Aerodrom live at BitefArtCafe, March 26
Some songs do not belong to the time in which they were created, they defy it. For decades, AERODROM, one of the most iconic names on the regional rock scene, has been leaving exactly that kind of mark. On March 26, the band returns to the stage of BitefArtCafe, a venue whose atmosphere perfectly matches their energy, emotion, and direct connection with the audience.
Led by Jurica Pađen, one of the most important songwriters and guitarists in the region, Aerodrom has been shaping the history of regional rock music for more than four decades. As one of the key bands of the new wave era, they left an indelible mark with songs that generations still sing today, from “Kad misli mi vrludaju” and “Stavi pravu stvar”, to “Obična ljubavna pjesma”, “Digni me visoko”, “24 sata” and “Fratella.”
For their Belgrade concert, the band promises a night filled with emotion, energy, and songs that have long transcended the time in which they were written.
Interview with Jurica Pađen
Is there an Aerodrom song that has gained a completely new meaning today?
None in particular. The world changes, but people remain the same. If you read Shakespeare, Socrates, or any literature of that kind, you will notice that the same themes repeat — greed, hatred, love, envy, success, failure, jealousy. The things that troubled people 2,000 years ago still trouble them today. The songs I wrote reflect that same human condition, whether they were written 25, 30, or even 40 years ago.
When you hear old Aerodrom recordings today, what do you notice first, the energy or the mistakes?
I rarely listen to old recordings, but since they still get a lot of airplay, the first thing I feel both in my own and in other people’s music, is the energy. Mistakes are less important. As long as we live, we make mistakes.
Is there a song that audiences love, but that you would write differently today?
I wouldn’t change anything. At the moment they were written, those songs were a reflection of who I was, my environment and how I perceived the world. They were authentic expressions of their time, and trying to “improve” them or adapt them to some club sound today would make no sense.
What was harder: breaking through back then or staying relevant today?
It has always been harder to endure than to break through. There have always been many “one-hit wonders”, bands that shine for a moment and then disappear. There’s even a saying about the curse of the second or third album: after a successful debut, it’s very difficult to maintain that level of success.
Does today’s audience listen differently?
Definitely. Before mobile phones, music was produced differently. Today everything is adapted to very fast and disposable listening. Ultimate production quality is not always the priority, it’s more about strong rhythm and groove. I believe production today is often less refined than it was when people listened to music on hi-fi systems.
Is nostalgia today an ally or a trap for long-standing bands?
In today’s situation, nostalgia actually helps older bands. Time tends to separate what was truly good, and when people feel nostalgic about those times, it usually brings positive emotions.
If Aerodrom were starting from scratch today, would it still be a rock band?
That’s difficult to say. I can’t step out of my own shoes and imagine being born twenty years ago. But if we formed today with the same musical taste and values, Aerodrom would definitely still be a rock band.
When did you realize that Aerodrom had its own identity, not just great energy?
Only recently, actually. I realized that Aerodrom has a recognizable signature, in the songwriting, the performance, the sound, the vocals, and the lyrics. At the beginning, it’s not always clear what direction a band will take, but time crystallizes it. When you look at the whole body of work, you see that Aerodrom is quite unique on the ex-Yugoslav scene.
Is there a concert that changed your relationship with music?
I wouldn’t say one changed my relationship with music, but many concerts enriched me and taught me something. Still, the best concert I have ever seen was Paul McCartney, definitely one of the greatest live experiences on the planet.
What still excites you before going on stage after all these years?
The relationship with the audience. That adrenaline rush and the feedback loop, when the band sends energy and receives it multiplied back from the crowd. It’s an incredible experience that’s hard to compare with anything else.
What is the biggest misconception about bands with long careers?
Perhaps that they are no longer modern. But people should know that fashion repeats itself, and quality is always in style. Trends are just temporary expressions of collective taste that change over time. Artists should follow their own voice, not what happens to be fashionable at the moment.
What does music give you today, and what did it take from you before?
It gives me satisfaction. The purpose of life is to get to know yourself, and music gave me the opportunity to do that. It took time, but that time was the best possible investment.
“Belgrade has a special energy and an audience that listens with the heart. BitefArtCafe is a place where music breathes together with people, and we are really looking forward to that meeting, to singing the songs that have connected us all these years,” says Jurica Pađen ahead of the concert.
Aerodrom is known for its powerful sound, strong emotional charge, and a repertoire of songs that defined an entire era of regional music.
Tickets:
https://tickets.rs/event/jurica_paden_aerodrom_24717