April 6th is a very important date for the City of Sarajevo. On April 6th, 1941, the city was first bombed by the fascist regime. On April 6th, 1945, the city was liberated by the Yugoslav army. On April 6th, 1992, the siege of Sarajevo began, one of the longest sieges in the history of modern warfare.
Today, things are different. The city is vibrant, alive, and full of energy. This date is now celebrated as Sarajevo City Day, and it is a day to celebrate the city’s resilience, strength, and spirit. A local producer/DJ that goes by the name Doel Lima captures that spirit in his music, which for the third year in a row drops on this exact date.
This album and this date mean more than I can describe. The most honest and emotional so far, without a doubt, my best. Years full of happiness, losses, growth, and struggle. Both mine and our city’s—a city that, through resistance, learned how to celebrate again.
Called Born Again, the album is split into two parts, totalling 13 tracks. He took things up a notch this year through collaborating with other local artists, preparing a music video for each track and a limited merch drop. We reached out to him to talk to him about it.
This is your third consecutive year releasing an EP or a full-blown album specifically for Sarajevo City Day. Do you plan to turn this into a long-term tradition?
Yes, I definitely plan to continue.
Releasing a full album or EP every year is a massive undertaking for any producer. What drives you to set such a high bar for yourself?
It’s about artistic expression and representing Sarajevo. Each release is a reflection of what I’ve personally experienced over that year—the city through my eyes and my own creative output.
You release your music on your own label, eyelenda, but you’re also a key figure behind the Garden of Dreams label. How do you distinguish between the two? When you finish a track, do you usually have a specific destination in mind?
Garden of Dreams is a record label with a presence on Beatport. My personal releases reside on Bandcamp because I’m focused on creating a unique, signature sound. Up until now, I haven’t really produced tracks specifically for a label, except for those that have come out on Garden of Dreams. I think that kind of intentional production will be my next step.
You’ve already shared the decks with major names like Nic Fanciulli, Lehar, Denis Sulta, and Layla Benitez. If you could share the stage with anyone in the future, who would be your dream B2B partner?
Honestly, I don’t know yet. The possibilities are endless!
Beyond electronic music, what’s on your playlist during your downtime? And who is your biggest local inspiration?
I listen to a lot of hip-hop, but Sevdah always takes priority for me. As for a domestic inspiration, it’s impossible to pick just one.
Unlike your previous work, this year’s release features several collaborations for the first time. How has that collaborative energy influenced your sound?
It certainly opens up new horizons and brings in different perspectives. You can definitely feel a change in the sonic texture.
Are you looking to collaborate with even more artists on your next project?
If the opportunity is right, then definitely yes.
We’re just two months away from the next Garden of Dreams festival. Without giving too much away, what can the audience expect this year?
The biggest and best edition so far!
For the fans in Sarajevo, where can they catch you next?
On April 17th at Silver & Smoke. We’ll see what follows, but that will be the official promo for my new album.
