They're the lampshade-hatted Latvian alt-pop trio who've recently released new double A side single featuring ‘Birthday’ and ‘Phantom Planet’. Blending gloriously hazy vocals with jangle guitars, Carnival Youth's sound is melodic, experimental and infectiously catchy sound. We caught up with the band to find out what's happening in their world.
By Eamon O'Neill.
Hi guys, how are you doing?
Hi, we’re doing wonderful, the spring is here and we are enjoying it in our hometown of Rīga. We're currently planning all the details for the launch of the next singles from our upcoming album 'Good Luck' which is going to be available on 16th of August. It's a very exciting time!
Where did you all meet each other?
Two of us are twins, so we’ve known each other since forever, and when we changed schools in 8th grade we were thrown in one class with Robert, and that’s where we all met.
What influenced you to form a band?
At start we were just messing around at the rehearsal space, we were lucky to have the opportunity, because father of Emil and Edgar is also a musician. It was a fun way to spend time after the school, there was never an idea of forming a real band at first, but somehow, slowly it evolved in something you can call a band.
Who or what inspires your musical output?
Collecting our thoughts, experiences, feelings at a certain point in space and time. It involves relationships with people, universe, art, music. And songwriting is very exciting and filling, with all the experimentation and mystery. Knowledge, that we are able to create something new from point zero is inspiring itself.
Does being Latvian add something to your music; do you take traditional music and make it your own?
I think any surrounding, environment affects who you are. Latvians have always been a singing nation, so maybe some part of our genetic code is made of Latvian traditional songs. We are not trying to purposefully write something Latvian, but in the writing process we experiment a lot, and if something Latvian comes out of it, we don’t mind.
Tell us why you decided to release a Double A side single.
Sometimes choosing the first single can be a really hard decision and there are a lot of aspects that have to be taken into account. This time there were so many opinions that we decided to release two songs!
Hi guys, how are you doing?
Hi, we’re doing wonderful, the spring is here and we are enjoying it in our hometown of Rīga. We're currently planning all the details for the launch of the next singles from our upcoming album 'Good Luck' which is going to be available on 16th of August. It's a very exciting time!
Where did you all meet each other?
Two of us are twins, so we’ve known each other since forever, and when we changed schools in 8th grade we were thrown in one class with Robert, and that’s where we all met.
What influenced you to form a band?
At start we were just messing around at the rehearsal space, we were lucky to have the opportunity, because father of Emil and Edgar is also a musician. It was a fun way to spend time after the school, there was never an idea of forming a real band at first, but somehow, slowly it evolved in something you can call a band.
Who or what inspires your musical output?
Collecting our thoughts, experiences, feelings at a certain point in space and time. It involves relationships with people, universe, art, music. And songwriting is very exciting and filling, with all the experimentation and mystery. Knowledge, that we are able to create something new from point zero is inspiring itself.
Does being Latvian add something to your music; do you take traditional music and make it your own?
I think any surrounding, environment affects who you are. Latvians have always been a singing nation, so maybe some part of our genetic code is made of Latvian traditional songs. We are not trying to purposefully write something Latvian, but in the writing process we experiment a lot, and if something Latvian comes out of it, we don’t mind.
Tell us why you decided to release a Double A side single.
Sometimes choosing the first single can be a really hard decision and there are a lot of aspects that have to be taken into account. This time there were so many opinions that we decided to release two songs!
Do you like touring ?
We love touring. What could be better to explore new places and play your own music to people around the globe. It’s been a while since our last tour, so we are ready for new adventures. But if you would ask us the same question on the fifth week of the tour, the answer might be different. Because touring takes a lot too. There’s so much travel and little sleep, it’s a challenge, but it all depends on the company and the mindset.
Do audiences differ in each country?
They do. There are places where people are shy and introvert, there are places where people like to talk to each other during the show, there are places where young and old ones hang out together, etc. But, they are all there to spend a good time. I guess we haven’t been to a place (yet) where we are shocked by the reaction of an audience.
Are festival gigs different to venue gigs, or is it the same kind of vibe?
When you go to a festival or to a venue gig as a visitor, it’s different, right? And as an artist it’s different too. The atmosphere, environment, the schedules might differ. Venue gigs are usually longer, than set at a festival. But festivals are cool, because we get to see other great bands and performances.
What are your plans for the next few months?
The closer the release of our new album is, the more things we have to do. We've a couple of shows here and there, and we're making more music videos for the rest of the singles. We're also getting ready for the summer, festivals and the new album release.
Finally, when will we see you next over in UK &Ireland?
We will have some show/s in the UK in the autumn with our new album. We're not so sure about the Ireland, but would love to go there too.
Like this story? Like us on FaceBook and follow us on Twitter for regular updates & more of the same.
Catch Carnival Youth on social media at Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. To sign up to the band's mailing list, visit www.carnivalyouth.com.
We love touring. What could be better to explore new places and play your own music to people around the globe. It’s been a while since our last tour, so we are ready for new adventures. But if you would ask us the same question on the fifth week of the tour, the answer might be different. Because touring takes a lot too. There’s so much travel and little sleep, it’s a challenge, but it all depends on the company and the mindset.
Do audiences differ in each country?
They do. There are places where people are shy and introvert, there are places where people like to talk to each other during the show, there are places where young and old ones hang out together, etc. But, they are all there to spend a good time. I guess we haven’t been to a place (yet) where we are shocked by the reaction of an audience.
Are festival gigs different to venue gigs, or is it the same kind of vibe?
When you go to a festival or to a venue gig as a visitor, it’s different, right? And as an artist it’s different too. The atmosphere, environment, the schedules might differ. Venue gigs are usually longer, than set at a festival. But festivals are cool, because we get to see other great bands and performances.
What are your plans for the next few months?
The closer the release of our new album is, the more things we have to do. We've a couple of shows here and there, and we're making more music videos for the rest of the singles. We're also getting ready for the summer, festivals and the new album release.
Finally, when will we see you next over in UK &Ireland?
We will have some show/s in the UK in the autumn with our new album. We're not so sure about the Ireland, but would love to go there too.
Like this story? Like us on FaceBook and follow us on Twitter for regular updates & more of the same.
Catch Carnival Youth on social media at Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. To sign up to the band's mailing list, visit www.carnivalyouth.com.
