Nenad Teofilović

Nenad Teofilović (Serbian Cyrillic: Ненад Теофиловић, Macedonian: Ненад Теофиловиќ, born: ), sometimes referred to by the mononym nenad, is a Serbian-Australian musician, songwriter and recording artist of Serbian and Macedonian descent. He is the drummer for Australia world music ensemble Balkan Ethno Orchestra, the Sydney-based pop/rock group Yuniversal, as well as for Sydney-based pop/rock functions groups iBand and Sons of Mercury. Nenad is best known for his YouTube channel, where he posts drum covers, tutorials and other music-related content.
== Early life and career ==
Nenad was born in Sydney, Australia, and was raised in the inner-Sydney suburb of Tempe. Nenad first sat on a drumset at the age of nine and immediately fell in love with the instrument. As a child Nenad excelled in sports, playing representative basketball in both primary and high school, and attained a junior black belt in taekwondo. He played drums throughout high school, earning First Chair in school band and receiving two Outstanding Contribution Awards for sport and music.
Teofilović studied psychology from 2003 to 2006, graduating cum laude from the University of Western Sydney, and during his tertiary studies was not musically active as he did not have access to a drum set. He continued to play basketball for the university team however, and wrote a thesis in his final year of studies on the topic of eye movements during reading.
Teofilović was gifted his first drumset in 2007 as a graduation present by his uncle at the age of 22, and bought a second and more extensive drum kit in 2009. To this day Nenad plays both kits, in both studio and live settings.
== YouTube career and subsequent success ==
In December 2008 Teofilović created a channel on YouTube, initially under the username "thekingoftempe", and released that same month a drum cover of Nickelback's signature song "How You Remind Me". After releasing a few more covers in the weeks thereafter, the channel lay dormant until 2011, when Nenad released a cover of Serbian rock group Van Gogh's song "Kolo", gaining the attention of viewers in Serbia and other countries in the greater Balkan region. He continued to release covers of songs by classic Serbian and ex-Yu rock bands, including Smak, Riblja Čorba, Generacija 5 and Kerber - Teofilović's cover of Kerber's song "Ratne Igre" (War Games) is his most viewed drum cover to date, clocking in at over 150,000 views.
In 2012 Teofilović collaborated with an online-based pop/rock group, OMiGOD, who recorded both covers and original material. Among their personnel were its founder, Montenegrin singer-songwriter Marko Šćepanović, Serbian cantautore Bojan "Chavez" Aleksić, and two popular contestants from Montenegro's wildly successful talent show "Let Ka Zvijezdama" (Flight To The Stars), Vuk MIjović and Lidija Kordić. The virtual group ceased creating content in 2013.
Teofilović has also collaborated with well-known YouTubers and musicians from Serbia and surrounding countries, including Nenad Konstantinov (yesiloveguitar), Mario Andrić (izgubljenBEC), Mersudin Velić and Miloš Stojmenović aka "Nitro Acoustic", among others. In 2014, Teofilović, along with Andrić, Konstantinov and Velić, released a single titled "Ti Najbolje Znaš" (You Know Best), which premiered on Bosnian radio station Radio Q Zenica. Teofilović is currently working on Mario Andrić's solo project, to be released in the second half of 2022.
In August 2014, Teofilović was approached by guitarist Phil Bromley to audition for Australian heavy rock band Stormbird (see below). Bromley stumbled upon Nenad on YouTube while searching for drummers - he watched Nenad's drum cover of Alter Bridge's "Come To Life" and instantly contacted him. The audition ended up taking place in October, and after three rehearsals Nenad was officially welcomed into the band on November 10, 2014. Stormbird would find moderate success on Sydney's gig circuit, and would release two self-funded extended plays before folding in November 2018. Teofilović and Bromley would, however, reunite in the rock band Nothing Like You (see below).
Teofilović continues to record and release drum covers to this day, and some of his most popular videos were recorded and released between 2016 and 2020. He has covered ex-Yu bands the likes of Bijelo Dugme, Ekatarina Velika, S.A.R.S., Divlje Jagode and Prljavo Kazalište, as well as mainstream bands like System Of A Down, Pantera, Iron Maiden, Deftones and Rage Against The Machine.
As of January 1, 2023, Nenad has amassed over 5,000 subscribers and over 2.3 million views on his channel.
== Current projects ==
=== Balkan Ethno Orchestra ===
Nenad co-founded Balkan Ethno Orchestra in July 2019 with several members of the defunct ethno ensemble Lazarikon (see below). After playing a secret show to a test audience in October, the group made their public debut to a sold-out crowd supporting Macedonian ethno music powerhouse Synthesis at Sydney's Factory Theatre in November 2019. 
In December 2019, Nenad entered Viking Lounge Mastering Studios to record drums for Balkan Ethno Orchestra's first extended play, recording five songs under the direction of famed producer/engineer Paul Stefanidis. 
