concert – hats off!), but they have always been good.
It is certain that this is just a continuation of what has already begun, but there will be a continuation of this continuation – beautiful and impressive. Let’s wait.
2023-11-11 03:15:22
#Astronauts #holding #celebration #sincerity #arena
