When a young musician from Split came onto the scene in the 1990s – different to anyone else, as an ambassador for a musical style in which he merged his musical ability from a technical point with his ability to compose radio friendly power ballads – it became clear that this person would remain on the Croatian music scene for a long time.
And when the kids at the time started singing to their ‘sweeter’ halves “volim tebe djevojčice mala, volim zato što si iz Mostara”, it was clear that rock ballads had found a home with Tiho Orlić. He performed recently in Mostar and once again won over fans with his new track “Takva je ljubav prava”. We took the opportunity to speak to him about his solo career, his work with Thompson, the situation that Croatians in Bosnia Herzegovina face and his many other projects as a musician.
“I think that most people are aware that I was a solo artist to begin with, ever since I started my professional musical career. You have to be a producer, arranger, composer and singer, and I just so happened to work in all those areas and I am good at all of it, and I love doing it. I love creating something new, and for many years I did all of that working together with Thompson, putting my own projects to one side. After some considerable time off, I felt the need to write something for myself and I’m really happy with how ‘Takva je ljubav prava’ sounds, but also its message and how it’s been produced,” said Orlić.
Many say that he is Marko Perković Thompson’s right hand man, and Orlić himself agrees, commenting on their collaboration saying, ”You know, there can be no project or achievement in life without the help of many people and associates who surround you. If they understand each other’s work, there can be unbelievable achievements, and that’s the case here. Because this is such a small market and there are many ‘Balkan bacteria’ in the heads of individuals, as a musician it has been a real challenge to make world-class music in production standards, just like the music I listen to privately – not local music. I’m happy that Marko gave me and my ideas enough space to develop in a variety of styles and without any limitations. Of course, his topics and themes are inspirational for that sort of musical expression, so I find it easier approaching such work, however, it is a long and painful process that requires nerves of steel, and lots of knowledge and time…Nothing happens overnight,” said Orlić.
His great career started with ‘Daleko je’ and then really took off following his duet with Thompson, ‘Stari se’. It’s been twelve years since that song. Although he’s getting older physically, in his soul Tiho Orlić is still young.
“Sometimes it feels as if that wasn’t me, because so many things have happened in that period that I didn’t even notice the lasting impact that those songs had. Even when I hear them now, I don’t feel as if those songs belong to me, but rather to the people and the audiences who find a part of themselves in them. A lot of time has passed, but I don’t feel like it has. I’m part of rock culture, and we don’t get older, I’m actually a lot more active and full on than before (laughter). A lot has changed, I’ve become an even greater professional in the meantime towards myself and the music and I’m constantly hungry for knowledge. I’ve spent time in the USA, Finland and Germany, learning and trying out new things with foreign musicians. The resulting sound is definitely not by chance!”
Apart from music, Tiho has many other passions in life.
“I’m interested in everything, absolutely everything. Sport, history, science, politics…Three words: Discovery, National Geographic and History channel (laughter).”
Ties with Herzegovina
We asked Tiho whether it was difficult being a patriot today, as well as whether he keeps up to date with the political situation of Croatians in Bosnia Herzegovina.
“Due to the direction that this planet is going in, it’s hard to be a patriot, but just like everything in life, you have to return to the source one day, when you don’t know what to do with yourself anymore and when everything gets so twisted. It’s the same with global political trends. I do follow the situation of Croatians in Bosnia Herzegovina and I can say that what the politicians from all the parties in that country have done to our people there is absolutely unbelievable. Both local and foreign, they are all responsible, with the most responsible being the political forces in Croatia – they should be protecting our people in Bosnia at all costs. They need to create an all-Croatian consensus at a national level, and make it a priority issue at all bilateral and multilateral meetings. They should push it as a priority problem!”
Tiho is connected to Herzegovina for many reasons.
“I have many friends, kumovi, associates, dear places, memories and beautiful performances and songs that tie me to Herzegovina, as well as the generosity of our people there. I’d need a really big book to fit all my memories of Herzegovina (laughter)!”
We wanted to finish with some memories from Tiho’s past:
“There have been many legendary moments, it’s hard to pick one. But for instance one would be filming the video clip for ‘Lijepa li si’ at Blidinje in the deep snow. There have also been many beautiful memories in my career, with the most obvious being the concerts at Poljud and Maksimir stadiums along with other similar huge shows.”
Željko Andrijanić