Dear Think - Mef: I'm not in love with my words. They're a means to say something, not something you should stand for to the death.

Drago Mislej-Mef, one of Slovenia’s most respected lyricists, has spoken publicly about his relationship with the words he writes. In a recent interview, he stated that he is not "in love" with his own words, emphasizing that they serve as a medium through which something is conveyed rather than something for which he would be willing to die. Known for crafting lyrics for numerous Slovenian hits that continue to resonate with audiences today, including songs such as Tina, Portorož 1905, Dober dan, Anita ni nikoli, Sem takšen, ker sem živ, Kar je res, je res, Veter z juga, Črta, Ko mene več ne bo, Lahko sem srce and many others, Mislej-Mef reflected on how his work came about almost spontaneously. He mentioned being surprised when revisiting some of his older songs and realizing their lasting impact. According to him, once a song is written, it no longer belongs solely to its author but becomes part of the collective experience of those who listen to it. In the current period, Mislej-Mef finds himself occupied primarily with Thursday evening concerts held at Špina, a venue in Koper. These events feature performances by notable Slovenian bands, drawing crowds ranging from approximately 100 to 150 people. While around half of these attendees often gather outside the venue and miss the concert entirely, the gatherings remain regular fixtures. The concerts take place on a completely voluntary basis, without admission fees, relying instead on donations from visitors to support the bands' travel expenses. Born on October 16, 1950, in Istria, Mislej-Mef completed high school in his hometown before studying journalism at the University of Ljubljana. His career began at Radio Koper, where he worked initially as a journalist in the informative program and later as an editor for the youth section. He subsequently moved to Koper Television, starting as an editor for the Slovenian program and eventually becoming head editor. He spent four years as director and editor-in-chief of the newspaper Primorske novice. Later, he co-founded the weekly magazine Mandrač in Izola, serving as both editor and journalist before passing the publication on to his sons. As a lyricist, Mislej-Mef has collaborated with nearly all major artists from the coastal region and several from other parts of Slovenia, particularly with Danilo Kocjančič. Today, he lives and works in Izola. The Thursday evening concerts are just one aspect of his ongoing activities. Alongside publishing the weekly magazine Mandrač, which must appear every Thursday, the group also organizes concerts with different bands. Upcoming events include appearances at Kamfest, the Zmajevo mlado festival in Postojna, and the Tartini Square in Piran, continuing until early September. Additionally, the band is working on a double live album recorded over five concerts across Slovenia. They are currently collecting the final recordings and preparing the final mix. Beyond music, Mislej-Mef is also involved in organizing Šalšiado, an annual street event in Izola where ten teams prepare Istrian-style šalša, a meatless tomato sauce made with eggplant. The entire street turns red from the abundance of tomatoes used in the preparation. Mislej-Mef's advice to young creators focuses on dedication and commitment to their craft, highlighting the importance of community involvement and shared experiences in artistic endeavors. His current main activity involves performing with his band, while also collaborating with the Pihalni orkestar Izola to create arrangements for joint performances. This collaboration marks a new chapter in local musical projects, combining the band's sound with the symphonic quality of the orchestra. Five larger concerts are planned as part of this initiative.