Brainstorm

BRAINSTORM

Brainstorm is no doubt a most successful Latvian pop/rock band ever.
Formed in the summer of 1989 by four former classmates - Renars Kaupers, Janis Jubalts, Gundars Mausevics and Kaspars Roga. Soon after, their underclassman Maris Mihelsons also joined the band. The title of the band was taken from what one old foreign lady said about their music, who characterized it as a "brainstorm". In Latvian it translates as "Prata Vetra".

In September 1992 Brainstorm released their first single "Jo tu nac" (Because You Come) and finished 9th in Microphone song contest a kind of “Song of the year” competition. A year later was released their first album “Vairak neka skali” (More than Loud).

In 1994 they released maxi-single “Vietu nav” (No Vacancies!) as the limited edition of 500 copies.

In 1995 their single "Lidmasinas" (Airplanes) became one of the most playlisted and sold single in Latvia and got Radio Super FM award. The band had first performances in Germany and the United Kingdom.

In 1995 Brainstorm released successful album .The most popular songs from the album were "Darznieks" (Gardener), "Apelsins" (Orange) and "Lidmasinas" (Airplanes), and the popularity of the band increased dramatically.

The single from this album "Tavas majas mana azote" (Under My Wing is Your Home) became the biggest hit in Latvia of 1996.

The next step to success was the signing the deal with Microphone Records, one of the most successful record companies in the region and releasing the next album “Viss ir tiesi ta ka tu velies” (Everything's the Way You Want It) in 1997. The album got golden award and made Brainstorm the most popular band in Latvia. The most popular songs of the album were "Viss ir tiesi ta ka tu velies", "Mans draugs" (My Friend), "Neatgriesanas" (No Return) and "Tavas majas mana azote". Almost all the songs of this album became the real big hits.

Members of the band received offers to host the TV and radio shows and to take part in the musical performance of the theatre scene. They participate in “The Good Soldier Ðvejk” which became the most visited musical play in Latvia. Brainstorm's first international single was recorded in 1998 in Germany together with the producer Volker Hinkel (Fool's Garden). Single "Under My Wing" becomes their first step to the international market. Single was playlisted across the Baltic countries as well as in Sweden and Germany. Soon after this, the band was got Grand Prix of the Karlshamn music fest in Sweden.

In 1999 Brainstorm released their fourth album “Starp divam saulem” and the international version of this album titled “Among The Suns”. The album was recorded and produced in Sweden (EMI Studio) and Denmark (Puk Studio) Five singles from this album - "Puse no sirds" (Half of a heart), "Starp divam saulem" (Among the suns), "Lec" (Try), "Prom uz siltajam salam" (Ain't it funny") and "Tu izvelejies palikt" (Welcome to my country) reached # 1 of the Latvian airplay chart shortly after release.

On 13th of May 2000 in Sweden, in only 3 minutes Brainstorm became an internationally known band after their song "My Star" got the 3rd place at the 45th Eurovision song contest in Sweden. "My Star" was produced by producer Tony Mansfield (A-ha) in London and got pan-European radio airplays. Album ” Among The Suns were licensed to EMI Records and released in over the 20 countries w-vide. Later this year was released their first “Best of album”.

2001 was again very successful year and their new album “Kakens, kurs atteicas no jurasskolas” and this album English version “Online” were released. First single
"Maybe" become a real international hit and got many #1 positions in various European radio stations. The video of the song was shot in Prague (Czech) and later was playlisted on MTV, VIVA and many local musical channels in Europe as well as US, Asia and Latin America. Video reached # 1 in MTV Nordic chart. The second single "Waterfall" and the video for this single also achieved success. Meanwhile in their homeland Latvia their single "Spogulit, spogulit, " (Oh Mirror, mirror) become a national pop anthem of all generations.

The next album “Dienas, kad lidlauks parak tals” and this album international version “A Day Before Tomorrow” was released in 2003. The whole album was recorded and produced in Germany and Denmark by a famous producer Alex Silva (Herbert Grönemeyer, Nelly Furtado, Manic Street Preachers etc). The legendary Anton Corbijn, who has worked also for Depeche Mode, Metallica, U2, Nirvana and other superstars, did image pictures and album artwork. Video for the single “Colder” were produced by Echo Awarded German video director Manuel Werner (De Phazz, Sasha, etc) and got airplay on MTV across the Europe.

In 2003 Brainstorm warmed-up The Rolling Stones show in Prague. Brainstorm presented a saxophone to Mick Jagger for his birthday.

In 2004, one of the band founders Gundars Mausevics ( Mumin) died on the night betwe