LITESOUND, Eurovision Top-Act from BELARUS, is performing for the very first time in The Netherlands, on October 2nd 2015 at CCMuziekcafe in Amsterdam
I had a talk with Manuela Brouwer, the Dutch driving force behind all LITESOUND promotion in The Netherlands.
I was curious to how she got so involved with the band LITESOUND. How she met them, what makes them stand out for her, how preparations for their very first performance in The Netherlands is going and how much she and the guys from the band are looking forward to it.
But first, for those of you who don’t know that much about LITESOUND yet, a little introduction:
Who is/are LITESOUND?
LITESOUND is relatively unknown outside Belarussian and Russian borders, where they are top of the bill!!, but this will certainly change soon. A band that grew up with bears, matroeskas, blinis and vodka will conquer Europe rapidly with their catchy English songs, ready for the European and American music world !!
Litesound is founded in 2005 by brothers Dima and Vova Karyakin. They are an independent band and do everything in-house. They write their own lyrics and music and record their songs in their own studio. They film and edit their music video’s all by themselves and of course, they are the main actors in these videos. Last year, their song “Brothers” was chosen to be the official song for the Ice Hockey World Championships and they learned to skate to make not only the song but also the video a big success !!
Internationally, they are known for their participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012.
Interview:
Manuela, you are the driving force behind the Facebookpage “Litesound across Europe”. In the description it says you are also promoter of the band Litesound. And you’ve also made an Event Facebookpage for “Litesound, Eurovision Top-Act, Live in Holland”. This all shows that you are a big supporter of Litesound and you really like their music a lot, to get this much involved with them. So lets go back to the beginning. How did it all start.
When was the first time you heard of Litesound and/or saw them?
The very first time I saw them was also the very first time I heard of them: Baku ESC, May 24th 2012.
They represented Belarus with the song “We are the Heroes”.
What was your first impression of them?
WOW …………… What a great voice and ………. WOW ……….. such an extraordinary appearance ))
How and when did the real contact between you and the band start?
The real contact started on VKontakte. That’s the Russian version of Facebook. The contact was made very soon after ESC Baku. I started writing to frontman Dmitry (Dima) Karyakin and we never stopped having contact.
When was the first time you saw them play live? And where was that? What kind of performance was it?
The first time I saw them live was in Italy on January 13th 2013. They had an acoustic show in Vercelli. The home village of Jacopo Massa, who was with them at ESC. Dima and Jacopo invited me and I just HAD to go there !!! Dima just couldn’t believe that I actually came over from Holland to meet them. It was amazing !!
And how did that first meet go? How were/are they in real life?
The first meeting was after the press-conference which was held before the show. We talked and it felt if I knew them for years. They were so very friendly and very kind. During the show they called me on stage to have a little talk in front of the audience, because well, I came only for them to Vercelli, all the way from Holland. I was even mentioned in two newspaper articles about the show, can you imagine that ? Hahaa !!
They also had a present for me: their cd which they signed for me and I gave them the presents I bought for them.
Then they said they want to spend more time with me and I was invited the next day at the home of Jacopo Massa and his parents to have dinner with the Massa family and the Karyakin family (Dima with his brother Vova and their parents Olga and Yuri). It was so amazing. It lasted until 4 am.
The next day they invited me again to have lunch with all of them again at the Massa house.
They also wanted me to accompany them for a photoshoot but I had a plane to catch ………. I didn’t expect to be given the opportunity to spend so many time with them, and it turned out that I booked my plane home way to early ……………
How did your contact with them continue after that?
It just did. Dima and I kept writing each other, chatting and eventually phone-calls are normal too ))
I also have great contact with Jacopo.
I know you’ve even been in the newspaper with an interview about Litesound a while ago. In which newspaper was that and how was that for you, to be interviewed about them?
It was in “Algemeen Dagblad” (Groene Hart editie). I wanted the interview for Litesound. To get their name known in Holland. But the newspaper had more interest in me then in Litesound and that was a bit sad ………………
Have you travelled to more Litesound performances since that first one?
Oh yes, I’ve been in Minsk 3 times now: September 2013, April 2014 and April 2015.
In September 2013 there wasn’t a show, it was a private visit to the Karyakin family.
In April 2014 they had a special show for their 9th anniversary and they gave me a special pendant for everything I do for them. (3 Persons received that pendant in total and I was one of them). That was very emotional.
April 2015 I went again to Minsk to spend their 10th anniversary together. They gave a special dinner for close friends with a lot of fun and music. I’m very fortunate I’m part of their close family !!
And now they’re coming to The Netherlands for the first time for a performance. How did that come about? Have you been a big part of arranging this?
Well, to be honest. The whole organisation is in my hands. But it wasn’t easy to find a location for them. Litesound is from Belarus and it feels that everything for Belarus, Russia etc. is kind of stigmatized in Holland. Stupid prejudices. Litesounds songs are all in English. The guys speak perfectly English and their songs suit very well in Europe.
But finally the owner of CC Muziekcafe in Amsterdam recognized their amazing talents and wanted to give them a place on stage.
All contacts go by me. I’m always in the middle of the venue and Litesound. Of the PR and Litesound. All the work is done by me, because Litesound is very busy in their own country and it’s very hard for them to have contacts in Holland, so 24/7 I’m busy with Litesound.
On Oct2nd Litesound will perform at CCMuziekcafe in Amsterdam at 10pm. How much are the tickets? And how can people get hold of tickets to be at this unique performance, their first time in The Netherlands?
Tickets are only € 5,– and will be sold on show-night at the venue entrance.
I hope it will be a full house on Oct2nd. I will be there, that’s for sure.
I want to thank you for this chat. Maybe there’s something you might like to add yourself, something I haven’t asked you?
Litesound: Dima and Vova Karyakin and their parents are the kindest persons I’ve ever met. From the very first beginning they invited me in their house, in their home, at their breakfast- and dinner table. They always treated me as a family member. They are Top of the Bill in Belarus and very famous in Russia too. They are talented in every way: writing their own songs, recording their songs in their own studio, shooting and producing their own music-video’s. They also do a lot of producing work for fresh talent in Belarus and Russia. And still, they have no stardom !! They could be the guys from next door.
Anyway ………. Come and see for yourself on October 2nd in Amsterdam. Come listen to their own songs and their great covers. Come and see how talented and friendly they are. Come and meet and greet LITESOUND !!
Manuela, thank you again for your time. And I will absolutely be there in Amsterdam on Oct2nd!
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More information about LITESOUND Live in Holland:
Date: Friday, October 2. 2015
Location: CC Muziekcafe, Rustenburgerstraat 384 in Amsterdam.
Start: 22.00h.
Info: 0031 (0)6 20273443 / litesound@kpnmail.nl
Facebook EVENT page: LITESOUND, Eurovision Top-Act, Live in Holland
Meanwhile, take a look at their YouTube Channel: Litesound Official and at the Facebook page www.facebook.com/litesoundacrosseurope. You must see them live !!
Let the probability of a memorable evening not pass by and come to the first appearance of Litesound in the Netherlands:
LITESOUND, entry for Belarus at Eurovision 2012, song “We are the heroes”
It's me gea 