Ines Trickovic doesn’t just have style—she is style. The singer effortlessly plays around genre, incorporating elements of cabaret, clown performance, and her own unique flair, all while paying strict respect to jazz and bossa nova tradition. The effect is sultry, sexy, earthy, but above all, authentic and very much herself. Ines first performed here six years ago, and now makes Macau one of her homes. She comes from the seaside city of Dubrovnik, in Croatia, and sang as a child in the local choir. Plans to attend music school were cut short by the war. But, she says “I improved my singing skills steadily by practicing by myself and developing my instrument by learning songs and eventually developed my own singing technique.” Ines most recently performed here in Macau at the Script Road literary festival. Last year around this time, she made her debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
What are the challenges of making music and performing?
There are numerous challenges like with any other job. You have to develop constantly and become better at what you do year after year. It’s a process that never stops. One of the bigger challenges in the music business is to widen your audience, travel around the world, be creative and responsible with your obligations, etc.
Do you remember when you first thought of yourself as a professional musician?
I always felt like a singer since I can remember but the first time I thought of being a professional singer was when I started actively performing, when I was 18 years old, and people started to ask me more and more to perform.
Do you remember the first time you came to Macau?
Yes that was in 2011 on my first tour to China, Hong Kong, and Macau. What an exciting time, to experience Macau which is definitely one of the most interesting places I have been to.
Is there anything you find different about performing in Macau?
Yes, Macau has a very small community, mostly Chinese and Portuguese, so the audience is hungry for art and culture so it’s a great feeling to bring my shows to Macau and always I must admit a big success.
What are your future plans for Hong Kong/Macau?
I just recently finished a tour in Hong Kong, Macau, and China, so my next plans are for the next winter season, very exciting plans that I will let you know about in a couple of months!
Where do you see yourself five years from now? Ten years?
Sailing on a yacht in the Mediterranean, with my family and my band, writing my new album that will premier in Royal Albert Hall. [laughing]
If your friend had only a day to spend in Macau, where would you tell him/her to go, and what to do?
Definitely the old historical parts of Macau… Coloane…try all kinds of Macanese food, visit Ama temple.
Keep up with the latest news and learn more about Ines on her Facebook page: www.facebook.com/inestrickovic
