Interview with Jarboli: Return to the Scene After Eight Years

From a recent interview with Nemanja Aćimović of the band Jarboli, published in Oblakoder Magazine under the title “It’s Not Our Place to Complain, but to Create Art”, we highlight key segments that shine a light on the band’s return, future plans, and impact on the music scene.

Jarboli’s Return: “Jarboli have existed since 1991… from time to time, we take breaks from our public activities. This time, the break stretched a bit longer, but there were valid reasons,” explains Nemanja Aćimović, providing insight into the reasons behind the band’s lengthy absence from the scene and announcing two performances at the Kontakt festival after an eight-year hiatus.

Life Beyond Music and Preparations for New Challenges: “We have our lives beyond music… But, for each of us, art is an integral part of life,” Aćimović emphasizes how the band members continued to develop artistically even when not actively performing, preparing for new cultural contributions.

A New Album on the Horizon: “Yes, the album is finished and waiting for the right opportunity to be released… The new album will be a logical continuation of our artistic expression,” Aćimović reveals that Jarboli’s new album is complete and ready for release, hinting at its maturity and continuity compared to previous works.

Foto: Daniel Kovač

Missing the Band and Overcoming Challenges: “What we missed the most was the band itself and contact with the audience, i.e., performances,” Aćimović admits that during the pause, they most missed the band and interacting with the audience, despite the challenges brought by the global pandemic.

Dynamics of the Domestic Music Scene: “So much has happened, I wouldn’t know where to start… Buč Kesidi has reached unprecedented popularity… bands like Vizelj, KoiKoi, Gazorpazorp have emerged and sound fantastic. I would say a new scene has formed after the Serbian New Scene of the 2010s, which really brought forth bands like Repetitor, who are now veterans of that scene,” Aćimović comments on changes in the domestic scene, highlighting the rise of new bands and Jarboli’s continuous influence on musical culture.

The Significance of the ‘Dobrodošli’ Album: “That album marks the beginning of our creation… its place is irreplaceable,” he explains the position of Jarboli’s first official album “Dobrodošli” in their career, marking it as the foundation of their artistic expression.

Memories of the Start of NATO Bombing: “No one knew that day would begin the bombing… it’s not a fond memory for us,” Aćimović shares memories of the day that was supposed to mark the release of the group’s album, but instead was marked by the start of NATO bombing.

Awareness of the Band’s Magnitude: “Actually, we’re not aware of all that… But we, like everyone else, live in our little bubbles,” Aćimović modestly comments on the perception of the band’s greatness among fans and their influence on new generations of musicians.

The Impossibility of Making a Movie About Jarboli: “No one will ever make such a movie… I prefer the documentary form,” he jokes about the idea of a film portrayal of the band, expressing a preference for a documentary approach.

Expectations from the ‘Kontakt’ Performances: “To start, you can expect energized Jarboli eager to perform,” Aćimović announces energetic performances at the festival, promising a diverse repertoire and an unforgettable experience for the audience.

For more details about Jarboli’s return and their performances at the Kontakt festival, visit the Oblakoder Magazine website.