Exclusive Interview: Reinis Jaunais on Nest, World Music Fusion, and His Life on the Road

Latvian multi-instrumentalist Reinis Jaunais has spent years crafting his sound, blending global influences with masterful guitar work and innovative live looping. Now, after three years in the making, his tenth album, Nest, is out—an instrumental World music collection that weaves together diverse genres, instruments, and emotions. Known for his tireless touring schedule and unique approach to composition, Jaunais has created an album that feels like a musical journey across continents, featuring an ensemble of talented musicians and an array of Latvian-made instruments.

With an impressive international touring history and a deep love for sonic experimentation, Jaunais continues to push musical boundaries while staying true to his Latvian roots.

We sat down with Reinis Jaunais to talk about the making of Nest, his creative process, and what’s next for this ever-evolving artist.

Interview with Reinis Jaunais

1. Your new album, Nest, took three years to craft. How did this time shape the sound and artistic direction of the album? Were there any unexpected discoveries along the way?

Reinis: I was working on Nest along with other projects, which is why it took longer to complete. But I don’t regret it—it allowed me to step back, return with fresh ears, and refine everything to my satisfaction.

During this time, I released Vārdi (2023), a singer-songwriter album with intricate string arrangements, and Bērziņš Jaunais Smukais (2022), a fingerstyle trio album with fellow guitarists. I wanted Nest to sound completely different—more eclectic, diverse, and layered with various textures.

The mixing process was intense, with recordings in four different studios. Some tracks were re-recorded multiple times, and the final mix went through several hands—mine, EIII (producer), and Kaspars Barbals (mix/master at Studio Lauska). It was a long process, but now I can listen to Nest and feel proud of every detail.

2. You’re known for your extraordinary live looping and guitar techniques. How did these elements come into play in Nest, and did you experiment with any new sounds or instruments in this album?

Reinis: I started live looping about six years ago when writing Zeme. Before that, I kept my setup minimal, inspired by fingerstyle and primitive guitar playing. But as I kept touring, I needed to refresh my creativity, and live looping gave me that push.

On Nest, I introduced several new elements:

Kokle – a traditional Latvian folk instrument, which contrasts beautifully with the guitar.
Pico III System modular synth – it added unpredictable, noisy textures that I couldn’t fully control, and I liked that randomness.
Tongue drum – used to bring a warm, organic touch to the compositions.

These instruments helped create a richer, more colorful sound palette on Nest.

3. You’ve collaborated with some of Latvia’s most renowned instrumentalists on Nest. What was it like working with them, and how did their contributions elevate the album’s overall sound?

Reinis: I started rehearsing with Erna Daugaviete (cello), Andris Buikis (drums), and Jānis Rubiks (double bass) during the pandemic. Playing with such skilled musicians was inspiring—they each brought their unique voice to the album.

Erna’s cello playing is creative and expressive. Andris is an incredible drummer with projects like Lupa and Sinfonietta Rīga. Jānis, known for his work with Trio Elpo, has a breathtaking approach to bass.

For our live performances, Zane Lasmane joins us on kokle, taking the songs to another level.

4. The track Virsotnēs (Mountain Peaks) recently got a visually striking animated music video. Can you share the inspiration behind the song and how its visual storytelling connects with the music?

Reinis: The video was created by Laima Jaunā, my wife, using artwork by Lote Vilma (who designed the album cover).

Laima also creates live visuals at our concerts, turning them into an immersive experience. It was something I always wanted—a blend of music and visuals.

We also recorded the album presentation concert, which will be released online soon! Mixing a live performance takes time, but it will be worth the wait.

5. You perform using a fascinating mix of Latvian-made instruments, from the kokle to modular synths. How do these instruments influence your creative process and the emotions you want to convey through your music?

Reinis: Different instruments add new colors to my compositions. Whenever I pick up a new instrument, it unlocks a wave of creativity.

My kokle was made by Rihards Valters, an expert in his craft.
My tongue drum was crafted by Dzintars Briedis, a brilliant instrument maker.
I’ve played many guitars, but now I use handcrafted guitars by Rūdolfs Kampe, and they’re the best I’ve ever had. I plan to play them for the rest of my life.

6. Travel seems to be a major influence in your life and music. Is there a particular place or experience that had a strong impact on this album?

Reinis: The first ideas for Nest came while pruning berry bushes in my garden during the pandemic. Then, my travels shaped the album.

Touring Italy in 2022 was surreal—venues were hesitant to book concerts because of lingering uncertainty.
In New Zealand and Australia, I broke my arm and had to perform with a cast. I adapted by switching to lap tapping.
Busking on the streets also influenced the music—I test out new ideas and see how people react.

7. You’ve played nearly 100 shows outside Latvia this year. How has touring shaped you as an artist, and do you have any standout moments from these experiences?

Reinis: In 2019, I played 250 shows—which was exhausting! But it taught me so much. During the pandemic, I realized how much I missed live performances, not just playing but attending concerts too.

I also host a radio show on RadioNaba, where I support independent artists, both Latvian and international. It’s important to give back to the music community.

8. Your previous album Zeme (Earth) featured collaborations with musicians from around the world. How does Nest compare to Zeme, and do you see a common thread between these projects?

Reinis: I think Zeme was my strongest album before Nest.

Over time, I’ve removed some of my early works from streaming platforms—I felt they don’t represent me anymore. Zeme was the first album where I felt I had truly found my sound. Nest takes that further, bringing in more diverse influences.

9. Dolby Atmos versions of Nest are available on Apple Music and Tidal, offering an immersive listening experience. How do you think spatial audio changes the way listeners connect with your music?

Reinis: Some people love Dolby Atmos; others are skeptical. Personally, I think it adds depth to the listening experience.

When I work in Dolby Atmos, stereo suddenly feels narrow. If you have a setup that supports it, I highly recommend experiencing Nest in spatial audio—huge thanks to Kaspars Barbals for the mix!

10. With Nest now out in the world, what’s next for you? Any upcoming tours, new collaborations, or creative projects that your fans can look forward to?

Reinis: Right now, I’m heading to the airport after a UK tour with The Flamenco Thief. We’ll be releasing live videos and possibly an EP together.

I’m also collaborating with Daniele Mammarella, a fantastic fingerstyle guitarist from Italy. We filmed live sessions, which will be released soon.

Upcoming tours include Serbia, Bosnia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Czechia, Poland, and possibly a major festival overseas (details soon!).

And yes, I already have new sketches for another album. Maybe in 2025? We’ll see!

Experience Nest

With its fusion of global sounds and deep personal storytelling, Nest is a testament to Reinis Jaunais‘ evolution as an artist. The album is available on all streaming platforms, Dolby Atmos on Apple Music and Tidal, as well as on vinyl and CD.

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Dive into the world of Nest and experience the journey firsthand!