Formula Indie Sessions _ Interview with Zarko
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest music memory is probably dancing around the house with a toy guitar — or sometimes just a kitchen broomstick pretending to be one. I would perform along to whatever was playing and imagine myself on stage. Looking back, I think the connection to music was there from the very beginning.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I think my passion for creating music began as a clever way to avoid practicing classical guitar properly. Whenever a difficult piece appeared, I would end up composing something of my own instead. At first it was probably just me being impatient, but I quickly discovered that creating music felt far more exciting than repeating exercises. And the best part was — when you play your own piece, nobody can tell you you’re playing it wrong.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
My current music project is called Riverside. Through instrumental guitar pieces and songs, I’m exploring themes connected to rivers and riverside culture — from local folklore and mythology to modern everyday life. Living in Belgrade, a city built on the confluence of two great rivers, I’ve always been fascinated by how much the water shapes the atmosphere, culture, and identity of the people who live around it. Riverside is my way of translating that feeling into music.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I usually describe my sound as “acoustic guitar music with riverside vibes.” It’s rooted in acoustic guitar, but shaped by atmosphere, storytelling, and a strong sense of place. There are influences of folk, cinematic music, and local Balkan traditions, but the overall feeling is calm, reflective, and connected to nature — like walking by a river at dusk while memories and stories drift through the air.
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
One thing that completely changed the way I make music is realizing that people don’t only listen to hear you — they listen to find something about themselves inside the music. Once I understood that, I stopped trying to make songs sound “perfect” and focused more on creating honest moments and emotions that listeners can connect with in their own way.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
My main instrument is the acoustic guitar, and I record both steel-string and nylon-string guitars depending on the mood of the piece. I also like using percussion instruments such as cajon and congas to bring in rhythmic elements inspired by folklore and traditional music. Most of my recording and mixing is done in PreSonus Studio One, although I also use FL Studio in my creative process from time to time.
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Lately I’ve been really inspired by Vahagni. His blend of folklore-inspired guitar music feels incredibly fresh and atmospheric to me. Even though he already has a global audience, I only discovered his work last year, and it genuinely surprised me how natural his guitar sound is.
Another artist I’ve been enjoying a lot is Patty Gurdy. I love her vision of bringing the hurdy-gurdy into contemporary music and introducing European folklore sounds to a wider audience in such a creative way.
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
A lot of my personal experiences are deeply connected to music. From studying in classical music school to later working as a sound recording technician, sound has always been a central part of my life. I think my artistic vision is shaped by this constant discovery of sound itself — not only as a musician, but also as someone who listens, records, and works with audio professionally. Over time, I’ve gone from being simply a music fan to exploring sound from many different angles, and that curiosity still pushes me to experiment and discover new ideas in my music.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
I hope my music gives people a feeling of honesty and emotional connection. More than anything, I want to inspire listeners to hold onto their dreams and share them with the world. A lot of my music is reflective and atmospheric, so I hope people can find their own memories, emotions, and stories inside it. If someone listens to a song and feels inspired to create something, travel somewhere, remember someone, or simply slow down for a moment — then the music has done its job.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
One of the most important lessons music has taught me is that you cannot truly perform or record well when you are overwhelmed by tension or stress. A clear mind and a calm heart are incredibly important in the creative process — even when you are making music about heartbreak, pain, or difficult emotions. Music taught me that honesty works best when it comes from a place of inner balance rather than chaos.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
I’ve always loved open-air venues and festivals. There’s something special about music being performed under the sky, surrounded by nature. My dream would probably be to perform in an open amphitheater somewhere in Europe — a place where the environment itself becomes part of the music and the whole experience feels timeless.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I would probably choose Patty Gurdy. Out of all the artists currently blending folklore roots with modern music, she is one of the people who inspires me the most. I really admire the way she brought the hurdy-gurdy into contemporary music while still keeping the spirit of traditional European folklore alive. Collaborating with her would not only be exciting creatively, but also a chance to learn and explore new musical ideas.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music? (Website,Spotify, IG, links)
I am active on Youtube, TikTok, IG and FB 😊 I love sharing my music clips with the world:
YT – @ZarkoSongwriter
IG – @zarko.songwriter
Tik Tok – @VilinoVrelo
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
Looking toward the future, I’m currently focused on creating a full LP of instrumental guitar music and continuing to develop the Riverside world and atmosphere. One of my biggest dreams is to bring this music to a broader European audience and eventually tour across Europe, especially through intimate venues and open-air festivals where this kind of music can truly connect with people.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope that people who first discover me through my songs will realize that I also play guitar — and that those who first discover me as a guitarist will eventually hear me sing too. I seem to spend half of my time trying to convince people I do both.
