#5 "Love Is All We Got" Story

About the 5th song from our new album “Concrete Flower”. As far as we know, we were the first band in the world to speak up openly and support Ukraine through music. We didn’t need any permission from above, and we didn't want to remain neutral. We didn't need to be explained whether it was a crisis, a war or an invasion. Everything was very clear.

We, Lithuanians, have a painful collective memory and it kept whispering that the tension and disturbance in the world was rising. But not even in the worst nightmare could we dream of a war starting in its roughest form.

Looking back at Lithuanian history, we remember experiencing Russia’s regime aggression multiple times. We were being occupied, exiled, killed. Each family has living memories of it.

So how did we survive? We are guessing it was because of love. Because of big love for our families, children, mothers, fathers, and our country. Love is the foundation which leads us through life.

Our nation like no other deeply understands and supports Ukraine. While editing the music video we added additional images of people gatherings, support and protest activities from Lithuania and around the world. It is important for Ukrainian people to see us all who see, feel and support. Blooming flowers symbolize inner force, hope and desire for peace.

Even now by listening to this song you can support Ukraine. All of the funds collected for streaming of our song LOVE IS ALL WE GOT on all platforms in 2022 will be used to support Ukraine. Music can contribute to the idea of a better world, and spread beyond borders and nations.

Thank you, KelmE!

In Kelmė we performed on a stage on the water. An interesting solution, only the viewers were quite far away. So Vaidotas decided to go to them. A crowd of several thousand people welcomed us with the utmost warmth. Thank you all!

#4 "Running From Myself" Story

Let’s talk about the 4th song from our latest album “Concrete Flower”. Vaidotas was staying in Fuerteventura island for a month to find himself and get away from everyday life. Friends allowed Vaidotas to stay in their newly bought empty house, but warned that the place hadn’t had any repairs yet and that it was completely empty except for two chairs and two closets.

It was fine for Vaidotas, he borrowed an air mattress and embarked on the adventure. The house had been abandoned for a while, so the first task was sweeping hundreds of dead bugs off the floor, and getting rid of the dead rat in the bathroom.

Once the house was clean Vaidotas set up a small studio in one of the rooms. Being absolutely alone, he would climb the mountains in the morning to greet the sun, and wander the city streets and observe people in bars in the evening.

During the heat of the day Vaidotas would sit in his mini studio with curtains shut and write music. That’s where “Running From Myself” was born.

Vaidotas understood that he had great fear of living and dreaming, so it was sometimes easier to run from your thoughts. But they still gain on you.

#3 "Ohmygodable" Story

The name of the song is a new, rarely encounterable word, defining a person or a phenomenon if you see which you would say “Oh My God!”.

The song was written in the woods of Aukštaitija national park, in wooden cabins in Miškiniškės, where we had our musical workshop - far from civilization and city tempo.

The visualization for “Ohmygodable” music video was inspired by a Greek myth of Pygmalion, who fell in love with a sculpture he had carved. This myth is particularly relevant today, because we live in the age of social networks, within which we create our own social network “sculptures”, wishing to be liked, accepted and significant. Probably every one of us has a bit of Pygmalion’s characteristics.

#2 "Let's Get Naked" Story

The song invites to have an open viewpoint, accept yourself and your body, open your soul. We were looking for a specific character for a role in “Let’s Get Naked” and Vaidotas stumbled upon a comment by a fan under one of THE ROOP Instagram posts. It was Spanish actor and dancer Alberto Velasco. So we wrote to him directly and invited to take part in our video. He said YES! So our fan (and now - friend) traveled from Spain to Lithuania to do that. That’s how unexpectedly this collaboration happened! In the music video we dive deeper. The action is taking place in Pakruojis manor, where ladies and gentlemen gather for an ordinary solemn feast. But the night takes an unforeseen turn once guests taste one dish. There are situations when titles and self-made images fall, and the truth reveals itself as naked as it is. In difficult times societies and state leaders unmask themselves. At the same time we discover ourselves: how do we behave when scared, having felt the taste of the horrible reality close by, where do we channel our energy, who do we become, and what principles steer us forward? In this music video we raise a common question - “where does a human being begin and end?”. From constrained convenience to dizzying madness? Is it liberation and return to one’s primal self or is it loss of responsibility - we leave the decision to the listener and the viewer.

#1 "On Fire" Story

We want to share the story behind each and every song from our latest album “Concrete Flower”. Let’s start with “On Fire”. We worked on this song for nearly 9 months, rewriting it multiple times until it started to sound the way we wanted. “On Fire” raises the topic of ageism and touches upon the personal history of the band, when one music manager refused to work together, because the band members were ostensibly too old to reach anything. We did not believe that. When the song gained its form and we finally recorded it, we realized we had no money for a music video, stage costumes, and proper preparation for the Lithuanian National Selection for Eurovision. It was sad because we felt that the song was strong, but we had no means to properly present it to people. Then Vaidotas came up with an idea to create a presentation about THE ROOP band, who we are, what does “On Fire” mean, added a private link to the song, and sent it out to friends and friends of friends asking for any kind of financial support. Shortly after, Vaidotas started active sales tactics by contacting everyone personally inquiring if they could help. Unfortunately, there were a lot of No’s. However, some replied they would help and it allowed us to collect a minimum amount for a music video and further promotion of the song. THE ROOP won the National Selection for the Eurovision Song Contest, which later was canceled due to the pandemic. Yet “On Fire” still reached its listeners, won numerous awards and became the band’s icebreaker.

