Vsi prispevki, ki jih je objavil/a Estrada Master

Angleški članki, Tuja scena

Promoting Slovenia before even visited it

Talking about Mark Hamilton probably isn’t possible without saying that he is some kind of a special artist. Or at least different from many others. He is among those who decided to speak about Covid as global problem also in song. And he is no doubt also very interesting musician. Video of his new song contains capitol of Slovenia, Ljubljana. What is interesting is that in video there are photos of Ljubljana but Hamilton never visited it!
About his new project, plans, decision to include Ljubljana into video, his opinion he is or isn’t special artist and much more things he spoke in interview for Estrada.si

The music scene has existed for a while, how does this affect you? Did you have to be especially resourceful in order to succeed?
It certainly wasn’t easy creating music during lockdown, but modern technology meant that even though my friends and I couldn’t be together in the same room we could still make great music together. I wanted to create a different sound, which is where the electric violin came in. I wanted to make my music interesting and a bit different to catch people’s attention.

What are your interests aside from music?
A lot of my interests  are based around my family. I have young sons and I love to share my music with them, but I am also interested in what they want to explore and helping them grow and develop their own interests. I love to spend time with them and my wife, walking in the countryside with our dog, exploring new places and learning new things. Obviously, we haven’t been able to do that this last year. 

How does music affect your personal life and vice versa?
I started writing songs when I was a young teenager and I first learnt to play the guitar. Growing up can be tough, and song writing helped me through some difficult times in my teenage years. I grew up with music in my life, there was always music playing in our house. Music can change your mood, it can make you happy or sad; it can give you confirmation that you are not alone, that other people understand how you are feel. You can relate to it. When I write songs they reflect my mood, whether I am happy, sad or in love. At the moment I am writing a song about a friend of mine who died a few months ago. He was a big musical influence on me, and I want to pay tribute to him, his life and how much he is missed. It’s a song about happy memories.

Do you have any other hobbies that you love, that make you happy?
I love swimming, but sadly I haven’t been able to do much of that over the last year. It’s good for your body and mind, a good way to unwind.

Why did you choose Ljubljana? Where did the idea come from?
I was looking for certain types of images for the video. I had memories of places I had travelled as a child and although not Ljubljana, when I saw the footage, it triggered memories. The feel of the town was perfect, the stillness, the emptiness and the beauty. I was really struck by the beauty of Ljubljana and I thought, if I think this is beautiful, other people will as well and I need to share it with them. The music was part of the story, Ljubljana brought it to life. 

Why did you decide to make a cover instead of an original song?
I wanted to get a message out about how we have all been affected my Coronavirus, how that made us feel and how we needed to care about and look after each other. One More Light has the perfect lyrics for that. Because it was a well-known song, there was a better chance of people listening and spreading the message. I found my own mental health affected by the lockdown, and I knew other people were struggling as well. I had this idea about raising awareness of mental health issues and had the idea to do a series of cover songs by artists who had suffered from mental health problems. With the help of my friends, I created my own versions of these songs and hopefully did justice to them.

Have you ever been to Slovenia or Ljubljana?  Do you know Slovenia and Ljubljana? If so, how well?
Sadly no, I’ve never been to Slovenia, but since using it in my video, I’ve been reading about Ljubljana and looking at a lot of pictures. I really hope that I’ll be able to visit in the near future.

In making the music video, did you work with anyone from Slovenia?
I didn’t know anyone from Slovenia before I made the video, although I was working with people from a lot of different countries. Now of course I do know people in Slovenia, though we have not been able to meet in person yet I am hoping to work with them going forward.

Your musical pursuits are primarily dedicated to people facing mental distress. Is the fact that so few artists have a similar focus an obstacle or an advantage?
A number of well-known artists have struggled with their own mental health and some of them have spoken about their experience to try and raise awareness. My cover songs, that form my mental health awareness project, were all written or recorded my artists who suffered with mental illness that eventually played a part in their early deaths. I wanted to pay tribute to them but also bring my own personal experience to try to bring other people hope. I hope that personal experience is an advantage; it’s something I feel very strongly about, I want to encourage those who are suffering to seek help and those that are stronger to reach out and show understanding. 

Is it possible to succeed in today’s industry, especially considering the current situation, with such thematically uncommon music?
If the music is good, people will listen to it. I’ve tried to create a distinctive sound, with some great musicians, but there is a lot of competition. You have to get your music heard. Modern technology helps with that when you can’t go out and play live. My style of music won’t be to everyone’s taste, but obviously I hope people will listen to it and when I start to release my own original songs I hope they will like them just as much. The music industry is hard, you have to have talent, but you also need luck.

What has the response been like?
The response has amazed me, particularly in countries like Slovenia and Italy. I didn’t think when I started this music for mental health project it would travel around the world, I thought it might be heard by a few hundred people and that it might help them to feel less alone, to seek help if they were struggling with their mental health.

Do you feel as though it is necessary for an artist to stand out in order to achieve success in this time?
In today’s world, as an artist you are not just competing with other musicians in your own country, you are competing with artists from all around the world but at the same time you can reach many more people. When you are starting out in the music business, it can help to do something a bit different, but I believe it has to be real, genuine and consistent, otherwise people see through you and lose interest. 

