1. Every month we put an U2 fan in the spotlights, the fan of the month December of 2012 is user Yogi. Read along for the interview we had this this U2 fan.


    Tell us something about yourself, who are you and what do you do for a living?
    My real name is Marin Zdelar and I'm 23 years old. I was born in a small village called 'Donja Poljana' and went to high school in Varaždin but now I mostly live in Zagreb where I study journalism (5th and last year) at Faculty of Political Sciences.
    I have two jobs and just one girlfriend, I assure you. At my first job I write about news in the gaming industry and review video games and at the second one I write generally about gadgets and technology. Perfect jobs for someone who likes to sleep late and have a lot of free time. And the girl – her name is Ana and she's very cute. No, you can't get photos of her in your inbox.

    How did you become a fan of U2, tell us how it happened?
    I still remeber how, at the age of 13 or 14, I would visit a friend every now and then who would always burn me discs with some new music. He had fast internet and I didn't. So, one day I was listening to one of those discs and I heard Elevation which I knew was from a band called U2. So I listened to the whole album and noticed a song called 'Peace on Earth'. There was something about it that got me very interested. At that time I didn't care much about music and I still didn't form any kind of musical taste which wasn't weird because MTV was already rubbish. Peace on Earth - I actually think that that was the first time in my life when I didn't just hear music – I felt it. In just a few days I knew all the lyrics from 'All That You Can't leave Behind.' So I started to do some research. I used software called 'Kazaa' to download individual songs (illegaly, of course!), so I used to download those with 'cool' names like 'Gone', 'The Unforgettable Fire', 'The Fly' and 'Miss Sarajevo'. I couldn't believe that one band could sound so differently on each track.

    After that one guy told me the story about Sarajevo and I saw the 'Slane' DVD. You know, you hear that intro to Where The Streets Have No Name with Bono shouting out to his dad, and that's it. There was no way back for me.

    What would you like to ask U2 if you got the chance to?
    I'm not really sure. I think that I already know everything that I need to from their music, interviews and books. But I would thank them for their music which means so much to so many people.

    Where do you most prefer to listen to U2?
    Concerts! Ok, that's obvious. Walking through streets with my headphones on. And in the car because I can scream as much as I can without being heard by anybody.

    What do you think of Bono's public appearances with major politicians?
    I support him, but not fanatically. I prefer seeing him behind the mic but I also understand that there are much more important things than music. And if he saved just one human being from starvation or death, which he did, I'm perfectly fine with it.

    In your opinion, what has been U2's defining moment and why?
    Without any thinking – Achtung Baby. They created their first masterpiece (The Joshua Tree), they were at the top of the world and they decided to throw it all away. It takes so much guts and cojones (wink, wink) for something like that. Achtung Baby could've been their death and yet it became their brightest star. Bono summed it up in his lyrics for 'Slug' a few years later – 'Don't wanna stay the same.' Greatest motto ever.

    When you're forced to leave to a deserted island and you can take only one U2 album with you, which would it be?
    Probably Achtung Baby. Or Pop in case the Achtung Baby disc will have too many scratches by then. I don't know... There's just so many layers and feelings to that record that I'll never get bored from it, I'm sure.

    What is your favorite U2 videoclip, and why?
    Hmmm... Lemon! It's my favourite song and that video is perfect. I just like it. Then there's 'Last Night On Earth', 'Mysterious Ways', 'Stay'...

    How different is U2 compared to other artists that you like?
    My second favorite band is The National and they're completely different from U2. Then there's also Bon Iver, Arcade Fire, The Killers, Muse and a band that my friend formed – And The Kid. I have much love for all of these, but when U2 walks on the stage, nothing compares to that feeling.

    What are your hobbies and interests away from U2, musical or otherwise?
    Writing, photography, t-shirt design, gaming, reading (though I've been lazy in that department for some time now), watching movies and TV series, arguing about politics with Aaron! And I'm starting to go to the gym in a few days. I know I've been saying that forever, but now it's for real!!


    Thanks for this interview Yogi!

    Note: Our crew members randomly pick fans of the month, you can't sign up for it.
  2. Long time over due, great read Hear you about the gym issue Your photographs and your shirt designs are always pretty awesome. Kinda jealous about that.

    For all the shitting about ATYCLB, it did spawn a whole new generation of U2 fans. Without thats album's success, they might have already stopped.
  3. I have much love for all of these, but when U2 walks on the stage, nothing compares to that feeling.

    ^ THAT, guys, THAT is what a true U2 fans says. Acknowledge you love other bands, but acknowledge nothing compares to THE band.

    Great interview, Yogi. Another deserved FOTM, of course! And great to know your real name, it helps to know you a little better
  4. Overdue. Nice interview Yogi, congrats
  5. Originally posted by LikeASong:I have much love for all of these, but when U2 walks on the stage, nothing compares to that feeling.

    ^ THAT, guys, THAT is what a true U2 fans says. Acknowledge you love other bands, but acknowledge nothing compares to THE band.

    Great interview, Yogi. Another deserved FOTM, of course! And great to know your real name, it helps to know you a little better

    Indeed.
    Fantastic interview mate
  6. Good interview here. Nice read.
  7. Congrats Marin! What does your girlfriend think of our obsession with U2?
  8. "I have two jobs and just one girlfriend, I assure you." Haha

    Good to see you study Journalism. I study it as well! How's your shorthand?

    Way overdue, but a very nice read. Congratulations!
  9. good interview!
  10. Excellent read Yogi

    Another great member in the December club
  11. Cool interview Yogi!
    btw my daughter is called Ana too!
  12. I'm glad you liked it, guys!


    She's ok with it, she went with me to two concerts (Turin, Zagreb) and knows at least 50% of discography.