Intars Busulis on His New Album «Deg mans ugunskurs», Recorded Entirely Live

Latvian jazz and pop singer Intars Busulis and his backing band, the Abonements Orchestra led by pianist Kārlis Lācis, are releasing a new album, «Deg mans ugunskurs» («My Bonfire Burns»), this week. He spoke about it in an interview for the Saturday supplement of the Latvian newspaper Diena. Busulis first became known as a member of the group Caffe, and his band today plays often at private events, social gatherings and town festivals.

A recording without electronics

According to the singer, the album was recorded completely live. Only one song retains a sample, which he used as the starting point for writing that track. The electronics that dominate modern pop are absent: the strings, brass and guitar are played by real musicians. Busulis warns of a 1990s flavour and melodic songs.

Four female singers, the GG Choir and a string section from Sinfonietta Rīga also took part. The producer is Reinis Sējāns, with whom Busulis shares a project called Bujāns. The mix was done by Gatis Zaķis.

Songs and themes

Busulis and Lācis wrote the music for all ten songs together this time; on the previous album, «Spēlē savā burvju flautā», each had written separate songs. The lyricists are Kārlis Vērdiņš, Marts Pujāts and Kate Elpo. Jānis Elsbergs, who wrote earlier songs «Brīvdiena» and «Miglas rīts», could not contribute this time. Love is a less prominent theme, though one love song, «Cerība», made it onto the record. The count was kept at ten because more songs do not fit on a vinyl record without losing quality.

Everyday life and views

In the interview, Busulis says he listens to little music himself and rarely goes to concerts. He adds that he has enough work in Latvia, with performances almost daily in summer and around the holidays. He also expressed hope that if Ukraine wins the war, contact with acquaintances in Russia, lost since the invasion began, might resume.