The
story of Raein is a unique one. They started playing together in Flori,
Italy in 1999 and if I'm not mistaken most of them even went to high
school together. For the next five years they toured extensively including
tours of Europe, the UK and Japan. They also put out a number of records
including a few celebrated 7"s with the likes of Daitro, Funeral
Diner and Phoenix Bodies, appeared on numerous compilations, released
a discography in 2005 and even a remix. And then Raein called it quits
citing distance as the major problem. In the two years since breaking
up they got together approximately two more times for one off shows
and then seemingly out of the blue in 2008 they came back with a phenomenal
new record and went back out on tour; this one taking them to Iceland.
For all intensive purposes Raein is back.
1.Could
you talk about those years spent apart, what Raein means to you and
what ultimately made you decide to get back to playing music together? I
don't really know how to describe what Raein is to me... This is the
only band i played with and when we decided to split up it was the
only one i ever wanted to play with. I've known the guys in the band
since I was a kid and they are my best friends, it makes the band
unique to me. Everything was made together, the first practices, the
first recordings, the first gigs around, the first tour... everything
I made I did it with them and I can't separate what I did with the
persons were with me during those moments... I don't know if what
I wrote is understandable but I hope so. In the two years we didn't
play I always hoped we would get back together. I was probably too
far away from the other guys but every effort or sacrifice I have
done was not a problem for me... I needed the band as one more excuse
to meet all together and have good times. We just come together because
I think we realized the band was still a priority in our lives.
2.
I want to get to your latest record; but first I'd like to
pick up on this theme of friendship which seems to be prevalent in
everything that you guys do. Sons of Vesta is no stranger to you guys;
they've released stuff from La Quiete and Neil On Impression (both
of which you share members with) and of course your latest record
"Ogni Nuovo Inizio" as well, How did your relationship with
Sons of Vesta develop and what made you want to put out this record
with them? Andrea and Iacopo are good friends. The same is for Charlie,
Marianne and Yoshi who helped us with the last record (and most of
the othr records in the past...) We are just interested in friends'
labels, I cannot imagine a Raein release on another label. I think
it's the greatest thing to be able to do it with your friends and
to create something that'll be yours forever. I really like doing
records with people I know because I know they care about me/us not
only as a band but mostly as people and I love them mostly as friends
and not "people from a label". Do you know what i mean?
3. Yes, I see
what you mean. Would you consider this dedication to doing it with
friends rather than simply people from labels as a part of the political
fabric of Raein? In other words do you consider yourselves a political
band in the sense that you adhere to the DIY ethic in not only your
music and lyrics but also in how the group goes about its business
(booking tours, putting out records, etc)? I think you got
the point. I cannot imagine Raein without DIY; it's the best and only
way I want to approach in relation with the band... sometimes it's
not the easiest way but it's the only one I/we want to walk in. I
think punk is just communication and DIY is the way to interact with
people, talking, helping each other in doing everything... that's
the reason.
4.Last September
you went on a tour of Iceland; how did this tour come about? Had you
ever been to Iceland before? Do you have any stories from the tour? It was possible just because Kolli and Gavin Portland that helped
us out with the show and lent us instruments and amps. They were amazing.
There is not a particoular story from this tour... the only thing
I can say is that I saw the most incredible landscapes i have ever
seen. Oh... to be honest there is a story; we met Bjork in front of
a supermarket in Reykjavik!
5.You're
pretty well known for your relentless touring. Is it difficult to
take time off and seemingly put life on hold to go on tour? How are
you able to handle it monetarily, emotionally, etc? What motivates
you to get out there time and time again? We
always loved to go on tour since the first time in 2003 we never had
any problem. Luckly we also never had money problems and that was
great since we were all students. Right now it's much more difficult
to set up a tour; we all work, we are far away and it's hard to have
days off in the same period... What are the motivations? Stay with
your friends, go to amazing places, meeting new people, is it enough!?
6.
What is your take on the Italian DIY music community? What
have your experiences been, both good and bad and what do you think
is the biggest challenge facing the music community? We'll always be part of that community. Since we were kids we
always were in touch with these kinds of things, we used to go to
see shows in a squat close of our hometown and that world was the
one I wanted to be part of with my own band. I always thought DIY
had big potential but sometimes it's too closed into himself... in
my opinion, the biggest challenge would be to be more open and more
known from more guys but still maintaining the same attitude. Shit,
it's hard to explain.. I hope this is understandable.
7. What future
plans do you have as a band? It's hard to make plans... we just take what comes. We'd like
to record some new stuff but it's impossible to say when.
8.What are
the last five records you bought? The Rituals - Celebrate Life 2xLP, Torche - In Return 10", Nirvana
- In Utero 12", Neil On impression - L'Oceano Delle Onde Che Restano
Onde Per Sempre 2xLP and I'm gonna buy the lastest Propagandhi album!
9.Last year
you took part in Fluff Fest 2008. How did you end up playing the festival
and do you plan on playing it again this year?
Tomas, one of the guys involved in the organization of the fest asked
us to play there and so we played. We had just recorded our last record
and after some time in the studio you can't wait to play live and
it was a great opportunity. The fest is absolutely amazing, I/we had
so much fun and we met a lot of people... so good! I know a lot of
band wants to play at the fest and I think it's impossible to play
twice! For sure we are not gonna play these year... but hopefully
in the future.
10.The end of
civilzation will be caused by:
Isn't civilization already dead? Who is guilty or who is gonna to
be? Western society? Capitalism?
11.Thanks for
the interview! Any final words?
Thanks a lot
to you for your time and dedication. Stay punk, feel free to write
and keep in touch!
