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Brainstorm (Latvia)
November 25, 20:00
Sokol Music Hall Sokol Music Hall

The Story of BrainStorm is that of best friends who grow up together, went to the same school, shared the same dreams and together fulfilled them. Born in Latvia which was then part of the giant Soviet Union, they experienced a Soviet upbringing, the battle for a freedom and were part of the first generation to embrace new possibilities the freedom brought. Experiencing these two radical systems has shaped their musical style. After they conquered the hearts of music lovers in native Latvia and became a household name, the band took a chance on reaching the audiences beyond the borders of their motherland. First internationally released album „Among The Suns” with its catchy single “My Star” in year 2000 proved the ambitions were satisfied. “My Star” finished third in Eurovision Song Contest 2000. Album got released in Europe and particularly Belgians, Scandinavians and Baltic people embraced BrainStorm’s piece of work. „My Star“ for 16 weeks remained on Belgian national airplay charts. Band toured with own sold out shows and played festivals across Europe. During their career BrainStorm have released albums in Europe and Russia, supported bands like R.E.M., The Rolling Stones, Depeche Mode, e.t.c. World-known photographer Anton Corbijn has made photos for three albums and designed the logo of the band. As A.Corbijn has described: “There is this beautiful thing that great bands have something… Identity and I think BrainStorm has that”.

Inspired by such a welcoming reception BrainStorm recorded album „Online“ (2001). Ethereally dreamy single „Maybe“ brought BrainStorm to other part of the Europe. Radios in Eastern Europe and especially in Poland couldn’t get enough of the song. For recording of the next album „A Day Before Tomorrow“ (2003) BrainStorm choused to work with two producers - German’s Echo award winner producer Alex Silva who brought more of a rocky sound in and Steve Lyon. Photographer Anton Corbijn stepped in to create the artwork and pictures. The final show of album support tour in Riga, Skonto Stadium was seen by 25 000 people and broke the record of the attendance of this stadium that previously belonged to Depeche Mode.

In 2004 BrainStorm in collaboration with well-known Russian band Bi-2 recorded a song „Skolzkije Ulici“ that was featured in Bi-2 album „Inomarki“. The cooperation proved to be successful. The song peaked number one position in Russia, Latvia and Ukraine and safeguarded BrainStorm’s breakthrough in Russia.

In 2005 BrainStorm once again teamed up with producer Alex Silva who this time worked on the whole album recording „Four Shores“. BrainStorm continued to work on the photos and artwork with A.Corbijn who has became a good friend and advisor. In between the recordings BrainStorm jumped into a tour bus and traveled ten European cities to support R.E.M. Album „Four Shores“ through the gateway duet with Russian Bi2 secured entered the Russian market. In Latvia album support tour was taken to the next level and final show in Riga took place in the biggest outdoor venue „Mezaparks“ selling 40 000 tickets. In 2006 first ever Best Baltic Act nominee was introduced on annual MTV Europe Music Awards ceremony and the decision of MTV viewers were unambiguous - the trophy belongs to BrainStorm.

English version of the album titled „Years and Seconds“ was released in 2010. Fran Healy (Travis) contributes lyrics for the song „Count My Fingers“ and Ken Stringfellow (The Posies) also has written lyrics for a track "Begging For Your Starlight" while British rapper Mercury Award nominee Ty is featured on the recording. With “Years and Seconds” album release band performed at leading global music industry festival SXSW in USA; supported The Magic Numbers in London, UK and had 2 sold out solo shows in such London’s venues as Jazz Café and The Relentless Garage; played main stage at major festival in Beijing China “Modern Sky Festival” and returned to Helsinki, Finland with sold out show in club “On The Rocks”. At the last quarter of the 2010 BrainStorm released last decades “Best off” in Latvian (sold Platinum) and had 2 sold out shows at Arena Riga in total selling 24 000 tickets. During the summer of 2012 BrainStorm toures in native Latvia gathering 89 500 people in 7 dates. In autumn of 2012 they toured Russia in support of the album release there. On the festival season of 2012 BrainStorm played following festivals - The Great Escape (UK), Music Matters (Singapore), Rock For People (Czech Republic), Nashestvije, Kubana, Krilja and Red Rocks (Russia), Watergate (Estonia), Sziget (Hungary), Vilnius Music Week (Lithuania), Culture Collide (USA), Live Sessions Day (Spain), e.t.c.

In May 2015 BrainStorm released their newest studio album “7 Steps of Fresh Air” in Latvia and Russia. Album was recorded in Berlin, “Hansa Studio” with Alex Silva as a producer and it features 10 songs. Only one week after the release ir reached gold status in Latvia. The summer of 2015 BrainStorm spent touring in Latvia, gathering nearly 100 000 people in four shows and also playing as headliners at the biggest music festival in Russia “Nashestvie”. The internation release of “7 Steps of fresh air” has entered in to the first round of 58th GRAMMY award’s official list of candidates for the best POP album of the year. There were more than 21 000 recordings received for screening this year and only 300 albums entered the first- round ballot. Besides BrainStorm there are the latest records of such artists as Taylor Swift, Florence + The Machine, Calvin Harris, Lana Del Ray and many more.
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