http://www.ohtuleht.ee/index.aspx?id=362082

Anyone ready to translate? Anu?

sry that I took me so long(been busy with uni stuff)
So..


“During these intermediate four- five years we have been to Estonia alone, but not as a band,” confess Renars, Janis and Maris from Latvians year 2000 Eurovision surprisor, Brainstorm on Monday afternoon. In March the band that has had a break from giving concerts here will perform in Tallinn and maybe in Tartu as well.
The reason, why Latvians are here again, is simple. Over a long time the band made an English album with exciting guest performers.
The drummer Kaspars couldn´t come to the neighbouring country this time, because he is doing his little diamond business in Afrika, Sierra Leone. Three fourths of Brainstorm has a little joke on the band member’s diamond business during the whole interview.
Besides the album the band has come up with a beer called Mitava and brought to life an amateur football league with the same name.
How do you like the snow?
Renars: We like very much our own Latvian snow, but yours is even more interesting. Here branches are covered with the (Renars carefully pronounces) härmatis (frost). Coming to frosty Tallinn was very nice, it´s very beautiful around the trees!
Janis: We don´t have as much snow as you do.
What does it mean that your new English album is at the same time old?
Janis: Renars finished it just a little while ago. In this sense he that actually we had this record already two years ago in Latvian, a year ago in Russian and now in English under the name “Years and seconds”.
Renars: Music staid the same. But I had to sing all the songs again in English and write new lyrics, which was quite complicated
Is the population in Latvia growing or decreasing?
Maris: Decreasing.
Renars: Must try more to increase the birth rate. Our band is definitely carefully working on increasing Latvian population. I have two kids, Janis will be a father of a daughter in about a week and Maris too will become a father this year. Our fourth band member has a lot of sex, but till now he hasn´t unfortunately been productive (laughing). But will call him to order.
Do you in Latvia make jokes over masu*?
Janis: Sure, we make jokes over it. Although of course pensioners are in a very bad condition. We with our band haven´t really felt the depression that much. Nor have our families-friends.
Maris: At the same time soviet union time people are toughened in difficulties.
Renars: This is only a financial crisis. Our generation is lucky, we haven´t had for example wars or famine.
In Estonia many musicians complain the there is less work. How about you?
Renars: Of course there are fewer concerts.
Janis: Two-three years ago for example compared to now we had many concerts in Russia. When there was for example fifteen before, then now there´s only four.
What talk is this that you have your own beer?
Janis: We are form Jelgava, whose earlier name was Mitava in Latvian. It is now also the name of our band´s official beer. Our drummer Kaspars came out with the idea, who´s now doing diamond business (laughter). For free months he ran between those industries; we were picking the beer with the right taste.
Renars: The recipe by the way comes from Janis´s father. The beer bottle design was made by Maris. And now we also have an amateur football league named Mitava. Estonian teams can also participate. The conditions are that all have to be men and they cannot be professional footballers.
Your new album was produced by Gustavo well-known Latvian rapper, with hip-hop music background. The music has changed a lot compared to the earlier.
Renars: We started with one song; then we made a contract for the entire album. We recorded it for nine months. In the meantime some of the members were so confused with the new way and unusual work methods, that they didn´t even come to the studio. Couldn´t understand, what´s going on. In the end we were all satisfied with the result, this is one the most interesting records we have.
There are exciting guests on the album like the singer of Scottish band Travis Fran Healey, British rapper Ty and the keyboard player Ken Stringfellow.
Renars: I met Fran on Anton Corbijn´s 50th birthday. But Fran once called me, when Travis preformed in Riga. I invited him to my place in Jurmala and we even made a little band with my family. We rested at beach by a bonfire, talked. Fran helped me write English lyrics. He even sang them to me. And Ken from R.E.M. also helped me write lyrics for one song. I know him from the time, when we warming R.E.M. on their European tour. Ty just raps in one of the songs.

*masu- a term in Estonian for current financial depression

Tanan,Anu!:) ehh, I like interviews like this a lot
But what does the headline mean?

sry, forgot that. emm... masu is a newly invented term (an acronym in fact) for the financial decrease or low time. In long it is "majandus surutis"- financial depression
so it goes : "Brainstorm: We make fun of masu."


