Videosex
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in Ljubljana, Yugoslavia |
| Founder | Matjaž Kosi, Iztok Turk, Janez Križaj |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Ljubljana , Yugoslavia (now Slovenia) |
| Products | Synth-pop music albums and singles |
Videosex emerged in 1982 in Ljubljana as a prominent Yugoslav synth-pop group and quickly became a significant presence in the region's synth-pop movement.
By 1983, the band had solidified its core members: vocalist Anja Rupel, bassist Janez Križaj, drummer Iztok Turk, and keyboardists Matjaž Kosi and Nina Sever. Their first album, Videosex '84, achieved widespread acclaim across Yugoslavia, propelled by popular tracks such as "Detektivska priča." The group evolved artistically by integrating jazz influences into their sophomore release, Lacrimae Christi. After disbanding in 1992, Rupel embarked on a solo musical path.
1982–1992
Videosex was established in 1982, with its definitive lineup taking shape by early 1983. At that time, Matjaž Kosi (formerly with Martin Krpan), Iztok Turk (previously of Kuzle and Otroci Socializma), and Janez Križaj (also from Otroci Socializma) invited keyboardist Nina Sever and vocalist Anja Rupel to join their ranks. Rupel, whose parents were Ljubljana Academy of Music professor Feđa Rupel and singer Sonja Berce, had limited experience performing before joining the band. The name Videosex was conceived by Turk along with Dejan Knez from Laibach.
Their inaugural gig took place at the Students' Cultural Center in Belgrade, where they performed alongside punk and post-punk groups. By the end of 1983, they released their debut single featuring "Moja mama" and "Kako bih volio da si tu." In March 1984, their album Videosex '84 was launched under ZKP RTLJ, offering the hit "Detektivska priča" alongside several instrumental pieces. Following this release, Kosi left to establish the pop ensemble Moulin Rouge; Videosex continued as a quintet with one keyboardist and took part in major festivals as well as opening for Parni Valjak on tour.
Their next album, Lacrimae Christi, arrived in March 1985 and showcased jazz elements with guest keyboardist Laza Ristovski from Bijelo Dugme. Songs such as "Sivi dan" and "Tko je zgazio gospođu mjesec" gained popularity. Subsequently, Nina Sever departed and was replaced by Andrija Pušić, formerly of Na Lepem Prijazni. Anja Rupel contributed to the YU Rock Misija initiative for Live Aid, performing at the charity event held at Red Star Stadium.
Under the recommendation of Zoran Predin, Videosex recorded the mini-album Svet je zopet mlad in 1987, which featured covers of Slovene pop hits from the 1960s. This project included participation from drummer Dadi Krašnar and the RTV Ljubljana Dance Orchestra. The mini-album produced well-received tracks like "Orion" and "Vozi me vlak v daljave." During this phase, Rupel appeared in Franci Slak's film The Felons and contributed vocals to Laibach's cover of "Across the Universe" on their Let It Be album, which received airtime on MTV.
Nina Sever rejoined the group in 1988 while Janez Križaj transitioned to studio work exclusively. In 1990, Rupel collaborated once more with Laibach on their Sympathy for the Devil EP. Videosex’s final studio project, Ljubi in sovraži (1991), featured numerous guest musicians including Pušić, Krašnar, Ratko Divjak, Jani Hace, Boris Romih, and Mario Marolt. Some lyrics were adapted from an international collection of children's poetry. The band concluded its activities in 1992.
Post breakup
Following Videosex’s dissolution, Anja Rupel launched a solo career producing seven albums with a predominantly pop sound. Her husband Aleš Klinar—leader of Agropop—composed most of her music while she wrote the lyrics. Additionally, she hosted music programs on Slovenian television and radio. For her 2016 anthology Opus, she re-recorded "Kako bih volio da si tu" featuring Davor Gobac from Psihomodo Pop. Rupel also collaborated with Klinar’s group Rock Partyzani and co-wrote material for other performers.
Iztok Turk and Janez Križaj moved into music production roles; Turk worked on albums for Laibach and various alternative bands whereas Križaj concentrated on mainstream artists from Slovenia and Croatia. In 1998, Turk established the house music project Rotor, releasing two albums: Rotosphere (2000) and Phonophobia (2005). He also contributed synthesizer and programming skills to Pissmakers as well as participated in the alternative act 300,000 V.K., linked with Laibach's artistic circle. Turk composed scores for documentaries and short films.
Nina Sever pursued a career as a piano instructor before joining the marketing team at Dallas Records.
In 1997, a double compilation titled Arhiv was issued containing selections from all four studio albums plus eight unreleased tracks recorded throughout their ten-year tenure. Among these was "Ti si moja roža," originally intended for Jugovizija but later withdrawn.
In 2019, Dutch label Rush Hour re-released Videosex's debut album on vinyl format.
Legacy
The impact of Videosex continues to resonate, as evidenced by numerous reinterpretations from artists across the region. In 1996, the Serbian punk group Goblini transformed "Kako bih volio da si tu" into "Anja, volim te." The Croatian pop ensemble E.N.I. revisited "Ti si moja roža" and "Orion" in 2003. Slovenian vocalist Alenka Godec offered her version of "Ti si moja roža" in 2010, while Slovenian rock band Big Foot Mama covered "Moja mama" in 2007. Additionally, the Serbian pop group Frajle performed a rendition of "Zemlja pleše" in 2017.
In 2015, Videosex '84 secured the 58th position on Rolling Stone Croatia’s compilation of the 100 Greatest Yugoslav Albums. Furthermore, the song "Detektivska priča" achieved rank 57 in B92’s Top 100 Yugoslav songs poll conducted in 2006.
Members
- Matjaž Kosi – synthesizers, keyboards (1982–1984)
- Janez Križaj – bass guitar, programming (1982–1989)
- Anja Rupel – vocals, flute (1983–1992)
- Nina Sever – synthesizers, keyboards (1983–1985; 1988–1992)
- Iztok Turk – drums, programming (1982–1992)
Studio albums
- Videos '84 (1984)
- Lacrimae Christi (1985)
- Svet je zopet mlad (1987)
- Ljubi in sovraži (1991)
Compilation albums
- Arhiv (1997)
Singles
- "Moja mama" / "Kako bih volio da si tu" (1983)