Balkan Ethno Orchestra went on a mini-tour in February 2020, playing the National Multicultural Festival in Canberra, the Serbian Festival in Sydney, and supporting Amira Medunjanin on the Sydney leg of her Australian tour. Their mini-tour was lauded, with the group attaining a larger following and greater media attention, both domestic and international. The band released their first single "Gusta Mi Magla Padnala" in June 2020 to widespread critical acclaim - Teofilović filmed and edited the song's music video. Their debut extended play, "Zora" (Dawn), was released on August 14, 2020, and their second single "Kaval Sviri" was broadcast on numerous digital and FM radio stations across Australia. 
In March 2022 Balkan Ethno Orchestra played WOMADelaide alongside Farhan Shah, Courtney Barnett, Baker Boy, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, and many others. The group played two slots and hosted a workshop. Marking their first appearance at a major internationally-renowned music festival, as many as 15,000 people were reported to have gathered to see their first slot. News outlet "The Australian" praised the band for their "singular sound", while "The Sydney Morning Herald" described the group as "beguiling". 
Balkan Ethno Orchestra recorded most of the songs that will feature on their debut album in August 2021, however the album does not have a release date. The band is currently on hiatus.
=== iBand ===
In June 2020, Nenad joined iBand, a well-established Balkan pop/rock functions band based in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 2011, iBand gained a reputation as being Australia's premier functions band of Serbian and South Slavic heritage, playing weddings, christenings and private events, as well as public manifestations and festivals, and have been praised for their versatility and professional approach. Teofilović replaced founding member and former Balkan Ethno Orchestra percussionist Goran Mitrović, though he was their reserve drummer since mid-2018.
=== Sons of Mercury ===
In April 2022, Teofilović joined the popular Sydney-based covers band Sons of Mercury, initially as a fill-in drummer. He played his first show with the group on April 25, 2022, and became an instant crowd favorite. Teofilović has toured extensively with the group, playing in Bathurst, Woy Woy, Mendooran, Newcastle, Wollongong, and many other cities and towns outside of Sydney. On New Years' Eve 2022, the group performed to 12,000 people at Koshigaya Park in Campbelltown, NSW.
=== Yuniversal ===
Since late 2016, Teofilović has been working with Sydney-based ex-Yu rock/pop covers group Yuniversal, comprised of brothers Almir and Mirza Mustafić (lead guitar and bass guitar respectively), and keyboardist Dejan Simić. Yuniversal were most active between 2010 and 2015, most notably being the backing band for Bosnian singer/songwriter Valentino on his 2015 Australian tour. The band played a small taverna show in November 2017, then took a break from touring. 
Yuniversal played its first show in almost five years in September 2022, playing a gala evening for the Bosnian & Herzegovinian women's basketball team. 
On December 1, 2023, Yuniversal played a successful show titled "YU Rock Revival" alongside good friends Knot at The Factory Theatre in Marrickville, NSW. The second installment of "YU Rock Revival" took place on February 24, 2024 at the same venue, and was a financial and critical success. "Yuniversal and Friends" is scheduled on July 6, 2024, again at The Factory Theatre, alongside singers Goran Kraljević, Zoki Stamenkoski and Grand Production alumnus Denis Bjelošević. 
=== Untitled solo project ===
As far back as mid-2020 Teofilović has hinted online at the possibility of releasing a solo album (or several albums) featuring many of his friends that he has collaborated with in the past. Though still to be confirmed, it is rumored that members of Bad Moon Born, Balkan Ethno Orchestra, and other bands, as well as former members of Stormbird, are set to participate. No timeline for production and release has been given as yet.
On June 17, 2024, Teofilović posted to his social media profiles stock footage of the Serbian city of Belgrade, alongside a date (June 17, 2025) and a hashtag, "#deathinflight". It is still unconfirmed whether this relates to Teofilović's solo project.
== Past Projects ==
=== Nothing Like You ===
In September 2020, Nenad was invited to join Nothing Like You, a Sydney-based alternative rock band. Nenad knew the members of the group, having been with guitarists Phil Bromley and Fortunato Spagnolo in the heavy rock band Stormbird (see below). In November 2020 Nenad recorded drums for a three-track EP titled "Can't Fly With A Broken Wing" which after numerous delays was released on August 6, 2021.
Teofilović ceased all activity and communication with the group on November 11, 2021, after having been unfairly dismissed by the band's bass player via text message. The unnamed bass player had secretly auditioned another drummer, unbeknownst to the rest of the group, and it was revealed that Nothing Like You's replacement on drums was in fact a guitar player who assisted with engineering on "Can't Fly With A Broken Wing". Teofilović had, up until that date, been involved in pre-production for the group's second album, was responsible for the band's social media, and was instrumental in raising the group's profile. The band folded three days later.
=== Stormbird ===
Nenad joined the Australian heavy rock band Stormbird in October 2014 after guitarist Phil Bromley watched a video on YouTube of Nenad playing along to Alter Bridge's 2007 song "Come To Life". Along with bassist Justin "J.C." Currie and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Marco Moretti, the four-piece played their first-ever show at Sydney's Valve Bar in March 2015. Nenad entered the studio in January and August of that year to record tracks that would eventually make their first EP, the 2017 release "Broken".