*new interviews will come up asap, I´ll get to them right away*

yes, yes, yes.. new interviews wanted.

Brainstorm presents a new album
It has been four years since the last energetic performance in Estonia and the last English album. Now the Latvian boys are back to present in Tallinn Rock Café 26th March and in Tartu Club Illusion 27th March the new album “Years and Seconds” coming out 15th March.
The band´s charming and radiant singer Renārs Kaupers answered Marie Claire´s questions.
The new album came out in Russian before it did in English. How well do you speak Russian?
I sense Russian better than English; I love it´s profundity and richness. One of my greatest influencers in music have been the songs of 1970-1980 Russian cartoons and films. I learned to speak Russian playing football with other kids in the backyard and when there were eight Latvians and two Russians we would speak Russian. Thanks to that I´m one language richer.
Does it make a difference to you in which language you sing?
Of course, first and foremost the words are different. It´s comparable to acting- even if the tune is the same, you are playing different roles.
Besides the more habitual pop rock there is electronic experiments and hip-hop on the new album.
The reviews have been variable, but we expected it. We experimented a lot. We got together with a Latvian hip-hop producer and singer (Gustavo- EK) and during the next nine months we recorded the album. It wasn´t easy at all, as our backgrounds are very different; but we felt that we wanted something new. Now we can say it was worth it!
We co-operated with marvellous musicians, such as Fran Healy from the ban Travis, REM tourband keyboard player Ken Stringfellow and English hip-hop artist TY. This album was a real challenge for Brainstorm; for listeners, I don´t know- Ladies, you should listen yourself and decide!
It seems as if the album would have its own story to tell about time. Why is it so important to you?
For the last couple of years I have tried to teach myself more and more living on the principle “here and now”. For example this very moment is the most important for me right now; I sit here at my laptop and focus on your questions.
I think it expresses in the lyrics, because they are a part of my life, right?
Thank you! I wish you wonderful concert experiences in Estonia and send you the greetings and hugs of Marie Claire ladies.
Oh, thank you, dear ladies, all the Maries and Claires, and all our lovin’ to you!

*Two more to come tomorrow, one to check, one to translate*

Brainstorm again to Eurovision?: “Never say never” http://www.ohtuleht.ee/index.aspx?id=37 ... brainstorm

“Though, I personally would not see us on Eurovision stage again. Year 2000 was quite cool, but the time at Eurovision was very stressful. I´d much rather skip it. But then again, on the other hand- never say never,” says Brainstorm´s singer Renars Kaupers, who will tomorrow perform in Tallinn Rock Cafe with his collective.

