Often called the most stylish indie band in Estonia, The Boondocks bring a balanced kind of chaos into the room – slightly hippie, but controlled. One of them arrives three minutes early; the other three follow ten minutes late, and somehow it still feels perfectly on time. We drink tea and chat, though it could just as well be beers at a pub with old friends. We talk about their latest album, with its orchestral touches, team spirit, and the strength of independence.
You’re all proud Pärnu guys, and that warmth shows. How did The Boondocks first come together?
We all grew up in Pärnu and went to Sütevaka Gymnasium. Karl, Hendrik, and Romet were in the same year; Villem is two years younger. We first got together in the school rehearsal room and started jamming. And never really looked back (laughter). We’d all studied music before, so we knew how to play instruments – but the band itself came together pretty randomly. It just worked, and grew organically. Still does.
Karl: Hendrik switched from guitar to bass, Villem moved from saxophone to singing and guitar, I went from piano to drums. A real mix-and-match situation. Learn-on-the-go type beat.
You all went to school together and have stayed tight – which feels kind of romantically rare. Ever struggled with mixing friendship and band business?
What business? (laughter)
There’s never really been much tension inside the band. No money issues between us. Well – not exactly. We did have some issues back when we had a manager. After he left, we had to sort his stuff out. But since 2020, Romet’s handled management and it’s honestly been great. Being with Kurvad Uudised Records has helped too – a solid support system.
What’s the story behind the name The Boondocks?
We give a different answer every time. But basically, from the list we had, it felt like the least bad option.
I think you did alright – it sounds good and has a nice roll to it.
Yeah, except when we chose it, we didn’t know there was a world-famous animation with the same name. So now, if you want to find us, you have to scroll for a long time – or add “Estonia.” There’s also an American country band with the same name, so sometimes they upload a song and it ends up on our Spotify page. And sometimes we get emails inviting us to play in New Zealand. So yeah – life’s fun in the boondocks.
There’s a very indie-rock origin story about Romet joining first as a driver – because no one else had a license – and then becoming a guitarist. How’s the license situation these days?
(All laugh.)Hendrik has a license now too. So we share the driving.
Your discography now spans over a decade. What’s stayed the same, and what’s completely changed?
Karl: In the beginning, we were just excited to make music, so the first two albums are a bit all over the place. We copied more – subconsciously – like everyone does. From the third album on, we really found our voice.
Villem: We’re still very DIY. No big team, just us – like in the beginning. What’s changed is that everything’s more intentional now.
Your recent Christmas song “License to Dude” was directed by Jaan Sinka from Ouu. No rivalry there?
Absolutely not. Always friends.Well – Karl met Jaan in front of Protest bar in 2013, made a poorly chosen joke, and Jaan almost beat him up. But didn’t. And they’ve been friends ever since.
On that note – we are looking for a rival. So far, we’ve just befriended every candidate. Come forward.
Little throwback moment. In 2016 you said you wanted to play Glastonbury someday. Still on the vision board?
We haven’t really thought about it lately. The UK scene is extremely saturated, and since we’re so influenced by British music, it never quite made sense to try to break into that market.
Karl: I studied in England at BIMM, and I noticed that when British people hear “Estonian music,” they expect something like Duo Ruut or Puuluup – not music that sounds like theirs.
You’ve been compared to Arctic Monkeys. How does that feel now?
Karl: Looking back, the early albums definitely did resemble them. Not so much anymore. Today, I honestly wouldn’t know who to compare us to.
Hendrik: Any comparison feels like a compliment. Someone’s listening – nice!
Romet: Andrei Liimets once compared us to Arctic Monkeys in a way I liked – pointing out how they reinvent themselves with every album. That’s been our principle too.
Silver Buzz feels darker and cleaner, but also warmly nostalgic. Was that intentional?
Thanks. It wasn’t intentional, really. We’re mostly inspired by older music, so maybe that comes through as nostalgia – or even something liminal. We’re probably chasing something bigger, which can feel like longing for another time.
And honestly, Silver Buzz could’ve come out last century, right?
How does a Boondocks song come together?
In the early days, Karl wrote most songs and brought them to rehearsal. Over time, everyone started writing. Now someone brings an idea, teaches it to the others, and we see what happens. Some great ideas don’t work in practice – and sometimes it’s the opposite.
Silver Buzz was written together during three band camps, all in one room. That was refreshing.
Could that be why the album sounds more unified?
All: Could be. You tell us.
Anyone in Estonia you genuinely look up to?
Romet & Hendrik: Vaiko Eplik – from day one.
Villem: When we started, there were more indie rock bands. Vaiko’s been a constant, but maybe not that relevant for me these days anymore. Also Mart Avi, Kannabinõid, the newer punk bands and artists from our own label – it’s a really good mix.
Silver Buzz is nominated for Rock Album of the Year. How does that feel?
Last time we won (2022), we were completely unprepared. Shocked, even. We’d been without a manager and it felt like proof that we could do this on our own. This year feels similar. No expectations!
If Silver Buzz were a film?
An anthology film, like The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, but every role is played by Nicolas Cage. Each song is its own world, but the album ties it together.
Do you feel like a band from Estonia, or a band that just happens to be from Estonia?
We’re definitely a band from Estonia – and we like it here. I guess Estonia’s lucky to have us? Oh, and Estonian weddings are nice too.
So you do weddings?
We do, actually. Quite some. Playing original music at someone’s wedding is the biggest compliment ever. Our goal now is to play at every Estonian wedding! (laughter)
Any bucket-list gigs left?
We played Festival Les Escales in France in 2023 – amazing crowd, autograph moments, the whole thing. We’d love more of that. So big festivals: Glastonbury, Flow, Roskilde, Sziget, Open’er. Come get us!
What did USB-era Boondocks get right without knowing it?
Hendrik: Fearlessness. We just went for it and learned along the way.
Karl: We got bigger bands than us to open for us.
Villem: Youth and inexperience made us brave.
There was once a newspaper article titled “The Boondocks Is Sitting on the Fence – Indie on One Side, Pop on the Other.” Fair?
That fence is long gone. We’re sitting on a rock now. The pop element is there, sure, but in the sense of catchiness.
Alright, a serious question. Fuck, Marry, Kill: your albums. USB (2014), Thriller (2016), How to Build a Love Bomb (2018), Soup Can Pop Band (2021), Silver Buzz (2025).
All: Kill USB. Fuck Thriller (or Soup Can Pop Band). Marry Silver Buzz.
That’s some real teamwork. I’m starting to see how you’ve stayed so tight. Where can we see you live next?
April 10th at Tallinn Music Week!
Credits:Interview by Paula-Stina TasaneArt Direction & Styling by Diandra RebasePhotography by Jane TreimaMUA by Elina Kuhta