Moretti left Stormbird in July 2016, and was replaced by original vocalist B.J. Foy. The group added Fortunato Spagnolo as a second guitarist, and played their first show as a five-piece to a packed crowd at Sydney's famous Frankie's Pizza By The Slice. Their debut EP, "Broken", was released in February 2017 after more than two years of recording and production. Stormbird toured mostly around Sydney in the subsequent months in support of the EP, and Teofilović entered the studio again in May 2017 to record drums for the group's second EP, "Scars".
The first half of 2018 saw Stormbird touring often, visiting areas outside of Sydney, such as Wollongong and the Greater Illawarra region. The band was very close with alternative rock group Nothing Like You, and played often on the same bill. Stormbird also shared the stage with bands such as Bad Moon Born, Dreamers Crime, Red Gazelle and Gravity Stone. At these shows Stormbird would feature all the songs that would make it onto their 2018 EP "Scars". The titular track was due to be included in the soundtrack to the 2019 horror film JIVA, a high-budget production filmed in Brisbane, Australia which was to be shown at the Cannes Film Festival in 2020.
Stormbird's second and final EP, "Scars" was released on November 27, 2018 to minimal fanfare, as the group had quietly dissolved two weeks earlier. Stormbird played their last show almost a month prior in Toukley, NSW. On behalf of the group Teofilović continued online activity behind the scenes, selling merchandise and promoting "Scars", and ultimately released a statement confirming the band's breakup in March 2019. Bromley and Spagnolo went on to join Nothing Like You (which Nenad would eventually join for a brief period almost two years later), while Teofilović turned his attention to Lazarikon and, subsequently, Balkan Ethno Orchestra.
=== Lazarikon ===
In October 2016, Teofilović joined Lazarikon, an ethno music group catering to Australia's Serbian Orthodox community. He was initially recruited to play only one show, however positive band chemistry combined with public pressure made Teofilović's role permanent. Lazarikon played a number of shows in the first half of 2017 before going on a year-long hiatus. The group reunited to play several more shows in the later months of 2018 and the first half of 2019. 
In May 2019 Lazarikon played Melbourne's iconic Chapel Off Chapel, a famous live music venue associated with the hit TV show "Cold: Live at the Chapel". The venue in the past hosted acts such as Coldplay, Jimmy Barnes, Noel Gallagher and Foo Fighters, among many others. This would be Lazarikon's final show, with the group dissolving in June 2019 due to creative differences and disagreements in direction.
Teofilović, along with several other Lazarikon members, formed Balkan Ethno Orchestra in July 2019.
== Other work ==
In May 2017 Teofilović recorded drums for Tom Walters's single "Marlborough".
== Artistry and influences ==
Teofilović had stated publicly that his goal for creating a YouTube channel was to improve as a drummer, and audiences have often praised him for being able to both achieve his goals and exceed expectations. Teofilović credits his viewers, as well as other musicians and drummers on YouTube, for being able to develop the skills he felt he lacked when he started out as a drummer - he often names Cobus Potgieter, Meytal Cohen, Josh Steffen, and Anika Nilles as points of reference. Viewers have called Teofilović an "inspiration", crediting him for being an "in the pocket" drummer, playing with precision and accurate timing, and have noted that he is the very first drummer of South Slavic heritage to cover songs on YouTube from the Greater Balkans.
Teofilović names David Silveria and Scott Phillips as his favourite drummers of all time, as well as the reasons for him wanting to play drums. Danny Carey, Lars Ulrich, Mike Wengren, Ray Luzier, Morgan Rose, Slobodan "Kepa" Stojanović, Vicko Milatović, Vinnie Paul, John Dolmayan, Dave McClain and Steven Manovski are cited as other influences.
== Personal life ==
Nenad is a devout Orthodox Christian. His father is a recipient of the Order of Saint Sava.
Nenad is a lifelong fan of the sports club Partizan Belgrade, and attends Partizan games when visiting Belgrade, Serbia. He actively follows basketball and is a fan of the Sacramento Kings in the NBA - Nenad wore the number 12 jersey in both high school and university in honour of his favourite basketball player, Sacramento Kings legend and NBA Hall of Famer and All-Star Vlade Divac.
Teofilović's favourite television shows are The Simpsons and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and lists The Ten Commandments, Training Day and Coming To America as his favourite movies.
In February 2024, Teofilović attained his Serbian citizenship, making him a dual national.
== Discography ==
=== Balkan Ethno Orchestra ===
* Zora (EP) (2020)
=== Nothing Like You ===
* Can't Fly With A Broken Wing (EP) (2021)
=== Stormbird ===
* Broken (EP) (2017)
* Scars (EP) (2018)
Category:Music YouTubers
Category:Serbian YouTubers
Category:Australian YouTubers
Category:Users who joined in 2008