Do you feel as though the audience you are targeting with this song is less common, perhaps even out of the ordinary, or is that merely a false perception and struggle of this sort is more common than we might imagine?
As I said before, you need some talent, you need some luck to be successful in the music business. But above all you need good music. Although my current project is about mental health, it’s also about good music and I hope that people will recognise that, even if they don’t particularly like it. When it comes to mental health I think we can all struggle at times depending on what is happening in our lives. I know in the UK 4 out of 5 people will struggle with their mental health at some point in their lives. We are all human, we all experience sadness and happiness and everything in between. But of course we are all unique, how our thoughts and feelings affect us, who we have around us who will understand and support us. I think perhaps we need each other more than we sometimes realise.

Are you the sort of person that, by character, wishes and feels the need to be unique, to stand out?
I’m quite a reserved person. I don’t feel I am unique. I’m just an ordinary man, trying to do something to help others and to bring people together, and the best way I know to do that is with music.

Photo: MH personal collection, BangTidy

Angleški članki, Tuja scena

Sea Adonis turned 60

CHRISTOPHER ATKINS EXCLUSIVE FOR ESTRADA.SI

Although he starred in many films he is and probably will forever be most remembered as sea Adonis, rising from the ocean waves in classic Blue lagoon. This movie was extremely popular when it came on film screen and made Christopher Atkins one of the most adored men on silver screen and in the world and became one of Hollywood’s classics.
Although it is hard or even impossible to believe it is 40 years since legendary movie was made. Christopher Atkins, unforgettable Richard, this week –believe or not- turned 60!
No matter to that he is still very charming and handsome man as he is remembered and some decades later his sex appeal is still there.
He celebrated his birthday with small party, according to Covid situation. He kindly gave an interview about his personal matter to Estrada.si and also some exclusive photos.
During this occasion, Estrada.si wishes him all the best and happy birthday.

What it means to you being 60 years old?
I never thought I’d make it past 27! 60 is kinda spooky to me because I don’t see myself as being 60. I’m still 5 sometimes lol. It’s an old number but I’m still on the hunt in life.

What condition are you in, how do you feel?
Dealing with years of intense sports wear and tear on my body but all good! I hit the gym nearly every day.

Do you have any special wishes, plans…?
The last box in the business I want to tic is making my own film. The films I have are all family uplifting films and the flavor at this time are those type of films. I signed with Eris Talent a literary agency who are pushing my projects.

How do you feel about the fact being still good looking man?
I’m single so thank you!

How do you stay in shape?
I have been going to the gym to keep the locked up joints working and stay active. There are positive sides to A.D.D lol.

How it was on the birthday party?
It was the best birthday party ever! Nadia and Stoyan Gueorguiev are from Bulgaria and opened a new coffee shop where they fresh roast coffee. Wake-Cup-Coffee in Fairfield CT. They opened right when Covid hit. I shared that I shot a film in Bulgaria and loved it! They are a fantastic family run business (their kids help out) and it is only top quality in décor and food. I like to help the community when I can and promote through great people like you during this time of struggle. The Connecticut State Senator, Tony Hwang was there and gave an uplifting speech about community and honoring my birthday.

Do you have any regrets because of Covid and situation? I believe birthday party would be different without Covid situation.
Herd immunity is near and things will level off. All the people I know who had it were fine thank goodness and did not have a difficult time other than feeling bad. We were only allowed a certain number and everyone was Covid safe with masks. I took mine of for some pictures when no one was near. It would have been a big bash with press but Covid killed that.

Looking back would you (if it would be possible) do something different as you did? Some different decisions etc? Would you repeat some things etc?
Nope! Nadia of Wake-Cup-Coffee threw the most incredible party I could have ever dreamed of! Too bad more could not have been there!

Photo: CA personal collection

Domača scena, Glasba

Nazaj zaenkrat le nostalgično

Sebastian je bil pred leti eden najbolj priljubljenih slovenskih glasbenih obrazov. Pojavil se je kot meteor, kot bi lahko rekli in v hipu osvojil množice mladih, predvsem najstnikov. In se, kar je z današnjega zornega kota, ko se mnogi pojavijo in poniknejo, obdržal na sceni. Takrat so bili seveda še drugačni časi, a vendar se prebiti med najbolj priljubljena imena ni bilo kar tako in tudi ne najbolj lahko ostati v vrhu.
Dvajset let pozneje je Sebastian zrel človek, ki ima za seboj že določeno življenjsko kilometrino in izkušnje in ki se je vmes uspešno podal tudi v druge izzive. Čeprav je glasba veliko manj del njegovega življenja kot nekoč in ga že precej časa ni na odrih, se vsake toliko obudi upanje, da se vrača na sceno. Tudi ob dvajseti obletnici skladbe Hočem to nazaj, s katero se je začel njegov vzpon in jo je prav posebej za to priložnost na novo posnel, nemalo poslušalcev ugiba, ali se vrača na glasbene odre. Pa se res?

Ob obletnici skladbe, s katero ste uspeli na glasbeni poti, ste jo na novo posneli. Zakaj ste se odločili za to?
Prebijamo se skozi verjetno najtežje obdobje naših življenj, ko se zdi, da se vse okoli nas ruši. Pesem je bila septembra stara 20 let in jo zato vsi povezujemo z nekim drugim svetom, drugim obdobjem, verjetno veliko prijetnejšim, bolj pozitivnim. Za remix sem k sodelovanju povabil enako ekipo, ki je naredila tudi original, skupna želja pa je bila enaka: ustvariti preobleko pesmi, ki bo ljudi ob poslušanji popeljala v lepše, boljše čase. Pesem je zaznamovala odraščanje cele generacije mladih in nenazadnje tudi mene, prav zato pa jo danes z nekaj več izkušnjami vsi doživljamo na nekem čisto novem nivoju. Tako smo z vsemi spomini, ki so vezani nanjo, mojo publiko popeljali na popotovanje v lepše čase, obenem pa pesem predstavili tudi njihovim otrokom in današnji mladini.

