"Without You" - the authenticity that made a difference

The Montenegrin band "Roba bez greške", consisting of Rade Obradović (vocals/guitar), Branko Teofilov (guitar), Strahinja Cavnić (bass) and Vilijen Salmanov (drums), was among the 12 finalists of this year's "Milan Mladenović" Award, presented by the Milan Mladenović Foundation.

They made it to the finals thanks to the song "Bez tebe", from their current album "Biću dobar", in a tough competition as more than 170 songs were submitted to this year's competition.

Rade Obradović spoke to "Vijesti" about entering the finals for the award named after the famous musician and frontman of the band "Ekatarina Velika", Milan Mladenović, but also about the chances that this award will reach Montenegro this year.

At the beginning of the conversation, he reflected on the importance of qualifying for the finals, both for the band "Roba bez grece" itself, and for the Montenegrin rock scene.

"It is very significant. The competition was extremely strong and the fact that we are among the 12 finalists out of 173 submitted songs is a great recognition for the band, but also a nice confirmation that the Montenegrin rock scene has authors and bands that can equally cope with regional competition," the musician believes.

When asked what, in his opinion, the song "Bez tebe" had in comparison to their other songs that ensured its high placement, Obradović says:

"It's hard to talk about it from our perspective, but we believe that 'Bez tebe' is a blend of sincere emotion, recognizable energy, and a sound that best represents the band at this moment. Perhaps it was this authenticity that made the difference."

The "Vijesti" interviewee also looks back at the 11 songs that also made it to the finals, but still does not reveal who their biggest competitor is, or rather the favorite for this year's Milan Mladenović Award.

"We listened to the finalists and we think the selection is really high quality. Each song brings something of its own and that is exactly the value of this competition. There are a few bands that are closer to us in sound, but I still wouldn't pick favorites - we are glad to be part of such a community," he concludes.

In the next round, the jury will select five superfinalists, while the winner of the "Milan Mladenović" Award for 2026 will be announced on September 21, the birthday of the legendary frontman of the group "EKV", and the musician also answers the question of whether this award could reach Montenegro this year.

"We see just making it to the finals as a great success, and if the award were to come to Montenegro, it would be a big deal not only for our band, but also for the entire domestic rock scene," he replies.

However, regardless of placement, as finalists, "Roba bez greške", or rather their song "Bez tebe" will be included on the compilation, which, in Obradović's opinion, is also very significant.

"It means a lot to us. Being part of the compilation with authors and bands from across the region represents a permanent record of an important moment for the band and an opportunity for our music to be heard by an even wider audience," he believes, and finally reveals the further plans of the members of this band, when it comes to the coming months.

"We have a few performances coming up by the end of the summer, and we are also working on our second album in parallel. We are trying to maintain a good balance between concerts and studio work, because we want the new material to be of high quality and worthy of everything we have done so far," says Obradović.

The finalists for the Milan Mladenović Award this year were decided by a regional jury consisting of Pavica Čabrijan, Nemanja Đorđević, Lada Furlan Zaborac, Jovan Matić and Ana Radonjić (Zoe Kida), and the selected songs will also be published on the Foundation's promotional CD compilation.

In addition to the Montenegrin band, the finalists also include performers from Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia and Slovenia: Zhiva, Tingo, Tarej, Pocket Palma, Darkoff, Dunja Đoković, Lelee & Jelena Petošević, Deminutiv, Dolores feat. Retrospektiva, Milošev and Žbađ.

The winner will receive, in addition to a cash prize of three thousand euros, a special statuette, as well as the opportunity to perform at relevant regional music festivals.