The story of Bedem Fest began five years ago when practically all rock musicians in Nikšić gathered to pay tribute to the iconic Belgrade band EKV. That is why there is perhaps no better way to mark the jubilee fifth edition of this festival, which by now has already grown into a serious and beloved event in the city of beer and steel, than for the special guest to be the very last person who played in EKV with the deceased members , Serbian rock and roll legends Milan Mladenović and Margita Stefanović. The last drummer of the Belgrade band Marko Milivojević (who played in Partibrejkers, Električni Orgasm, E-play...) will not only perform at Bedem Fest, but the people of Nikšić will have the opportunity to get to know him well during the few days he will spend in their city. on the eve of that manifestation, where they will rehearse with local musicians and prepare a performance where, in addition to songs by EKV, tracks from the project "Angel's Breath" by Milan Mladenović and Mitar Subotic will be performed. Milivojević excitedly told "Vijesti" about his arrival in Montenegro.
What are the expectations before the performance at Bedem Fest, what do you think in general about the idea of the project in which you are involved?
EKV is the band I used to play in and it's something that changed my life, that's why I'm still doing music and it's a call I can't resist. We will try to make it happen together, it will be a wonderful meeting through music, which is important to all of us in life.
What do you think about the attitude towards the legacy of EKV - all over Yugoslavia streets are named after Milan Mladenović, films were made, concerts were organized in honor of the band, books were published?
It is a kind of cultural struggle that anyone who feels called to do. It is part of a whole effort of people who are interested in culture, art, to preserve good things, to have a place to hear about it, to learn about it... These are very beautiful things. It's great that there are people who take care of it, who are interested in it and who try very hard so that we don't forget what EKV meant. There is always a desire, and sometimes it takes time to make some of those ideas come true, it's an ongoing, constant struggle.
Still, there are those who are accused of using the legacy of EKV to promote themselves?
These are shades, there are many of them. There are people who are too committed to something, so they become a little awkward to cooperate with and socialize with. You have people who are opportunists, who are only looking for their own benefit, to be noticed... But it is important that things happen, and in what way - it does not depend only on the people who try to do it. You should look for good things in it, and the rest is something that happens around, to which you should not pay attention.
How does it feel to have the title of EKV's last drummer?
It is something that determined some things in my life. I learned a lot from them. It's a great thing for me, it's not a title, it's beautiful things that happened once.
How did you get into the band?
At first it was like some kind of socializing in the city, going out... I'm younger than them, but I got into it early, we already knew each other by sight. Žika Todorović, their drummer at the time, and I were friends, then I played in "Brejkers" and we agreed to replace each other. He practically brought me into the band. I don't remember exactly how, but we were hanging out a lot when that story started.
How were those first days at rehearsals?
We were real friends, they looked after me, it was very nice. We tried in SKC, I already tried there with other bands, so I was already familiar with it. We got along great, we clicked right away and we were like a company that has known each other for a long time. We had very few rehearsals in the beginning, we started playing right away, that was very important for us.
Rumor has it that military discipline, perfectionism reigned at the EKV rehearsals?
It did, it kind of came naturally. We were very responsible for what we were doing, it was not easy for us, but it came naturally to us to work seriously, to be as dedicated as possible. And we really had a workflow that was fantastic.
How does that process differ from other bands you've played in?
In a certain way, we always tried to make each gig special and in a special spirit. It was very beautiful and colorful. I almost don't want to single out some of the best gigs. There were very interesting things, for the first time I experienced going on tour for two months. It's something fantastic, rarely anyone can feel something like that
Do you have a favorite gig, a favorite memory?
In a certain way, we always tried to make each gig special and in a special spirit. It was very beautiful and colorful. I almost don't want to single out some of the best gigs. There were very interesting things, for the first time I experienced going on tour for two months. It's something fantastic, rarely anyone can feel something like that. Or gigs abroad where we proved ourselves in some modern world. Of course, some gigs are unrepeatable because of friendships, some because of the gig, some because of something else...
Still, there were critics back then who didn't like what you were doing?
Not everyone can ever like what you do. Sometimes it's with good intentions, sometimes they expect too much from you. Some expect you to continue a certain story, and you go in a new direction and confuse them. I say again, you should only look at positive things, because just like in everything, there is cheering in music, there is everything... But it's like karma, every band is in the end where it deserves to be.
Speaking of expectations, did you feel any pressure, given that EKV was already popular at the time?
No, it freed us, it just made us feel more capable. It was like fuel for us, it only allowed us to work better and in better conditions. We still had a lot we wanted to say.
What is the most important thing you learned from Milan and Magi - as a person, not as a musician?
What immediately comes to my mind is this idea that if someone has art in him, if he thinks about it, if it is something that occupies him in his life - it is beautiful and it is something that no one can take away from you, yes you say it should be different. It's your little garden that you arrange as you wish. If you are really into it, if you fight for it, then things start to happen, your art starts to take shape and recognition. It is a kind of philosophy that you should give everything so that your life and your work remain consistent. Then dreams start to come true.
How did you experience their deaths?
I don't have an answer now, it was sad. 'Let's move on...
Are there any new ones emerging in Serbia?
Why not. And in the world, a new wave of some bands is starting, which are bands in the true sense of the word, and not some marketing products. And a lot of bands are increasingly combining their gigs with electronics, it seems to me that everyone is turning to it now and that it is very current here in Belgrade as well. We'll see what comes out of it.
What are you working on these days?
I hang out with the band 'Dibidus', we just played at the Zaječarska Gitariada. I had a nice gig with Vlad Divljan in Belgrade recently. Švaba from "Electric Orgasm" invited me to an interesting project, I'm also working with my band, so this summer is very exciting.
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