Prvi skladbi ste ob obletnici posvetili neke vrste počastitev. Se še spomnite nastopa, na katerem ste jo pred dvajsetimi leti prvič zapeli?
Seveda se ga spomnim. Pravzaprav se ga spomnim tako živo, kot bi se zgodil prejšnji mesec, pa sta od takrat minili dve desetletji. Spomnim se vsega: garderobe v Cankarjevem domu, generalke, hoje od garderobe v zaodrje, tudi tega, kako sem izza odra spremljal nastop skupin Nude in Power Dancers pred mano in cepetal, naj me že končno spustijo na oder. Nobene treme ni bilo, nobenega strahu, le iskrena želja priti na oder, zapeti in zaplesati ter v dveh minutah pokazati, kaj smo celo leto dni pripravljali. Seveda pa si nisem niti v najlepših sanjah takrat predstavljal, da se mi bo s tem nastopom celotno življenje zavrtelo v popolnoma drugo smer, kot bi se sicer. Krasna in precej neponovljiva izkušnja v moji življenjski zbirki.

Nekateri so zaradi tega, da ste na novo posneli pesem, menili, da se vračate na glasbeno sceno, a očitno ne. Zakaj ne?
Iskreno povedano so vsi drugi s tem mojim vračanjem na glasbene odre veliko bolj obremenjeni kot jaz sam. Moja glasba mi je vedno bila v prvi vrsti iskreno veselje. Imam srečo, da se mi nikdar ni bilo treba recimo prilagajati v glasbeni zvrsti in izvajati stila, ki mi ne bi bil všeč. Tudi intervjujev se lotevam rad in veselim se stika s publiko na nastopih. Vse to se v vseh teh dvajsetih letih ni spremenilo. Zato se tudi ne obremenjujem s tem, a je to zdaj vrnitev ali ne. Remix pesmi “Hočem to nazaj!” se mi je zdel super ideja in smo jo zato naredili. Prepričan sem, da bom enako prej kot slej tudi izdal še kakšno pesem, ker še vedno rad pojem in nastopam, je pa res, da danes glasba ni več moja glavna preokupacija in se je zato lahko loteval še toliko bolj iz srca, ko in če začutim. Zato je najbolje ostati brez napovedi, uživati v vsem, kar je in se pustiti presenetiti.

Vas glasba sicer še privlači? Vam je še izziv?
Seveda me. No, v tem obsegu, kot sem to izvajal nekoč, danes seveda ne gre. Nekoč so bili to po trije ali štirje nastopi na dan in prevoženih nemalokrat več kot tisoč kilometrov dnevno. To so dimenzije, ki si jih lahko predstavljajo le redki. Moram pa priznati, da ima zdaj glasba veliko večji draž, kot ga je imela recimo tik preden sem se umaknil, ker je manj rutinirana, manj samo po sebi umevna in zato večji izziv. Pa tudi roko na srce, v estradnem svetu in med novinarji imam še vedno veliko prijateljev in poznanstev in res lepo se je po vsem tem časom z vsemi vami spet malo podružiti. Veselim pa se tudi, da enkrat vsa ta kolobocija z zapiranjem države umiri in se bomo lahko podružili tudi s publiko.

Na glasbeni sceni niste že več let, prej ste bili med najbolj priljubljenimi izvajalci. Če bi začenjali danes, kaj menite, kako bi bilo? Kaj sicer menite o današnji slovenski sceni? V čem je drugačna kot včasih?
Za uspeh na takšnem nivoju, kot je bil moj takrat, se mora perfektno poklopiti ogromno stvari — tudi takšnih, na katere nimaš vpliva. Poglejte, koliko res izjemnih mladih pevcev imamo, ki vrhunsko pojejo, imajo super pesmi, odlične spote, pa se tisti veliki bum okoli njih ne zgodi. Prav zato vedno malo znorim, ko kakšni “strokovnjaki” začnejo razpravljati o kakovosti komercialne pop glasbe. Ker najti pevca, ki ima cel paket, dobro poje, morda tudi kaj zapleše, dobro izgleda, je resen, priden, delaven, odgovoren, korekten, lojalen in še toliko več, kar potrebuješ za cel paket v tem poslu, ter potem iz tega narediti zgodbo, ki bo nagovorila celo generacijo, ujeti nek utrip trenutka in prepoznati, kaj svet potrebuje… to vse je umetnost. Prav zato takšne zgodbe tudi niso pogoste.

Nekoč ste bili najstniški idol, tudi sami ste bili takrat skoraj najstnik. Če bi se vrnili na glasbeno sceno, najstniški idol ne bi bili več. Kje bi se videli? V kateri zvrsti?
Ni dvoma, ostal bi v popu. To je moje srce, moja duša, tukaj lahko največ dam. Zagotovo bi bil noro zanimiv tudi kak izlet v kakšno drugo glasbeno zvrst, a moje jedro se ni spremenilo. Vedno mi je bilo pomembno, da je pesem spevna, da ostane v ušesu in si jo zapojem, tudi ko se na radiu vrti že kaj drugega. Mogoče mi je ravno zato bil tak izziv pisati moj tretji album “Osebno …”, na katerem sem praktično vse pesmi, kot so Mi Chica Latina, Kriv sem, Tvoja slika (bledi) in še veliko drugih glasbeno in besedilno ustvaril sam in so nekako moj dnevnik. In ko danes vse te moje pesmi vidim na iTunesih in podobnih platformah, sem res ponosen. Ker biti pevec, je ena stvar, biti ob tem še avtor, pa neka čisto druga dimenzija.

