VOID INN

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VOID INN – From Belgrade, Serbia

Interview conducted on November 01, 2020

By Dan Locke

Void Inn is Alternative/heavy metal band formed in late 2010. in Los Angeles, CA. Formed by members Jelena Vujanovic (vocals) and Sinisa Pejovic (guitar), who had at that time completed their studies at the prestigious Musicians Institute in Hollywood.
The band’s sound is powered by fierce riffs (Ala Black Sabbath), odd meters, virtuoso guitar parts and a large range of unique vocal tones and a wide range of colors.
Void Inn pierces urban LA – rock and metal scene visiting the legendary clubs on the Sunset Strip such as the Whiskey a Go Go, Rainbow, Key Club, Viper Room with always remarkable performance.
Their sounds could be described as Alice in Chains with female Danzig on vocals

Members

Jelena Vujanovic – Vocals
Sinisa Pejovic – Guitars
Marko Djoric – Bass
Marko Mrcarica – Drums

What is your upbringing?

Sinisa Pejovic: I was a happy kid growing up in a small town in Serbia. My parents were supportive of me, and I consider myself fortunate.

How did you discover music?

My father one day brought cassette player when I was a kid and that was it for me.

When I was 13 years old, I started listening to rock music intensely, and soon started practicing guitar seriously.

How did you start to write music?

I always had a goal of writing original music, never wanted to play in a cover band. It was pretty challenging to me to trust in my own music and to perform it in front of someone.

How did you start you band?

Jelena and I were at the time living in LA and we wanted to form a band over there. With the help of some talented fellow students, we did it and Void Inn was born.

How did the band get its name?

We were trying to find a name that sounded cool and yet original. After a couple of tries we settled on Void inn.

How was the prestigious Musician Institute in Hollywood?

It was great. It is the best place for someone looking for a music career. I had 3 to 5 performances on average over there with student bands in all styles imaginable. I also took private lessons with some of the best guitar players in the world like Paul Gilbert and Dave Weiner (Steve Vai). I also learned a lot about music theory and songwriting over there. In the end I received Vocational with Honors award that is extremely hard to get.

What was your first performance at like?

I was scared to look in the audience, and played awful. However, I learned a lot then.

What makes a good songwriter?

Good songwriter is someone who listens many different kinds of music and can understand the structure of a song. That way he can always come up with fresh new stuff that sounds original. He has to be willing to experiment a lot.

What was the title of your first original song? Did you record it?

The first song I wrote is called Twist of Fate, and it can be found on our demo cd.

Why did you move to Belgrade?

Mostly because of family and friends.

How do you compare performing in Belgrade to performing in LA?

Competition in LA was really tough with a bunch of original bands. We could hit some of the biggest stages in Serbia within a year of moving back there. Our friends from LA were still stuck playing the same clubs at the time.

How was it to share the stage with David Ellefson?

It was amazing! He has great energy, and he is a very interesting guy. We learned a lot from that experience. He was amazed that we traveled more than 1000 miles just to play with him!

How was it to hear your music the first time on TV?

We were excited to see our first video on tv. A lot of people called us that day to tell us that we were on TV.

What is your favorite track on the album?

Stay young

How did you become part of the Nadimac video U podrumu žute kuće video?

They are good friends of ours so both Jelena and Mrki (drummer) were featured in that video. It was recorded few days before Covid 19 outbreak.

How do you stay healthy while performing?

I exercise almost every day and watch out what I eat.

What are you’re feeling about streaming music?

It is a very controversial topic, and I think that it is influencing music industry today more than anything else.

Digital vs. vinyl?

Cassette

Since you spend time in the United States. What are your feelings about the social uprising going on in the United States?

I hope that people from United States will find a way to peacefully resolve their conflicts. Historically, USA influenced our world in a very good way, and I hope that it will stay strong.

Studies are showing that because of COVID-19 many students who were ready for college have decide to hold off because many schools are doing virtual school and changing the same amount for school as they would for on campus classes. Do you think the colleges should give some type of discount to these students?

I think that the amount and quality of info should be the same, and if it is the same there should be any price reduction.

What song from the past is in your mind right now? Moreover, what is the meaning that song means to you?

The End by The Doors. It reflects the time we live in very well.

How do you feel the Covid-19 virus going to affect the music business in the future?

After Covid 19 music business will be definitely stronger and better because we can all see now how important music is to us all.

What have you been doing with your self-quarantine?

Reading a lot of history books.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any new hobbies?

Learning Ancient Greek and Latin.

95% of people said that they have changed the way they watch television. This includes people who don’t have television and using their computers to do streaming of programs and movies. Which is your favorite streaming channel?

I do not use conventional tv, I prefer internet, Netflix and HBO go.

Many artists are doing nightly concerts over either YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. In October that is going to change at least on Facebook. Facebook is cracking down on live streamed shows that include recorded music with new terms of service, preventing artists from using the platform for “commercial or non-personal” purposes, unless they have obtained the relevant licenses.
The updated music guidelines state that users “may not use videos on our products [which include Instagram] to create a music listening experience […] this will include [Facebook] Live,” and stipulates that such content should be posted for the enjoyment of friends and family only.
How do you think this will change the landscape of Facebook?