Carnival Youth

Carnival Youth

Carnival Youth is a Latvian indie rock band from Rīga, active since 2011. The group is known for combining melody-led songs with rock energy, and it builds a reputation through both recordings and live performances.

Background

The band forms in 2011 and becomes part of the Latvian and wider Baltic alternative scene. It receives the European Border Breakers award at Eurosonic 2016, an endorsement of its profile beyond Latvia.

Releases

Carnival Youth releases four records: Never Have Enough EP, No Clouds Allowed, Propeller and Vienā Vilcienā, an album of songs in Latvian. These releases help build a fan base across Europe and attract critical attention. Tracks from No Clouds Allowed are played by radio presenters including Steve Lamacq, John Kennedy and Chris Hawkins, and songs by the band chart on radio stations in Germany and Latvia. Propeller also charts on CMJ, reaching position 80, and both full-length albums receive college radio promotion in the United States and Canada.

Live activity

The band appears at NME Club Night at KOKO in London and at festivals and showcases including Mondo.NYC, The Great Escape, Sziget, Positivus, Open'er Festival, Reeperbahn and Eurosonic. It also tours Germany, Austria, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and its home region on several occasions.

Members

Current member Aleksis Luriņš is listed among the band's personnel. Other members named are Edgars Kaupers on guitars and vocals, Roberts Vanags on keyboards and vocals, Kristiāns Kosītis on bass, and Emīls Kaupers on drums and vocals. Former members include Aleksis Luriņš, credited with bass and guitars in earlier line-ups, and Matīss Kļaviņš on bass.