Latvian musician Māra Upmane-Holšteine is preparing for the first solo concert of her electronic music project, MAARMAAR, bringing her latest artistic pivot directly to live audiences as a self-described “midlife crisis therapy in person,” according to reports by 1188.lv.
From Festival Tent to Solo Spotlight
The solo venture was born out of a successful experiment at the “Summer Sound” festival, where Upmane-Holšteine performed inside a DJ tent. According to coverage from 1188.lv, that specific summer appearance provided the necessary motivation for the artist to carry her new musical direction forward into dedicated live settings.
For this milestone debut, Upmane-Holšteine will share the stage with Mickeen. Together, the musicians plan to perform the “Pusmūža krīze” (Midlife Crisis) album in its entirety. Audience members will also get the chance to hear several brand-new tracks and musical pieces that the artist has never performed publicly before, as reported by 1188.lv.
Did you know?
Māra Upmane-Holšteine’s upcoming concert features the complete playthrough of her “Pusmūža krīze” album alongside special new material.
Embracing the “Midlife Crisis” Aesthetic
While the concert billing leans on the playful phrase “midlife crisis therapy in person,” Upmane-Holšteine explained to 1188.lv that “Pusmūža krīze” is both the literal title of her album and a reflection of the emotional phase she has experienced over the past two years while writing the record.
According to statements published by 1188.lv, the artist believes that difficult and melancholic feelings do not always require a fight or an attempt to mask them. Instead, she argues those emotions deserve space and can be processed directly through music and dance. Upmane-Holšteine told the outlets that acknowledging a low mood—or a “gruzons”—allows her to hold onto the feeling and dance with it rather than trying to run away.
Future of Astro’n’out
Launch of the MAARMAAR solo project does not signal the end of Upmane-Holšteine’s primary group, “Astro’n’out.” While the musician acknowledges in reports by 1188.lv that nobody can predict exactly where this new musical path will lead, she expresses a strong sense that the solo exploration will eventually feed back into the band, potentially giving the group even greater creative power in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MAARMAAR?
MAARMAAR is the electronic music solo project created by Latvian musician Māra Upmane-Holšteine following her experimental festival performances, as detailed by 1188.lv.
What can audiences expect at the first MAARMAAR solo concert?
According to 1188.lv, Upmane-Holšteine and collaborator Mickeen will perform the “Pusmūža krīze” album from start to finish, alongside previously unreleased songs.
Will Māra Upmane-Holšteine leave Astro’n’out?
No, the artist has clarified in interviews with 1188.lv that her solo project runs alongside her work with “Astro’n’out,” and she believes the new creative outlet will ultimately benefit the group.
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