“In my opinion, an excellent musician is one who does not need rehearsals, who can immediately play with others. As if they had rehearsed together 10 times,” reveals drummer and percussionist Nelli Bubujanca, whose dream is to be noticed and then get an invitation to play with a world-class artist such as Beyoncé.
Ambitious dreams for a bright talent who has been noticed right here in Latvia. Touching that the desire to live an interesting life is closer than close to her today.
Don’t be afraid of new challenges
“Music has been close to me since my childhood, when my grandmother played the guitar and sang romances to me. With her help, I started learning the guitar. However, in my teenage years, together with my girlfriends, I became interested in rock music and the electric guitar. It wasn’t long before we started our own band, but no one was learning how to play the drums. Then the girls suggested that I try them on. The moment I sat down to the drums, I immediately got to play some simple rhythms. It was immediately clear that I was quite good at it. Soon we recorded our first single, which was still on tape at the time. I then showed it to my mom’s friend who was a musician. His first question in my direction: Who plays the drums? I admitted that it was me, and from that moment on, new opportunities opened up for me. Probably because they heard talent in me and immediately sent me to Latvia’s most famous teacher, Tālis Gžibovska, but the rest is already in the past,” reveals the charming musician, who does not hide that music is like such an eternal engine, because it never ends, on the contrary, it continues to inspire and is meditation.
“It is important for me to make music because it is my life value. It’s what I do best and how I communicate with the public. In life I’m an introvert, I don’t go to parties and festivals, but on stage I’m different. I feel at home on it. I want to inspire the listeners and tell them not to be afraid of new challenges. You have to rely on your talents that are given. Also, I would like my name to always be associated with good, quality drumming. Moreover, not only in Latvia, but also abroad.”
A feeling of happiness runs over the body
“In Latvia, first of all, one must be a good person, responsible and honest. For us, the field of musicians is so small that it is better don’t hang around your reputation. Therefore, it is recommended to be a person you can always rely on. It should also be universal, because one day you have to play background music at an event, and the next day you get an offer to play rock in the stadium. One of the most important elements is social networks, especially Instagram. I see it as my portfolio, where anyone can go and see what projects I’m currently involved in and what I’m up to.
Unfortunately, very few Latvian musicians take it seriously, because they do not look beyond Latvia. In my experience, there have already been a few cases when I am asked to recommend Latvian musicians for foreign projects and asked to send “Instagram” profiles, but I have nothing to answer because those profiles are not active. I would even say that currently any musician should know how to be a video operator, a sound director, a social network manager, and also know how to sell himself properly. In the end, you still have to find time to practice the instrument and learn something new. So talent is not enough.
Also, no one cares about your mood or health. You should always be 100% ready on stage and give people a strong energy, even if you don’t have it at that moment. You should try to play the music you enjoy yourself and not be afraid of mistakes. Otherwise, being afraid can lead to a dead end, from which it will be very difficult to get out. Being on stage, there is maximum concentration, thoughts in my head about responsibility and how else I can add to the music without disturbing my colleagues, because drumming too much is sometimes not good either. The feeling of happiness that I can be where I am at that moment also runs over me, and I try to capture the brightest moments in my memory.
Of course, sometimes a dark picture appears and I can suddenly wonder: is my cat at home or walking on the street during the rain, but it passes quickly.” When asked about the famous lamp fever, the drummer replies that it is always there. “Lamp fever usually lasts for the first two songs, then the confidence that I will be able to handle everything appears.
But when it comes to a pre-performance ritual, I have to admit that I don’t have one, but there is one thing, like putting off getting dressed until the very last moment and starting to get dressed only 10 minutes before going on stage. It happens so often that it already looks like a ritual.”
Vallow time for development
The musician reveals that she is currently participating in various projects “Prāta Vētra”, “Tautumeitas”, Raum, also with Ukrainian singer Vera Brezhneva and sometimes with Laima Vaikule. “Besides these projects, I also play my own drum solo shows at various events. For now, I want to dedicate time to my development and I don’t see myself as a teacher, but from time to time I give master classes when I am invited as a guest.” An interesting story follows the question of how Nelli ended up in the domestic group “Prāta Vētra”.
“Kaspars Roga had long heard about me and noticed me at various events, we had followed each other on Instagram. Then at one point the phone rang: “Hello Nelli, this is Kaspars Roga! Listen, I have one idea, wouldn’t you like to play percussion with us at the Daugavpils stadium?” Of course, I was pleasantly shocked and agreed without even thinking. Undoubtedly, it is a great pleasure and satisfaction.
Every concert, when we are together on stage, I thank the guys for this opportunity, and especially Kaspar, for trusting me and letting me express myself freely. I never imagined that something like this could happen to me. This experience makes me think that I am on the right track. I also definitely grew in self-confidence and belief in what I do. I can often pull myself together on stage and perform so well that I can surprise myself. The demands on instruments and measures are also increasing. Of course, there is also great fatigue at times – both moral and physical. There is no stability either, but I have realized that my life is improvisation – both on stage and in life. Enjoying it, I can now say that I am truly living my dream. We also want to work with people who know how to organize events well and perform the musicians’ technical raider well.”
The most valuable teachers in life are those who hurt
“I learned a lot in Dubai when I went there alone to play music with people I didn’t know before. It was a test of endurance, having to play every day with one day off a month. It was difficult – both morally and physically. At one point I began to perceive music making as monotonous work in a factory, but I feel that the experience was good for me: both in terms of training and morale. I became more resilient and ready for serious challenges. Also, as strange as it may sound now, my most valuable teachers in life are those who once hurt me. They made me a stronger and wiser person,” concludes the drummer, who also reveals that she is demanding of herself.
“Sometimes I’m so demanding that I hate myself. For example, when I write a new video for my “Instagram”, I can get attached to some little thing that no one will hear or notice at all, but it does not give me peace. And then I can rewrite the whole thing 30 more times until I think it sounds and looks perfect. Also, I can’t say that I successfully cope with everything, but I try. After big concerts, I usually allow myself to rest for a day or two and do nothing important, I go for a walk in the forest with my mother and the dogs, I watch a TV series. After rest, I sit down to e-mails, respond to my followers on Instagram, edit video clips from concerts, which are then posted on social networks. Then I thought of songs that I would like to learn to play, practiced on the drums, improvised and learned something new. Along with all that, of course, there are all kinds of household responsibilities, because my friend and I rent a house, so there is no shortage of work.”
Do what you like
Has there ever been a time when the hands don’t listen and you have to throw everything aside, the drummer has revealed. “Seriously, no, but there are some world-class drummers that I look up to and I feel like I should give up on their drumming. I feel like a little schoolgirl compared to them. Speaking of Latvia, I have realized that Latvian musicians are very talented, maybe not as extroverted on stage as our neighbors from other countries, but with a deep inner world, which they discover when creating their music.”
As a real artist, living with criticism and feedback is also important. “I have learned to take criticism quite adequately, especially if I myself realize that something was not good. Any adequate criticism makes me better because I always try to work on my mistakes. More often I hear good reviews about myself. I receive them with joy and gratitude. As for motivation, I have to say that I often don’t need any motivation. I just try to do what I love. What allows me to feel in my element, I say “yes” more often than “no”, it also helps me not to stand still and try something new.” Being interested in today, the artist concludes at the end. “Today I am grateful for the fact that we live in peace in Latvia and I have the opportunity to continue doing my favorite thing – making music.
I am also grateful for the fact that I have such a cool and understanding mother who always supports me in life. And my peace in my heart is when my closest people and animals are healthy and happy.”
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2023-10-03 18:48:45
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