Let’s do something different today. Let’s let the music speak for itself. I say this because I’m still inspired and surprised by who tunes in to what this blog has to say. And one of its surprising readers is one, Agata Melnikova, aka Sign Libra, who discovered this blog many moons ago after listening to my guest mix for NTS’s Radio Jiro.
Sign Libra, the moniker of Latvian artist Agata Melnikova, began her musical journey in 2018, composing music for the Latvian National Opera in Riga. This debut, eventually released as Closer To The Equator, introduced listeners to her unique blend of synthesized and organic sounds, crafting a dreamlike musical fantasy. Its release on the influential New Age blog Sound of The Dawn‘s record label was fitting, as her music resonated with the spirit of new audiences inspired by early New Age, fourth world, and dream pop.
Her major label debut with RVNG Intl., Sea To Sea, marked a significant evolution in her sound. Tracks like “Sea Of Tranquility” and “Sea Of Islands” showcased her ability to create music with a certain lightness, pushing the boundaries of contemporary music. This album served as a foundation for her artistic growth, establishing the unique soil in which her musical ideas could flower.
After a three-year hiatus, Hidden Beauty emerged in 2023, reflecting Agata’s meticulous approach to music-making. Described as an “intimate voyage through feminine nature,” the album navigates a more personal and emotional terrain. Influenced by artists like Erik Satie, Mylène Farmer, and ’90s R&B, Hidden Beauty blends these diverse inspirations into a fantastical and whimsical soundscape. The accompanying videos for tracks like “Le Chat” and “Daybreak” further illustrate her evolving artistic vision, merging Francophone inspirations with dreamlike visuals reminiscent of digital RPGs and music videos (like Gazebo’s “I Like Chopin” or OMD’s “Souvenir) inspired by a new Romantic-era.
So when I reached out to Agata, to propose an interview and a guest mix for the site and my LYL Radio show, I did so because I imagined her point of view — even if it’s just musical — would be of value to the rest of us.
What Agata would return back to me would be this impressive mix that, in hindsight, says alot about Sign Libra and says more by what it doesn’t explicitly say.
When I asked Agata to explain her thought process behind this mix, she’d share this:
“The mix is inspired by a sensual photo composition, which my father made around the year 2000. It features, as well, a black and white picture by French photographer Jeanloup Sieff. While my father’s composition gives a touch of summer’s daylight and warmth, the presence of Sieff’s black and white photograph makes me think about summer’s rainy days and late nights. The placement of the flower plays the role of a link from one mood to another…“
In the end, we both agreed, who needs a conversation when the music speaks deeper for itself? As they say, every picture tells a story.
Editor’s note: A huge thank you to Sign Libra for her time and her music. You can find her on social media here and her latest releases at RVNG Intl. All images kindly provided by Sign Libra.
Sign Libra (GUEST MIX)
Tracklist:
Hiroyuki Onogawa (小野川浩幸) – Endless
Robin Guthrie – Tera
Jean Claude Debussy – Krystian Zimerman – Les Sons Et Les Parfums Tournent Dans L’air Du Soir
Weather Report – Scarlet Woman
Mo Boma – Dreaming Weavers
Rei Harakami (原神玲) – Poof
New Composers & Boom Generation – Part 1: Somnabola – 5
Kruder & Dorfmeister – Original Bedroom Rockers
Go Home Productions – Essex Doves
Gigi Masin – She Wears Shades
Suzanne Ciani – Rain
Herb Alpert – Making Love In The Rain (Instrumental)
Opus III – Stars In My Pocket
Âme Strong – Combat De Sens
Loreleï – Je Ferai Tout…