Kakšno glasbo poslušate? Si zavrtite tudi svojo?
Uh, moj glasbeni nabor je kar raznolik. V avtu večinoma ne poslušam ničesar, če pa že, prižgem ARS, ki večinoma predvaja klasično glasbo. V plesni šoli plešemo na aktualno pop in rap glasbo, vmes se prikradejo še kakšni rockerji a la Siddharta, pa Queeni, ki jih pomešam z Vanesso Mae izpred let, pa 2Cellos ali Maximom Mrvico. Seveda ne manjkajo tud muzikali, ki so moja ogromna ljubezen in imam doma ogromno zbirko zgoščenk s predstav na Broadwayju in West Endu, ki sem si jih pogledal. Sem pa nedolgo nazaj po dolgem času preposlušal tudi vse moje pesmi, ki sem jih ustvaril in po poslušanju obsedel ter bil res ponosen. Vsaka pesem nosi neko svojo zgodbo, spomine, marsikatera tudi kakšno življenjsko izkušnjo, ki sem jo skozi njo predelal in je privrelo na dan toliko enih lepih trenutkov, da sem se takoj bolje počutil. Tako da ja, zagotovo si jih bom večkrat predvajal in to s ponosom povem.

Po prekinitvi z glasbo ste se uspešno podali na druge poti, predvsem plesno in zumba. Kako je sedaj, posledično koroni?
Vlada nas je onesposobila, kolikor je le lahko. Če je prvi lockdown bil smiseln, tole zdaj več ne vodi nikamor. Človek bi mislil, da je enajst mesecev ukrepov brez empirično dokazljivih učinkov dovolj tehten argument, da se ta norija zaključi. A se ne. No, mi smo ta čas izkoristili po svoje in se znašli. Plesne treninge in skupinske vadbe v plesni šoli Sebastian smo preselili na splet, kjer se zdaj trikrat tedensko družimo preko prenosov v živo, na www.PlesnaSolaSebastian.com pa smo naredili tudi ogromno videoteko, v kateri lahko kdorkoli kadarkoli trenira z mano in drugimi trenerji preko videov na zahtevo. Tako smo naredili ogromno bazo, ki jo bomo lahko ponujali še veliko let, prav tako pa se zdaj lahko družim z ljudmi iz vse Slovenije in tujine, ki sicer na redne treninge v Maribor ne morejo priti. A ni to super? Zadnje leto dni je torej veliko stvari obrnilo na glavo, a ponudilo tudi kar nekaj novih možnosti, le videti in uporabiti jih je treba.


Plesno in z zumbo ste uspešno prodrli tudi v tujino, veliko ste tudi službeno potovali. Kako je s tujino sedaj?
Tudi tujina se je skoraj v celoti preusmerila na splet. Izobraževanja, ki jih vodim v Avstriji, Nemčiji in Švici, sedaj potekajo iz udobja moje mariborske plesne dvorane preko Zooma, prav tako so se plesni in drugi športni kongresi, na katerih že leta predavam, v celoti preusmerili na splet. Moram reči, da to stvari kar močno olajša. Časovno je veliko bolj ekonomično kot potovati po vsej Evropi, prav tako je veliko bolj okolju prijazno, pa tudi manj naporno za telo. Kar nekaj prednosti je torej, vseeno pa manjka druženje, ki je vendarle eden od ključnih elementov takšnih dogodkov. Če povzamem, v živo je izjemno, splet pa je odlična alternativa.

Pred leti ste bili veliko v medijih, v zadnjih zelo malo. Zakaj?
Za tem ni večje zgodbe. V medijih sem toliko, kolikor imam zanimivega za povedati. Rad delim stvari, ki ljudi navdihnejo, pa naj bo to moje delo, potovanja ali kaj drugega, nisem pa (več) toliko na stopnji, da bi se moral gledati skočiti iz čisto vsake revije z vsako drobno malenkostjo, ki se zgodi v mojem življenju; Angleži rečejo: “Been there, done that.” Zelo rad sem odprt za pogovore in intervjuje, kjer lahko pokažem kaj vsebine, ne le — karikiram — kako se bom šemil za pusta. Tale  intervju je recimo eden takih, ki mi je v veliko veselje.

Zaradi korone se je bilo treba prilagoditi, nekateri so se lotili drugih stvari, sploh na estradi je težko. Ste se v kaj novega podali tudi vi? Kako sicer sploh preživljate te koronske čase? Kakšno leto je za vami?
Preteklo leto je bilo izjemno. Od marca do junija smo delali vsakodnevne Live Streame ter naredili obsežno videoteko, ki sem jo prej omenil. Od oktobra sem ogromno časa posvetil glasbi, intervjujem, gostovanjem ter več časa izkoristil tudi za to ljubezen. Vmes sem veliko potoval. Obiskal sem Vietnam, Grčijo, Islandijo, Švico, Irsko, Sardinijo, Sicilijo, Tenerife in nedavno še Zanzibar ter si tako nabral ogromno krasnih spominov za stara leta, spoznal nove kulture in običaje, obenem pa se tudi na lastni koži prepričal, da je za življenje z ukrepi prava srednja pot, ne pa ekstremi. Predvsem pa sem se lahko posvetil stvarem, za katere mi v rednih urnikih zmanjkuje časa. Branje knjig, gledanje filmov, biti ob večerih doma, ne v dvoranah … vsega tega nisem poznal praktično 20 let. Pa seveda druženje z mojima nečakoma, ki sta mi ukradla srce.

