“We're waiting for an invitation to tour Australia!”

Josip LONCARIC

In a relatively short period of time, Croatian pop group 'Dalmatino' has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the heights of pop music. Popular in both Croatia and in the Diaspora for their unique blend of Dalmatian inspired pop-rock music, the band has enjoyed two extremely successful debut albums, ''Cukar i sol'' and ''Dobro jutro''.

The five piece band is led by singer and guitarist Ivo Jagnjic (45) and drummer Zdravko Sunara (41), who handles all promotions for the band.

With their third studio album almost ready for release, the 'Croatian Herald' decided to get ''up close and personal'' with Jagnjic (who is a native of Imotski) and Sunara (born in Mostar) about their life and times in the musical phenomenon that is 'Dalmatino'.

CROATIAN HERALD (CH): How and when did the musical career of Dalmatino begin?

- DALMATINO (DA): Our work together began ten years ago, in 1998, when we performed our first single ''Lozje'' at the Melodije Hrvatskog Jadrana Song Contest in Split. After a fantastic reaction from the public and national radio stations, we were encouraged to write new songs and perform at more festivals.

We did this for three years, when our first album ''Cukar i sol'' was released in 2001. At this point, we began performing our own concerts throughout Croatia. 

CH: On your CD cover, we can only see two band members. Can you please set the record straight for your many fans in Australia, as to exactly how many members comprise the band 'Dalmatino'?

- DA: Ivo Jagnjic and Zdravko Sunara formed the group 'Dalmatino' and, for practical reasons, we represent the band in the media circles. When we perform, there are always four or five musicians alongside us, so this means our live performances are genuine and not playback.

CH: Your style as a band is very interesting. How would you define the style of music that Dalmatino produce and perform, especially for listeners that may have never heard about you?

D - Essentially, we are pop music exponents with a Dalmatian influence, modern musical arrangement and production.

CH: Your first two albums were well-received in Croatia and Australia. Were you happy with the response by critics, fellow musicians and most importantly, the public?

- DA: We were absolutely delighted with the response from all parties mentioned, particularly from our fellow musicians and the public, who have been so supportive.

Music critics awarded us a Porin (Croatian Grammy equivalent) in 2002 for 'Best Artist', which was an amazing honour. The Croatian Music Association has acknowledged our work with two silver, two gold and one platinum record for our high number of album sales, which are still in high demand. This has translated to several thousand fans turning out to many of our concerts over the last few years.

CH: Which bands or artists influenced your musical styles?

- DA: All of our band members listen to different styles of music, particularly klapa music and folklore music from all parts of Croatia

CH: With your third album on the way, what can people expect from the latest 'Dalmatino' offering?

- DA: We're actually in the process of finishing our third album and we expect it to be released in April this year. We have given our best to ensure that it stacks up to our first two albums, and also tried to keep our 'Dalmatino' style intact. Like in our first two albums, this new album is recorded live in the studio to the highest production standards.

CH: Where do you guys sit at the moment, in terms of your place in the domestic music scene?

- DA: We believe that 'Dalmatino' is one of the top selling and most wanted bands in the country, which is something that we are all very proud of.

CH: How important is the response of fellow musicians to your work?

- DA: We respect all of our fellow musicians who like us, have dedicated their lives to music, regardless of where their music ranks on the charts.                                            

CH: What would be the top three highlights for 'Dalmatino' as a band, so far?

- DA: Our first would have to be our Porin music award, which is the most prestigious award for any Croatian musician. Secondly, all of our concerts in front of between 15,000 - 20,000 people in Split, Zagreb, Mostar, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Imotski, Labin, Pula and Osijek. Finally, our song ''Ditelina s cetiri lista'', which is still one of the most played songs in Croatian pop music, and the song ''Bozic bijeli'', which is one of the most popular Christmas songs in the last ten years.

CH: Apart from the song ''Ditelina s cetiri lista'' (which was sung with Oliver Dragojevic), do you have any ambitions to record another duet and if so, with whom?

- DA: As far a musical collaborations and duets are concerned, they are definitely in the pipeline, but we'll let that be a surprise for our third album (smiles)

CH: What does the future hold for 'Dalmatino'?

- DA: We are all professionals and we all carry the status of free musicians. We are only focused on our music and I think this will continue in the future.

CH: Do you have any ambitions to tour  Australia in the near future?

-DA: After hundreds of concerts in Croatia, Europe and Canada, we have a great desire to come to Australia. We can't wait to play and sing for our Croatians in Australia and we wait in hope for an official invitation! (smiles)