Sten Oitspuu: Tere!

Can you tell us about the origins of DefRage?

S: It all stared in early 2007 when Kari Kärner, our guitarist, started looking for other band members who would share his musical vision. In June the same year the band got together with the current line-up. Since none of the members except Daniel had musical experience we practiced and started to make music in various garages. We have come a long way since those humble beginnings.

The band has just released an EP. What kind of reception has it been enjoying from fans and the press so far? How soon will a full album be coming together?

S: We released the EP for promotional purposes. It's not sold in music shops but of course, our fans can buy it directly from us, which many have also done. The press has been friendly and positive so far, with minor articles and several interviews with the band already being circulated in the media. Many of the songs for the planned album are ready and waiting but we don't want to rush things. The full album will be released when we feel it's the right time for it.

For the people who have no idea of what DefRage is about, how would you describe the band's music?

S: We are playing this new age post-Grunge stuff. It's a mix of different music styles like Alternative Rock and Grunge blended with metallic elements and spiced up with pad effects on guitars. It's kind of hard to describe with words. You must listen to the music to get the full picture.

What kind of songwriters are you? Do you finish music and lyrics in one go or is it a lengthy process of discarding so much material at first until you create something to your satisfaction? Who has the most input in the band's songwriting process?

S: It actually takes a pretty long time to write a song. First we invent a melody and lyrics that'll go along. During the process we do some alterations in the melody and lyrics where necessary. It's a lot like drawing sketches, first you only got a hazy vision but as you work on it you figure out more details and with each drawing you notice something you want to change for the better. After several sketches you're ready to make the real deal. It's the same with music. Up to this point lyrics and basic melodies were written by Kari (guitars), but we all have a part in finalizing the songs.

How long have the people in the band known each other? And what background does each of you come from?

S: Yeah, some of us knew each other before. Daniel (bass) and Mikk (guitar) were classmates and Mikk and I were training companions. Most of us have not been involved with other band projects before. Daniel did play in another band prior to his finding a place in DefRage. We don't have any musical education to speak of. We started from scratch and worked ourselves to where we currently are.

Your vocalist seems to have fit into his role naturally, as if--forgive the cliché--he were born to do it. What kind of performance level does he bring to the live setting?

S: Our singer, Argo, is definitively a natural performer, but for the others everything has come through blood, sweat and tears. You can say he sounds like a blend of vocalist ‘X' and ‘Y' but the truth is he definitely has his own unique style. Rock music sometimes tries to say a message but just as important as that is the emotions behind the music and when you channel your emotions to the crowd then you have succeeded. Argo really does this. He's communicating with the crowd as much as possible and the people react to him. They create this bond. In a sense, it's almost magical when this happens.

Which artists inspired the members of DefRage to pick up an instrument and pursue music? How has the members' outlook regarding the music industry evolved over the years? Are you all professional musicians?

S: We all have different idols, but there never have been a ‘wow' band that we collectively love and worship. Of course the music industry has influenced our personal styles up to some point. It's kind of hard to avoid that altogether unless you stop listening to music entirely. However, whether or not you admit it, the music you hear and listen to impacts you. Maybe not to the point that it's bluntly clear that you like band ‘X' but still, to some degree they influence you, however limited. None of us were professional musicians when we started the band, but we have improved a lot over the last months. We are definitely a live band like every rock band should be, which means we play our songs for real on stage. We are getting better with each gig. One day we might only play music for a living. In that regard, I think we are becoming professional musicians.

Can you name the band's favorite albums from whoever artist they worship?

S: We don't specifically worship anybody, however, some of our favourite albums include Three Days Grace's self titled album; Breaking Benjamin's ‘Phobia'; Linkin Park's ‘Meteora' and ‘Minutes to Midnight'; and 30 Seconds to Mars' ‘A Beautiful Lie.'

What usually goes down during band rehearsals? What songs do you jam?

S: At least once a week Kari breaks his guitar strings but other than that band rehearsals usually go pretty smoothly. We do a lot of improvising when we are not playing our main songs.

Can you alternately describe the mainstream and underground music scenes in your country? Who are the biggest artists in Estonia today and who should we watch out for?

S: Estonian mainstream bands are making easy music, nothing very technical. You know, the ‘I love you, you love me, let's make a family' kind of stuff. The underground scene of Estonian music is quite colorful, there are many computer-freaks who are making very good D n'B and techno music, but there are also good metal bands like House of Games. Everything in between those opposite polarities is also fun to listen to. Most Estonian bands are only known locally. The bigger names like The Smilers and Tanel Padar & The Sun have received some minor fame outside of Estonia as well. Of course, there is also Kerli who signed with Universal and released an album recently. She's probably the hottest name in the scene at the moment

Which part of the country do DefRage members come from?

S: We are from the western part of Estonia, from a city called Pärnu, which is known as the summer-capital. We have a beautiful beach, the most beautiful girls and the best beer in the country.

Once Defrage gets off the ground and starts touring, will the band become a full-time commitment?

S: Yes, we are working on it.

Has DefRage played any shows yet? How do you feel in front of a crowd? Do you imagine yourselves graduating to arenas and such? (Perhaps not now, but someday, you know?)

S: We've done over thirty shows during the last six months. Being in front of the crowd is becoming more and more natural with each gig. During the first gigs we were quite nervous but now we enjoy the adrenaline rush. Our goal is to play our music on large stages and give concerts to huge crowds. One fine day that will happen.

Is there actually an audience for Estonian bands in Europe? Which countries do you believe can DefRage find a market?

S: We believe that there is a lot of potential for Estonian bands in Europe. Everything depends on how high you set your aim and how much you work to achieve these ends. In other European countries the governments support the music scene much more than here in Estonia, which makes it harder for us to reach our goals. Since every country is filled with different people then there's definitely an audience in every country who will enjoy our music. For the near future I think we have great potential in Finland, because alternative music like Hard Rock and Metal are very popular there.

Care to tell us about your country? What makes Estonia so interesting?

S: From a local perspective I feel Estonia is another small country. The countryside here is beautiful and so on but that's pretty much it. Due to the Iron Curtain we don't have many locations of cultural value but those we have are definitively worth seeing. One reason foreigners love Estonia so much and some of the local population finds it a tad boring is that it's very peaceful and quiet here, especially during the winters.

Does the band have any plans of touring in Asia or Australia?

S: Sure we do! How about tomorrow?

Thank you for this interview DefRage. For my last question, how far do you want to take DefRage's name and music?

S: To the top of the world.

HailndKill would like to extend his warmest thanks to DK for making it all happen and Merli Antsmaa for the pictures.

STAY HEAVY