Foto: Tibor Golob

Angleški članki, Tuja scena

Handsome legendary Hollywood star beat the Covid two times

Classic Blue lagoon movie and Dallas tv series star Christopher Atkins says that Covid changed his life the same or similar way as it changed life of millions of  other people. He is very energetic man, with many interests, always doing something, traveling a lot and living no doubt full life. Actor, director and in fact so called multi talent man is always busy and doesn’t know the meaning of boredom. Now Covid partly changed his life too. But Atkins didn’t want to let it changes his life completely.
Still charming and handsome star was lucky. He didn’t get virus, but he faced it closely. He was in quarantine not just once, but twice and despite of that he is healthy. How it was, what were his feelings, fears, experience etc he spoke about in interview for Estrada.si

How exactly happened that you came into danger because of Covid?
The virus is everywhere here. Seems everyone I’m close with has had it. Nothing terrible has happened to any of them thank goodness. Just flu like symptoms and loos of taste and smell. I don’t know why I haven’t gotten it yet. Maybe it’s the CoQ10 I take (lol). I had to quarantine for 14 days at my son’s place after their babysitter came down with it two days after she was at the house and I was exposed to her. I got back to Connecticut and saw a buddy at the coffee shop and we talked a bit then I left. Two days later he texts me he has the virus. So I’ve been quarantined again. I’m fine. Didn’t get it.

Were you and family on tests?
We take a test after about 10 days of quarantine. All negative. I also test before I see my mother who is in her 80’s. She is now lined up for the vaccination.

You say you and family are in quarantine. Did you decide to go yourself or it was official decision from doctors?
The quarantine is what is recommended by the government. Unless there are serious complications the doctor will only tell you to stay at home and quarantine.

What happened with the nanny? If I understand correctly, virus came through her?
The sitter is in her 20’s. She lost her taste and smell, was run down lethargic, had no fever. Bounced back quick. No problems.

How long you’ll be in quarantine?
I’m out now. They say 5 days after exposure is when you would get symptoms but could go to 14. I’ve done both now.

How are you feeling? What are you doing? What is your day like? Do you have contacts with outside world?
I’m feeling fine! I get out and hike. I can’t handle being inside. I just stay away from people. Now that I’m not sick I’m headed back to the gym and can be around people.

What is your opinion about Covid in America? Is this big problem? What is people behavior generally?
There is tremendous fear that has been instilled in America. The statistics don’t warrant the fear. All the people I know who have had it have had no problems. There is a virus and there are issues for the elderly and people with underlying conditions. People here have been devastated by the lockdowns and panic. It’s very, very sad to see.

Will you get or have already got anti Covid vaccine?
No. There is too much weirdness about this that doesn’t quite add up to me and seeing my friends get it and get over it I’m going to wait.

Do you wear mask, clean and wash hands etc with disinfectant?
Yes. I follow all the protocols. There is that old saying, safe than sorry.

What this experience generally means to you? Did you get any new knowledge, views…? What is your biggest fear in connection to Covid?
The experience is like living in a sci fi movie. My biggest fears are there are more questions than answers. It’s a very strange time we are living right now.

Photo: personal collection

Domača scena, Glasba

Slovenska pevka padla v oči znanemu angleškemu MTV izvajalcu

Kim Begovic ima kljub le 20 letom na glasbeni sceni drzne sanje. In tudi načrte, saj si je tudi zamislila, kako sanje udejaniti. Pri tem se je malce vmešalo tudi naključje, a to vse prej kot škodi. Verjetno ji utegne pomagati, zato nikakor ni odveč. Naključje je bila nekakšna telepatija, kot bi lahko rekli, med Kim in znanim angleškim glasbenikom Yungbludom. Youngblud, ki je v lanskem letu prejel nagrado MTV za najbolj obetavnega izvajalca, je namreč Kim zasledil na Instagramu in njen posnetek objavil v svoji Instagram zgodbi!
Kako sta glasbenika sicer sploh prišla skupaj? Poleg naključja je svoje prste spet vmešala korona. Posledično temu, da so za glasbenike nastopi omejeni, Kim še pogosteje sede za klavir in vadi, obenem pa ustvarja tudi nove skladbe. Objavila je tudi nekaj priredb skladb drugih izvajalcev, med njimi skladbe Parents. To skladbo pa sicer v originalu izvaja Yungblud. Med njegove oboževalke sodi tudi Kim. »Ko sem opazila njegovo glasbo, se je v meni nekaj zgodilo. Ne znam pojasniti, vendar se je nekaj premaknilo. Ob njegovi glasbi sem dobila občutek, da je glasba svet, v katerega se lahko vedno zatečem in kjer se počutim res domače,« pravi. Zato je med priredbe, ki se jih je lotila, vključila tudi svojo verzijo Yungbludove skladbe. Posnetek je videl tudi angleški zvezdnik alternativnega roka, hip hopa in pop punka in ga objavil na svojem Instagramu. Bržkone najbolj zanimivo pri tem je, da Kim najprej tega sploh ni vedela in da so jo opozorili drugi. »Na lepem moj telefon skorajda ni več dohajal obvestil, ki sem jih prejemala od Instagrama in znancev. Ko sem pogledala, za kaj gre, sem bila tako rekoč šokirana. Posnetek priredbe sem objavila, ker mi je skladba všeč in to je bilo vse. Niti v sanjah pa si nisem predstavljala, da bo prišel tudi do Yungluda. Da je stvar zame še večje veselje, je to, da je prav on v zadnjem času nekakšen moj največji vzor. Poslušala in brala sem njegove intervjuje in prav on me je inspiriral, da se izstopila tudi iz cone udobja,« pove.