How are you? We haven´t heard from you long. What have you been doing?
Actually I´m quite sleepy, because we are currently in America waiting for our flight to Latvia. As we have just finished our new international album, we have given quite many concerts.
How are Latvians doing?
These aren´t the easiest times, but we can´t complain. As Latvian poet Imants Ziedonis says: „Time doesn´t matter- the man matters. And always, when it´s tough, this man has hope for better times.”
Well, Latvians and Lithuanians think that Estonians are awfully slow, but do you know what Estonians think of Latvians?
Actually I haven´t got a clue.
Well you do know that you have six toes and six fingers!
Well that´s why we are so good guitar players.
Do you know to say anything in Estonian? Curse?
Actually not much. One thing that I learned at the movie “Georg” shooting, was: "Kaks sibulat ja vaas, palun!"* . It makes every Estonian laugh, when I say that.
What brings you to perform in Estonia again and again?
The joy of playing music, of course. Since we have been together more than twenty years and given over thousand concerts, then performing in Estonia is very comfortable and you feel that you are always wanted.
What more, besides nice people attracts you to Estonia? Beer?
Of course there are nice people in Estonia, but sometimes you feel you don´t have time for everyone. For example after a concert when you have squeezed yourself out like a lemon, looking for a place to hide. There are so many people who want to talk to you, but you just don´t have the energy for it. But beer- since we have our own beer producer Mitava, I´ve understood a little of what goes on in the world of beer. I actually love rum.
How do you like the Estonian Eurovision song?
Unfortunately I haven’t heard it yet. But I have heard Russian song, what is sung by Petr Nalitch. His music is so naive and fun, but also he touches almost everyone with it.
How much do you know about Estonian music over all- what do you think of the local bands and musicians? Are there any artists you like especially?
Well. Tanel**, Blacky and, one band that I remember from my childhood, Apelsin. Of course I have heard of Bedwetters, but to be honest I don´t know much about Estonian music.
I heard from somewhere that you are going to have a great party in Tallinn? What new can we find in Brainstorm´s programme?
Surely we will have fun tomorrow night. I can´t remember that we would ever have given a bad concert (laughs). Certainly we will play some new songs from our new album “Years and seconds” and naturally we won´t forget the old hits. We want people to leave our concert with a big grin.
Tomorrow pandas from the band Instrumenti will be sharing the stage with you. What is it with those pandas in Latvia?
They are very good and we just met them couple of days ago in Austin, Texas. We have invited them to perform as special guests on several of our shows.
Won´t they be taking the bread out of your mouth in Latvia, after all you are competitors?
Come on! It won´t be that easy for them.
It was probably you who made them famous in the first place?
Of course not. It was their talent, what made them famous and popular. I am very glad for them.
So tell me, how do you become a world-famous artist? Is there some formula?
Make good songs and play them loud!

*Two onions and a vase, please!
**Tanel Padar and The Sun

Renars Kaupers: „The stage is better for us than the studio.”

http://www.epl.ee/artikkel/494172

There will be neighbouring countries´ bands performing on the Tallinn Music Week, one of them is Brainstorm, who has recently brought out an album. Renars Kaupers tells us about their latest activities.
Your album “Years and Seconds”, which came out last week, has during the two previous years been brought out in Latvian as well as Russian and English. Why bring out three separate albums, wouldn´t you rather record entirely new one?
There is a bit of truth in it, but nevertheless that the musical material is the same, all of these three albums are different. We definitely wanted to make an international version of this album. And, hey, this is what we have been doing for the last ten years.
Why did you decide to try new sounds and co-operate with Latvian rapper Gustavo?
Our drummer likes his albums and the sound that he as a producer creates in them. They became friends and then we all met and we decided to make a song together- “And I Lie”. We liked how fresh it sounded, that´s why we decided to make the entire album together. We can´t say that it was easy, because we do have so different musical backgrounds, but now it´s clear that it is one of our most interesting albums.
How do these produced songs sound on stage? What can we expect?
They sound very powerful. Maybe even more impressive than on the album. But I have always thought about Brainstorm that the stage suits us better than the recording studio. But about the concert, what to expect; we will play our best songs, new songs and old golden hits.
You used to be very popular in Scandinavia and on this side of Europe, but now you are somehow more focused on Russia? Why so? How are the music business and the audience treating you there?
It´s true, yes, but a lot depends on how thing go. You try to open up one door, but all of a sudden another opens. We gave our best in Germany and Great Britain, but it didn´t go so well. Slowly, one at a time, we started to receive concert offers from Moscow and St Petersburg. Then more and more. So for the last three-four years we really have been frequent visitors in Russia. And I must say it´s been great, to play in full clubs and see that people know our songs and love our music. How the financial low time has influenced Latvian music market and scenery? Of course badly, in this world everything is connected. But you know one thing is clear- now there is only one way out of this- upwards!
What do you think, what potential has Eurovision today?
You took off from there once. I was totally captivated by Alexander Rybak and his performance. It was like a fresh wind. This year I am interested in how Russia representing Pjotr Nalitš does, will he be successful? There is something so naive, but touching in his music. Sometimes I don´t understand whether he is joking or being serious.


*Correction, one more article that came out today, is yet to follow. But I won´t be able to get to it before Friday, so be patient.*

Thaaaaaaank You Anu! Waiting for Friday.

