BrainStorm

Story of BrainStorm is a story of best friends, who grow up together, went to the same school, shared the same dreams and together fulfilled them. Those guys come from a unique generation. Born in Latvia then part of giant Soviet Union they experienced the Soviet upbringing, the battle for a freedom and were part of the first generation to embrace new possibilities the freedom brought. Such experience of two radical systems has leavened their musical influences. As singer of BrainStorm Renars Kaupers admits: “The truly first influences of BrainStorm were Russian cartoons and Soviet Latvian popscene in 80-s. Regarding those cartoons - I still love those songs and listen to them at times. They have some kind of unique happiness and sadness at the same time that is hard to explain. And that is exactly how I see most of our songs. Only when we were some 14 – 15 years old we started to learn what happens on the other side of the moon.” After BrainStorm conquered the hearts of music lovers in native Latvia and became a household name 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 2000 proved the ambitions were satisfied. Album got released in Europe and particularly Belgians, Scandinavians and Baltic people embraced BrainStorm’s piece of work. Band toured with own sold out shows and played festivals across Europe. „Among The Suns“ found its way into hands of REM’s Michael Stipe who gave his judgment by saying: "For me the main thing about music is whether or not there is a songwriting, and I felt the songwriting is really strong." Inspired by such a welcoming reception BrainStorm recorded album „Online“ that got released the following year. 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. That year BrainStorm had an opportunity to play a support slot for their own childhood heroes „Depeche Mode“ in Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia while supporting The Cranberries brought them to Germany, Italy, Belgium and Czech Republic. For recording of the sequent album „A Day Before Tomorrow“ BrainStorm decided to work with two producers - German’s Echo award winner producer Alex Silva who brought more of a rocky sound in and Steve Lyon. Well-known photographer Anton Corbijn stepped in to create the artwork and pictures. He got involved since music of BrainStorm captured his heart. “I think the songs have freshness, innocence and strength. There is this beautiful thing that great bands have something… Identity and I think BrainStorm has that,“ A.Corbijn explained. The most significant show BrainStorm did during promoting the album was supporting incredible „Rolling Stones“ in Prague, Czech Republic. Meanwhile in their native Latvia BrainStorm reached new highs and records. Their gala show of album support tour in Riga, Skonto Stadium was seen by 25 000 people . In 2004 BrainStorm in collaboration with well-known Russian band Bi-2 recorded a song „Skolzkije Ulici“ (Slippery Streets) 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. Summer of 2004 turned out to be a sorrow one for BrainStorm. Original bass player and long-term childhood friend Gundars Mausevics known with a nickname Mumins tragically passed away. In the memory of dear friend and faith in band’ s calling BrainStorm decided to keep the ball rolling. BrainStorm once again teamed up with producer Alex Silva who this time worked on the whole album. The title of the new recording „Four Shores“ emphasized the sore place BrainStorm guys found themselves after loosing Mumins. The touch of Mumins lives through the songs since the band started writing them before the tragedy. 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. Since BrainStorm guys are fluent in Russian few radio single they recorded in Russian. With this move BrainStorm took over Russian audience by the storm. 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. Latvian version of the next album „Tur kaut kam ir jābūt“ (There must be something in there) released in 2008 sees the new direction of the sound since band teamed up with well-known local hip-hop artist Gustavo. All the doubts and concerns from the fans and media disappeared after album was released. It got Platinum status along with sold out album support tour. In spring of 2009 the same album with Russian/English lyrics were released in Russia and Ukraine. Sold out solo shows and appearances in Russian leading festivals followed. English language album „Years and Seconds“ followed in 2010. In 2012 BrainStorm recorded studio album '”Another Still Life” in 3 versions (English language, Latvian language version “Vēl viena klusā daba” and Russian language version “Чайки на крышах). Album was written and recorded in Hudson, upstate NY, and was mixed in a studio beneath Radiohead's management office in Oxford, England. The song “Flashlight” (lyrics by Travis singer Fran Healy from current album “Another still life” was main song on the soundtrack for 3 D animation film “The Snow Queen” In summer 2012 band toured native Latvia gathering 89 500 people in 7 dates. In 2013 BrainStorm by the Latvian name Prāta Vētra” wrote the history by being first Latvian band to play legendary “Glastonbury Festival” on John Peel Stage. Later that year band played biggest to date solo shows in Russia. For recording of new album “7 Steps of Fresh Air” once again band teamed up with producer Alex Silva. Album was written in Berlin, Hansa Studio and is set for release this spring.