Author: Aleš Podbrežnik
Location: e-mail
Interview date: July 15, 2013
Overjam is back! The second edition in a row moves from Vrtojba to Tolmin this time, to the well-known, much-loved spot where the Soča and Tolminka rivers meet, and it all goes down in the middle of idyllic nature, August 14-17, 2013! The festival’s aim is to become a true meeting point of different cultures, spreading the solidarity and equality that have always defined reggae. That’s how Overjam proves we’re all united in our differences.
Besides great musical entertainment, Overjam gives you four days of sun, good company and positive vibes in the heart of idyllic nature, plus workshops by non-profit organizations, market stalls, sports, partying, excellent food and drink, and a mix of ecology and awareness – that’s the recipe for a great reggae festival.
With the festival fast approaching, the organizer took the time to answer a few of our questions and give us a peek at the unique, unmistakable character of Overjam, a festival that’s gaining more and more international weight!
RockLine: What are the core messages, or let’s say the basic motto (wish), that Overjam brings to the Slovenian cultural and music scene?
Overjam festival: First of all, that reggae is coming back to Slovenian soil. It’s coming back at full throttle, to a known and beautiful location with excellent world-class music stars. Overjam also sticks to the principle »Think Green«, which looks after the bond between the festival, its visitors and nature. Overjam wants to create an unforgettable reggae event and, with its unique style, spice up the festival and music scene in Slovenia. Overjam actually has the ambition to become more than just a music festival, which is why Overjam University is part of the program too.
RockLine: Where does the idea come from to organize a festival in Slovenia that mainly showcases reggae artists?
Overjam festival: The idea was born last year with our Italian partners from Trieste, who have been organizing all kinds of reggae-flavored events in Trieste and the surrounding area for more than a decade. Last year our Ljubljana company Kurz rock vibe d.o.o. worked with them on PR services, and this year we took over co-organizing the festival and also moved it to Sotočje in Tolmin. Our Ljubljana company has years of experience in booking bands and organizing all sorts of events, both music and stand-up, and of course we’re also driven and united by our love of reggae music and culture.
RockLine: There used to be Riversplash festival, then it stopped, and now you’re coming back under the Overjam festival brand. Can you reveal the background of the whole story? Why did Riversplash have to »step aside« from the scene, and how did things get back on track so you could revive the festival, which now goes by the name Overjam?
Overjam festival: We want to stress that Overjam is not a new version of the former Riversplash but a completely new festival. Overjam wants to revive the reggae scene in Slovenia and give reggae fans a strong festival that brings together the best reggae stars and awareness about taking care of nature, all in the idyllic setting of Sotočje in Tolmin. Overjam will deliver the full reggae package and an unforgettable festival vacation. Riversplash was the pioneer of this kind of movement and of reggae music here, but after a few years it sadly ended its mission. As for why, you’d have to ask the people in charge of Riversplash.
RockLine: Overjam took place for the first time last year, in Vrtojba, practically on the Slovenian-Italian border. This year it moved to the confluence of the Tolminka and Soča, where Punk Rock Holiday and Metaldays also take place. Why wasn’t the festival held at the popular Tolmin location last year already?
Overjam festival: As with anything new, and especially something as big and demanding to organize as a festival, Overjam was only being born last year, and this year in Tolmin it’ll spread its wings to the fullest. Last year Overjam took place under the wing of an Italian organization that wanted the festival on Slovenian soil, but still close to the border, which Vrtojba definitely was. Even though the location wasn’t right for a reggae festival, the festival itself, with a satisfying turnout, proved that reggae is still alive in the Italian-Slovenian region. That gave us momentum, and when this year’s Overjam landed in our hands, we knew one thing for sure from past experience – Tolmin is the best location for this kind of festival.
RockLine: In western Europe, festival organizers increasingly lean on a »green card« when marketing their brands, meaning they sell an »eco-friendly« or let’s say »environmentally conscious« festival. Organizers more and more often offer items made from renewable sources and invite locals to get involved with products and food specific to the region where the festival takes place, and so on…. How does Overjam respond to this trend?
