10 Questions For: Thea Trajkovska

INTERVIEW

Sounds European! is delighted to present you one more exclusive interview. This time, we had the chance to talk to a Macedonian artist who amazed us with her first single and continued to dazzle us with the following releases. Her voice is unique, and so was this interview. These are our 10 questions for Thea Trajkovska:

Sounds European!: Tell us a bit about your history with music. What are your first memories with singing? What artists did you use to listen when you were growing up? Do you think they've had any influence on the artist you are? And how about nowadays, what do you enjoy listening to?

Thea Trajkovska: I've been singing for as long as I remember. My parents usually say that I started singing before talking, and I play the piano since I was six years old. My first vocal inspiration was Christina Aguilera, and my favorite band was and still is Panic! At The Disco – I loved them since their beginnings. I also admire Pentatonix, James Bay, Ed Sheeran...

SE!: Your career is still on its first steps. As you commented, you have been singing for a long time. But how did it become a profession for you? Also, tell us a bit about your experience at the Academy of Music in Skopje.

TT: I feel like I've always known that this would be my profession, as music was my first love. Thus, studying it was the only logical choice for me. My four years at the Academy of Music in Skopje gave me not only knowledge and experience, but also extraordinary and great friendships.

SE!: We can say your success in North Macedonia was instant. Your debut single, "Mi treba malku vreme", led the local charts for six weeks, which was a record for the radio station which organizes it. And you won the prestigious MARS Awards for best new act (the Star Is Born award) of 2015. How does it feel to get such a positive recognition so quickly?

TT: Wow, your knowledge of Macedonian top charts amazed me! :) I have to say that it took me by surprise how well my first song was accepted by the audience. As for the award I've got, it's flattering to know that my effort and music were spotted and distinguished.

SE!: Your voice is absolutely beautiful. And we feel you found a type of music which explores it in a great way. Is it an intention of yours, prioritizing songs which can display the best of your voice? And how do you train your voice?

TT: Since I haven't publicly released any ballad so far, where I can fully display my interpretation qualities, I found your comment quite flattering. But I absolutely love the style I sing and I'm happy that you think it explores my voice in a great way. Anyway, I'm still exploring my full potential and working on improving every day. I feel like I have yet much more to express through my music.

SE!: You have a very personal and unique style on your songs. How would you define your musical genre? How would you like the public to perceive your music when listening to it?

TT: Music and art in general are supposed to make you feel something, so knowing that my music touched someone means a lot to me. I guess that my songs would be considered pop songs, but genres mean nothing these days. :) I love experimenting in the manner of singing and composing, so I always try to bring something new with every new song.

"Music and art in general are supposed to make you feel something, so knowing that my music touched someone means a lot to me"
(Picture: official Facebook page)

SE!: We feel there is a very comprehensive care towards the visual aspects in your work, from your hair color, through cover arts, to your videoclips – they are all beautiful, by the way! Do you take care of these things yourself, or do you have other people assigned for them? And how do you analyze the influence of the visual factor in the music world?

TT: The visual factor in the music world is very important, and I personally think that it plays a huge role on how people perceive the music itself. As an artist, I like to be creative in every way I can express myself and, as you've noticed, my hair suffers a lot. :)

I'm involved in every step of the way – making the music and making the video to promote it, because usually I have an exact vision and idea of how things should go.

SE!: One of the best moments for any artist, we imagine, is going on stage. How is it for you, how do you feel when you are performing your music on stage? And do you perform alone or do you have a band?

TT: Performance is kind of the purpose of my occupation. I have a band of great musicians (and great friends), so the energy we share on stage is great. It's always a pleasure having a singing audience. :)

SE!: You are preparing to release an album. When can we expect it to be released? What can you tell us of it, musically? And what else are you planning for the recent future?

TT: Being blessed with the best producer and one of my biggest friends, Lazar Cvetkoski LCV, means we understand each other perfectly in the studio, and we'll not be satisfied with any less than what we consider perfection for my very first album. It's still work in progress, but we have most of the songs almost ready by now. Musically, the album will have different styles, all of which of course will sound modern, and will disclose my taste and style. Also, I'm planning on presenting myself as a composer of some of the songs for my album. Hopefully we'll have it out until the end of this year!

SE!: If you could choose anyone, who would be some Macedonian and international artists you'd like to collaborate with?

TT: Probably Brendon Urie from Panic! At The Disco, since I think he is one of the most talented men alive and I literally have grown up obsessing with their music. Also, James Bay is my big inspiration recently!

SE!: We would like to post a song of yours to close this interview. What is your favorite song of yourself, and why?

TT: "Dosta glumime", the song I got my award for, will be my choice this time. I fell in love with it the minute I heard it! I've imprinted a part of myself in the lyrics as well, so it actually portrays me in many different ways, both artistically and privately.

We would like to thank our Macedonian friend and collaborator Ace for helping us with the research which allowed us to develop this interview.