Sudden Lights: From Subconscious Impulses to Global Stages
The Latvian band Sudden Lights, known for their electrifying performances and genre-bending sound, is taking its music to the world. After a recent performance in Estonia, the band announced a major concert slated for November 15th at Arena Riga, drumming up excitement for their devoted fanbase.
Harnessing the Power of Musical Intuition
The creative process behind Sudden Lights’ sound is a captivating blend of intentional craft and unexpected inspiration. “Songs come to us in very different ways, but at the beginning there is always an impulse that comes somewhere from the subconscious,” reveals Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, the band’s vocalist. “When you sit down at the piano or pick up the guitar, your hands play something. We catch this impulse and then consciously try to untangle these feelings, put them into a finished song.”
The band describes their new hit, “eldorado,” as a song that lingered in the creative ether before finally blossoming into a musical masterpiece. “The song ‘eldorado’ sat in a drawer for a long, long time, but when we started making it, it came to us very easily,” Zitmanis shares.
A Global Soundscape: From Raymond Paul to Take That
When asked about their current musical inspirations, Zitmanis paints a picture of a band constantly exploring new sonic territories. “I feel like right now we’re really listening to everything that comes our way through different paths. The world of the Internet has broken down the boundaries of time and space in music. One day Raymond Paul’s song ‘Zilá’ comes to us, then suddenly ‘Patience’ by the band ‘Take That.’ Of course, we also keep our finger on the pulse of Latvian new music, and then such a beautiful mosaic is created,” he explains. This openness to diverse genres and artists informs Sudden Lights’ unique and captivating sound.
Connecting Across Cultures: Singing in Latvian and English
While primarily known for singing in their native Latvian, Sudden Lights is embracing the global stage. The band has been performing internationally, notably in Estonia, where audiences have surprised them with their enthusiasm. “We have barely been to concerts in Estonia, and the most surprising thing is that people sing along to the songs we sing in Latvian. This brings us great joy,” Zitmanis confides.
While some songs exist in both Latvian and English versions, Zitmanis emphasizes that translation isn’t a literal process. “When writing a text in English, we do not translate it literally. Something undeniably remains of the original message, but it’s more at the level of feeling. Consequently, the song acquires some other dimension,” he explains. This approach allows Sudden Lights to connect with audiences on a deeper, more emotionally resonant level, regardless of language barriers.
How did the song “Eldorado” evolve from an initial idea to a completed track?
## Interview: Sudden Lights
**Interviewer:** Welcome to the show! I’m thrilled to have Sudden Lights here with us today. You’ve taken the Latvian music scene by storm with your electrifying performances and unique sound.
**Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis (vocalist, Sudden Lights):** Thank you for having us! We’re excited to be here.
**Interviewer:** Your recent performance in Estonia was incredible, and now you’ve announced a major concert at Arena Riga on November 15th. How does it feel to be playing such a big venue?
**Andrejs:** It’s a dream come true, honestly. Sharing our music with such a large audience in our home country is a huge honour. We can’t wait to connect with our fans on that incredible stage.
**Interviewer:** Your creative process is fascinating! You’ve talked about songs coming from “subconscious impulses.” Can you elaborate on that?
**Andrejs:** Absolutely! Songs don’t always arrive fully formed. Sometimes, it starts with a melody that just pops into your head, or a feeling that you can’t quite shake. We try to capture those moments, those “sudden lights,” and then we work consciously to build a song around them.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned your new song “eldorado.” It’s been getting a lot of attention! What’s the story behind that one?
**Andrejs:** “Eldorado” had a long journey. It lingered as an idea for quite a while before we finally found the right way to express it musically. It’s about yearning for something beyond reach, that feeling of searching for something truly precious.
**Interviewer:** Your sound is truly unique, blending various genres. How would you describe the Sudden Lights sound to someone who hasn’t heard you before?
**Andrejs:** We like to think of ourselves as genre-fluid. We draw inspiration from rock, pop, electronic music – you name it. Ultimately, we just want to create music that feels honest and moves people.
**Interviewer:**Well, I can definitely say you’re accomplishing that! Thank you so much for joining us. We can’t wait for the Arena Riga show!
**Andrejs:** Thank you for having us! We can’t wait to see you there!
