In the tranquil town of Saldus, Latvia, two musical souls, Nauris and Lauris, embarked on a journey that would give birth to the post/prog rock act, Tempus. With nearly two decades of musical camaraderie under their belts, the duo’s artistic evolution traversed various genres, from metal to rock. It was a shared desire for something more progressive, more intriguing that led them to form Tempus in the early months of 2013.
“Before Tempus, we were playing together in a rock band. Both of us felt the need to make more interesting, more progressive music,” Lauris shares, tracing the origins of their musical venture. Initially, they envisioned a larger ensemble, but fate had other plans. Unable to find additional band members, they embraced the serendipity of a guitar and drums duo, a format that would define Tempus’s unique sound.
The Sonic Odyssey
The heartbeat of Tempus is echoed in their featured track, “Silver Lining.” Lauris delves into the intricacies of its creation, a journey that began with a guitar solo and evolved into a proggy masterpiece. The song’s structure, with its guitar swells and a persistent verse, reflects the band’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of their craft.
The Creative Alchemy
Tempus’s creative process is a testament to the organic synergy between Nauris and Lauris. They approach each album with the same ritual—jamming. In their rehearsal space, ideas flow freely, each note and beat emerging from the symbiotic collaboration between guitar and drums.
The Industry Odyssey
Hailing from Latvia, a country predominantly known for its doom/sludge metal scene, Tempus acknowledges the challenges of making progressive music locally. However, their resilience shines as they revel in a significant fan base beyond their homeland, a testament to the universal language of their music.
“The progressive scene in Latvia is pretty weird. We actually don’t have any pure prog rock bands here, as far as we know. Most of the bands are hybrids of several music genres,” Lauris observes, shedding light on the unique musical landscape they navigate.
The Harmonic Peaks
Reflecting on their musical journey, Nauris and Lauris share poignant moments, from the realization that they could thrive as a duo to gracing festivals like Devilstone in Lithuania and Post Summit in Russia. Guest musicians, including a singer and saxophonist, added new dimensions to their sonic tapestry.
As Lauris lovingly remarks, “For me, there isn’t a favorite song. All of them are my babies. Can’t spoil one over the other. Love each and every one of them equally.“
The Glimpse into Tomorrow
Tempus is not one to rest on laurels. They dub themselves a hard-working band, already conceiving ideas for their next album while the ink is still drying on the current release, “Vida Colorida.” Themes for the future album dance in their minds, and the possibility of collaborations keeps the horizon open and inviting.
The Compilation Symphony
While compilation experiences have been limited, Tempus cherishes their inclusion in a compilation following their performance at the Post Summit festival in St. Petersburg. A small but meaningful chapter in their journey, marking a step beyond borders.
The Dreamful Harmony
In a quickfire round, Tempus unveils dreams of collaboration with the legendary Andrea Bocelli or the master guitarists of Mono. Instruments of choice, including guitar, cello, and piano, reflect the band’s diverse sonic palette. When asked about favorite prog albums, the response transcends albums to encompass a diverse array of influential bands from oldies to modern gems.
The Life’s Canvas
Non-musical influences are woven into Tempus’s sonic fabric, drawing inspiration from life itself, events in the world, and the tapestry of their own experiences.
The Closing Overture
In closing, Tempus extends gratitude for the feature, inviting listeners to discover their experimental progressive rock music from Northern Europe. With a heartfelt “Priekā!” (Cheers), they hope their music finds a warm haven in the hearts of those who embark on this musical journey.
Explore Tempus on Linktree and let the notes of their sonic exploration resonate in your soul.
