Interview: Milena Gligic Stuns With Her Latest Debut Single ‘Daredevil’

Juliana Alexandra

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Renowned pianist and vocalist Milena Gligic, known for her versatility in jazz and Balkan ethno styles, opens the doors to a new dimension of her talent with her latest classical debut single ‘Daredevil’, which she describes as haunting, glamorous and cinematic.

The single, which includes Milena’s ethereal vocals paired with string arrangements by Dimitrije Cvetkovic, was written in April 2022. After 12 years of artistic silence, the first verse of ‘Daredevil’ crept into her head and the rest of the lyrics followed immediately. For Milena, it felt like she was discovering something that was already there. In conversation with Gligic, she unveils the process behind the song.

Daring Visuals

After gathering the right people to produce this song, the music video was released last February. The video is captivating from the start, with Milena’s presence entering the room effortlessly. She is dressed in a stunning black gown with old Hollywood charm surrounding her. The black and white video adds character to her vocals alongside the piano melody. The scenes unfold with romance between Milena and her on-screen partner as they match the lyrics.

Behind the Scenes Of ‘Daredevil’

Teaming up with Luka Stemberger, Gligic described him as a true creative problem-solver, brainstorming solutions she wouldn’t have otherwise thought about. In fact, there were many shots that she didn’t think would work until Stemberger made it possible. His work elevates the beautiful camera work of director Marlon Vladimir Rodriguez, who provided a whole new level of self-awareness for Gligic. For her first experience of making a music video, Rodriguez and the team were patient, allowing her to not worry about anything whilst feeling like a star. He understood her vision and guided her through the process as if she was ‘self-producing.’

Collaboration With Dimitrije Cvetkovic

Gligic and Cvetkovic connected when they were in a band together in Serbia. Although they haven’t collaborated in over 10 years, Gligic trusted him fully. Gligic described him as having the “perfect balance of right/left brain” who she knew would “understand the style and know exactly what to do.” After sending him the song, he added his part which was exactly what she was looking for.

Milena’s Singing Journey

Gligic shared how she got into singing and songwriting. Reflecting on her childhood, she mentioned how she would spend time studying, listening, and analyzing music intensively, whilst developing her voice through singing choirs. She loved playing with words, always hearing melodies in her mind. As time passed, she focused on performing and then paused any artistic expression even though she still stayed in the music world. She called her song “an outcry from a spirit that has been suppressed for far too long.”

“Singing is not for those who give up easily”

Apart from singing and songwriting, she also works as a vocal coach at CalArts. This reminds her that even with little skill, art finds a way to communicate through those willing to share it, which is a change from the perfectionism of classical music that characterised her earlier years. She shared a piece of advice that she learned from her new single: “As an artist, you have to make yourself necessary instead of available.“ Finishing off the interview, Gligic stated that singing as a career is “not for those who give up easily.”

Have a listen to her new single – who knows, maybe it will inspire you as well. You can also stay up to date with Milena on her social media.

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Featured image courtesy of Johannes Plenio on Unsplash. No changes were made to this image. Image license found here.