Kaspar Bindeman
- Actor
- Director
- Composer
Kaspar "Toro'' Bindeman is a multi-instrumentalist, singer, composer, producer, DJ, actor, director, artist and activist, residing in Barcelona, Spain. Born January 31, 1972, in Riga, Latvia in the artist's family. His father, Juris Bindemanis, is a painter and art school teacher, mother, Irena Bindemane, a former textile designer and jeweler, who has been completely dedicated herself to charity work for the last decades. Kaspar was born when his young hippie parents studied at Riga School of Applied Arts. Father played drums and guitar with the band at the Art Academy of Latvia and that was probably the main reason why at the age of seven Kaspar started to attend percussion class and study music in general. At their house mostly was played 60's and 70's rock, so, no wonder, Kaspar's first recognizable musical memory was the Heaven On Their Minds guitar riff from the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. In the late '70s family moved to Zvejniekciems, a small town on the beach. Even though during the school years Kaspar, being an urban kid to the bone, was pretty upset by this decision, there was also a bright side - meeting teachers, who played a very important role in his creative development. He graduated from Grammy nominee composer Peteris Vask's composition class and percussion class of Latvian National Symphony Orchestra percussionist and TV director Brigita Vinsteine, who furthermore also set in interest and basics of director's job. Studied acting at theater director Lidija Stiebra's drama class and drawing and painting with artist Marina Einbinder. During the entire music school years won every national young performer's contest he took part in. At the age of 13 together with his classmate Kaspar started to experiment with an 8mm camera and shot a couple of short movies. After returning to the capital continued to study percussion at Emils Darzins Special Music School and design at Riga School of Applied Arts. At the age of 16 started his first psychedelic rock band "Businessman (Peterson)". Although starting as a drummer, during the first performance Kaspar realized that sitting behind the drum set didn't fit his character and decided to switch, first, to bass and soon enough to guitar, also taking place at the microphone. At the same time started to work in advertising, first, as a graphic designer and continued in the field over the years, expanding his skills in other areas, mainly directing, music composing and sound design, however, after moving to Barcelona in 2006 took a wow to leave advertising business for ethical reasons - the only exceptions now are social and cultural projects. Over the years has worked as a designer at the art gallery and publishing house Jana Seta, a set and prop designer at Latvian National Television, a musician at the New Riga Theater, an actor at Daile's Theater. As a director, composer, copywriter, film editor and graphic and production designer has worked at various advertising and production companies, made an audiovisual design for TV shows, plays, films, commercials, political campaigns and various types of other events. As a resident DJ worked in Riga's cult venues, such as Club Essential, Casablanca, No One Writes to Colonel..., Riga's 1st Rock Cafe. Also worked for the Army Sports Club basketball team, designed their uniforms and provided sound design at the games.
In 1990, to avoid army service, spent six weeks at the mental hospital, simulating manic depression, where he bought his first Jimi Hendrix vinyl record from a ward mate and, after leaving the hospital, completely dedicated himself to guitar playing studies, spending the entire summer in an alcove with a guitar, tape recorder, old tube radio as an amplifier and two Jimi Hendrix albums - Are You Experienced? and Axis: Bold As Love. By the end of the year at the art and music festival Bildes '90 with a blast introduced himself to a wider audience, mesmerizing them with smashing, burning and squeaking his guitar, which was something crazy and unseen in those post-soviet times. Soon enough had been ranked among the best Latvian guitarists. In 1991 recorded his first single, 100 Years of Loneliness, in which he played all instruments by himself. During the post-production of its video, he met one of his childhood musical authorities, drummer Vilnis Krievins, who later introduced him to his colleague, bass player Eduards Glotovs and so began a collaboration with one of the most powerful Latvian rhythm tandems of all time. In parallel, Kaspar played drums in the most acclaimed Latvian punk-rock band Inokentijs Marpls and indie-rock project Unhappy Birthday. Apart from playing drums during the early '90s, as keyboard player also has participated in the recording of all Inokentijs Marpls studio albums, including Pupu mizas (literally Bean Skins, or Bullshit) and Kaulini ir mesti (The Die Has Been Cast), both of which received the Annual Latvian Music Recording Award "Golden Microphone" 2012 and 2022 respectively in category Best Rock Album.
