Jadranka Balaš is an editor and journalist at Hardwired Magazine, which made possible combining her two greatest loves – music and writing.
Jadranka Balaš, photographer Marko Ristić
The most underrated and overrated band?
Jadranka:When it comes to most overrated, one huge band always crosses my mind but I don’t want to tell which one, ‘cause I’m afraid that I’ll be banned from the music scene. Lately, I can’t understand the fuss around Sabaton. They are absolutely uninteresting to me. On the other hand, there are whole bunch of bands that I would like to see more in public, that are active long enough, definitely have their audience, but somehow they are always ignored, among them I would single out Baroness, a high-quality and unique band that deserves much more attention.
Which band would you like to see reunited again?
Jadranka:I wish that one day I have the opportunity to hear Rage Against The Machine live. Although Prophets Of Rage are doing a very good job don’t let the band’s energy fall into oblivion, if Zack de la Rocha is not in front of the microphone, then that’s not it. As much as I adore everything that Steven Wilson does, it would be incredible to hear Porcupine Tree play again.
The band you would like to see perform live, but haven’t had a chance before?
Jadranka:I do not know if it’s just me, but it seems the more concerts I go to this list becomes longer. Greatest names aside, like System Of A Down, for example, Gojira is currently my biggest wish. I missed them in several occasions, the last one was couple weeks ago in Budapest, but fortunately, this band is just beginning to reign, and I have no doubt that soon I will scream “Back Fu * king Bone” with Duplantier brothers from the front row.
Jadranka Balaš, photographer Tamara Samardžić
Your guilty pleasure? Band or an album you are embarrassed to admit you like?
Jadranka:There are too many and I’m not ashamed of any of them, there is so much fantastic music in the world that it should be punishable by low to only be limited to one genre. From the most hated such as U2, Nickleback, Bon Jovi, through the “boy bands” The Script, Train, Plan B, to electronics, Skrillex, Dubfire, Maceo Plex, Caribou, Tim Hecker and a crowd of similar. I love music. The end.
The first album you ever bought?
Jadranka:It was Linkin Park “Meteora”. Still one of the dearest ones. Definitely worth pocket money and skipping breakfast at school.
Ideal album to relax with on a Sunday afternoon?
Jadranka:Because of my job, it is very rare to have Sunday afternoon when I can really relax and rest. When it happens on my playlist mostly is post metal/rock, instrumental prog or some experimental music. If I have to choose one, that would be Godspeed You! Black Emperor and album “Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas To Heaven”.
Jadranka Balaš, photographer Marko Ristić
The greatest album of all time?
Jadranka:Pearl Jam “Ten”, second place could be split to at least ten of them. Although I listen “MTV Unplugged” much more often, this album only gets better over time. The raw energy and emotion of this album always touch me in the right way, as music supposes to, I have listened to it so many times that I think I would be able to play it myself from start to finish, even though I never took the instrument in my hands.
The most annoying musician?
Jadranka:With all due respect and bow down for everything he did in the music world, I can not, however, justify such prepotency Dave Mustaine has. In simple words, he is very antipathic to me.
A kid asks you what metal or rock is, you recommend them to listen to?
Jadranka:Metal “must listen” Pantera “Vulgar Display Of Power” and Metallica “Master Of Puppets”, when it comes to more softer sound Pink Floyd “Wish You Were Here”, Rush “Moving Pictures”, Eric Clapton “Slowhand” and Led Zeppelin “Led Zeppelin IV”.