Love is the most important spice in everything

At the beginning of the new millennium, the band Zoster was formed in Mostar, which was created, as the members themselves say, “as a consequence of the decline in society’s immunity.” Out of the need to say and do something, “Zoster” is still fighting the same battle today, after 25 years of existence, and through its lyrics it follows social changes, tirelessly criticizing and describing the state in which we live.

They have released five studio albums so far, and with the still current “Najgori” they have managed to confirm their status as one of the most important regional bands. That is why a festival line-up is unthinkable without them, and even when they spend time with the audience at one of them year after year, like the OK fest in Tjentište, the fans don’t mind. On the contrary, the third year in a row in NP “Sutjeska” is the best proof of their growing popularity in the region.

"This is why we exist. This is why we are somehow higher. We couldn't have imagined that we would reach this level, although as a clinic we dreamed of performing on big stages and being one with the audience. Our desire was to be recognized, for what we do to be loved. However, we didn't expect such reactions from the audience, so I have to admit that we are small and ashamed," Mario Knezović, frontman of Zostera, told "Vijesti" and revealed that this is precisely where the motto he often repeats at concerts, "Zoster group, your group".

From a band that played as an opening act, today they are given the main dates at festivals, and they have the opportunity to play in places where they have not performed in these two and a half decades. Zostera's musical expression has developed and enriched over time, and they have not hesitated to experiment with sound, while the messages have remained consistent and strong. Their albums follow the group's development path, each one a significant step forward in quality and creativity.

"We've changed a lot sonically and we've taught our audience to do that. That's our greatest success. It was a natural path. Every change we make is natural. So, what I envisioned a long time ago as an author and founder is constant changes in accordance with our age, in accordance with how we feel. Our songs are a diary of our lives that will remain even when we're gone. They will remain to testify to how it was and there's no lying about that," reveals Knezović.

A new album is in preparation, and on the previous one, “Najgori”, the main character is Tadija, a character whose complexity and internal struggles form the backbone of the story. Tadija is “the worst” primarily for himself, which reflects his personal crisis and insecurity. The new album will bring the story of Tadija’s son, and was announced with the single “Ne otrečam se tata” (I won’t turn away, Dad), which was a great success with the audience.

The song can be interpreted in many ways, which gives it additional depth and complexity. Dad can represent a symbol of support in a corrupt and unjust environment, but he can also be an authority figure who does not have a good influence on the main character because he is “the worst”. When asked what he actually wanted to describe through the lyrics of the aforementioned single and how Tadija's son feels, Knezović replied:

"We will only gradually discover that. We will slowly open one topic at a time. What is important is the truth that every son feels towards his father. It doesn't matter who he is, what his name is. We gave our father the skin of the worst. Can you imagine that your father is the worst man in the world? Try it. And that you love him, just as you love him. Although you may not be able to imagine that he is the worst, let's say that others are. We also have to live and make that aware. Now I'm speaking philosophically, it's a very emotional story. Regardless, we have to constantly question ourselves. We owe it to ourselves. We have to see them as people, as ordinary guys who were once young men, we have to see who these people are who made us and be aware that they too can make mistakes," says Mario, adding that the story of Tadija and his son is not autobiographical, but rather a fiction that carries a universal emotion, the one about parents whose best intentions sometimes leave the deepest traces.

"We have to fight for ourselves, it's our duty. We wouldn't Tesla"If he had listened to his parents, he would be what he is today. He would never have gone to America, he would have done what they told him. So, we have to understand that things happen. We love our parents, that is not in question, but we have to fight for ourselves. We are not our parents," says the interviewee of "Vijesti".

In his new poems, Zoster raises the issue of the relationship between fathers and sons, which is particularly important in the Balkans, where not only names and roles are often passed down through the male line, but also expectations, pressures, and unspoken messages that shape entire generations.

"In our region, we call our daughters 'sons'. Through songs, I confront those men who have taken responsibility. I am a deep womanizer, so I have two sisters and two daughters. My sisters are emancipated women and of course, what else can I wish for my daughters than for them to be emancipated, happy, their own, that they are not oppressed women, that they are not conditioned. And that is why love is needed. We do everything out of love, it is important. My mother says, when you cook, if there is no love, don't even cook, but order something from the bakery. So, love is the most important spice in everything. If everything you do is not done out of love, then it makes no sense," believes Knezović.

On the last album, as the songs were played one by one, the audience had the opportunity to gradually piece together the mosaic and discover the story they bring together. The story of the new album, which will feature ten songs and be released by the end of the year, will follow the same proven recipe.

"We will reveal the story little by little. We will surprise the audience with each song. There has to be a little excitement. It's not worth serving everything at once. As in any relationship, it's not worth revealing everything at the very beginning. The most important thing is that we are inspired, we have a story that we are continuing. We are already finishing the second single, the songs for the album have been written. It's hot right now, so I'm trying not to harass the other members, but as soon as it cools down, we'll go back to the studio and continue recording the album," concludes Knezović.