The famous noise-pop band “Artan Lili” performed for the second time at the “Alternativni Kulturni Centar” (eng. Alternative Culture Center) in Jagodina on November 9, 2019. The place was crowded, there were people in the club’s garden, and in front of the club, and people were asking for a ticket more. The band, which is known for its social activism, universal but at the same time intimate topics, was greeted by the audience with applause and enthusiasm. The atmosphere was so good that it was no longer possible to say whether it was a concert, a party or a gig. Somehow we got a synthesis of all three, thanks to the reaction of the audience. Bojan Slačala (bassist and frontman of the band), when asked about his impressions after the concert, also could not hide what was evident:
Well, since you ask me that 15 minutes after one of the best concerts of the season, I can tell you that we had a great time, as you can see from my hair which is completely wet, and the audience is wet – there was “choral singing” from the first song and I am glad that the evening was a complete success. – said Slačala immediately after the concert which lasted for about an hour and a half, from 11 pm until after midnight, with an “encore” which was expected in such a good atmosphere.
“Artan Lili” is the first band to receive the “Zadužbina Milana Mladenovića” (eng. Endowment of Milan Mladenović) award, for a piece of music of exceptional artistic value (for their single “D.E.P.R.A.”). What it feels like to receive that award and what it means for them to receive the award named after the famous Milan Mladenović, Bojan Slačala said:
It is, above all, an honor, but also a great responsibility to continue to deal with this most wonderful business in the world in the future. I am glad that by applying for that competition, we actually in some way supported the foundation, the foundation’s initiative and the competition itself, in which we, by chance, won the first prize, and I am glad that it was us. I think that in the future we will promote each other in the best way possible – both, as we promote the foundation and as the foundation promotes us – and that this award will strengthen enough to be one of the most eminent and most prestigious awards you can get as an author and band in our region.
What defined the band was a beautiful and unusual genesis in the process of forming the band, so the band itself does not give up on that spontaneity, hence, they are characterized by the successive release of new singles. The band is in constant motion and in constant collusion with the times in which they live, breaking old concepts, and yet not giving up on universal life values. They work constantly and always have something new to offer to the audience:
We came here just from the studio and basically 5 new songs are being prepared that should appear day after day from December 16th to 20th (2019), one single every day – one video. Keep your fingers crossed for us that we will succeed in that, and if we succeed, you will definitely be able to hear all the songs starting December 16th, so please, stay tuned. – said Bojan Slačala after the concert about what we can expect in the coming months.
We also asked Veljko Gligorijevic from AKC (who was their host that evening) how the cooperation with Artan Lili came about, considering that they are here for the second time – who came up with the idea and how – and here is what we he said on the occasion:
The idea came somehow mutually and to mutual satisfaction, through my contact with one of their managers. We expressed a desire for them to perform at our place and we were very pleased when they agreed. What to say? You were there, you saw it, it was beautiful. Everything was extraordinary and we can’t wait for them to come again.
Judging by how the band and the local audience spent that evening, we can expect a new meeting with Artan Lili again, and until then, as Bojan Slačala would say: “stay tuned”.
Artan Lili on: Facebook, Instagram, BandCamp, Deezer, YouTube.
Photography: alxspirit | Video: YouTube/ArtanLili
Note: The article had its first press release on November 20, 2019.
alxspirit 