Đorđe Miladinović: From Underground Music to Poetry

Miladinović's poetry has garnered an unexpected response, attracting interest from both the hardcore and punk communities he knows well and from poetry enthusiasts discovering his work for the first time. He is currently working on a standalone poetry collection.

As the editor-in-chief of Thoughts Words Action, Miladinović continues to write reviews, columns, and interviews while collaborating with other underground publications. In addition, he serves as a graphic designer and art director at Geenger Records, and he is involved in various music genres, including punk, metal, and harsh noise. Through his extensive experience in the DIY scene, writing has become a central aspect of his endeavors.

He differentiates between songwriting and poetry, noting that while both involve rhythm and language, they require distinct approaches. Miladinović explains, “Writing lyrics for hardcore punk songs and writing poetry are two completely different beasts... the actual approaches are miles apart.” He appreciates that poetry allows for freedom of expression and exploration without the constraints of musical structure.

When he writes poetry, music often influences his process. He describes an internal melody or rhythm that guides his writing, and the development of a poem can vary from flowing quickly to requiring multiple revisions. Despite this, he expresses the common frustration of having to discard favored lines that no longer fit the overall work.

Miladinović draws inspiration from Beat literature, citing writers like Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and Charles Bukowski, and he incorporates influences from jazz artists such as John Coltrane and Miles Davis into his poetry. His subject matter often includes darker themes like politics, social media influence, and societal observations, approaching them from psychological and philosophical angles. “If you pay close attention to what’s happening around us... you’ll find plenty of inspiration and themes to write about,” he says.

Critically observing contemporary society, Miladinović sees an increasing obsession with material wealth overshadowing ethics. He writes about both personal struggles and broader societal issues, allowing for various interpretations in his work. His contributions to “Ten Poets #3” reflect this approach, with poems addressing hardships and psychological experiences while inviting diverse readings from audiences.

His collaboration with David Gamage of Earth Island Books, who has a long-standing connection to punk culture, led to his inclusion in the anthology. Miladinović appreciates Gamage's understanding of DIY culture and values the platform it provides for introducing new voices and works.

In addition to his current projects, Miladinović is preparing his first standalone poetry collection, though it has no confirmed title or publication date yet. He remains active in music journalism, contributing to various independent publications while expecting to release more poetry in future anthologies.

“Ten Poets #3” is available through Earth Island Books, and readers can find updates on his upcoming collection by following his work on social media and at Thoughts Words Action.