The stellar trio of Gordan is the collaboration of the Berlin-based duo of Andi Stecher (drums) and multi-instrumentalist Guido Moebius (collectively known as GAMS) with Serbia’s singer and ethnomusicologist extraordinaire Svetlana Spajiç.
Spajiç’s multidisciplinary work includes collaborations with prominent figures from the art and the theatre world, such as Marina Abramović and Robert Wilson. She and the other members of her female a cappella quartet have travelled all across Serbia to collect primordial tales and songs from old village ladies. Gordan mix heavy drones and apocalyptic post-punk beats with ancient folklore from the Balkans to create mesmerizing, delirious and sometimes even psychedelic soundscapes. Their radical new interpretations of age-old songs sound immediate, urgent and contemporary.
Svetlana Spajic will perform with her trio Gordan on Thursday, 27.07 as part of the Durchlüften! – Open Air im Schlüterhof Festival.
FACTS
1. Born on Transfiguration Day
2. The fact one caused constant changes through diverse artistic formats, from a full membership in several village groups, or the mamma role of the deep underground Serbian scene, to creating songs for Bob Wilson or Marina Abramović
3. Currently enjoys creating and performing with Gordan (Svetlana Spajić / Guido Mobius / Andi Stecher)
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
The language and versification of the Serbian oral poetry is my neverending source of the new discoveries and inspiration. To feel myself at least a bit a legitimate part of this chain of bards, of being able to speak, perform and create in deseterac mete and feel the trochee foot of the old epic stories is unimaginable excitement for me.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
My parents and older relatives say that I started singing different songs fully when I was two, I dont remember of course. One of them was a huge early neo-folk hit in former Yugoslavia Od izvora dva putića -they claim I sang it perfectly. Hard to believe because I dont like the song at all, and cannot sing it now, it is too dificult to me. Kids can really be like sponges.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Four from teenage years that I listened zillion times: Holger Czukay – Movies, Talking Heads – Remain in LIght, Brian Eno and David Byrne – My LIfe in the Bush of Ghosts, Thin Lizzy – Chinatown. One that I would add is Diamanda Galas – Defixiones: The Will and Testament
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
When I think of Berlin I first think of Berthold Brecht, his opus and his Berliner Ensemble in East Berlin. The second thought is nice parks, the third is Blixa Bargeld in West Berlin.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
It is the Vaznesenjska Church in Belgrade and another one is the studio at Zaz.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
I would only cook. Luckily, I both cook and enjoy music.
7. What was the last record/music you bought or listen?
It is the latest album of Stewen Brown, El Hombe Invisible. I bought it from the artist, right after the concert in Pakrac which was organised by a close friend Jovan Ćulibrk, the orthodox Bishop of Slavonia.;
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Legendary Greek singer Chronis Aidonidis. 25 years ago, or more, we sang once in the tavern all night together, but I wish I could learn more songs directly from him, and record the duet.
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
The best was my first concert abroad, I was 18 and we went to Budapest to see David Bowie his Sound and Vision Tour in 1990- there was a total chaos at the stadium. At some point Bowie threw his leopard sunglasess and I caught them in that boiling crowd. To keep them and stay alive afterwards was even bigger achievement…
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Technology is important, to record from time to time the good theme when it arrives.
11. What we can expect from your concert at the Open-Air-Musikfestival DURCHLÜFTEN in Berlin?
You can expect great concert, we will try to roll the tubes of time and space, I will do my best to do so.