Rada bi ga tudi osebno spoznala
Dogodek bi si lahko razlagali tudi kot nekakšno telepatijo med glasbenikoma. Kim je objavila priredbo, Yunglud pa je kot po čudežu posnetek takoj opazil.
Kot omenjeno, ima Kim načrte, ki si jih želi tudi uresničiti. Ali se ji bo izpolnila tudi želja, da bi srečala angleškega idola in z njim celo zapela v duetu, je težko reči. Si pa tega zelo želi in z ekipo, s katero dela, se že poigravajo z idejo, da bi stopili v kontakt z Yungludom. Priložnost je namreč naravnost idealna in morda se iz nje tudi res izcimi kakšno konkretnejše sodelovanje. Da pa jo je tujina mikala že pred tem, ni nikakršna skrivnost. Lansko leto je namreč izdala svoj prvi tuji singel Calling me. Skladba je plod sodelovanja s švedsko glasbeno ekipo v sestavi Adriana Pupavac, Andreas Björkman & John Åhlin, Kim je sodelovala tudi kot soavtorica glasbe, besedilo pa je pripravil znani irski tekstopisec Aidan O’Connor.

Foto: osebni arhiv

Angleški članki, Tuja scena

The sexiest magician has the DNA of Houdini

One of the best magicians on the world and by the opinion of many fans also the sexiest one Andrew Basso has a big reason to be glad, excited and happy. His longlasting wish finnaly came through. From now on he is the proud owner of the shirt which once belonged to another great illusionist, Harry Houdini. He bought it in web auction and on the basic of DNK test it is 100% Houdini’s original.

How did you find about auction?
A friend of mine, John Cox, in my opinion the most knowledgeable Houdini’s historian, posted something on his blog and I started jumping of enthusiasm. That auction had what I’ve been looking for years! 

Why did you decide to join it?
To own something that Houdini not only touched, but actually was wearing , always fascinated me. But in the auctions you mostly find signed photographs, posters and if you are lucky, you may find a lock or a pair of handcuffs that Houdini used. Those are fantastic and pricy items to have in your collection but for me, something he was wearing, was the dream of a lifetime.

Was competition hard?
It happened during quarantine and so on a online auction. I was sweating, my heart was racing and I was terrified that someone could have made a bigger offer. But I got very lucky. The timing of making the right offers at the right moment just before it ended worked out to my advantage. I’ve lost a kilogram in those few minutes of tension.

What it means to you?
Houdini inspired so many people not only when he was alive but even more after his death in 1926. The incredible story of as self made man, who made it from poverty to stardom believing in his dream became the same journey for me as young boy, coming from a little town in northern Italy and with a big dream to become a magician. From visiting his burial site in New York to theatres where he performed, I always wanted to get close to any place where he breathed the same air. A way to feel his presence even closer. And this shirt collar is something deeply symbolical that connects me to Houdini.

What are you planning to do with the shirt? Will you wear it? Give into some museum etc? Will it be able at least for some people to see it in real? Or will you put it in some your private collection?
In this moment the piece is framed and above my bedroom. I love to wake up and see it and when I go to sleep is a reminder of how far we can go if we believe in our dreams. But not for long, soon it will be sent out to a Washington DC laboratory. The next step is to extract Houdini’s DNA. After that accomplishment, I will be happy to have it on display in a public museum.

Do you also have something else of Houdini in your ownership?
Yes. Years ago I was able to get a piece of the glass of his water torture cell. His most famous escape device where Houdini was lowered upside down into water, unfortunately in 1995 it was almost completely destroyed during a fire tragedy in the Houdini museum in Niagara Falls. Later the cell was purchased and restored by the greatest illusionists , David Copperfield. But some of the pieces of the destroyed cell were saved and I was lucky to get one. Now the small piece is part of a special ring I had made, but don’t tell my fiancee!

Do you collect material about Houdini (films, books, documentaries, magazines…)?
I do not consider myself a collector. I love everything about Houdini, I have goosebumps when I hear his name but in order for me to actually buy something it needs to have a soul, a vibration, a story. This piece I got represents for me the number one item existing in the Houdini’s collectibles.

Did you ever have idea or plan to find and contact and meet someone from Houdini’s family?
Oh yes! Thanks to Facebook I am in contact with relatives of the Houdini’s family and as soon we will be able to travel safely again, I hope we will meet to celebrate this achievement together. I’m proud to guard this unique piece of Houdini’s history.

Did you ever have wish or plan to make film about him? Would you play in main role?
To play his role in a movie would be a great honor for me. I better start learning the Hungarian accent ! Any Hungarian reading this ?

I believe you watched different films about Houdini. Which one you liked the most and why? Who is your favorite actor who played Houdini?
Tony Curtis in the 1953 movie is still my favorite, probably because is the first movie I’ve seen about Houdini after reading so many books about. 

Several days ago you walked shirtless, just in underwear in snow in New York park. Is this some sort of advertise, joke, special regards to your fans, new year’s wishes?
I was training in the cold and I wanted to share the moment with my fans. For 2021 I want to bring my fans more behind the scenes to show what it takes to be an escape artist.

Do you do such or similar things often? And if yes, why? Is this some kind and way for better health, resistance etc?
I do it for several reasons. First I like to challenge myself. I ask myself, can I do it? Let’s see. Once. a day I do a thing that scares me,I feel more alive doing so. Also, embracing different techniques, like extreme cold exposure along with breathing techniques and meditation is to strenghten the body and the mind.

