The semi-finals of “Pesma za Evroviziju 23” will take place on 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 Hercenšlus who will be competing as 12th act of the first semi-final on 1st of March. This band comes from Novi Sad, they are formed in 2018 and their album “Čaj sa medom” (Tea with honey) was released in 2021. Even though the bend has been recently formed they are led by a well experienced guitarist and musician Boban Dževerdanović who previously competed at Jugovizija 1989 and 1990 as a member of band Fotomodel. Later on he cooperated with a band Garavi Sokak which lead him to bigger connection with creation of music for tambura bands (lute instrument popular in Serbia, Croatia, B&H, Hungary). Later on after that huge experience Boban joined forces with vocalists Teodora Bojana Leko (Teoboy), Čedana Đokić (Divna Forest) and a few other musicians which lead to creation of Hercenšlus.

Hello Hercenšlus, 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?
We considered this festival to be a great opportunity to promote our music. Pesma za Evroviziju is very popular among people.

Can you tell us more about the way the bend was formed and what’s the story behind the name Hercenšlus?
The first step was the connection with tambura music band, and it inspired me to create my style blended with acoustic sound. In the band composition, we have string instruments in addition to the brass section complemented with the accordion and cello as well as the ethno instruments (small tambourine, we named it Pannonian banjo), two acoustic female vocals 🙂 .We come from a region which was influenced by other countries such as Austria-Hungary, Romania, both culturally and musically.  Our approach to music has everything to do with emotions; the name Herzenslus was created in this pastiche of the influence of other countries. The meaning is open and can be interpreted in more than one way; a heart attack which we do not want, and therefore, our translation would be a broken heart. The heart itself has a frequency.

You describe your music style as Laloški swing can you tell us more about it?
People from Vojvodina are widely known as Lale. The idea was to present where we come from.  SWING-Django Reinhardt is the symbol of gypsy jazz. Gipsy Jazz guitars are almost the same as tambourines. The swing from the beginning of the 20th century still lives with the band Vaya con Dios.  That specific sound is close to us, that’s why it’s in the name of our band. 

Where do you find inspiration for the music you create?
I live in a small town where the spirit of authenticity is still present. I meet people every day and I find inspiration through their stories and anecdotes. As the saying goes- In vino veritas.

Boban, you took part at Jugovizija 1989 and 1990 as member of the band Fotomodel, how was that experience and what are your favourite memories or is there any anecdote which you’d like to share with us?
Meeting the legend Johnny Logan, the Eurovision superstar, is one of my favorite moments. I had the pleasure of playing a couple of songs with him. 

Boban, you had a chance to cooperate with many musicians from all around Balkan, which cooperation are you proudest of?
I have collaborated with many exceptional musicians, and have received many awards. If I had to choose a favorite one, or where I had found myself , it would be the tambura orchestra “Ad Libitum”. I would definitely like to play and gather with them again.

Can you tell us a bit about your entry “Vremenska zona” (Time zone) and how did it came to life?
 “Happiness is beautiful just while waiting for it, when only allusion comes out of its way” was the motto. Love comes and goes, unrequited love ends up in songs as a consolation. Most of us have experienced some forms of  unrequited  love and the biggest dilemma is “what would have happened if it had realised “. We are creating a new world that exists in our parallel dimension, another ,Time zone.❤️

What can we expect from your performance? Can you give us a hint?
spoiler alert 😂

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?
Alaxande Rybak – Fairytale , for Teoboy one of our vocalists, the other vocalist Divna Forest says Konstrakta – In corpore sano.

If you had a chance to make a duet with any Pesma za Evroviziju /Eurovision participant, who would you choose?
Egret seems interesting to me. We also like the song.

What do you do when you are not singing or creating music? Any hobbies?
When I’m not composing, and when I’m not creating music, I’m passing on my knowledge to children at my music school.

What are your plans after Pesma za Evroviziju 2023?
We’re planning a new album, and we hope for a duet with a big regional star.  We won’t reveal who it is,because we are excited about it and hope to achieve successful cooperation.

Thank you so much for your time Hercenšlus. 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?
“Everybody’s got a thing but some don’t know how to handle it , always reachin’ out in vain just taking the things not worth having… Don’t you worry ’bout a thing” Steve Wonder.🎸🥰

You can listen to “Vremenska zona” by Hercenšlus below:

If Hercenšlus are one of your favorites in the Serbian national final, make sure to vote for them and your other favorites in our poll right here:

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