Instrumenti are an Electronic Indie Pop music band from Latvia, Riga, originally formed by two academically educated musicians Jānis Šipkēvics (Shipsea) and Reinis Sējāns. In 2014, band's producer Gatis Zaķis became full member."Trešais dalībnieks Gatis izlien no grupas Instrumenti skapja", SKATIES.LV, 11 December 2014. Retrieved on 2019-08-12.
During the years various musicians and visual artists from Latvia, Sweden, Finland, France and Iceland at some point have called themselves Instrumenti members.Dryburgh, Jay. "Instrumenti Interview: SXSW 2010" , Spinner.com, 8 March 2010. Retrieved on 2010-09-23.
Instrumenti, a two-piece electro indie pop band, has proven to be amongst the best Baltic live acts of the decade.
The band published their first single "Life Jacket Under Your Seat" in summer 2008, which immediately caught attention of Latvian radio stations. However, the group was officially formed only in 2009. Shipsi (vocals/keyboards) has one of the most impressive falsettos today's music has to offer while Reynsi (drums/ keyboards/vocals) has a genuine talent of creating incredibly rich and warm sound backed up with beautiful harmonies. Instrumenti sound has been described as a mix of Muse, Sigur Rós and Michael Jackson.
In August 2011 Instrumenti released their debut album TRU recorded at the Greenhouse studios in Reykjavik, collaborating with producers and arrangers who've worked on most of Sigur Rós, Björk and Jónsi's records.
Being one of the most sought-after Baltic acts, Instrumenti have played the biggest venues in the Baltic states and have taken part in numerous festivals and showcases all over Europe (Germany, Austria, Sweden, Iceland, Norway, Poland, UK, France, Belgium, Czech Republic etc.) - SXSW, The Great Escape Festival, Eurosonic Noorderslag, Heineken Opener, Positivus Festival, Rock For People, Waves Vienna, Tallinn Music Week among others.
What makes Instrumenti captivating is the duo's natural wit, charisma, creativity and skills that allow them to delicately blend different styles and genres, creating an enjoyable aural and visual adventure.
In 2013, Instrumenti participated in a number of European festivals, playing alongside Friendly Fires, Keane, The Vaccines, Hurts and Skrillex among others.
Awards
Instrumenti received two Music Awards at Annual Latvian Music Awards 2010 – Best Song for "Apēst Tevi" and Best Debut for "Pandemiya" EP.Straumanis, Andris. "Instrumenti wins best song honor in Latvian music awards" , Latvians Online, 24 February 2010. Retrieved on 2010-09-23.
Live shows
Instrumenti have performed in Germany, Austria, Iceland, Norway, Poland, UK, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Sweden, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, USA, UK.
Discography
Albums
+ List of charted studio albums, with selected details Title Details Peak chart positions Certification LATPeak chart positions for albums in Latvia: "Atkala": Tru Released: 31 August 2011 Label: Instrumenti Formats: CD, Vinyl rowspan="3" LaIPA: Gold Procrastination Released: 21 May 2013 Label: Instrumenti Formats: CD, Vinyl Iekams Released: 2 December 2014 Label: Instrumenti Formats: CD, Vinyl AtkalaReleased: 8 December 2017 Label: Instrumenti Formats: CD, Vinyl 1 CilvēksReleased: 15 March 2019 Label: Instrumenti Formats: CD, Vinyl — "—" denotes items which were not released in that country or failed to chart."*" denotes that the chart did not exist at that time.
EPs
Title Album details Pandemiya* Released: 2009 Label: Instrumenti Formats: CD Containing singles "Life Jacket Under Your Seat", "Kvik Myndir", "(Back of Your) Drawer", "Peace (There Must Be)", and the official video for "Kvik Myndir".
DVDs Title Album details Tru Live Released: 2012, 5 September Label: Instrumenti Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc
Airplay singles
YearSongAlbum or EP2009ZemeslodesTruApēst tevi(Back of Your) DrawerPandemiyaLife Jacket Under Your SeatKvik Myndir2010Born to DieTru2011Pilnīgi viensThe Time Is NowLie Down (Viss ir otrādāk) feat. GustavoPieturi mani sev klāt2013Don't Hold Onto MeProcrastination
Videos Song Director Year Apēst tevi Ksenija Sundejeva-Zaķe 2009 Kvik myndir Ksenija Sundejeva-Zaķe 2010 Pilnīgi viens Ivars Trautmanis and Eduards Zaiganovs 2011 Aeon River Ksenija Sundejeva-Zaķe 2013 Don't Hold Onto Me Uģis Olte 2013 Heartcore Indriķis Ģelzis 2013
References
External links Official Instrumenti Website Instrumenti on Facebook Instrumenti on Sonicbids