Three-time Grammy award winning collective will close Musicology Barcaffe Sessions season with a concert at Kalemegdan, on June 23. Find FB event: https://www.facebook.com/events/2171615239567509/

Michael League formed the band back in 2003, with a group of his friends, never imagining it will become a widely known band that won such prestigious awards.

Snarky Puppy is now a big collective, counting more than 30 members, each having their solo carriers, and other side-projects. They perform in a constantly changing rotation, so every show is a new adventure, for the crowd, but for them as well.

We talked to Michael about Snarky Puppy favorites, their plans and expectations for the upcoming concert in Belgrade:

  • You are coming to Belgrade for the first time as a group. The Belgrade audience seems really excited to have you. Are you excited to be here as well?

Absolutely! I played in Belgrade last year with my other band, Bokanté, and the response was incredible. It was a very warm, music-loving audience. I can’t wait to put Snarky Puppy in front of that crowd.

  • What can Belgrade audience expect on June 23?

A band that is very excited to play in Serbia for the first time! We’ll be performing a mix of new and old songs from our repertoire.

  • Which are your favorite songs to perform?

Whatever is newest!

  • Which was your favorite performance?

I don’t know that I can name a single one, but a very, very memorable show was one we did at the Olympia in Paris with the Metropole Orkest conducted by Jules Buckley. The energy in the room was unbelievable.

  • How would you describe your audience. Is it diverse?

Definitely. I would say that the only common thing among them is a deep, obsessive love of music. Age, gender, race, religion… those things vary greatly from gig to gig.

  • Your new album „Immigrance“ is out. Can you tell us more about the album?

It’s our second studio album in a row. We recorded most of it live in the studio, with all three drummers alternating sections on each song. I feel like it explores some ideas that we haven’t previously explored, and that it has a vibrant, raw energy.

  • What kind of impact do you hope to create as a famous artists?

I don’t see us as famous, but I think that we try to use what influence we do have to encourage musicians, especially young ones, to try their best to create music they love and believe in. Art is so important for us as both individuals and societies- it can change hearts and minds, but only when there is substance to it.

  • You did some workshops for students. Did you like the teaching experience? What message do you have for young musicians trying to make it in this world?

We love to teach. We all had excellent teachers/band directors/mentors growing up, and it’s important to us that we try to give back to other musicians what we received over the years. As for a message, I believe that if a person works hard to excel at their craft, is reliable, and has a good attitude, they will always have work in the music industry.

  • What are your plans for the future?

I have lots of different ideas. A book about our early days, a documentary on the passing-on of musical traditions around the world, a fully acoustic album… the list goes on. Let’s see if we have time to make them all!