ple don’t even know what that means. Your lyrics are about love, but al- so engaged, arise at any time and in any place… I understand even in the bathroom! Are they largely au- tobiographical? - We released the song texts in the booklet“Be Good”, since each one of them has its own story and significance. And whoever is reading these texts will be able to relate to them. The majority of my songs are reflecting various personal experiences – some of them good and some of them bad. The texts, the melodies and the bass lines just jump out of my sub-conscious- ness then. Your career started late, you we- re almost 40. Could you hope for the Grammys, could you imagine that you will be waving to the Bri- tish queen or hang out with Stevie Wonder? - Well, I couldn’t. But my mom said to me - Gregory, your gift will make room for you at the table of kings. This is interest- ing. I had an opportunity to sing to the Queen of England. And it’s already hap- pened with the people that are kings and queens to me. I heard Smokey Robinson
was singing one of my songs on the ra- dio the other day. Being in the presence of Mavis Staples, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott… Stevie Wonder joined me on stage re- cently. That blows me away. In one song you say that love is stronger than throwing stones at your door. Is it really easy to turn insults into something good and worthwhile? - It is hard to stay calm when the in- sults come. But I always think that peo- ple’s behavior is about them, not me. Their words and doings are their mirror. So when you realize that, it makes you stronger, and you can indeed turn it in- to a good thing. When a human come thirsty, you let your “Liquid Spirit”. What is that? - When their ears are “thirsty” then I let my “liquid spirit” free. And when I feel that I may be of help for someone with my music, when I find that my singing produces a good feeling, then it is also of great help to me. It is a road that leads into two directions. I try to write and sing by exposing myself as the person I am. They call you “the man with the silly hat”, why do you wear it all the time?
- I’ve had some surgery on my skin, so this has been my look for a little while and will continue to be for a while longer. Peo- ple recognize me by it now. It is what it is. What are your feelings about Bel- grade? - I fall in love too easily. Sometimes I want to stay in places that I’m only meant to be in for a day. I find myself longing to return, and so I did, I returned to Bel- grade. Musicology festival was a liber- ating experience for me two years ago. I usually don’t go to after parties, but in the club Bitefartcafe, that was behind the Musicology venue, there was a session, young musicians were playing jazz, and I came out to listen and meet some peo- ple who came to the concert. Since the atmosphere was so relaxing, I got the urge to go onstage and we played a few songs. The next day we went to a boat house, where I tried the most delicious beans! I am a gourmet, so I like to try new stuff. They took me to a perfect little res- taurant called Enso. I have to say, it was probably the most amazing taste I had in my mouth. These tastes will definite- ly stick in my mind for some time. Now I long to return once more.
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