Throwback To The Night We Qualified to The Grand Final Of Eurovision 2021

On this day last year THE ROOP was announced to have qualified to the Eurovision 2021 grand final. The moment was captured in a photo. It was a wonderful feeling to open the whole show as we were the first act to perform. Eurovision gave us a lot of wisdom and experience. We’ll be grateful for that all our lives. We are moving forward, just released a fresh album - “Concrete Flower” - and we are currently preparing a new live show. We can’t wait to meet our listeners live!

Listen to the album here: https://lnk.to/ConcreteFlower

#theroop #eurovision2021 #eurovizija #discoteque #roop #eurovision

Long-awaited "Concrete Flower" Out Now! 🌻

The new album does not only contain the latest "Let's Get Naked", hits "On Fire", "Discoteque", "Love Is All We Got", but also fresh unheard songs.
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The name of the album “Concrete Flower” talks about the force of a flower capable of breaking through concrete. This directly relates to the story of THE ROOP band.
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"Many people told us we were too old to achieve anything in music, one manager refused to work with us because of our age. Ironically, with “On Fire” - a song touching upon the topic of ageism - we managed to make an international breakthrough and pushed through the concrete attitude of some music managers", - recollect members of THE ROOP. Later, after participating in Eurovision with “Discoteque”, the band rocketed even higher attracting an even bigger crowd of fans, age ranging from toddlers to seniors.
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The album cover art project was led by Deimantė Litvinaitė, and the illustration was created by Taiwan-based studio "Damonxart". It's the top view of a blooming flower, breaking through grey concrete. The flower blooms in colors which dominate in the music videos of THE ROOP.
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"The name of the album and the cover also symbolize the history of Lithuania, which in 1990 broke out of the Soviet Union with great force", - says V. Valiukevičius.
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Members of the band state that the album “Concrete Flower” is dedicated to those who have the desire to live, want to move forward, and to those who need inspiration and motivation to reach their dreams.
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THE ROOP album is out in digital format, but very soon it will gain material form - CD, and a little later vinyl.
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@warnermusicbaltics #theroopalbum #theroopband #theroop #roop #concreteflower #newmusic #newalbum #lithuania #discoteque #onfire #letsgetnaked

"Concrete Flower" Out May 11!

We are screaming with joy! Because finally finally finally! Finally we are releasing our new album - Wednesday, May 11! There was a delay due to the pandemic, but now it's all done and ready! The album is called “Concrete Flower”. Why did we call it that? What is it about? We’ll tell you everything on the day of the release. The album includes not only hits "On Fire" and "Discoteque", the Ukraine tribute song "Love Is All We Got" or the latest "Let's Get Naked", but also completely new songs. Only a few days left! 🖖🖖🖖💚
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#theroop #theroopband #concreteflower #roop #newalbum #newmusic #theroopmusic #theroopalbum

What kind of nakedness is THE ROOP’s new video “Let’s Get Naked” about?

The new music video from THE ROOP with an intriguing title “Let’s Get Naked” invites all to open their viewpoints wider. Music video’s action is taking place in @pakruojo_dvaras, where ladies and gentlemen gather for an ordinary solemn feast. But the night takes an unforeseen turn once guests taste one dish.

There are situations when titles and self-made images fall, and the truth reveals itself as naked as it is. In the current context of war, societies and state leaders unmask themselves. We see the true leadership of Zelensky and attempts of some countries’ politicians to close their eyes, we see the democratic values of the Ukrainian nation and the imperialistic face of Russia.

At the same time we discover ourselves: how do we behave when scared, having felt the taste of the horrible reality closeby, where do we channel our energy, who do we become, and what principles steer us forward? In this music video we raise a common question - “where does a human being begin and end?”. From constrained convenience to dizzying madness? Is it liberation and return to one’s primal self or is it loss of responsibility - we leave the decision to the listener and the viewer.

Among the cast of the music video there are famous Lithuanian actors Aleksas Kazanavičius, Sonata Visockaitė, many promising young actors, and a Spanish actor and dancer @albertovelasco. The band was looking for a specific character for a role in “Let’s Get Naked” and Vaidotas stumbled upon a comment by Alberto under one of THE ROOP’s Instagram posts. That’s how unexpectedly this collaboration happened!

The music video was directed by @jonastrukanas, who at first was surprised that the band would contact him, because Jonas is making different style cinematography, which would not suit THE ROOP, or at least that’s what he thought.

“This was the first music video I directed altogether. I don’t even know why it took so long to get my feet wet. When the band told me that the video must be different, the crazier the better, and gave me creative freedom and trust - well, I couldn’t refuse,” - rejoiced the director.

Photos by Jurga Urbonaitė

“Let's Get Naked” - 3 Days Left!

Meals are brought in, tables are laid, gentlemen and ladies gather. Among the guests we also see a Marquis from Spain - actor and dancer Alberto Velasco. What is he doing in a Lithuanian manor? And in general, what is about to happen here? You’ll see it all this Friday, May 6, in THE ROOP’s new video - “Let’s Get Naked”! 3 days left!

#theroop #theroopband #roop #newsingle #newmusic #pakruojodvaras #albertovelasco #letsgetnaked @warnermusicbaltics

Photos by Jurga Urbonaitė