Serbian national selection “Pesma za Evroviziju 23” will take place next week with the semi-finals scheduled for 1st and 2nd of March while the final is set to take place on 4th of March. Eight acts will be qualifying from each semi-final and ahead of those we had a chance to talk with Adem who will be competing as 2nd act of the first semi-final on 1st of March.

Hello Adem, first of all I would like to congratulate you for being selected for Pesma za Evroviziju 2023. How does that feel and what made you decide to take part at the show?
Thank you from the bottom of my heart !!! I am very happy to be a part of this festival. I met wonderful artists and I feel really excited to perform in such a wonderful and serious competition. Actually, regarding the song for Eurovision 2023, I didn’t do anything special. Namely, my computer is full of professionally completed projects/songs. I stumbled upon the login link and submitted one of my many songs from my computer. And when they already invited me to be a candidate, I didn’t want to refuse because I know that this experience will bring me so much treasure that I will only continue my career with even bigger wings and look forward to my future!!! And here I am now, getting ready for a performance. I’m performing on Wednesday, March 1st under number 2 and I really can’t wait!!!

You started playing the piano at the age of 7 and later on you pursued musical education. Can you tell us more about your musical beginnings?
I started playing music in elementary school. My older brother had a school band and they needed a keyboard player, so I started playing with him and his colleagues. So, the very interesting thing is that I actually first learned to play by ear, learned to improvise on the piano and all kinds of things that go with it, and only later on I learned to read music and I entered the serious world of classical music. . Right from my high school days at the Dr. Miloje Milojevic School in Kragujevac, before my generation I became a student at the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad. I completed my undergraduate and master’s studies there, where I was also a teaching associate at the main department. As a master’s student, in between many things, I constantly visited the summer and winter academies at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Then I enrolled in my second master’s program in China in Chengdu. After that, I started to deal more seriously with composing, arranging, orchestration and music production. Then, among only 10 musicians from around the world, I was honored to enter the eminent Berklee College of Music. It was the Contemporary Performance Master Program, a special program that catapulted us directly into the world music industry. Officially, 6 months ago, at Berklee College of Music, I received my master’s degree for the second time. After that, I immediately decided to enroll in doctoral studies in Ankara, Turkey, which I am currently attending, and I deal with the fusion of classical music and popular music. That thesis is my project called: “The use of music technology in the performance of classical and jazz music”. And the research subjects are the following: “Ravel’s pieces, Chopin’s etudes, music by Russian composers of the 20th century and the most important piano works of classical music, performed using musical technology, either in electronic arrangements or in a mixture of classical genres.” “Classical music in the service of popular music” and “Popular music in the service of classical music”. “Musical improvisation in a package with music software and music hardware, as a tool for performing classical and jazz music.” I have finished 2 master’s degrees, soon a doctorate, but I haven’t finished high school hahaha. I traveled a lot holding solo piano concerts and that is truly one of the best things in the life of a musician: traveling and playing, meeting new cultures and peoples, seeing the world and enriching both my soul and my professional career. Basically, every one of my experiences from the many countries I’ve traveled, seen, and absorbed all those different perceptions of music and art, all that passion, power, dedication, love, competition, loyalty and beauty in the world of musicians, has been maximally positive. So I think that every artist should be open to this world, and that his primary idea of creation, and of his entire existence, must be noble. What makes me happiest is knowing that I can personally be of some use to humanity!

Can you tell us a bit about your entry “Osmeh” and how did it came to life?
The song Osmeh is one of my examples of how to combine several genres in one musical language in an original way. Namely, here in the song there is an intense piano section, literally one that can be found in Ravel’s or Debussy’s piano pieces. Then, there is also a trap beat rhythm. While the vocal melodies are closest to the R & B style. That’s why this song is special because musically it represents a pure mix of genres. And as for the artistic expression, there is a deep meaning of “smile” here. Namely, behind this smile is actually an empathy towards humanity. This is more of a melancholic smile that represents understanding towards other souls and other people. I wrote the music, lyrics and arrangement.

What can we expect from your performance? Can you give us a hint?
As for the performance itself, I will remain focused on emotion, expression and professionalism. I will be alone at the piano, and it will be a visually simple performance. I will put all my focus on emotion and sound and artistic expression.

On your YouTube channel you released several piano covers including the ones of popular songs in the Balkan (Behute by Senidah and Loša by Breskvica). Do you plan to create more covers like those and which covers do you plan to make next?
I always liked to do piano covers. And I will definitely continue to release them on my YouTube channel. But I really wouldn’t be able to tell you if I will continue to do covers of popular songs in the Balkans and what exactly those songs will be. I will certainly do covers of classical music, jazz music, and above all I will devote myself to finishing the long-planned third album of original music.

Do you watch Eurovision regularly, if so would you like to share a memory which you have of it or a favourite song from the contest?
Well, I honestly haven’t been following Eurovision for years. Maybe as a very small boy, but unfortunately I wouldn’t be able to remember any specific song that I would say was my favorite.

If you had a chance to make a duet with any Pesma za Evroviziju /Eurovision participant, who would you choose?
I would definitely choose to work with Eegor. He impressed me both as a person and as a music professional. I really like his perception of music and art in general. Our musical background is very similar, so we get along on almost all frequencies. I can’t wait to work with him so if there is any opportunity I will be very happy!!!

Where do you find inspiration for the music you create?
I find inspiration in religion and philosophy. Also in other arts such as painting, theater and film. I also find inspiration in my everyday life. In company with family, with friends. I find inspiration in love, in sadness, in a smile!

What do you do when you are not singing or creating music? Any hobbies?
When I’m not working on music, I like to listen to music. I also like to watch anime cartoons. I like to play basketball. I like to play billiards. I like to read books and I like to sleep.

What are your plans after Pesma za Evroviziju 2023?
My plans are to continue composing and producing. I plan to finish my 3rd album of original music. I will also hold several concerts in the USA, both solo and with my Adem Mehmedović Jazz Quartet from Berklee College. That’s it for now.

Thank you so much for your time Adem. We wish you the best of luck at the Pesma za Evroviziju. Do you want to share something else or you maybe have a message for readers of escbubble?
Thank you !!! It was an honor for me

You can listen to “Osmeh” by Adem Mehmedović below:

If Adem is one of your favorites at Pesma za Evroviziju 23, make sure to vote for him and your other favorites in our poll right here:

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