It took some time, but here it is. It´s also a long one

Brainstorm boys are back in Estonia http://www.kroonika.ee/index.php?id=39595

Latvian anecdotes make fun over Estonians´ slowness. “Have we become popular anywhere else as quickly as in Estonia?” Brainstorm boys as our most known Latvians still wonder.
Ten springs ago Latvian Brainstorm conquered Estonia within one night. The enthusiasm of those who had listened to the band live in club Hollywood spread throughout Tallinn like a wildfire. So that, during the Eurovision song contest in May in Stockholm we had our finger crossed almost equally for Ines and the Latvian boys. Further on during the summer, when Brainstorm warmed up for Pet Shop Boys´ concert in Tallinn, many came not so much for the main act but for the Latvians. And the warm-up-band was received even more fiercely than the British veteran-duo.
“Such a success in Estonia came even to us as a surprise,” recalls the band´s soloist Renārs Kaupers (35). “It all happened so quick in Estonia. We´ll see if we manage to repeat it.”
Years and Seconds
15 March Brainstorm´s new album “Years and Seconds” came on sale in Estonia. It is their fifth album for the international market. (At home in Latvia under the original name Prāta Vētra they have on their account about a dozen albums.) Last weekend they presented their new album with concerts in Tallinn and in Tartu.
Kroonika met the band couple of weeks ago. The soloist Renārs Kaupers was seconded by the keyboards player, the youngest member Maris, nicknamed Magic [sic!], with better factual memory. The guitarist Jānis took part of the interview as a worthily silent troll. Drummar Kaspars was away “on vacation in Africa”. So they said and laughed conspiratorially.
But the fifth, bass player Gundars “Muminš” Mauševics, is away forever. He died six years ago in a car crash on a highway from Riga to Jelgava at the age 29.
Maris shows from the old picture brought to them as a gift: “Muminš wanted to wear this very t-shirt with Sharp written on it to Eurovision stage in Stockholm. But a Swedish boss came and said that ads are not allowed.”
Renārs adds:”But he had this Manchester United football team shirt; and he was a fan…” Guitarist Janis nods:”Huge fan!” Sharp was the legendary football team´s main sponsor.
The band has not officially accepted the new bass player into the band. “We are keeping the place empty in memory of Muminš,” says Renārs. “There is a good friend, who plays with us at concerts and at recordings. Ever since, it happened to Muminš. And who knows, maybe one day…” Renārs remembers a parallel with the Rolling Stones. Ronnie Wood had been playing in the band for a couple of decades, when Keith Richards went to ask from the manager, whether he gets paid equally with the rest, because he long deserves it. “So Wood became an official band member after twenty years.”
Saxophone for the Rollings
Prāta Vētra was started in summer 1989- this means twenty years of action. Boys themselves wonder that this anniversary rolled up without any bigger birthday clamour. First playing for an audience was in Jelgava 1st secondary school, where they were all studying. Four in the same class, later joined Maris one class behind. The boys had three-four songs in repertoire. “We played them non-stop in a circle several times in a row.”
Renārs remembers the first stage fright:”My knee was shaking so that it had to be pushed into place.” Couple of years later, on Eurovision stage Renārs´ ‘macaroni-legs’ became his trademark. “Exactly!” the boys laugh. “We thought that why not make it Renārs´ style!”
Brainstorm´s highlight of the decade?
“Prague 2003,” sounds Renārs´ certain answer. In Czech capital Brainstorm had the honour of warming for the Rolling Stones concert. “It was a wonderful warm summer day. We ourselves were of course in an overwhelmingly good mood. But there was also 80 000 headed audience in front of us. It was a festival they had long been waiting for. There was really good atmosphere in the Prague stadium.” Before Depeche Mode, Brainstorm has played altogether in three cities. “But when the Rollings´ fans were open to our music, then from Depeche´s you could feel that they only impatiently wanted Depeche.”
The boys have a group picture from the highlight-night with the Rollings. “A saxophone was left to them as a memento of us.” Because it was Mick Jagger´s birthday, Brainstorm boys brought him an instrument that they had given to Māris´ for his birthday a year before. Māris didn´t mind it. Perceptibly the Rolling Stones is Brainstorm´s shared passion.
