ZELLER (COCOTTE MINUTE): There are plenty of musicians out there. But fucking few with real heart.

Martin Zeller, frontman kapely Cocotte Minute a jedna z nejvýraznějších postav české crossoverové scény z Prahy, má za sebou vyprodanou Zllucernu. Přesto zůstává nohama pevně na zemi – nebo spíš v klubech, kde je publikum na dosah ruky a energie syrovější než kdekoliv jinde.  

Naší redakci se podařilo Zellera vyzpovídat a řeč byla o mnohém – od návratu z velkých pódií zpět do klubové reality, přes výběr mladých kapel pro ZLLO FEST až po zákulisní momenty i plány do budoucna. Došlo samozřejmě i na novou tvorbu Cocotte Minute. 

How does it feel going back to small clubs after a sold-out "Zllucerna"? 

It's like a ski lift operator from the mountains coming home after summiting Everest. :-) You know you've touched the sky, but you still have the best drinks with your buddies at some dive bar behind the local gym. Plus, you get to flex on them for at least six months! :-) And if you don't stop after that, they'll give you a proper beatdown and the universe will be back in balance.

What's the first memory that pops into your head when you think of Zllucerna? 

Honestly, I don't know. It's too soon for memories. Besides, I completely formatted my brain during the afterparty. So yeah, I don't remember much of it anyway.

How do you choose young bands, whether for Zllucerna or Zllo Fest? Is it purely about the music, or do they need that specific "Zllo" energy? 

It's a mix of things. But primarily, I need to see that fire and the drive to actually work for it, because that's my life philosophy. Work hard and don't give a shit about anything or anyone else. We only get one life, and we have to spend it chasing our dreams. Anyone who doesn't have a dream and isn't chasing it is just a waste of space.

Bound to Break and Anteater represent pretty different worlds. How important is that contrast between your performance and the energy of the young bands you bring on stage? 

I'm not sure I follow. They're bands playing their own music and they believe in it. We all have that in common. But if you're trying to hint that I'm an old-timer with no energy left compared to them, you better watch your back walking through the park tonight! :-)

Do you keep following these bands to see how they're doing and evolving? 

In general, I try to keep track of anything interesting, new, or exceptional happening here. To me, music is a lifestyle, and I'd love to see more of us. There are plenty of musicians out there. But fucking few with real heart. So, I'm grateful for every new soul that joins the ranks! :-)

Would you like to expand Zllo Fest to other cities in the future, or is Prague's Rock Café its irreplaceable home? Or maybe turn it into a summer outdoor event? 

Next year is the 5th anniversary. I realize that's a turning point, and I'm already thinking about what to do with it. But for now, it's a secret. Whether it's a secret because it's a huge surprise or because I don't want to admit I have no clue yet—that's also a secret! :-)

Where do you see the festival in five years? 

Well, that's the secret part. The fifth year will decide. I'll tell you then. :-)

What's the most bizarre or powerful moment you've experienced over the last three years of Zllo Fest? 

The fact that we have a million pieces of gear and it took us about five hours to load into Rock Café with just two stagehands! :-)

Any message for those still hesitating to buy a ticket? 

If you fuck this up, you'll be stuck outside Rock Café chewing on a fried dumpling. Every single previous year was sold out! :-)

Last but not least, we have to ask—what's the word on new music from Cocotte Minute? 

It's looking good! And we'll reveal more at Rock Café.