A Decade-Long Journey Culminates in New Music

Latvian musical project Dostudia, spearheaded by bass guitarists Martins Leja and Rolands Sipols, has recently launched their new single and accompanying video, Give Back. This release marks a notable step for the duo, who initially conceived the Dostudia album back in 2013.After a 12-year journey, the album is finally nearing completion, promising a blend of introspective themes and sonic innovation.

Thematic resonance: love and Critical Thinking in a fractured world

The upcoming album, slated for release this autumn, is built upon two core pillars: love and critical thinking within the context of today’s complex society. Give Back serves as an initial invitation to listeners, urging them to reconsider established norms and seek genuine values.this call to action resonates wiht a growing global sentiment, as individuals increasingly question societal structures and search for deeper meaning.

The message of the album expected in the autumn includes two basic directions – love and critical thinking in our fractured society.

Dostudia

This theme aligns with current trends. According to a 2024 study by the Pew Research Center, a significant portion of the global population expresses concerns about societal divisions and a desire for greater unity and understanding.

Artists’ Perspectives: Purity of Mind and Freedom of Views

Martins Leja reflects on the enduring power of love as a musical theme, while emphasizing the importance of critical thinking in today’s fast-paced and often aggressive social landscape. Dostudia champions the purity of mind, freedom of views, and the pursuit of peace, aiming to dismantle systems that they believe manipulate and enslave individuals in modern society.

We sign under the purity of the mind, the freedom of our views, the pursuit of peace, and the desire to get rid of a system that literally enslaves the people in a modern and manipulative way.

Martins Leja, Dostudia

Rolands Sipols adds that the song serves as a wake-up call, encouraging introspection and a departure from passive existence. The message, though stark, aims to inspire a transformative rebirth.

The song is an invitation to open your eyes and look in your soul, not just spend everyday life or even living as a walking dead… to die to be reborn.

Rolands Sipols, Dostudia

Visual Collaboration: Bringing the Message to Life

The visually striking music video for Give Back is a collaborative effort, featuring the talents of operator edgar Staune, contemporary dancers krister Staune and Linda Babane, underwater filming by Ivars Trautmanis and Mārtiņš Zvīdriņš, assembly by Rolands Sipols, and visual enhancements by Tom Auzins. This collective creativity amplifies the song’s message, creating a multi-sensory experience for the audience.

Dostudia’s Genesis: From Hip-Hop Roots to Sonic Innovation

The Dostudia project began in 2009, evolving from the creative collaborations between Martins Leja and Rolands Sipols, initially within a hip-hop context. Sipols, formerly known as Beatmaker Dobiiti, honed his skills in instrumental accompaniment, working with rappers and contributing to the Hip Hop Association Full Clipp, which later merged into Riga Records.Leja, with a background in choral music and a foray into punk rock, brought his diverse musical experiences to the table. This fusion of backgrounds ultimately led to the formation of Dostudia, a platform for self-expression and sonic exploration.