Friends with Mumiy Troll´s mother
The boys say that they have never dreamt of breakthrough to USA market. “No,” says the unanimous choir. “We went to visit friends in LA, looking around in their studios. But we didn´t even record anything there. Though we did record in London and Denmark…” Eurovision song contest opened several doors to them. Whether there was a flood of contract offers from record companies, but… “We were noticed. First and foremost in Scandinavia. We had tours in Sweden & Finland, we went to several Belgian TV-shows,” Māris mentions.
With album “Online”, whose first single was “Maybe”, they hoped to gain even firmer footing in the countries, where they were already in with their Eurovision hit “My Star”.
“But no. We became popular in totally different countries, such as Poland and Czech…”Maybe” was in charts in Greece, Italy, but not in Scandinavia, Belgium and probably not so much in Estonia either,” says Renārs. “So, that with different albums we have been popular in different countries. Of course we meant to focus more on the western market. But life takes its own turns. Slowly we realized that we were actually moving step by step towards Russia. We were invited there to concerts, festivals…”
Ten years ago at a press conference in Tallinn Russian journalists accused Brainstorm of combining Russian group Mumiy Troll but not of plagiarizing.
The bands themselves are friends right from the beginning, having performed on the same stage several times. All the more as Mumiy Troll´s soloist Ilja Laguntenko is a frequent visitor in Riga. “He has an apartment in Jurmala, big as a house,” laughs Renārs. “Interesting that recently we have more often started to talk-call-meet with Ilja´s mother, Jelena Borissovna, than with him. We visit her in Jurmala. Very spirited woman!”
Latgal´s heart on palm
Two years after Brainstorm´s third place on Eurovision Mumiy Troll went there/tried themselves, but brought back from there in an intelligent flow with the song “Lady Alpine Blue” only a modest 12th place. But last year Norwegian, Alexander Rybak, won and wasn´t he a bit like Renārs Kaupers with the successful performing formula of “heart on a palm”. Jānis and Māris nod. And Renārs agrees with the likeliness. “I sensed it when I saw his song for the first time. They praised the Norwegian song on the radio; I looked it up on Youtube. I felt shivers run down my spine. The song was strong and the performance sincere. Just, when he sang in Norwegian final. Not so much in Moscow anymore. There you could see that worked through when and where he would look.”
Ilja and Alexander- does Renārs know-sense himself to possess Slavic roots?
“Maybe. My father and actually my mother´s distant roots are in Latgale. In eastern-Latvia, what stayed in Poland´s composition after the 17th century Polish-Swedish wars. Latgals speak Latvian with their own strong accent. And compared to Latvians, Latgals are very open and simple. That could be compared to Russian or Slavic spirit. If I have it then I can share it with you. Come visit me, I made beer yesterday….”
The chosen blue-blooded
But then again Renārs is said to have Baltic-German ancestors. Courland baron and Immanuel Kant´s cousin. Renārs does not understand what the talk is about. “Aa, that Courland baron talk you read from Wikipedia, didn´t you?” Māris catches the word. But everyone can add there easily. Renārs himself was surprised, when he found it there a year ago. “Probably someone has done family research.” He himself has not gone crazy about it or taken deeper interest in it.
A separate kind of sign of blue-bloodedness is that five years ago Renārs Kaupers, a Latvian, was chosen amongst all EBU countries to host Eurovision song contest 50th anniversary grand concert “Congratulations” in Copenhagen. Side by side with British Eurovision star Katrina “Love Shine a Light” Leskaninch.
“Mmm,” nods Renārs modestly. “They must have been pleased with how I hosted Eurovision-night in Riga 2003.”
No contest or audition. They just called one day: Renārs Kaupers, you are selected. Thanks to the manager who was with him to the negotiation, they agreed to pay even more honorary to Renārs than they had originally planned. Renārs says that he doesn´t remember the sum. “Ohoo, I do,” teases Māris from side.
Renārs, who has a journalist degree, has hosted both Eurovision in Riga and the big jubilee gala in Copenhagen. The weirder is that Latvians annual Jurmala summer-festival hasn´t included their homeland famous son. Or do Latvian boys themselves stay away from an event that has become a Russian elite parade?
