The Bosnian Billie Holiday, as the singer Amira Medunjanin is often called, will sing again in Podgorica after a two-year break. Learned from the experience of two years ago, when the DODEST hall was too small to accommodate all sevdah lovers, the organizers of the DEUS event for Amira's performance, which is planned for tomorrow evening, have foreseen the Great Hall of KIC Budo Tomović, and already now, for several days before the concert, they are satisfied with the interest and guarantee real pleasure and a full house.
In an interview with Vijesti and Amir, he does not hide the fact that he is looking forward to hanging out with the Podgorica audience, meeting his friends, and especially "he can't wait to walk along the promenade". He believes that before the New Year is "an ideal time for a concert".
This time he will perform accompanied by Boško Jović on guitar and Edvin Hadžić on double bass, and will also promote songs from the new album "Silk and Stone". Songs from Montenegro will not be missing from the repertoire, he says, because "she wouldn't have the guts to come next time".
You are known as someone who likes to experiment with sound. The previous album "Amulette" was in a jazz style. What kind of sound does "Silk and Stone" bring?
Well, there's a big difference. Believe me, I don't have the nerve to repeat myself and I don't think people would be interested in hearing the same thing over and over again. I start from myself. I also wouldn't be attracted to something that goes around forever. The new album is different, because it has a fusion of East and West on the instrumental side. This time, in addition to the piano, double bass and guitar, we introduced new instruments that are not widely represented in these areas (oud and kanun). The sound is richer and more varied. We wanted to include on this album those parts of the sound image that we missed a little on the previous ones.
Given that you cover Sevdalinka, do you choose songs for the album that you enjoy singing and like to hear, or those that suit you better in terms of style and voice?
It is a very easy process. I don't have much to do here. The songs come to me by themselves, crystallize somehow and mature in me. Primarily, I perform many of those songs at concerts before I record them for the album. I have to feel the song fully and fundamentally understand and interpret each verse. That is already the most difficult part of the preparation. But when the heart is opened, there is no doubt. When it becomes a part of me, regardless of which song it was from this area, it doesn't matter if it suits me stylistically or not. All the substances are simply combined into one and that's how it is.
How pleasing and how binding is it to be compared to Billie Holiday and Cesaria Evora?
Take my word for it that it only burdens and is not pleasant at all. It is very difficult to compare anything or anyone in the world of music. Because it all comes down to the audience's taste. It is even very difficult to draw parallels and compare in just one musical genre. Billie Holiday and Cesaria Evora are undisputed and both left a tremendous impact on music. It is very unlikely that there will ever be someone like them, because it is a special universe where there is only room for the chosen ones.
It is known that they often cover our original music around the world and that they are enthusiastic about it everywhere. The people from this area are often closer to foreign music, so rockers cover, for example, Irish or American folk, and they don't like our traditional music. How do you comment on that?
Oh, it's all normal. Sometimes people don't see anything important in tradition, and on the other hand, when it belongs to someone else, they think it's better. There is no real explanation. Everyone has their own furka. But it's good that you mentioned Irish traditional music or American folk. See how much they have done in the domain of their musical tradition to make it globally popular. Honestly, I think that there is so much diversity and wealth in the region that we could do wonders. And we should really put more effort into promoting our tradition and culture, because it would be better for us too.
Your music is a "rest for the soul" for the audience. What do you like to listen to privately?
A lot of that. I'm not exclusive when it comes to musical genres. There is always something good to be found. Now everything depends on the mood, the place, the season and the occasion. I used to be studious, so when I like a band or an author, I have to listen to everything until I exhaust the entire musical oeuvre. I don't have much time right now, unfortunately, but if I don't want to deny you an answer, I would say Gregory Porter and Pouges.
What is the first thing you think of when you say sevdah?
What comes to mind now is the Sarajevo mahal from my childhood. The sound, image and smell somehow all draw me to Sevdah. I guess that was a time when people had a little more time for others, patience and love, and when I could love, rejoice and sometimes grieve much more intensely and for much longer than I can now.
You used to cry often at a concert. Do such outbursts of emotion still happen to you, or have you "Googled" tears?
I am not a professional. I believe it's a flaw, but I really don't know any other way. It is very difficult for me to stay composed at certain moments, when a song hits me in the heart or when I feel the same emotion in the audience. I experience every performance as if it were the first and I can't do it any other way. I think it would be unfair to myself and the audience if I wasn't fully committed because this is not about ordinary songs.
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