Pia Fraus is an Estonian Shoegaze / Dream Pop band comprised of Eve Komp, Kärt Ojavee, Rein Fuks, Reijo Tagapere and Joosep Volk, six art school students, that formed the band in 1998. Described as mixture of “Dream Pop, subtle Shoegaze and beautiful Electronica, blissfully topped off with shimmering layered male-female vocals”, the band have released five studio albums and several EPs.
We caught up with Rein Fuks to ask him our 21 DISARMing questions about music, art, day jobs, holidays, and life outside of the band. This is what he shared with us.
DISARM: What are you listening to right now?
Rein Fuks: Sasami, Angel Olsen, Omni, Yumi Zouma, and so on….
What was the first LP/tape/CD you remember owning?
The very first tape was Guns n’ Roses Appetite for Destruction it was the year 1991. My first CD was Sex Pistols compilation Kiss This, the first vinyl was The Beatles Love Songs. I still own it, such an excellent collection!
Vinyl or CD/Digital?
I buy vinyl, CD and also digital files. I like music, and I like the idea that I can support the bands and small labels.
What are your favourite bands?
It’s tough to pick one.
My first favourite band was Estonian punk group called J.M.K.E when I was six years old. I still like the band a lot. They sound like Dead Kennedys.
One of my all-time favourites has also been The Pastels. I really liked The Wedding Present and Stereolab when I was a teenager, these two where biggest influences when we started with Pia Fraus in the late nineties. And of course, I like Yo La Tengo, Hood…. But my newest favourite artist is Sasami.
Why do you live where you do?
Because it’s not that bad in here 🙂 I live in Tallinn, which is the capital of Estonia. A lovely little town on the North coast of Estonia. I think my second favourite city is Glasgow in Scotland. I think it would be cool to spend some years in there.
What is your favourite journey?
I kind of like them all. I travel a lot with my day job, but I also like to stay at home.
What’s your idea of a perfect Sunday?
Spending some time at home with my daughter and wife, and a few hours in the studio!
What essentials do you take on a plane or tour bus?
In-ear headphones!
What is your dream vacation if money was no object?
Somewhere at the country house, surrounded by beautiful nature and my instruments. Btw, It’s doable without billion dollars 🙂
What do you do with 4 hours to yourself in a new city?
Vegetarian restaurants and record stores!
What inspired you to take up music?
Punk music made me do it 🙂 I started when I was eleven.
What was your most memorable day job?
I used to work in a record shop. It was my dream job until I started to hate it. I still like the music and the records, but there was something that made me quit the job. Btw in the past 15 years I have best day job ever! Living in a dream 🙂
What advice should you have taken but didn’t?
Listen and learn!
What should everyone shut up about?
Freedom of expression!
Who’s your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would the menu be?
My own friends, bandmates and family. Vegetarian Mexican or Indian food!
Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
Spiderman! (Pia Fraus “Thank You, Peter Parker”) 😉
What was the best live gig or music festival you attended (as a fan or artist)?
As a fan, the Yo La Tengo gig in Malmö, Sweden in 2003 was life-changing. Best in the last year was Cass McCombs in Glasgow at The Great Western Festival.
What are your “must” read magazines, news, websites, blogs?
Good news only! Life is too short for bad ones.
Name something you consider a mind-altering work of art.
Art is everywhere 🙂 I like record covers!
What does the next 6 months look like for you?
Day job, family, home, rehearsals, gigs, recordings.
Which musician rule do you agree with? Always meet your heroes or never meet your heroes?
You don’t always need to meet your heroes, but it would be nice to meet some of them. I have met many of my idols, and it’s great 🙂
I have also worked with some of them, which is even better than just meeting them.
Thanks Rein!
Check out more from Pia Fraus on their Bandcamp page HERE.
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