How did the two of you first connect creatively, and when did the idea for UTOPIA begin to take shape as something more than just a shared interest in music?
We’ve known each other for a long time and collaborated in different forms over the years, but UTOPIA was born at the moment when both of us felt the need to create something that fully represents who we are. It was no longer just about music, but a space for aesthetics and a story we build together.
The Kadinjača livestream feels more like a cinematic short film than a traditional DJ set. When you were conceptualizing it, did you approach it more as a live performance or a piece of visual storytelling?
From the start, we wanted it to be more than a performance – more like an artistic act. Kadinjača inspired an approach that leaned closer to visual storytelling than to a club set.
There’s a haunting symmetry between the music and the brutalist architecture of the memorial. Did the physical environment shape your composition or track selection in ways that surprised you?
Absolutely. The space shapes you, even unconsciously. When you’re there, some tracks just don’t “breathe,” while others become even more powerful.
From camera angles to lighting, the visual language of the livestream feels incredibly intentional. How involved were you in the direction and production process behind the scenes?
Fully involved. UTOPIA is a whole world we’re building, so every shot is a part of that universe. We work with people who understand us and we trust them but we are always creatively present at every stage, from storyboard to final edit.
This set is part of an ongoing series exploring heritage through electronic music. How does Kadinjača fit into that larger narrative, and what kind of story were you trying to tell with this specific location?
Kadinjača is a symbol of resistance, sacrifice, and collective struggle and that’s the emotion we wanted to convey. It carries a weight that is unforgettable. In that sense, it fits perfectly into our mission to engage with the past through art, while leaving something new for the future.
Let’s talk about the hybrid setup – what does your live rig actually consist of, and how do you approach building a performance that blurs the line between DJing and live composition?
Our setup includes analog synths, live vocals, drum machines, effects, and some pre-programmed sequences. Everything is connected in a way that gives us both control and room for improvisation. We don’t want to be just DJs, nor have everything “clicked” in advance so we want to create art live, which makes each performance unique and specific.
You mix live vocals, analog synths, and pre-programmed elements into a seamless flow. How much of the set is locked in before filming, and how much is still open to improvisation on site?
There’s a base structure, but the actual performance is left for the location. Sometimes the space makes us change the way sounds are opened or leads us to add something unplanned. Most improvisation happens during live shows, where we can feel the audience. That’s what makes every set alive and unrepeatable.
Many livestreams can feel sterile or performative – but this one feels grounded, almost sacred. How did you make sure the energy of the site translated through the screen?
By not pretending. We were fully present and honest. The tech, the cameras, and the lights were there to support the emotion. Chameleon, who were in charge of the lighting, and VIDDIM video production have been part of this story from the beginning, and they definitely deserve their image as some of the best among the best.
What technical challenges did you run into while filming in such a remote, monumental location – and did any limitations end up sparking creative decisions?
It was challenging with no power, no shelter, rough terrain. But those limitations pushed us to simplify the approach, to create a minimal and clean setup with maximum impact. It turned out more honest than it might have in ideal conditions.
What’s next up for UTOPIA? Any performances, releases or more livestreams you can share with us?
We’re preparing new locations, new music, and a few more special recordings. Our focus is on developing the entire project and creating a narrative that can live beyond the screen, through performances as well as releases. There will be surprises.
