Loving what you do is certainly a big part of my success and the voice that does not age, but, secretly, it’s my love of a good cup of tea
“Many things, but what usually makes me want to come back is the food. If the food is amazing, you can’t get rid of me.” The current “Bare Bones” tour strips the songs down to their essence. Do these performances make you feel more vulnerable in front of an audience than large arena or stadium shows? “Totally. I love the intimacy of it and I think it actually makes me a better mu- sician, because everything is so stripped back and minimal. The beauty of it is that the songs work just as well with the full band as they do when it’s simply me and the guitar.” The Belgrade audience still remember the moment you walked through the crowd with your guitar and instantly connected with everyone in the arena. You still seem to genuinely enjoy performing live. What continues to drive you after all these years on stage? “The music, of course. It still amaz- es me that songs written so many years ago continue to resonate with people. Sometimes while I’m singing, Ljubav prema onome što radim je svakako veliki deo mog uspeha i glasa koji ne stari, ali, potajno, to je moja ljubav prema dobroj šoljici čaja
platforms and now the TikTok generation. What is it like seeing hits like Summer of ’ 69 embraced by audiences who weren’t even born when they were released? “Yes, it’s quite interesting, isn’t it? I’m sure the internet plays a huge part in that.” People often say your voice “hasn’t aged”. Is there a secret routine behind that, or is it simply the result of still loving what you do? “That’s very kind of you to say. Loving what you do is certainly a big part of it, but, secretly, it’s my love of a good cup of tea.” Do you think music today can still become the soundtrack of a generation in the same way it once did? “Oh yes, absolutely. We just have to wait and see which songs rise to the top. Time will be the judge…” When you look back on this chapter of your life and career, how would you describe it? “Much better than my old job washing dishes.”
I think about where the songs were written – like my basement.” Belgrade clearly holds a special place in your heart, and the feeling seems mutual. You filled the city’s biggest arenas and later returned with your very intimate show. What do you remember most vividly about Belgrade? “It’s always been very good to me. I have fond memories of playing there years ago and then going to a restau- rant in the old town after the show, on- ly to be followed down the street after- wards by the band from the restaurant. I wonder if that still happens there…” Besides music, you are also a highly respected photographer. What usually catches your eye first through the lens - people, faces, architecture, everyday moments? “Thank you. For me, it’s most- ly people and architecture, sometimes gardens… those kinds of things. I very often see people and wish I could pho- tograph them.” Your music has survived several eras — MTV, CDs, streaming
40 | Intervju » Interview
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