Croatian musician releases debut solo album after three decades

After three decades of playing in various bands, Zagreb-based musician Aleksandar Stajčić has finally released his first solo album, "Crni krug" (Black Circle). The album is the result of a decade-long personal project, shaped through years of dedicated recording, arranging, and production.

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I have loved music for as long as I can remember. My parents were the first to influence me.

Stajčić's musical journey began in childhood, influenced by his parents' diverse taste and later by his older brother, who introduced him to rock and metal. He taught himself guitar and, at just 17, recorded his first album with Subway Dogs. Despite releasing three albums and performing extensively in the 1990s, the band struggled to gain traction with audiences due to singing in English.

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I wanted to learn to play the guitar, completely blown away by the metal solos.

Following Subway Dogs, family obligations temporarily shifted his focus. However, music remained a constant presence. About fifteen years ago, he returned to playing with different bands, but these projects often dissolved or ended due to disagreements. Throughout these experiences, Stajčić continued to work on his own songs, even releasing some on SoundCloud.

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We played with literally all the rock bands in the 90s that mattered, had about a hundred of our own solo concerts, but we didn't catch on with the audience, and the reason was that we wrote songs in English.

Around ten years ago, attempts to form a new band faltered due to difficulties finding professional musicians. This led Stajčić to decide he would perform his songs himself. "Crni krug" represents the realization of this long-held ambition, a testament to his perseverance and passion for his own musical vision.

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I have been working on my own songs the whole time. For a while, I recorded them on an iPad and even published a few on SoundCloud.