In 1992, after receiving the second prize in the international music festival-contest "Liepajas dzintars", became a household name in Latvia. Involving even more local rock legends, started a Latvian all-star band Kaspar Bindeman & The Old Soldiers. Despite the fact that due to a big number of musicians in the band and other circumstances, it's members changed several times, which also led to failing to finish the first album recording attempt, this period was very active, fruitful and successful, with many gigs and critical acclaim. Collaboration with the director, producer and cinematographer Roberts Vinovskis in the field of video-art. In 1995 Kaspar took a break from live performing and focused on acquiring computer arts. Resumed live performance in 1996 at the festival Rock Summer Riga, opening for the headliners, ZZ Top. Over the years Kaspar has shared the stage with international artists like Karl Bartos (Kraftwerk), HIM, B.o.B., Lloyd, Phillip Boa, Smokin Beats, Mad Professor, U-Cef, State of Bengal and more. In parallel as a keyboardist joined his fellow band member, guitar shredder Paul the Mole's rap-metal group D-Day Rabbit. At the end of Millenia together with his colleague, artist Tif Bitmap established Multimedia Syndicate and began to pay more attention to multimedia projects. During the late '90s and early 2000s they have carried out several exhibitions, performances, happenings and video arts at the city's biggest art galleries Bastejs, Ciris, M6, Arsenals, as well as other venues and even streets.
In 2000 Kaspar completely turned to electronic music and DJing, resigned from the accompanying band and continued to perform as a solo artist using an entire variety of musical instruments, acquired over the years. As keyboardist joined acid jazz project Green Petroleum Funk. However, most of the time was spent at the studio experimenting. In 2001 started to work at the advertising and film production company Studio FX (now Cuba Studio) as a designer, composer, director, copywriter and film editor. In parallel established recording studio Bazooka and started an ongoing collaboration with Latvian advertising icon Eriks Stendzenieks. During these years Kaspar worked in turbo mode - his day to day schedule looked like this: morning - shoot, afternoon - edit, evening - write music, night - play music (live or DJ), which led to overworking. After winning the celebrity reality show "Expedition" in 2005, being completely exhausted, he fell into a creative crisis that lasted for several years, going through the entire madness, rock'n'roll lifestyle can present. In 2006 moved to Barcelona. The following years were pretty tough, nonetheless, they also included creative experiments, self-seeking, spiritual and intellectual awakening. Kaspar also began to pay attention to flamenco studies - both guitar and singing.
Since 2009 has been traveling back and forth from Barcelona to Riga, working on the final attempt of his music album recording, gathering musicians from all over the world. Turned to straight edge lifestyle and activism. Established record label Evoco Records and started his own designed guitar brand Toro in collaboration with luthier Andris Apinis. Both, as DJ and musician performed in several international festivals, including Positivus and Summer Sound, where three years in a row he set a personal record, playing 38 hour non-stop DJ sets. Took part in organizing the campaign Society Against Fur. Played in several feature films, and also landed the role of Chief Bromden in Bulgarian director Alexander Morfov's staging of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" at Daile's Theater, which became a blockbuster and is being played to this day. Also, contributed to the play with a couple of music tracks and Chief Bromden's costume design. In 2015 quit regular DJing. Co-organizer of the musician's rally against the government's intention to tax culture events, which turned out to be successful. Became the honorary member of the Brazilian culture association in Barcelona S.A.P.E.M. Started collaboration with Catalan literate Joan-Ignasi Ortuño Benages. In 2018 performed at the TEDx Talk Riga event. In 2021 finally got his breakthrough in Spain both as an actor and musician by landing the role of Ilya Telegin in A. Chekhov's Uncle Vanya staging by the Lithuanian cult director Oskaras Korsunovas with the participation of a stellar team of Catalan actors, including Julio Manrique, Lluís Marco, and Carme Sansa among others. The critics have considered it one of the ten best works of the year in Spain.
In 1990, to avoid army service, spent six weeks at the mental hospital, simulating manic depression, where he bought his first Jimi Hendrix vinyl record from a ward mate and, after leaving the hospital, completely dedicated himself to guitar playing studies, spending the entire summer in an alcove with a guitar, tape recorder, old tube radio as an amplifier and two Jimi Hendrix albums - Are You Experienced? and Axis: Bold As Love. By the end of the year at the art and music festival Bildes '90 with a blast introduced himself to a wider audience, mesmerizing them with smashing, burning and squeaking his guitar, which was something crazy and unseen in those post-soviet times. Soon enough had been ranked among the best Latvian guitarists. In 1991 recorded his first single, 100 Years of Loneliness, in which he played all instruments by himself. During the post-production of its video, he met one of his childhood musical authorities, drummer Vilnis Krievins, who later introduced him to his colleague, bass player Eduards Glotovs and so began a collaboration with one of the most powerful Latvian rhythm tandems of all time. In parallel, Kaspar played drums in the most acclaimed Latvian punk-rock band Inokentijs Marpls and indie-rock project Unhappy Birthday. Apart from playing drums during the early '90s, as keyboard player also has participated in the recording of all Inokentijs Marpls studio albums, including Pupu mizas (literally Bean Skins, or Bullshit) and Kaulini ir mesti (The Die Has Been Cast), both of which received the Annual Latvian Music Recording Award "Golden Microphone" 2012 and 2022 respectively in category Best Rock Album.
