Vukašin Brajić speaks to ESCDaily.com

Vukašin Brajić was born in 1984, in Sanski Most, Bosnia-Herzegovina. He became famous in the Balkan for participating in Operacija Trijumf, the Balkan version of Fame Academy, in which he came 2nd. Vukašin represented Bosnia-Herzegovina in the Eurovision Song Contest 2010. He came in 8th place in the Semi Final, enough to qualify for the final. In this final, he scored a 17th place, having received 51 points.  

Hey Vukašin, could you tell us a bit more about yourself?
Fact is, most people either dislike me very much or like me very much. There is no middle. I guess that’s good for this job, as long as I have someone on the good side. 🙂 I love music and I live for the music. I work best under pressure. I talk A LOT. I love computers and all kinds of gadgets. I am an elementary school teacher. 🙂 Most of the time, I administer my facebook page by myself. There is a story behind each of those things, but that wouldn’t fit on one webpage. (Get back to the part where I talk A LOT.) 🙂

How do you combine your singing career and your job as elementary teacher?
I am not working as a teacher. I finished faculty for elementary school teacher with degree of a professor. That is my third job option. First is music. Second, computers (true tech geek). And third is teaching. 🙂 But, I’m often lecturing people. 🙂 Hiding a smart-ass personality behind professional deformation. 🙂  

 What did you think about the atmosphere in Oslo? (Were the people nice, were the other artists nice, etc.)
I loved being part of such an amazing event. Great a level of professionalism, loads of positive energy and MUSIC! Amazing stage, perfect conditions for performers. Oh… I loved every second on that stage and every day in Oslo. I felt like Harry Potter, when he first came to Hogwarts. I finally belonged.   

How did you feel after hearing you qualified for the final?
Actually, that was my victory. I was under awful pressure by Bosnian media. Some stupid political thing. I am Serb refugee from Bosnia, now living in Serbia, and even though I have every right to be representative, or even president of Bosnia and Herzegovina, I was victim of political game of certain Bosnian media. They were calling Bosnian people living in foreign countries (diaspora) to boycot, and diaspora was always huge part of Bosnia success in ESC. Even author of the song decided to step aside. I went to Oslo followed by headlines: Bosnia for the first time not in final. I knew that it would be hard for me to go to pass semi if diaspora don’t vote. My reaction after I saw Bosnian flag going out of that envelope was my way of saying: “F**K YOU!”. Pardon my French. 🙂 

 How does it feel to receive a twelve-pointer?
Unfortunately, I got only one. From Serbia. I kinda expected that, because I live and work in Serbia and I people here know my qualities. I was pretty down at the moment, because after I saw that Germany didn’t gave any points, I knew that diaspora is not voting and I felt betrayed. Bigger success were points from France. France never gave points to Bosnia. So, I guess, I am not right person to ask. 

Were you satisfied with your result in the final?
Yes I am. Because, that result was all mine! My team didn’t have ANY support. Not by media, not by country, and because of that, not by sponsors. Lowest budget ever, almost no marketing (at least, not positive one), so many complications with the song because of the author, political and media pressure… And I did my part perfect! If you knew me you would know that I am always criticizing my work. But there… I gave everything on that stage except my life and when I look back… I am proud!

 Do you still have contact with other ESC participants from 2010?
I do have contact with some of them. Mostly over facebook. I am very sorry that organisation doesn’t allow all contestants to get to meet. You get to meet people from your semi-final, and if you go to final, people who passed to final.   

 I can see you would have liked to meet the other participants. Do you think EBU should change this and invite all participants at one meeting?
Why not? EBU should get all contestants together on some event, before rehearsals start. Not delegations. Performers only. Don’t you think it’s a shame not to know people you are competing with? How can you respect opponent the other way?  

Can you give us examples of the people you still have contact with?
Well, I personally know all the people from Serbian delegation, most from Croatian and Macedonian, I keep in touch with Giorgos and his PR manager Kassiani, some girls from Malta, when I was in Belarus on some festival, I spent some time with “Butterflies”… 🙂 Whenever i see people from ESC online, I say hi.  

By the way, I saw you recorded songs with Karolina Goceva. A former Eurovision-participant too. How was it to work with her?
Well, that song with Karolina was “duet” between her my former band called “OT Band” (OT Band was in Serbia national final 2009. We were absolute favorits of the audience. But jury decided on Marko Kon.). Though, there is recording on my you tube channel, with just me and her. Also there is censored version of the video for that song on my channel (RNR!!!). 🙂 I always love to see Karolina. I love her smile and she is a great singer. Wonderful person.

 Are you planning to watch ESC this year?
I am not planning but I will watch. It’s sort of my job. No? 🙂  

As you probably know, Dino Merlin is representing Bosnia-Herzegovina this year. What do you think of him and what kind of song would you like to see for him?
Dino Merlin is the most popular musician in Bosnia. I’m not listening that kind of music, but I give him a credit for all the successful years. I am guessing that the song will be with an ethnic elements and he will most certainly sing in Bosnian. 🙂 This year they are playing safe. I wish them all the best.