“We must learn to recognize the good in the resources around us, in nature and in society. We need to build a society that is not rooted in conflict but becomes a society of creativity. That is the kind of society capable of thinking about the future – how to plan and build while preserving nature, without causing harm. This kind of awareness needs to be developed long-term. We should build a society that is creative and productive,” Knezović emphasizes.
Through his lyrics and music, he has spent the past decades relentlessly and uncensored reflecting our reality — with such depth that he has rightfully earned the nickname “the philosopher of the music scene.” There were even proposals from experts that his song “Budi svoj” (“Be Yourself”) be included in school textbooks. Unfortunately, that idea has yet to come to life. With every song and every album, Knezović captivates audience, because with him, “everything is the same,” yet “nothing is the same.”
In an interview, he explained how his songs and music are created, why it is both good and not so good that Bosnia and Herzegovina remains an undiscovered gem, and how he deals with the compliment of being considered one of the country’s most important cultural ambassadors, especially given that everything he does belongs to pure art, untouched by politics or elements that could dilute its integrity.
Mario, you’ve long since secured your place among the most significant musical figures in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the region, and you’ve maintained that continuity. From the first album to your latest songs, Zoster continues to hold the audience’s attention, and everyone agrees you’re just as good as ever. Your personal growth is evident, but also who you are: different, direct, authentic, honest… That’s a long journey, how do you manage it?
– I don’t know, I don’t have a formula. It’s all very natural. We seek excitement in music, there’s no set formula. Music is a constant search. We’ve never been trapped in any genre; we’ve allowed ourselves to grow continuously, and through that, we’ve trained our audience to expect constant change. That, of course, comes with its own risks and challenges. If I wanted to go into business, I would’ve done that, not music. But we live off what we love doing. That freedom is important to us. Music is something we enjoy, something that can be thrilling for us. There’s an old saying: “Only fools never change.” Growth comes with constant change. We evolve as people, and the passage of time is inevitable.
Are you aware of how much you represent Bosnia and Herzegovina, through your music, lyrics, media appearances, and music videos filled with local themes? Even people who don’t normally listen to your genre tend to have positive things to say about Zoster.
– I’m glad I don’t embarrass anyone. Whoever’s been to our concerts has had a good time, our shows are full of life. First and foremost, we can’t be bored. And if we’re not bored, neither is the audience. We’re well received by people. I’m happy they’re proud of us, happy that we come from their community, that we don’t make them feel ashamed, that they don’t have to say: “We don’t know who these guys are – they’re not ours.”
Since you mentioned it, let’s settle this in advance – we hope we won’t one day be arguing with our neighbours over who gets to claim you. So tell us now …
– We don’t draw those kinds of lines. In the end, we’re global. We’re not just local. There’s no need to label ourselves as belonging to anyone. Of course, I love it when people call us a band from Mostar, even though I’m currently the only one in the band from Mostar. Essentially, yes, we are a Mostar band. We have our own aesthetic. We are who we are, there’s no need to overstate it. We’re happy when people feel proud of us. We’re not institutionally tied to anything, we’re independent artists and we could be anywhere in the world.
In your latest music video for the song “Ne okrećem se tata” (I Don’t Look Back, Dad), you showcase the natural and cultural-historical beauty of your homeland. There are many traditional Bosnian elements.
– The video was directed by Karmen Obrdalj, someone we trusted with that vision. All of those details are subconscious, we don’t approach promotion in a deliberate way; it unfolds in layers. We like Karmen’s aesthetic. We aim to tell the full story around a song. We don’t have the money to outsource or shoot somewhere far away. Maybe one day we’ll film a video in Japan. It’s nice to show the beauty of Bosnia and Herzegovina, but that’s not our primary intention. Those are our resources. That mountain you see, it’s right here, and it’ll still be here long after we’re gone.
People visit locations they see in TV shows, films, and even your music videos. Are you now aware of how much you contribute to promoting the country, even if unintentionally?
– That’s lovely, because these are all beautiful landscapes. Our music videos are created primarily for artistic purposes, but if they end up serving as a kind of promotional postcard — that’s a great bonus. We’re not running away from that. If you asked me where I’d like to have been born, I’d say New York. But I accept where I’m from and I live with that. That’s what I sing about.
Fair enough, but you have to admit Bosnia and Herzegovina has some stunning landscapes.
– Absolutely. It’s still undiscovered, and that gives it a certain charm. There are advantages to that, it allows some things to be preserved from over-commercialization.
Do you have a personal favourite place where you go to recharge?
– I love being in my house in Mostar. I have a garden. It’s in Zalik. That’s my little micro-world. That’s where I find peace, where I like to rest.
Back to music. Lately, a lot of your fellow musicians have been sharing how quickly they wrote certain songs. Can you tell us what your process is like?
– Some songs I finish in one go, the melody and the message come out all at once. Others take much longer. I might have some lyrics but no fully formed idea or melody. It really depends on the song.
Your songs have a sobering effect. Each one opens new perspectives, even though they don’t necessarily offer answers.
– That’s nice to hear. We’re not here to offer answers, we want to encourage people to see things from another perspective. We don’t pretend to be wiser than anyone else; the audience is a participant. We’re here to say: “You’re not alone in your story.” We’re not here to judge, we’re just asking how someone becomes the way they are.
When is the next song coming out? Will there be a full album or are you sticking to the new trend of releasing song by song?
– We’re definitely working on an album, because that format lets us tell a fuller story. Each song gains more meaning in the context of the whole album. Albums feel more complete to us. Releasing just a single song doesn’t excite me as much. The next single should be out soon, sometimes in September or October, and we aim to finish the album by the end of the year.
What about film? Oscar-winner Danis Tanović brought you into that world, and you’ve become a favourite on the big screen too.
– I already have quite a few film roles under my belt. I’ve worked with top directors, and that experience really helps me with music, and vice versa. Music is what I dream about and envision. Film is something I either agree to or I don’t.
