HEAVY PARADISE, THE PARADISE OF MELODIC ROCK!: Interview with Zarko Mestrovic of HUMAN ZOO

HUMAN ZOO is a Melodic Hard Rock band that has released three superb albums. Their debut album, "Precious Time" showed a very talented band with some catchy and inspired tunes that with the adding of saxophon in their sound made them something different in the Melodic Hard Rock scene. "Over The Horizon" was their follow up effort and this year the band is back stronger than ever with the stunning "Eyes Of The Stranger".

One of the founding members of Human Zoo ,Zarko Mestrovic, who is also the band's keyboard player and producer, talked to Heavy Paradise about the band's past, present and future plans. Enjoy!

Vassilis Hassirtzoglou

heavy paradise : Hello Zarko and welcome here in Heavy Paradise for this interview! Allow me to start this interview by asking you how did you get the name 'Human Zoo' ?

Zarko : Hello Vassilis first of all thanks for giving Human Zoo the opportunity to introduce our band on Heavy Pardise. Many people tried to interpret our band name in the past but the name has no deeper meaning for uns. As we´re musicians we finally been chosen our band name cause it sounded great.

heavy paradise : Firstly, I would like to congratulate you for the release of your new album, "Eyes Of The Stranger". A brilliant melodic hard rock album, like both of your previous efforts. The reviews over the net are all excellent! Are you satisfied with the final result of "Eyes Of The Stranger"?

Zarko : Thanks for your kind words with regard to the new album. I also read some very good reviews which makes me as one of the main producer very proud. So, as a lot of musicians know, every production is always a huge experience and big adventure. The band is very satisfied with the result cause the CD is been given the right sound and mood. It´s absolutely 100 % “Human Zoo” music style and the way we wanted to express rock music in the year 2011.

heavy paradise : Since the "Over The Horizon", in 2007, and the new one, passed four years! Why did it take you so long to release a new album?

Zarko : Unfortunately, we went through real tough times for almost 4 years. Due to a lawsuit we were not able to publish a new album in the last 3 years. We managed all outstanding issues out of court and find great new cooperation partners. Our song material was already finished in 2010 and we are now very happy and proud to celebrate our new material all over the world with our publishing partners from Sony Music and Fastball.

heavy paradise : Who is responsable for the songwritting in the band? I mean, is it a team work result ?

Zarko : I was already an important part of the first two albums as co-producer and main songwriter. In the beginning I always used a lot of my own ideas to design music and brought it then into the band. But in the end team work is the key to find great solutions. So, my other band members count on me and this is on the one hand a great position but on the other hand a huge responsibility for me. But I think till today it works well.

heavy paradise :You and Claus Lausmann are the producers of this release and the result is excellent! was the contribution from Claus Lausmann helpful for you?

Zarko : Human Zoo wanted to work with a different production team and with different sound engineers. We wanted to make a change with regard to the new production. I know Chris Lausmann for a long time cause he´s our live sound engineer since 2007. So we both got a really good and creative time in the studios what will be continued in some other projects in the future. I think both of us have learned of each other during the joint venture in the studios.

heavy paradise : The saxophone give to the band's sound an extra flavour in the whole result! A very good thing in my opinion but a bit weird for a Hard Rock band. How so and you guys did you decide to use saxophone parts in the Human Zoo's sound?

Zarko : In 2004, as we formed Human Zoo, Boris Matakovic (saxophonist) took part in some jame sessions and we realized quickly that a joint venture could fit. As you said the saxophone is a superb and fresh instrument which gives Human Zoo the extra flavour. So we decided to integrate the superb play of Boris Matakovic as an integral part of the band. Boris is one of the main shareholders in the band and a very important part of the band Human Zoo. Through the use of saxophones, we also have a special live sound which the audience rewarded positive.

heavy paradise : In my ears, Human Zoo is the perfect mix of melodic hard rock with some heavier elements and probably one of the biggest hopes for this gerne. How can you describe your band's sound? Do you accept labels when it comes to music?

Zarko : Thank you very much for your assessment. Woh, great! At that time, I really can´t describe our music style and our music ideas cause I have no comparative. It´s just Human Zoo! I´m very lucky, that we have a keyboard and a saxophone in our band. In our music we always try to find solutions make the music feel fresh. We have the chance, not only on CD, to express rock music with more live sound opportunities which makes our genre more interesting. So far, no label has tried to change our style of music and I think that this remains in the future.

heavy paradise : What are your influences, Zarko?

Zarko : I was personally influenced in the year 1992 by the great CD “Images & Words” from the band Dream Theater. My main commercial influences were bands like Firehouse, Pink Cream 69 in the beginnings, Gotthard…

heavy paradise : Do you have any favourite tracks from the new album?

Zarko : The thing about producing is, that after 6 months of working and listening in the studios you have no more feeling whether songs sound cool or really bad. Now after 5 months of the publication songs like “The Answer”, “Gimme Your Time”, “Fall In Love” or “Welcome To Paradise” really sound great to me.

heavy paradise :Let me take you a few years back. Back in 2006, you achieved to release a killer debut album!! "Precious Time" is one of my favourite cds. When you started the band, what were your expectations?

Zarko : There really were no expectations. We formed the band in 2004, run the studios and got the CD “Precious Time” with a huge positive feedback all over the world. It was unbelievable. But let me say it was not luck, ha!!!

heavy paradise : How difficult is for a band to get a good record deal nowadays?

Zarko : You get a lot of record deals, but no good ones. For each band, it is important to know what they really want to reach (to play a lot, only to earn money, to spend a nice time together as a band and so on). Depending on the question what you want to achieve, you´ve got to communicate your issues and find cooperation partners. At the moment we´re very satisfied with our team at Sony Music/Fastball, our promotion company Brook-Lynne-Promotion and some other very professional partners all over the world. But let me say, more important than a deal is to have fun playing music. This should always be the priority!

heavy paradise : What is the meaning of the word 'success' for you and how do you see yourself and Human Zoo after ten years from now?

Zarko : The most important thing for Human Zoo is to spread the Zoo virus! We wanted to get the opportunity to play all over the world to present our music. That´s it and that means success to us!

heavy paradise : Are there any plans for live performances but, also, for a live album sometime in the near future?

Zarko : As I´ve said playing live is our aim. At the moment we´re planning a european tour in 2012. If there´s a possibility to record a great live gig – why not publishing a live album. No problem!

heavy paradise : Do you want to send a message to your fans, Zarko?

Zarko : Thanx to all our fans in Greece believing always in Human Zoo and to continue listening to our music. Rock on!

heavy paradise : At this point, I have to thank you for this interview and wish you all the best for your future plans!

Zarko : Thanx Vassilis and we hope playing one time in your home country Greece. I hope to see you then personally!