Curious X interview with Aleksandra Janeva

Curious X was created as a project that arouses curiosity, but is inspired by tradition and the past. As part of the musical part of Curious X, Aleksandra Janeva had the opportunity to rework and “revive” an old evergreen song.

IQOS best demonstrated what it means to redefine the traditional, and with Curious X, it enabled famous Macedonian artists in the fields of design and music to do the same in their fields. The project, which began in May, has so far stirred up the Macedonian art scene in the best way.

With the help of the audience who voted on Curious X platform , Janeva reworked Daniela Panchetovic's famous song - " Ми подаваш рака/ You reach out your hand to me." We talk to Aleksandra Janeva about the recording experience, the entire project, and her personal experience working on Curious X.

Below, the entire interview with the singer:

What is your first memory of hearing these evergreens?

I was born long after their golden age, but that's exactly what piqued my curiosity.

When I first heard them as a child, I didn't fully understand them, but there was something about those melodies that immediately stuck in my heart.

Later, as I grew older and listened to these songs with a "more mature ear," I realized that they carried incredible emotion and real musical depth.

How did you decide which songs to rework?

It was an instinctive process driven by curiosity.

I didn’t have a clear list – I was more listening, researching, and asking myself: “What if we reworked this song with today’s production and gave it a new, modern sound? How would it sound if someone heard it for the first time today?”

I would hum them and realize that they sounded different with my voice. I started imagining different songs, then experimenting, and in the end I was determined to redefine and bring them to life.

What inspired you to rework these evergreens?

Maybe it was my curiosity; to know how the songs would sound from today's perspective, in a new era; maybe if they were given a jazzy feeling, or R&B, or a little disco. Curiosity really contributed a lot to this project.

It was a great honor for me that under Curious X, together with IQOS, we managed to bring this idea to life.

The traditional has always been part of my inspiration, but through this platform we had the opportunity to give it a modern expression. That's how my RE:Imagined version of an evergreen was born, and I'm extremely glad that I could be a part of such a project.

Can you tell us more about the Curious X platform?

It was a great honor for me that under Curious X, together with IQOS, we were able to bring this idea to life.

The traditional has always been a part of my inspiration, but through this platform we had the opportunity to give it a modern expression. That is how my RE:Imagined version of an evergreen was born, and I am extremely glad that I could be a part of such a project.

Was the process of reworking difficult?

Reworking a Macedonian evergreen is not an easy task at all! I must admit that it was a really challenging task.

You have to respect the original, and yet bring your own energy and style.

Sometimes it is challenging, sometimes it is pure joy and intense emotion; you see how every instrument, every voice and every note fit together to create something magical.

Both songs are truly beautiful, each in its own way, but most honestly, I secretly voted for **You give me your hand** I am truly grateful to all of you who voted and made the effort to give this evergreen a new look and charm.

What is the difference between the original and your interpretation?

We wanted to create a bridge between the past and the present; to retain those main emotional features of the original song, but also to give a new fresh sound that will contribute to this sound coming alive in our time.

Daniela Panchetovic sang it with a warmth and sincerity that is typical of that time, of the 70s, and especially of her style. Daniela knew how to convey the emotion directly to the heart of the listener.

My goal was to retain that essence, but also to give it new energy. I dressed it in a different outfit, a contemporary and my own arrangement, rhythm and dynamics that will bring it closer to the new generation.

How do you manage to preserve the original essence and soul of the song, and yet make it your own?

I am always guided by respect and admiration for the original song. First, I want to understand the message of the song and the emotion it evokes.

Then I ask myself: “What would happen if you gave this song a different interpretation in a different arrangement, but kept the same emotion and message?”

That’s how I perform – with curiosity to get closer to the essence, but also with the courage to add my own voice, my own sound, my own views.

How did it feel to work with the musicians on this project?

They are top professionals who are willing to step outside the box. We all had the pleasure of working on something like this together because it gives us the opportunity for creativity and imagination to flare up.

We didn't always go according to plan, but that's exactly what led to unexpectedly good results.

Was there a moment in the studio when you knew you had created something truly special?

I won’t lie if I say yes, there was a moment. When I sang the last verse and all the sounds disappeared – there was that moment when you just know that something phenomenal had happened.

There was just a feeling in the air that something special had been born right then. We all felt it at the same moment.

If you could dedicate this project to one person, who would it be and why?

I would dedicate it to my mother. She is the person who introduced me to these songs. We listened to them together, she sang them to me when I was little. Her love for music and her emotion were a huge inspiration to me.

Also to my audience and those who voted because they are the real reason why we did all this. Thank you to everyone and I want them to know that every single person who voted was embodied in the creation of this song.

What do you want people to feel when they hear your versions of these classics?

I want them to feel nostalgia and excitement at the same time. To remember the past and see what wonderful music we had back then, but also to connect those times with today. Maybe many things have changed, but not love – it is an unchanging constant.

I can also say that I want the songs from that time to remain fresh. We have pushed them into oblivion too quickly. I want the listeners to feel the respect for the original, but also my desire to give a new spark of life to the song.

What is the best part of this experience for you?

I think the best is yet to come! When the song is released and everyone can see what we've done!