RIGA — The word sviests in Latvian means not only butter. It is also used to describe something that is bad, wrong or useless.
Well, the latter meaning does not apply to the new Sviests 3 album, a compilation of contemporary Latvian folk music. Here the word is used to symbolize purity. The butter symbolizes a pure product, that is made from another pure product, cream. Just like the this CD is made of different artists using the same initial material — Latvian folklore.
The result is a mixture of kokles and traditional daina motifs with reggae, metal, rap, and other experimental sounds. The album features 22 songs from both lesser-known artists, such as medieval music group Trakula and established bands like Skyforger. The CD also an international touch, as some of the artists are Latvians diaspora: Zigrīdas Kalpi from Australia, Lini from the U.S., KGB and Lokal Heroes from Germany.
Sviests 3 is the third of the series of albums done by cultural management center Lauska.Many of the songs are available only on this album. The international public will get acquainted with the new music record in world music fair Womex 2009 in the end of October in Copenhagen, Denmark. In November this the album will get a local release party in a newly-opened folk music pub Ala in Riga.
Sviests compilations have received international recognition; the album Best of Folk Music from Latvia released by one of the leading international world music labels ARC Music was based on the Sviests series. Also Sviests 2 included a song sung by the former Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga.
How can I get it if I am abroad?
Dear Ugne,
Thank you for using Baltic Reports as a news source.
Probably the easiest way to get Sviests 3 is to contact Lauska, the cultural nonprofit that put the album out. I believe you can order the album directly from them.
Here is their contact info: http://www.lauska.lv/pages/english/contacts.php
Regards,
Nathan Greenhalgh
Editor
Baltic Reports