We recently connected with Nemanja Djordjevic and have shared our conversation below.
Nemanja, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
My music journey started back in 2008 when I was 14. In a small hometown called Arandjelovac, Serbia – I was surrounded always by very talented friends who wanted to pursue music careers regardless of how the country was poor and almost impossible to afford to purchase any quality instruments or anything close to studio gear. The first festival that I made with one of the fantastic groups was also back in my hometown at the age of 18 and gathered close to 1000 people on top of the mountain.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi! My name is Nemanja Djordjevic, an artist/music producer born in Arandjelovac, Serbia. I’m the founder of a collective called Soundproof based in San Francisco, California.
I’m lucky enough to say that I’ve been in the music industry for the past 16 years [since the age of 14]. Being born in a country that is obsessed with techno and party hours that are pretty much 24/7, underground music, and clubs, can say that I was extremely lucky to start my journey where I did. Being surrounded by friends who live in a 130bpm+ world and listening to quality electronic sound pushed my buttons to be more and more involved since I was a kid.
This year is gonna be a full 8 years since I moved to San Francisco and started chasing my dream to play shows and showcase my skills and all I’ve been learning in the past. I’m very happy that can look back and see where the whole music/life journey took me at this point and how many wonderful places have been able to see because of it.
I’ve played a lot of shows prior to Soundproof of my own and while it was a great time, to have a chance to share the stage with so many fantastic names and play in all major SF clubs, there was a big part missing of building something that would have more meaning to myself and others. So SP’s journey has started at a very odd time and goes something like this:
The end of January 2021 is the first show that we’ve ever made under Soundproof. Renegades were something that San Francisco was very famous for during those times, and while we were playing shows in clubs, it felt like there was magic that we could create in outdoor settings too. Each one of these shows would take a 30+min hike in the woods with all speakers & generators, basically building the club at strange locations. The very first show we’ve ever done that way collected close to 150 people and just kept growing from there. We always wanted to create another social outlet for friends who want to connect with others and share their music, friendship, positive energy, and love.
After a few months of creating experiences in woods, beaches, and similar locations, we took our collective into clubs and venues that have been recognized very rapidly by the biggest organizations and promoters to the point that every year, Soundproof now brings together over 30-40 thousand of people together.
I’m extremely proud to say that the integrity & professionalism of this group has never changed. Every member of the group is incredibly talented, has the most passion for every project that we bring to the table, and lives to uplift each other to the best of their ability. Our mission has always been to promote happiness, joy in life, and friendships and to provide support for each whenever needed. It’s very easy to say that Soundproof and its community is simply family.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of this job is bringing joy and happiness through sound. Since my first days of being involved in the music scene back in Serbia California, I’ve never seen a better and faster way for anyone to understand each other without talking than through sound. Being on stage, being in a crowd, there are always ways for everyone to *feel* music, no matter what you are going through in life. Every time someone walks into your life and you can make them feel better about themself, about life, about everything around them – that is truly the most rewarding part of this job.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
The goal is definitely to keep on making bigger and better things every year – and while doing so, helping others find the way to do the same. While I’m excited for what is to come in my career and how to grow, another mission with Soundproof is to create another creative outlet to help & push all new artists who are just starting in this journey. Especially as being immigrant in this country, the journey to come to the point and establish yourself takes a very long time and truly crazy hours to be where you want to be.
I’m hoping that in the future individually and as part of the collective can balance the scale and provide more opportunities to those who sadly don’t have it originally. Music is for everyone.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/nemsongs
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nemsongs/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nemsounds
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nemanja-dordevic/
- Other: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5VHt2sr9Iu1cCrT4WDPBmw?si=NeWBkl2nRqCRANHfJ5zH2Q Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/nemsounds