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[📝 ENG Translation] Kris Guštin: Such a pace is unsustainable if you intoxicate yourself

Original article written by Katja Cah, published on 14.12.2024 in Nedelo. English translation by @kurooscoffee, review by drumbeat, proofread by @flowerlotus8

Full article below the cut 👇

For parents, there's nothing worse than the fact that you're gone.

Kris Guštin says that at home, both parents are equally prepared to jump in the car at any time and come pick him up, but in reality,it's most often done by his father, Miha Guštin — Gušti.

The guitarist of the band Joker Out is not among those musicians who walk on the edge, at least when it comes to drinking and getting intoxicated, in combination with driving a car. He shared with us how he and his father Miha Guštin — Gušti became ambassadors of the initiative 'Heroji furajo v pižamah' ('Heroes drive in pajamas').

The project 'Heroes drive in their pajamas' by Zavod Vozim is entering its eighth season. n this season, they wish to highlight the importance of strong relationships and trust between young people and their parents, and also to strengthen social responsibility when it comes to the reduction of driving under the influence of alcohol. The core message of the initiative is that the greatest heroes are sober individuals who come to pick up someone who's "merry", even in the middle of the night and in their pyjamas. Such help has been repeatedly received by 24-year-old chemical engineering graduate Kris Guštin.

What was the most decisive factor for you and your father Miha Guštin - Gušti, who's also a successful musician, guitarist and author, to step into the shoes of ambassadors? Who inspired whom?

Kris: I know the 'Heroes drive in pajamas' campaign because I was already impressed by it two years ago. Bojan¹ [Cvjetićanin, lead singer of Joker Out] was an ambassador then, and I was able to observe first-hand how it all worked. About two months ago, we got a call from Luna, the agency running the campaign. They invited me and my father to join the campaign as its main faces.

¹Bojan’s ad for the campaign ‘Heroji furajo v pižamah’ ('Heroes drive in pajamas') is available at this link.

Do you primarily mean that young people, if they've been drinking alcohol, should call their parents to come pick them up, provided their parents are sober?

Exactly. I think they chose the right father - son duo. (smile) We have a very good relationship, and we often automatically find ourselves at the same party.

Your mother, Chantal van Mourik Guštin, was, because your father was a member of the well-known rock band Big Foot Mama when she met him, always accustomed to the social gatherings that the rock 'n' roll world brings. In that world, it is somewhat taken for granted that something stronger is also drunk at a party. What kind of attitude towards alcohol exists in your house?

Alcohol is, whether we like it or not, often present not only in the Slovenian music scene but also in the global music scene. From a young age, I observed and accompanied my father on his professional journey, so I often saw people who consumed more or less alcohol at events. In contrast, my parents have always strictly insisted that there is no heavy drinking in our house, especially not in the presence of us children.

Even later in life, when I was legally allowed to drink alcohol, I didn't abuse it. I have always — and this still applies today — consumed alcohol only in the presence of people I trust. At the same time, I know I can call my parents anytime if I need their help. After all, when I was 13, my mum already said to me, just in case: "Nothing is ever so bad that you cannot tell me." That still applies today.

Do you have anyone in your close circle of family or friends who has had problems due to alcohol, including in connection with a traffic accident?

Fortunately, no.

Who in your household deserves the main title of heroic driver in pajamas?

It's a bit unfair to have to compare my parents. The fact is, they were always equally ready to jump in the car and come pick me up at any time. In reality, however, it was my father who did it more often, because he usually goes to bed later; for that reason, I always preferred to direct the first call to him.

How did your mum react to the news that she lives under the same roof as two ambassadors?

(smile) She was actually the first to forward me the email inquiry about whether we would be interested. After I suggested it to her, she said: “Of course!” and it seemed completely natural, logical; it seems like the entire campaign was tailor-made for me and my father. After my mum forwarded me the email, she probably already knew that my or our answer would be yes.

You also have a younger sister, Maja, and a brother, Maks. Would you dare to claim that everyone in the family who already has a driver’s licence is an exemplary 0.0 driver?

Regarding myself and other members of my family — besides me and my parents, my brother also has a licence — I can say that we always drive sober. I feel extremely uncomfortable just at the thought of getting behind the wheel even slightly intoxicated. It’s not just about legal obligations but also my guilty conscience. Of course, every now and then you can drink a deciliter of wine at the table after lunch. At that point, it's hard to talk about a perfect 0.0 drive, but it probably still falls within the field of what's allowed.

How did your siblings react to the new roles that you and your father have taken on?

The other day, we laughed at a family lunch about how quickly and effortlessly everything happened. The posters and campaign videos completely surprised us, which also attracted their attention.

What would you especially emphasise to your peers regarding a safe return from a party?

Certainly, first of all, they should rely on their parents if at all possible. This is sometimes easier said than done because relationships between parents and children are often complicated, and we sometimes feel that there are certain things we cannot tell them or ask of them. You have to remember that parents will never be as angry with you or as disappointed because you were drunk or under the influence of drugs and therefore couldn’t get home on your own, as they would be — God forbid — if they received a call saying that you’re gone. There's nothing worse than that.

In December, when musicians have the most performances, many people are “under the influence.” How much intoxication of any kind happens in the group Joker Out?

As far as consuming anything that can intoxicate you, we are very conservative. This has been the case since we started performing professionally and frequently; in practice, this meant about five performances per week. Such a tempo is not sustainable in the long run if you're drinking or getting intoxicated before or after events. That’s exactly why, especially in recent years, we have firmly pulled the handbrake. Backstage, instead of wine and beer, we prefer vitamin waters and ginger shots. (smile) We might indulge in alcohol as an exception after a concert on a Friday when we know that the next day we won’t have any obligations; besides, we always have our own driver at concerts.

It seems that, as an ambassador for the 'Heroes drive in their pajamas' initiative, you're not under extraordinary pressure, as this has long been your lifestyle anyway.

Of course. Honestly, the only thing that was different for me was that we dedicated one day to photographing and filming promotional ads for this campaign. Even that could have happened on any ordinary day when we have a concert.

When a life is cut short too soon because someone was driving drunk, it's extremely tragic and sad. Do you remember any case that particularly shocked you?

Yes, it happened about ten years ago. I know the brother of a teenage girl who, in Bežigrad, where we lived at the time, was hit and killed in the middle of the day by a driver who was under the influence of various substances, including alcohol. This deeply shook me, especially when I saw how terribly that event affected the entire family. It tore them apart.

Something like this can happen to anyone on any day if we're not careful and responsible enough.

Undoubtedly, that’s why it’s necessary to raise awareness about these things, because once the damage is done, it’s too late to fix it.

Kris’ and Miha’s ad for the campaign ‘Heroji furajo v pižamah’ ('Heroes drive in pajamas') is available at this link.

#joker out #jokeroutsubs #kris guštin #kris gustin #source: nedelo #type: article #jo: kris solo #og language: slovenian #year: 2024

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