Instrumenti
Background information
OriginRīga, Latvia
GenresIndie pop
Years active2007-present
LabelsInstrumenti
MembersJānis Šipkēvics
Reinis Sējāns
Gatis Zaķis
Websiteinstrumenti.in

Instrumenti are an Electronic Indie Pop music band from Latvia, Riga, originally formed by two academically educated musicians Shipsi (Jānis Šipkēvics) and Reynsi (Reinis Sējāns). In 2014, band's producer Gatis Zaķis became full member.[1]

During the years various musicians and visual artists from Latvia, Sweden, Finland, France and Iceland at some point have called themselves Instrumenti members.[2]

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.[3] However, the group was officially formed only in 2009.[4] 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.[5]

Live shows

Instrumenti have performed in Germany, Austria, Iceland, Norway, Poland, UK, France, Belgium, Czech Republic, Sweden, Lithuania, Estonia, Russia, USA, UK.

Discography

Albums

Title Album details Certification
TRU
  • Released: 31 August 2011
  • Label: Instrumenti
  • Formats: CD, Vinyl
LV: Gold
PROCRASTINATION
  • Released: 21 May 2013
  • Label: Instrumenti
  • Formats: CD, Vinyl
Iekams
  • Released: 2 December 2014
  • Label: Instrumenti
  • Formats: CD, Vinyl
Atkala
  • Released: 8 December 2017
  • Label: Instrumenti
  • Formats: CD, Vinyl
Cilvēks
  • Released: 15 March 2019
  • Label: Instrumenti
  • Formats: CD, Vinyl

EPs

Title Album details Certification
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 Certification
Tru Live
  • Released: 2012, 5 September
  • Label: Instrumenti
  • Formats: DVD, Blu-ray Disc

Airplay singles

Year Song Album Chart [A]
2009 Zemeslodes TRU 1
Apēst tevi 1
(Back of Your) Drawer Pandemiya 20
Life Jacket Under Your Seat 30
Kvik Myndir 46
2010 Born to Die TRU 2
2011 Pilnīgi viens TRU 1
The Time Is Now 14
Lie Down (Viss ir otrādāk) feat. Gustavo 18
Pieturi mani sev klāt 24
2013 Don't Hold Onto Me PROCRASTINATION 24

[A] Latvian Airplay Top

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

  1. "Trešais dalībnieks Gatis izlien no grupas Instrumenti skapja", SKATIES.LV, 11 December 2014. Retrieved on 2019-08-12.
  2. Dryburgh, Jay. "Instrumenti Interview: SXSW 2010", Spinner.com, 8 March 2010. Retrieved on 2010-09-23.
  3. "Instrumenti "Life Jacket Under Your Seat" (Audio)". 11 August 2008.
  4. "Home". instrumenti.in.
  5. Straumanis, Andris. "Instrumenti wins best song honor in Latvian music awards" Archived 23 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine, Latvians Online, 24 February 2010. Retrieved on 2010-09-23.
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