36 | Intervju » Interview The new song Zamisli (Imagine) is in good old Massimo garb. How did you recognise that song in particular as being written for you? “That’s a very individual thing, directedtowardsauthorswhoallude to parts of my life in writing songs, believing that we will then collaborate. For me, it’s most important to feel the freedom of the author and the song; that it levitates and has a wonderful structure regardless of whether I will include it in my repertoire. Authors err the most when it comes to me when they offer me a highly professional arrangement, when all I need is to feel the energy that I will contribute to with my interpretation.” Do you remember how you started singing? “As a seven-year-old kid, I sang and acted out playing a plastic guitar without strings, andmy friends under thebalconyweremyaudience and clapped. I hadmypremiereprofessional performance at a caravan campsite inTunavica inLabinština, Istria, where they also organised a multimedia centre for bands. Itwas also there that I earnedmyfirst payment to pay off my first guitar.” siretohaveagoodtimeat theconcert is the greatest blessing for everymusician, myself included.” What parts of your work resume would you repeat and what wouldn’t you do again? “It’s important to me that I’m still on the scenenow. It’s important and fulfilling tome that I can still explore sound and use it to tell emotional stories. And I wouldn't repeat anything, it all just happened!Memories aren’t the sum total of information that you can relive; I recall some collections of moments like flash photos. But it is clear that I’m no longer able to feel the entire essence of being of the period when I was aged 18 to 28.” How do you maintain the form of your voice? “Thevoice isaninstrument that’s created reflexively, through the contraction and expansion of the vocal cords through which air passes and vibrates. And I expect someonewho uses their voice for singing to be believable to me when they sing, because it’snothingwithout that, even if that voice reaches angelic heights on the scale as a beautiful tone. So, persuasivenessfirst, andthencomes the craft!” How do you prefer to spend your time during flights, do you sing to yourself? “I only perform music on stage and in first gear. I don't sing in the shower,aboardaplaneorwhensomeone asks me to sing a song in company. If I pick up a guitar at a party, then I create a concert for friends. That attitude of mine towards music sometimes isn’t understood, but people who know me better understand that there arenonotes inthird or fourth gear for me.” Do you feel good when flying by plane? “Who doesn't love to fly by plane?! I also love it, but a smidgen of fear always exists! And I’mevoked by that adventure!The difference in air pressure between the underside andupperpartofanaeroplanewingis all that keepsusflyingand I find that absolutelyfascinating!Manachieved a lot when he conquered flying.” What are your fondest memories of the Yugoslav period of your career, when you first became one of the top vocalists in the Balkans? “I daren’t tell you themost excitingparts and I don't knowhowto lie – it’s obvious froma kilometre away [laughs]. I today feel glad that I approached the endof the slalomwithout leaving parts of myself as signposts on the flags.” With whomwould you gladly record a duet? “With Bruno Mars, who’s very interesting.” Which of your own songs do you love the most, if you are able to single one out? “Even aftermany years, a storm always breaks out at concerts when I sing the songs Stranac u noći and Zamisli život. I just spoke recently over the phone with Juro Stublić, frontman of the group Film, and he’s looking forward to performing Zamisli život, whichwe sang as aduet as a big hit and made several versionsandvideos.Bothof thosesongs are totally crazyandwe’renevermistakenwhenwe performthemfor an audience.” Alongside playing the guitar, do you wish to play some other instrument? “I believe Iwouldhave alsobeen directed towards the piano if I’d had a different upbringing inmy family. But I’m convinced I would have devoted myself to playing the piano if I’d been given enough time to relax and devote myself to that. I believe thatwhenIenterwhatpeoplecalland imagine as being retirement I will, with the help of YouTube, take lessons andpractiseplaying thepiano.” What impressions of the Belgrade audience do you have? “The Belgrade audience is absolutely the best! They never wait until the end of the concert to get up from their seats to sing the greatest hits withme, but rather they get into the concert from the start and join my singing for us to enjoy ourselves together from the first millisecond. Their chilled nature and de-
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