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The Briefing is the Latvian musical band, based in the city of Liepāja. The band exists from 2002 and it was founded on 13th of August. Their music is a mix of jazz, funk, rock and pop elements with electronic sounds and beats. Some critics compare their music style to such bands as Nirvana, Moloko and singer Bjork.

The band live performances perfectly fit driving dance club atmosphere filled with power that comes from drum'n'bass and breakbeat rhythms with electro and jazzy moods. They have participated in such music festivals as Baltic Beach Party, Positivus AB, Rigas Ritmi, Fontaine Festival in Latvia; Siauliai Jazz in Lithuania; Kappa Music Festival, Lelle Alterantiiv in Estonia. So far the band performs throughout the Baltic States and Poland.

The biggest Latvian Daily press "Diena" has called them as one of the most progressive Latvian jazz bands, but now the band is moving closer to a more alternative feel in their sound.

The name of the band and their logo
After the first concert Kaspar (guitar) exclaimed, ‘Let’s have a briefing!’ That’s how the name of the band was created!

The designer of the The Briefing logo is Jānis Birznieks a.k.a "Tramplīni" singer and guitar player who is also made album designs for such Latvian bands as "Kuba", "Mary Jane" and "Tribes of the City".

Biography
Band members met in Liepāja at a church in 2002, where they played in the church band. Each of them had various music ideas which they began to develop by playing all together. They gave their first performance ‘un-plugged’ in Raimond’s (bass) house garden with an audience of fifteen people and without the electricity. It was fully an acoustic show. Some months later Kaspar has left the Briefing and his place has been taken by Juris. The band continued experimenting with music styles from blues and jazz, and started to play more and more with the funk flavour. After some time Kristina who played piano and sang said, ‘I’d like just sing and dance so people could get those emotions that we are expressing better!

An addition of Andris as a keyboard player to replace Kristina was godsend. With his presense The Briefing became more electronic in their sound, and some people started to define them as acid jazz band.

In 2008 Juris (guitar) has left the band to start his solo carieer in London. His place was given to Uldis (a.k.a. "Nasty Smile" guitarist).

In 2009 Andris (keyboards) move to Amsterdam with his band "Man-Hu" and his place take Kristofers Knesis a.k.a. "Coming Soon" and "Ivo Fomins" band keyboardist.

Band members
Kristina Dobele - vocal, keyboards Raimonds Dobelis - bass Sandis Volkovs - drums Uldis Melkis - guitar, back vocal via talk box Kristofers Knesis - keyboards

The lead singer and lyrics
The voice you hear over the music of The Briefing belongs to Kristina who is a lead vocalist as well the author of the lyrics. All songs are in English. Kristina writes about everything that comes to her mind, that’s why the lyrics sometimes are ironic and funny. She performs with a lot of passion. You can just feel those different characters created by the songs by watching her dancing and singing on the stage. Before writing new lyrics for a new song, the goal is always the same - the lyrics and music has to go side by side creating a new emotional experience.

Footprints 2004

 * The best student band of Latvia by winning the music competition „Footprints 2004”

The Festival "Rigas Ritmi" Showcase
What jazz critics say about the band in Showcase :

„ The Briefing was quite interesting band. They played their own compositions which seemed to be made in an interesting way. Jazz has always been an opened art, so you don’t have to be afraid to expand your identity by finding something new.” ''Peter Shulcze, the artistic director of Berlin Jazz Festival. Germany.''

“Briefing is not actually jazz but the vocalist Kristina has an amazing voice, she sings with unfeigned joy and makes everybody to watch and listen to her.” ''John Edward Hasse, the producer, curator, speaker, pianist. USA.''

“Many Latvian bands are good, for example, The Briefing, with their acid jazz.” ''Dan Gottfried, the artistic director of Red Sea jazz, pianist. Israel.''

“The fact, that our festival has been organized in 30 cities of all region of Venetia in the same time during the summer, gives us a chance to invite some new musicians from smaller countries like Latvia. For example, Cosmos, Patina and The Briefing which is not a jazz but a very fresh and captivating mix of pop, jazz and electronic music. ''Giuseppe Mormile, the artistic and general director of Veneto jazz. Italia.''

“We are interested in qualitative real jazz bands and also in contemporary jazz projects. Most of all I liked The Briefing. I heard Kristina in Tallinn and already then I was convinced that she’s a very talented young singer who could participate in jazz and also in rock festivals.” ''Himmo Hippa, the director of the Turku jazz. Sweden.''


 * In Baltic competition "Nokia Open Stage 2006-2007" they took first place from Latvian bands with their single "My World" and fourth place in Top.


 * In 2008 The Briefing participate in Nissan Urband Playground competition to win a record deal with Sony BMG but they got second place in Latvia's area.

Kristina

 * “Saulkrastu Jazz Festival '03” camp - the title for Best Vocal.
 * Band competition „Tu esi pamanits ‘04” - the best female vocals prize.
 * „Sony Jazz Stage ‘05” competition - the honors for innovation in jazz singing.

Raimonds

 * Band competition „Tu esi pamanits ‘04” - the best bass player.

Radio singles
In Baltic competition "Nokia Open Stage 2006-2007" they took first place from Latvian bands with single "My World" and fourth place in Top. "The band „Nirvana" was one of the bands which we listened to as teenagers. We liked the way we arranged the song „Come as you are" and decided to make it a single. This tune is groovy synthpop mixed with jazz and alternative feel. The song features Latvian rock singer Detlef which is also influenced by late Kurt Cobain."
 * Their debut single "Nothing" successfully achieved a high place in Latvian most popular radio stations charts, and the band became more popular in Latvia. "Nothing" got included in compilation "The Best of Latvia Vol II" (MicRec, 2006).
 * In 2006 was recorded song "My World" which come one of the best recognised songs of the band. "My World" covers the band's debut album "Funny Thoughts" and also is the first and main single of it.
 * In 2007 had reeased radio single "In the Mood of Love" which is also include in debut album "Funny Thoughts". In album avaiable also an acoustic version of the song.
 * In 2008 had released radio single "Do I know You" and it goes as the warm up song for the debut album "Funny Thoughts" release.
 * In February of 2009 The Briefing presents their new radio single "Come as you are" in memory of Kurt Cobain’s birthday on 20th of February. The song features Latvian rock singer Detlef which is also influenced by late Kurt Cobain.

The single „Come as you are" has been recorded in cooperation with two Latvian record labels – "Antena" and "MicRec". It was recorded in Liepaja, in "FM Sound Studio" under sound engineer Egils Mežs’s guidance. The mix of the song has been made in Riga, in studio "Mute" by sound engineer Gatis Zaķis.