I admit it! I'm a huge fan of these guys. I spent two years oversees in the Baltic Republic, Latvia. Over the course of two years there was one shining musical bright spot in a nation obsessed with the Backstreet Boys and n'Sync: BrainStorm. In their native land they are known to everyone, young and old, as PrataVetra.
Being the biggest band in a country that most Americans couldn't find on a map with a magnifying glass is akin to being the most popular bar band in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. It doesn't matter how great you are few people will ever know this. So the boys of BrainStorm rewrote their last Latvian release in English and primed to show the world rock n roll is universal.
In the grand tradition of garage and punk bands worldwide five teenage boys joined together in 1989 to form a band, not because they knew how to play their instruments, but because it sounded like a cool thing to do. As a result of their constant live playing, these classmates from the Latvian town have developed a loyal following in Northern Europe.
Interviewed via e-mail (hey, indiemonkey can’t afford the international toll costs) lead singer Reynard Cowper introduces his band 'BrainStorm' to America.
Enjoy.

Hallo, here's Reynard and I'll answer in the name of father:))), no joke.:) of Brainstorm!!!
 
 

1.Why the name translation from Prata Vetra to BrainStorm?
To be honest, in the beginning the name of this band was Brainstorm because of drummer's aunt, who gave us this title), and only afterwards we translated to Prata Vetra!

2.What inspires many of your songs?
I think everything what is around us including iron board and ice cream:)

3.Who writes most of your songs?
It seems that me, but everybody had composed something and sometimes we do this lovely process together.

4. You've reached a great level of success in Latvia, What is next for BrainStorm?
The next step should be Europe, then the World and Universe, of course!!

5. What are the best part and the worse part of being in a Latvian band?
The best part - the same as in Britain, USA, Sweden etc. -fans, supporters, lovers, fame, a little bit of money.
The worse part - very small market!

6. When you tour outside of Latvia, will you still play some of your older stuff like "Kur ir mana lidsmachina?"("Where is my airplane?")
Why not?

7. Have any American companies or bands taken an interest in BrainStorm?
We are visiting New York in March, then we'll see.

8. What do you think will be the biggest obstacle to breaking out internationally for a Latvian band?
Faith
 

Indiemonkey asked BrainStorm what their dream festival line-up would be and the results are: -

The Beatles
The Rolling Stones
U2
Depeche Mode
Metallica,
Crowded House
Brainstorm
 
 

BrainStorm's e-mail: pv@parks.lv

BrainStorms homepage: www.micrec.lv

To purchase BrainStorm's latest album Starp Divam Saulem or their English version Among the Suns go to http://www.sveiks.com/diski/diskipop4.html

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