The most dangerous thing you have done outside magic?
Trying to steal the last piece of my mum’s Apfelstrudel. Haha!

Did you ever swim during winter and snow in some lake, river?
You see already where I’m going next. Are you a magician too?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYAFazgGu2U

Are dangerous things and extremes in life (off the magic) your passion, challenge…?
I do have a fascination for fear. For me is one of the most curious and intriguing aspects of the human mind. How much control can fear have on our lives?  I like to test myself to understand the psychology behind the mechanisms of  fear and then I learn how to manage it. I need this to face my dangerous stunts but it became useful also in my everyday life, especially during these challenging times, to control anxiety and the feeling  of uncertainty towards the future.

Do you have any special Christmas or New Year wish?
I wish everyone, after all this challenging time we went thru, to be able to come back to our lives stronger than ever. Due to Covid I have not been on stage since February of last year and performing and making people happy is my mission. I miss it so much. Next time I will walk on stage it will be with a roar!

How you celebrated and where you were for Christmas and New Year?
I was with my fiancee’ Amanda and her family here in New York, I’m grateful this year I’ve been able to spend time with the people I love.

Are you planning something special, unusual… etc for 2021?
I’m preparing the new show, “ANDREW BASSO, Dead On Stage”. As soon vaccine will reach  people, crowds will be so hungry to go back to live events, concerts, theatre, sporting events and I need to be ready to give them the goosebumps, the excitement and the amazement they’ve been waiting for. The same feelings I’ve been looking for, in every day of my life.

Follow Andrew Basso on Facebook and Instagram @andrewbassoofficial

Photos: personal collection

Domača scena

Nepričakovano slovo pevke Viktorije

Vilma Petek, bolj znana kot Viktorija in še prej še bolj kot Viki, zadnja leta ni bila veliko prisotna na glasbeni sceni, mnogi poslušalci pa se je spomnijo kljub temu po skladbah, ki jih je prepevala. Sierra Madre, Dve pomladi, dve jeseni, Lepa je ta dežela, Zate živim in druge, s katerimi je pred leti žela lepe uspehe. Rojena Celjanka in doma s Strmce pri Laškem se je z glasbo začela ukvarjati konec osemdesetih let. Kot mlada pevka je Slovenijo zastopala tudi na enem od nekdanjih jugoslovanskih festivalov. V začetku devetdesetih let je spoznala producenta in skladatelja Dušana Zoreta, s katerim sta več let bila tudi zasebno partnerja. Posnela je več kot 65 skladb in izdala nekaj albumov, Sierra Madre (1994), Zadnji poljub (1997) in Vaya con Dios (2000) ter kompilacijo Najlepše melodije (2006). Posnela je tudi 16 duetov in tercetov s slovenskimi izvajalci, kot so Boris Kopitar, Gamsi, Nova legija, Smrkci, Franci Pušnik, Mili, Jožica Mavsar, Maja Petek, Marjan Zgonc… Delovala je tudi v nekaterih glasbenih skupinah. Sredi devetdesetih let je sodelovala s skupino Smrkci, s katerimi je posnela skladbo Najlepše misli, ki je zadnje besedilo Dušana Velkaverha. Delovala je v Koradovi in Brendijevi spremljevalni skupini Za hec in veselje, leta 2018 pa so Korado, Viktorija in Tomaž Palčič, kitarist skupine Gamsi ustanovili skupino Manekeni ter posneli skladbo Ti verjemi samo meni.

Bila je tudi avtorica melodij in besedil za druge izvajalce, največja uspešnica je pesem Solza tiho padla je na dlan, ki jo je napisala za Natalijo Kolšek. Viktorija je bila hišna spremljevalna vokalistka studia Napoleon. Njen spremljevalni glas je posnet na preko 500 posnetkih slovenskih izvajalcev kot so Brendi, Aleksander Jež, Zlatko Dobrič, Gamsi, Natalija Kolšek, Boris Kopitar, Ivo Radin, Tanja Zajc Zupan…, kar jo po številu uvršča med sam vrh spremljevalnih vokalistov. »Zame je bila najbolj univerzalna spremljevalna vokalistka, ker se je njen glas enostavno zlil s vso zvočno okolico, a nikdar prevzel morebiti še tako šibkega vodilnega glasu. Slovenija je izgubila angelski glas, ki je bil žal zelo podcenjen, na srečo pa so ga cenili največji glasbeni izvajalci, ki jim je kot spremljevalni vokal krasil njihove posnetke. Z Viktorijo sva se poznala 28 let, od leta 2000 sva bila tudi par in sva v partnerski zvezi preživela nepozabnih 14 let. Ostala sva velika prijatelja, zaupnika in sodelavca. Zadnjič je bila pri meni v studiu 5. januarja 2021, ko sva posnela spremljevalne vokale za naročnika« je povedal producent Dušan Zore, lastnik studia Napoleon. Viktorija je bila povezana tudi s Trbovljami. Več let je živela tam z nekdanjim soprogom Gunzekom  in je bila tudi mama in babica. Zadnja leta je bila voditeljica na velenjskem radiu Moj radio. V medijih se je zadnja leta pojavljala zelo malo, tudi na odrih jo je bilo videti redko. Za posledicami srčnega infarkta je v naročju sestre Maje umrla 7. januarja 2021, stara 53 let.

