OT (band)

History

Operacija trijumf, the Balkan version of Fame Academy, started on 29 September 2008, featuring young singers from Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, and Macedonia. Among the sixteen contestants were Vukašin Brajić, Đorđe Gogov, Nikola Paunović, and Nikola Sarić, all from Serbia; Brajić was born in Bosnia and Herzegovina but lived in Serbia since childhood. During the show, these four were recognized as rock musicians and called the OT Rockers. Singing professor Mirko Vukomanović noted that Brajić and Sarić were very good guitarists, the best at the academy, while Gogov and Paunović did not play instruments but were noted for their rock affirmation and performing. They performed rock songs by artists such as Nirvana, Queen, Billy Idol, Lenny Kravitz, Bijelo Dugme, Deep Purple, AC/DC, Bryan Adams, and Bon Jovi. None of them won: Gogov was expelled at the ninth gala event, losing to Brajić; Paunović at the tenth, losing to Croatian Ana Bebić; Sarić at the eleventh, losing to Brajić; Brajić became a finalist. OT jury member Tonči Huljić suggested they form a rock band, but initially only Paunović thought it a good idea; the others wanted solo careers. After the show, most contestants wanted to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest, and the four united as a rock band, confirming their participation in Beovizija 2009. The group officially formed in January 2009. In a Blic magazine interview published on 17 February 2009, Gogov said only Paunović was initially for the band, but the rest soon changed their minds. Their song "Blagoslov za kraj" was written and produced by Universal Music. In the same interview, the band said they had become great friends and were happy together; Brajić stated the audience should not expect a boy band like the Backstreet Boys, but a rock band. The OT Band also opened for James Blunt's concert in Belgrade.