Elemental is one of the few bands on the regional scene that has used music as a space for open and direct commentary on society from the very beginning. Their songs deal with real problems, ranging from personal reflections to the broader social context, so they have never shied away from “uncomfortable topics”. Through almost three decades of work, the band has built a reputation as an honest and consistent vocal critic of everyday life, which has brought them a wide base of loyal fans. Hits like “Goli i bosi”, “Romantika”, “U mojoj glavi” and “Nešto glasno” have shown that music can be both fun and important, and their concert energy remains recognizable even after all these years. Therefore, it is not surprising that the organizers of the eleventh OK fest, which ended last night at Tjentište, chose them to open the program on the main stage with a concert.
They are a band that fits perfectly into the spirit of the festival, which brings together not only lovers of good sound, but also people looking for socializing, camping, and a genuine festival atmosphere. This is their fourth time performing at this festival, which speaks volumes about the bond between them and the OK audience.
The band's main vocalist Mirela Priselac better known as Remi In an interview with "Vijesti", they revealed that they always had a good time at OK Fest, but that they especially remember the performance at the camp in 2023, and that they made it harder for themselves next time because the audience always expects more from them. That's why they wanted to surprise them and included the song "Srce moje" in their repertoire, which they performed in April.
"Since we performed without Shota (Luka Tralic") we didn't dedicate too much time to new songs. We left that for some other concerts where we will be in full force. We still wanted the audience to hear at least one part of the song 'Srce moje'. We had a small medley (a combination of several songs into one), even though we are a band that doesn't like that way of performing songs, but we made it precisely because of this situation," explained Remi.
But not only with the song "Srce moje", but also with the new single "Nisi ti, ja sam" they announced a new studio album, but also a change in sound, and Remi explains what that actually means:
"It's always very challenging to surprise yourself and somehow make your life a little more complicated, and at the same time sweeter. We are aware that it is much easier to find a formula for success, to find that one single that rocketed you into some orbit of mega popularity and then actually ride on that, on that sound and not change. Why change a winning horse? However, we from Elemental seem to always like to somehow complicate and sweeten our lives precisely by the fact that when we see that something has 'gone by' we want to turn the game around and do something completely different. That motivates us. As for Elemental, you can always expect the unexpected. We have eight albums behind us, but none of them are similar to the previous one in terms of sound. And on this 'new sound' that our ninth album will bring, we actually started to explore a bit of a synthesizer sound. So the song will be a little in that direction. As for the lyrics, I will try, and Shot will do the same, to say more with fewer words," she reveals what the audience can expect from the new album.
Through his songs, Elemental often deals with topics that are unspoken or neglected, and he will continue this practice when it comes to new songs.
"We always look at what is currently haunting and tormenting us and what is going through our heads. In principle, we don't have a plan and program, especially when it comes to non-engaged songs. They arise very spontaneously at the moment when we actually react to something that is happening around us. So on this new album, when we started working on it, I honestly didn't think there would be a single engaged song, because we were somehow lulled into that state - 'it's good'. But then it's hard when you scratch beneath the surface, and especially with all these things that have been happening recently, in the entire former Yugoslavia, it seems to me as if it's boiling in several cauldrons at the same time. As an engaged band, we will of course accompany that with our sound project," promises the interviewee of "Vijesti".
Art serves to warn and leave a mark for future generations, but expressing yourself openly through songs is not easy, especially when you have an audience in all the ex-Yugoslav republics, and not everyone may have the same opinion as the band members. Although it is not easy to bare your face, Remi and the rest of the band strive to be completely honest with their audience.
"We never calculated, nor did I ever pretend that I was one person on stage and another person in my private life. With me, it's quite simple. What you see, what you hear, is me at that moment. And, as they said from Artan Lili - 'I do the best I know'. So, as far as some honesty, directness is concerned, sometimes people agree with me, sometimes they don't, but that still doesn't stop me from saying what I think.
"I think it's very important, especially for a woman, not to diminish herself and not to stifle her voice, but to say loudly and clearly how she thinks and what she's thinking. And I have that luxury, I have a microphone in my hand, so my voice can be heard a little louder and maybe I can give support and strength to some women who don't have a microphone in their hand, but who share some of my sentiments and views," she explains, adding that she's glad that she's getting feedback from those women who raise their voices, recognizing her as support.
"Right after the concert at Tjentište, girls approached me to take a picture and said they cried the whole concert. That's it. We are not afraid to address the audience with emotion and then what we get back is also emotion. And with us, that cross-connection is quite clear and smooth. With us, there are no intermediaries, there is no mask, no acting. That's why we are the way we are, that's why I am the way I am. If you like it, let's go together, if you don't like it, there are a hundred other singers, groups and bands that you can listen to," concludes Remi.
We never calculated, nor did I ever pretend to be one person on stage and another person in private life. With me, it's pretty simple. What you see, what you hear, that's who I am at that moment.
Bonus video:
