Musician Arnis Mednis keeps creating new music after a stroke
Latvian musician, producer and songwriter Arnis Mednis, who suffered a severe stroke 15 years ago, is still working on new music. The foundation Fonds "Līdzskaņa" is calling for support for him and stressing the importance of backing the creative sector.
Arnis Mednis, a Latvian musician, producer and songwriter, suffered a severe stroke 15 years ago but is still active in music and is working on new material. Fonds "Līdzskaņa", a foundation supporting the creative sector, has drawn attention to his situation and the need for support. It says that backing the creative sector matters not only for musicians' health and wellbeing but also for building a diverse, high-quality music environment.
Education and early career
Mednis studied at the Emīls Dārziņš Music Secondary School and the Latvian State Conservatory. He began his professional career in 1986 with the band Odis. In 1990 the band won the "Liepājas dzintars" festival, and in 1993 it took part in successful performances at the "Jūrmala" and "Sopota" competitions.
Work in other fields
In 2008 Mednis appeared on the TV3 show "Koru kari" (Choir Wars) as the leader of the Riga Yellow Choir, but the show did not bring him major success. That same year he opened a jazz club in Riga.
Alongside his own performing, he has written songs for several Latvian artists, including 4. elements and Cafee. He also composed music for the theatre productions "Pepija" and "Superdetektīvs Blumkvists".
Return to music
In 2011 he resumed his musical activity by founding two new projects. The same year he was one of the jury members of the 2010 Muzikālā banka contest. Overall, Mednis has released six studio albums. For his achievements in Latvian music he has received the Great Music Award, according to Latvian media.