Overjam festival: As a reggae festival, Overjam pays special attention to this »trend«. The festival’s motto is »Think Green« and it covers sustainable development, eco-friendly economy and various other topics that concern all of us, no matter which country we live in. Conferences with expert talks, daily handicraft workshops, awareness about caring for nature, animals and fellow humans – it all comes under the shared name Overjam University. The festival, which takes place where three countries meet, wants to become a symbol of integration, peace and unity in diversity. Activities around the festival will also include the local community, and we’ll offer visitors rafting, the best-known sports activity in this part of Slovenia. We’ll make sure there’s a varied veggie and vegan offer, products of local crafts and natural materials will be on sale, and the payment method at the festival will be payment cards that let you get your deposit back for every plastic cup you return. This year we’ll show that we’re serious about thinking green, and in the future we’ll work out and develop the concept down to the last detail. If something doesn’t work out this year, we’ll surely be persistent enough to get it right next year. Go easy on us, join the idea, together we can »think green«.
RockLine: Is the festival also building ties with the Posočje region itself, and if so, how are you building bonds between the locals and the festival?
Overjam festival: As already mentioned, the festival will bring the local community into its ranks, along with local artists, musicians and athletes, and it also gives all residents of Tolmin a cheaper full-festival ticket. That’s our way of bringing reggae music and culture closer to them and thanking the local municipality for making the festival possible and supporting it.
RockLine: What other activities does Overjam include besides (great) music entertainment?
Overjam festival: The stuff going on around the festival will be varied. Plenty of daytime activities are planned, including workshops by non-governmental organizations, dance, yoga, drum, circus and massage workshops, street artist workshops and sports activities. There’ll also be plenty of room on the grounds for stalls selling art, homemade, Italian, African and vegan food, and of course drinks won’t be missing either. There’ll be a kids’ daycare, »dreads« (the typical hairstyle of reggae fans) will be made, and nature itself will make it possible to lounge in the shade, swim in the river and do plenty of other fun things. All we can do is hope the weather is kind to the organizers, performers and visitors!
RockLine: This year’s Overjam lineup is incredibly varied. From near-»underground reggae« acts that music connoisseurs in particular will love, to those who have brushed the tops of the world’s most important music charts. And of course you haven’t forgotten the Slovenian representatives of the genre either. Could we say the new edition of the festival is the strongest this year (even compared with the lineups of the former editions of the late Riversplash festival), and if so, why is it the strongest?
Overjam festival: We don’t want to compare Overjam with Riversplash too much. Riversplash had its own tradition and traits, and it hasn’t been on the scene for quite a few years. Overjam, with a fresh team of experienced members, is breaking new ground for reggae again – this year’s Overjam will definitely deliver a musical feast. The elder statesmen of reggae Inner Circle answered the organizers’ invitation. With their hits Sweat (A La La Long), Bad Boys, Games People Play and countless others, they’ve been winning over young and old around the world for decades. The American band Groundation brought a new freshness to reggae and became famous worldwide for their color – we’ll hear them on the main stage too.
We can say that, musically, this year’s festival will definitely be stronger than any reggae event in Slovenia in the past, since the music offer will be varied in the number of musicians and stages – with four stages over four days plus one more pre-festival day, there’s something for every taste – world stars, local musicians, dancehall, dub, a soundsystem on the beach. A lot will be going on, and at full blast. Visit us at: www.overjamfestival.com and you’re invited to Sotočje in Tolmin on August 14-17, 2013.
RockLine: Overjam is clearly outgrowing the »international festival« label, much like Metaldays and Punk Rock Holiday. Take a look at the lineup and it becomes obvious right away. The crowd at the festival is probably just as colorful. What’s the rough share of visitors from Europe, and which regions and countries lead the way? What are the prospects in that respect, judging by how ticket sales for this year’s edition are going?
Overjam festival: Besides Slovenia and Italy, the festival is being strongly promoted in Austria, Germany and the countries of the former Yugoslavia. We’re seeing a strong international response, huge interest in the festival itself, and great media support too. We have to keep in mind that, with this year’s lineup, location and other activities, Overjam is definitely the biggest festival of its kind in this part of Europe. We’re letting ourselves be surprised, we’re working hard and we’re looking to the future with optimism.
RockLine: To wrap up, would you like to add any friendly advice for visitors to this year’s Overjam festival?
Overjam festival: Come well equipped with tents, swimsuits and warm clothes for the evening. Some tick repellent doesn’t hurt, and a rain poncho wouldn’t hurt either, just in case. Leave your pets at home so they won’t be lonely in the tent while you’re swaying at the concerts, and above all bring a good dose of positive mood, joy and open minds, and help create the best reggae festival, one everyone will remember as a great musical vacation!
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