In 1992, after receiving the second prize in the international music festival-contest "Liepajas dzintars", became a household name in Latvia. Involving even more local rock legends, started a Latvian all-star band Kaspar Bindeman & The Old Soldiers. Despite the fact that due to a big number of musicians in the band and other circumstances, it's members changed several times, which also led to failing to finish the first album recording attempt, this period was very active, fruitful and successful, with many gigs and critical acclaim. Collaboration with the director, producer and cinematographer Roberts Vinovskis in the field of video-art. In 1995 Kaspar took a break from live performing and focused on acquiring computer arts. Resumed live performance in 1996 at the festival Rock Summer Riga, opening for the headliners, ZZ Top. Over the years Kaspar has shared the stage with international artists like Karl Bartos (Kraftwerk), HIM, B.o.B., Lloyd, Phillip Boa, Smokin Beats, Mad Professor, U-Cef, State of Bengal and more. In parallel as a keyboardist joined his fellow band member, guitar shredder Paul the Mole's rap-metal group D-Day Rabbit. At the end of Millenia together with his colleague, artist Tif Bitmap established Multimedia Syndicate and began to pay more attention to multimedia projects. During the late '90s and early 2000s they have carried out several exhibitions, performances, happenings and video arts at the city's biggest art galleries Bastejs, Ciris, M6, Arsenals, as well as other venues and even streets.
In 2000 Kaspar completely turned to electronic music and DJing, resigned from the accompanying band and continued to perform as a solo artist using an entire variety of musical instruments, acquired over the years. As keyboardist joined acid jazz project Green Petroleum Funk. However, most of the time was spent at the studio experimenting. In 2001 started to work at the advertising and film production company Studio FX (now Cuba Studio) as a designer, composer, director, copywriter and film editor. In parallel established recording studio Bazooka and started an ongoing collaboration with Latvian advertising icon Eriks Stendzenieks. During these years Kaspar worked in turbo mode - his day to day schedule looked like this: morning - shoot, afternoon - edit, evening - write music, night - play music (live or DJ), which led to overworking. After winning the celebrity reality show "Expedition" in 2005, being completely exhausted, he fell into a creative crisis that lasted for several years, going through the entire madness, rock'n'roll lifestyle can present. In 2006 moved to Barcelona. The following years were pretty tough, nonetheless, they also included creative experiments, self-seeking, spiritual and intellectual awakening. Kaspar also began to pay attention to flamenco studies - both guitar and singing.
Since 2009 has been traveling back and forth from Barcelona to Riga, working on the final attempt of his music album recording, gathering musicians from all over the world. Turned to straight edge lifestyle and activism. Established record label Evoco Records and started his own designed guitar brand Toro in collaboration with luthier Andris Apinis. Both, as DJ and musician performed in several international festivals, including Positivus and Summer Sound, where three years in a row he set a personal record, playing 38 hour non-stop DJ sets. Took part in organizing the campaign Society Against Fur. Played in several feature films, and also landed the role of Chief Bromden in Bulgarian director Alexander Morfov's staging of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" at Daile's Theater, which became a blockbuster and is being played to this day. Also, contributed to the play with a couple of music tracks and Chief Bromden's costume design. In 2015 quit regular DJing. Co-organizer of the musician's rally against the government's intention to tax culture events, which turned out to be successful. Became the honorary member of the Brazilian culture association in Barcelona S.A.P.E.M. Started collaboration with Catalan literate Joan-Ignasi Ortuño Benages. In 2018 performed at the TEDx Talk Riga event. In 2021 finally got his breakthrough in Spain both as an actor and musician by landing the role of Ilya Telegin in A. Chekhov's Uncle Vanya staging by the Lithuanian cult director Oskaras Korsunovas with the participation of a stellar team of Catalan actors, including Julio Manrique, Lluís Marco, and Carme Sansa among others. The critics have considered it one of the ten best works of the year in Spain.
