Egons Kronbergs and Klints Release New Cover of Igo’s Song

When Egons Kronbergs and Klinta Ivika Erdmane decided to reimagine Igo’s 2001 classic “Ir labi kopā būt” in 2023, they weren’t just updating a song—they were tapping into something deeper about how communities reconnect with shared cultural touchstones. The Latvian duet Klints, formed that very year, brought fresh R&B and country influences to Rodrigo Fomins’ original lyrics while Kronbergs preserved his foundational guitar work. What makes this revival particularly resonant isn’t just the musical evolution—it’s how it mirrors a universal human experience: finding new meaning in familiar things as we navigate life’s shifting landscapes. That same impulse to honor tradition while embracing change echoes strongly in how American communities approach their own cultural landmarks and neighborhood identities today.

Take Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, where murals along 16th Street have evolved for decades yet remain anchored in Mexican-American heritage. Much like Kronbergs’ approach to Igo’s song—respecting the original while allowing new textures to emerge—Pilsen artists have layered contemporary themes over traditional motifs, creating what locals call “living history.” This isn’t mere preservation; it’s active reinterpretation. When Igo reflected in interviews that the song gained “dziļāka jēga” (deeper power) through its slower tempo and Klinta’s vocal timbre, he described a process familiar to urban planners in cities like Seattle, where historic districts balance architectural integrity with modern accessibility needs. The parallel lies in recognizing that cultural resonance often grows not from freezing moments in time, but from thoughtful engagement with change.

This philosophy extends to how communities handle generational shifts in cultural stewardship. In Austin’s East Cesar Chavez district, longtime Tejano music venues now host hybrid events where conjunto legends share stages with indie Latinx bands—mirroring how Klints’ collaboration brought Igo’s original voice together with new interpretive layers. Kronbergs admitted he initially doubted whether he could “distancēties no dziesmas oriģinālās versijas” (distance himself from the original version), yet found Klinta’s voice became an unexpected inspiration. Similarly, Chicago’s Bronzeville neighborhood has seen historic jazz clubs revitalized not by replicating 1940s atmospheres exactly, but by identifying which core elements—like the emphasis on improvisation and community gathering—remain vital while adapting presentation for contemporary audiences. These aren’t compromises; they’re evolutions that maintain authenticity through changed expression.

The second-order effects of this approach manifest in neighborhood economics and social cohesion. When Pilsen’s National Museum of Mexican Art updated its exhibits to include contemporary digital installations alongside traditional folk art, visitor engagement increased across age groups without alienating long-time patrons—a outcome Klinta hoped for when she said she wanted the song to “priecē mūsu klausītājus” (please our listeners). In Seattle’s Chinatown-International District, family-owned businesses that have incorporated modern payment systems while maintaining multilingual service report stronger intergenerational patronage. These examples show how honoring origin while allowing thoughtful adaptation creates resilience—a lesson Kronbergs learned when he noted the remake’s “svaigāku skanējumu lēnākā tempā” (fresher sound at slower tempo) ultimately preserved the song’s essence better than a rigid replication might have.

Given my background in cultural heritage preservation and community development, if this trend of thoughtful reinterpretation impacts you in Chicago, here are three types of local professionals you need to know about:

• Cultural District Planners: Gaze for professionals certified by the American Planning Association who specialize in heritage conservation zones. They should demonstrate experience with Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development’s Historic Preservation Division, understand the nuances of the Chicago Landmarks Ordinance, and have portfolios showing how they’ve balanced ADA compliance with historical integrity in projects along corridors like Milwaukee Avenue or Archer Avenue.
• Community Arts Facilitators: Seek individuals with verifiable experience working through Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) or affiliated with organizations like the Chicago Public Art Group. The best facilitators can show concrete examples of how they’ve mediated between legacy artists and emerging creators in neighborhood-specific projects—particularly those involving musical traditions, mural arts, or festival planning—while maintaining authentic community voice throughout the process.
• Ethnographic Business Consultants: Prioritize consultants who partner with Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund and have documented success helping legacy businesses adapt without losing cultural specificity. They should understand how to navigate Chicago’s Small Business Improvement Fund while preserving elements like multilingual service models or traditional craft techniques that define establishments in areas like Devon Avenue or 47th Street.

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