Foto: osebni arhiv Dušana Zoreta

Domača scena

Dotik ustnic na željo drugih

David Amaro in Ines Erbus sta že več let prijatelja, kljub temu pa doslej še nikoli nista delala skupaj. Nastopala že, te dni pa sta se končno odločila in posnela prvi duet. Pri tem je zanimivo, da se za duet nista odločila zaradi ali le zaradi prijateljstva in sama, ampak predvsem zaradi poslušalcev. Skupna pesem je menda namreč že nekaj časa bila prav njihova želja.
Trinajstica, toliko let že namreč prijateljujeta, pa je zanju očitno srečna številka. Vizualno podobo pesmi je ustvaril Matic Gabriel in pevca menita, da je nadvse lepa. »V čast mi je, da sem tako lepo pesem zapela prav z mojim najboljšim prijateljem. Neprecenljivo,« pravi Ines. David pa dodaja: »Svojega prvega dueta si ne bi mogel predstavljati z nikomer drugim, kot z Ines. Imava že ogromno skupnih spominov, ta pa bo za vedno imel posebno mesto,«.

Pesem jima je predstavil Goran Šarac in v njej sta takoj videla potencial. »Kad ti dotaknem usne je lepa balada z duhom brezčasnosti in modernosti hkrati, kar je težko doseči,« ocenjujeta.
Po mnenju Gorana Šarca je med Ines in Davidom močna kemija, kakršna se ne sliši pogosto. »Pevsko je zahtevna, ker ima globoko emocijo, njuno petje pa je na ravni svetovnih duetov. Glasova sta zlita tako v izvedbi kot tudi v medsebojni energiji, zato menim, da bo doživela velik uspeh,« pravi Šarac.
Ines in David očitno ciljata tudi na lestvice izven Slovenije. Skladba je namreč v hrvaščini. Ali gre za naključje ali za kakšno resno namero, pa bomo še videli. David ima sicer že nekaj izkušenj iz tujine. Nekaj let je živel in ustvarjal v tujini, natančneje v Angliji, kjer je imel priložnost spoznati in sodelovati tudi z nekaterimi zvezdniškimi imeni s svetovne scene.

Foto: Matic Gabriel in Domen Jančič

Domača scena

Novi najlepši je Primorec

Letošnji izbor za Mistra Slovenije je zaključen, najboljši so znani. Uradno najlepši Slovenec je postal Koprčan Simon Blažević, Cosmo mister Elvis Kudič, sicer doslej bolj znan kot tekmovalec šova Masterchef, mister z najlepšim nasmehom pa Tilan Kajtna.

V ljubljanskem SiTi teatru BTC se je tako zaključil že enajsti izbor naj slovenskega fanta.  Kdo bo to, je poleg glasov občinstva odločala tudi devetčlanska komisija, ki so jo sestavljali urednica revije Cosmopolitan Ajda Hovnik Plesej, predstavnica naravne kozmetike Essentiq Martina Drašler, modna fotografinja Ana Gregorič, modni guru Milan Gačanovič, mister Slovenije 2018 Matjaž Mavri Boncelj, model in lastnik blagovne znamke GT Collection Gašper Tratnik, predstavnik blagovnih znamk Sossa in Gjiovani Eyewear Ali Kemal, predstavnica blagovne znamke Good Vibe Slovenija Maja Triler in zmagovalec Kmetije Franko Bajc.

Mister je postal 25-letni Simon Blažević. Že od malih nog je športni navdušenec, dela kot osebni trener in priznava, da ga to delo izpolnjuje. Največ mu pomenijo družina, njegovi hišni ljubljenčki in prijatelji. Rad fotografira in hodi v naravo ter obožuje grozljivke. »Zmagal sem pričakovano in nepričakovano. Več prijateljev mi je reklo, da bom, vame so verjeli. Jaz nisem bil v to čisto prepričan, konkurenca je bila močna. Ko sem zagledal svoje ime, sem si rekel, očitno so imeli prav,« pove trenutno samski Simon.

Gala prireditev sta zabavno in sproščeno povezovala Pia Pustovrh in Matjaž Kumelj. Finalisti so se predstavili v treh hodih. Prvi ocenjevalni je bil v znamenju blagovne znamke Gjiovani Eyewear in naramnic ter metuljčkov Mr. Suspenders, drugi v modnih kopalkah Lisca in sončnih očalih Sossa ter zadnji v elegantnih oblekah Morro Sartoriale. Za brezhiben nastop mladeničev so poskrbele koreografinja Barbee Šuštaršič, make up artistka Sandra Pranjič iz Sfumato Make up in profesionalni frizer Loui Ferry. Dogodek je s s skladbo New York New York odprl Matjaž Kumelj, tekom večera pa so goste zabavali še plesalke plesnega centra Bolero, skupina Muzikalci ter pevke Kristie Clé, Christine Zadnikar, Anabel in Danijela Burjan. V super finale so se poleg zmagovalcev uvrstili še 22-letni Vid Bjedov Kobe, 20 – letni Gino Podgornik iz Tolmina ter 20 – letni Jaka Vodovnik iz Polzele, ki se je z največ všečki na družbenih omrežjih neposredno uvrstil med najboljših pet.

Franko Bajc je bil na tem odru pred dvema letoma v vlogi tekmovalca, lani je izbrane osvojil s svojim bobnarskim nastopom, letos pa je bil v vlogi žiranta.»Simon je zasluženo zmagal, prepričala sta me njegova prezenca na odru in njegov videz. Celoten dogodek pa se mi zdi, da je iz leta v leto boljši, všeč mi je bila atmosfera v dvorani in vse pohvale organizatorjem,« meni.

Na linku si lahko ogledate tudi delček dogajanja:

Foto: Vid Rotar