“Yes, years ago, quite at the beginning there happened a misunderstanding with them. We were walking in the streets of Riga and we saw the posters of New Wave, with our name printed on them. What a surprise! Of course we called-asked our manager. It came out that he knew nothing about it. Of course we were young and ambitious, we made a scandal, went even to court. That how can it be, we are advertised, without talking to us. And that´s where our relationship with New Wave ended.”
Māris adds that as one of New Wave owners, a mega-composer Igor Krutoi pulls the strings in Russian TV and radio entertainment, playing Brainstorm´s videos in Muztv was banned for years.
The best companion hotel pool
How does Tallinn seem in comparison to Riga- what´s better there, what´s better here?
Renārs stayed in Tallinn for longer couple of years ago during the movie “Georg” shooting.
“It is hard to compare. Home in Riga everything is familiar- you know your bars-theatres-cinemas. There are a lot of friends to visit. Living in a hotel in Tallinn is just like in Helsinki or Stockholm. The city is homely, but so strangely calm-you walk in the streets and nothing happens.” So it was that Renārs´ best companions in Tallinn were our new art museum and the hotel pool.
Latvians have always told jokes about Estonians. I ask them to tell some fresher one. The Latvians faces turn to conspiratorial smiles. But then they go into thought:”Can´t recall any newer ones.” Finally Renārs remembers one:
“Two Estonian guys go to a brothel. ‘We´ve got twenty EEK. What can we get for that?’ Madam replies: ‘For that you can have each other.’ (All three laugh out loud) Estonian guys thank and go. In a little while they come back and ask: ‘Now who do we pay?’” The Boys laugh happily.
“A joke is a joke,” Renārs makes a turn in the conversation. “In car on the way to Tallinn we were just talking that Estonian government has given Latvian government financial aid of 100 000 millions* for the hard times.” The boys don´t even know was the sum in Euros or EEK. “What ever, it doesn´t matter. It´s unbelievable, that Latvian economy is such a bad state. But you have somehow managed to survive. Which means that this slowness of Estonians- think ten times before, you do something- is a right thing to do.”
Two-time fathers
A lot can change in personal in ten years…
“Others here have more news,” chuckles Renārs. “Jānis just became a father for the second time. And Māris will become a father for the second time in a few months time.”
Renārs himself it still waits ahead. On the other hand his twin sons are already 14 years old. Just yesterday Edgars came to me and Agnese for the first time about girls. It was a serious conversation, but it came out quite nice,” the father is proud. There is a glimpse of father´s pride is his voice. “So we are slowly starting to talk about relationships with women” Right now only with one boy, the other, Emils, doesn´t show interest yet… “Yes, we started with one,” laughs Renārs. “But Edgars is the biologically older brother. So that everything is right.”
Renārs keeps his family away from the media´s interest. “There are artist who like it. We, me and Agnese, try to avoid it.” Renārs likes it as U2 Bono has it. “How many even know about his wife and daughters?! If, then only very devoted fans.”
Renārs´ wife Agnese is a stylist for a women´s magazine Una. Sometimes Renārs has asked for stylistic advice from her. “But usually no.”
Years ago in Riga Renārs, the host of Eurovision, arrived to the opening night, with a back bag and on a bicycle. The two-wheeled has been his main means of transportation in Riga till today. Couple of weeks ago he discovered a hole in his garage wall:” Bicycle was gone, it was the seventh.” Now he waits for the long winter to end to buy himself an eight one.
The Kaupers-s have a car. “Agnese needs it more. As a stylist you need to drive to shop and pick up loads of bags of clothes.” The family lives outside of Riga´s central in Pardaugava- that is across the river, on Daugava´s left shore. On a bicycle it´s about ten minutes to the city central.
The Kaupers marriage has lasted for 15 years. For a rock’n’roll-er that is quite an extraordinary monogamy.
“Maybe yes. But it´s nice. It gets more stabile with every year. We are happy over our achieved stabile relationship.”

*Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Norway together decided to give 1 billion Euros to Latvia.