Prints: Brainstorm

The Latvian rock band with the international career Brainstorm celebrates 10 years of its presence in Russia. On this occasion on October 25, they will show at Stadium . Live is a special show that played in Latvia in Latvia for 150,000 people.

Vocalist Renars Kaupers, keyboard player Maris Michelsons and guitarist Janis Yubalts knocked over the old photo album of Brainstorm , founded in 1989 in Yelgava, and commented on the most nostalgic photographs.

Renars Kaupers: It seems that the master is seriously engaged in solfeggio. The photo was taken at our house, in Elgava. My mother was my first teacher - she taught music in a kindergarten. By the way, a month ago I wrote a anthem for him - “with strawberries in my hands” (kindergarten is called “strawberries.” - Ed. ). I’m here for six years old, and then I was in the preparatory class in front of the music school, where later I met Marisa [Michelsons] and Muminsha ( Gundars Maushevich , the bassist of the group, tragically died in 2004. - Ed. ). And, of course, my friend Caspers (Caspers Rog is a drummer Brainstorm . - Ed. ). In a music school, I was in a choral class and at the same time learned to play keys and a block flot. But after five years of study, I still agreed with my mother that I could no longer go there, and moved to a large basketball. True, life put everything in its place, and instead of the ball, I often hold a microphone in my hands.

Janis Yubalts (Magic): Oh! These are the times when I had a hair! Then just such hairstyles were in fashion. So I didn’t care for anyone specially. In those days I listened to AC / DC , Nazareth , Pink Floyd , "Cinema", The Doors , I loved Queen very much. The rest was what my family listened to - from Raymond Pauls to Alla Pugacheva. And, of course, the Latvians Zodiac .

Maris Michelons: This is probably the year of 1994. Pleasant memories! And Muminsh is with us. Honestly, I don’t remember why we all decided to roll up pants, what kind of concept it was. It seems that these were shootings for some Latvian newspaper. Pay attention - Magic had still had hair! This frame is valuable - such photos are no longer left. Here we are at the very beginning of the journey. We were very inspired by Depeche then Mode . We have already performed in clubs, but have not yet earned it. We just liked playing music without a special purpose. More often I also had to pay extra for their concerts.

Michelsons: We dressed in circus costumes here. We used to be big originals before! :) In fact, it was a special performance at the Latvian music award. We sang only one song, so we dressed up. On that day, we received one of our first awards in life ... for the song. But for which one? Remember! These are the 2000s, and there were many productive songs. :)

Michelson: here the failures begin in memory! This is we in Sigulda. In my opinion, then at the studio we recorded demo versions of several of our songs. Renars accurately wrote vocals. This is also somewhere in the beginning of the 2000s. Previously, we always dressed who wanted how to say in advance. :) Apparently, this time Renars and I looked to visit the guys while they worked on their parties. Therefore, their appearance is appropriate - worker, and we have a front.

Kaupers: With the Rem Group, acquaintance turned out to be spontaneous! Our album "Among the Suns" fell into the hands of Michael Staype. He became interested in us and called into the tour as a warm -up group. Photos are also shot after concerts. We drove a whole tour with them. And then they clearly understood how to relate to others, to those who work with you. Michael’s modesty and attitude were struck, when he came to our dressing room, supported and most importantly - he declared us before going on stage! Colossal internal level of culture and respect for younger comrades! After this, the audience perceives you more carefully and more serious. Probably, this experience has largely laid the foundation - how we should build our work within our team, how to relate to those who work with us, to each other. It was a very strong example - when a star of this level remains a person with a capital letter.

Kaupers: We were introduced to Michael Staype from R. E.​ M.​ We toured with them as a warm -up group. Somehow, he very successfully pulled us into this party. Of course, Corbine has not yet shot clips to us, but almost all photo shoots - his hands! He also made out three of our records: “Four S Hores” (2006), “A Day Before Tomorrow” (2003) and the newly released collection of Russian-Latvian songs “ The Best of Brainstorm ” (2013). For a new cover, we used the fresh photos of Anton, which we made in June of this year. In general, we have good, warm relationships with Anton. I think he likes us. Otherwise, our communication would have long been interrupted. :) He somehow admitted to us that he was attracted in our songs freshness, purity and strength.

Kaupers: The photo was taken after the concert. Probably, this was one of the most memorable performances and the largest spectators. There were, if I remember correctly, about 80,000 people. This ourselves helped to learn to speak to such huge audiences. And Mik had a birthday, and we decided to give him a saxophone so spontaneously. By the way, this summer we performed at the Glastonbury festival, just one day with Rolling Stones . We went to their set with great pleasure. Surprisingly, over the years they have changed little. It seems that the guys all with the same drive and pleasure sing their songs. Colossal dedication.

Kaupers: In my opinion, this is 2006. Then the MTV Europe Awards was first introduced the nomination “Best Group of the Baltic countries”, and the audience almost unanimously chose us. That is, we did not compete, we were just chosen. On MTV We don’t be sad, since the clips have long been looking at YouTube . :) I personally do not watch the TV. There is no free time, and I don’t want to waste it.

Michelsons: All the time has its own charm. It is always nice to return mentally to childhood, remember something. They looked at these photos, have not seen them for a long time, and such memories surged! And so - we are good here and now!