Campus DJs “Neeks ‘n Brandt” gain local fame

Light and smoke fill the room. Sunglasses are donned, drinks held high. In enter two students, Nikola Zbiljic and Brandt Belisle, popularly known as “Neeks ‘n Brandt”, to cater to their crowd.

Over the past semester, the SJU duo has become somewhat of a commodity around campus. They regularly DJ at the La Playette and Sal’s in St. Joe, meshing house beats with popular hits. With the help of a production company and agent, they’re able to schedule events with lasers and smoke. Seniors Zbiljic and Belisle started about a year and a half ago, after SJU 2022 alumnus Guy Mohs showed them how to work some of the equipment.

The Global Business majors both have previous musical backgrounds; Zbiljic played the guitar, and Belise originally came to SJU on a choir scholarship. Furthering their passion made sense, as both of them have always loved the feeling that music offers.

“Music is tied to happiness for me,” Zbiljic said.

Since then, they’ve played in numerous places around the States. One of their favorite places was this last summer, where they played at a southern California university. The venue was shoulder-to-shoulder packed, and Zbiljic and Belisle enjoyed a nice skateboard ride there. They’re also going to a venue in Lincoln, Neb., this weekend, where they’ll be playing with a couple of other local DJs such as GriG music. The ticketed event is planned to have about 2,000 attendees.

When not playing out of state, they, of course, stay loyal to their Joetown bars. Zbiljic and Belisle cite a difference in the atmospheres; their events at the La are more premeditated, a scheduled show – whereas at Sal’s their performances are spur-of-themoment, often taking requests of the crowd.

“I like getting requests, ‘cuz you can feel out what people want to hear,” Belisle said.

However, it hasn’t all been up-and-coming. Zbiljic said one of their current drawbacks of DJing is the lack of originality. Without a song of their own, they have to work with others’ songs.

“When you’re a DJ, you kinda hit a ceiling,” Zbiljic said.

One of their goals is to do more of what they want; essentially, making their own music and collaborating with other artists and producers. The duo cited David Guetta and Tiesto as pioneers and hope to follow a similar path. For inspiration, the duo often watch other DJs on Instagram. But what they’re listening to for the majority of time around campus may come as a surprise: Belisle likes to plug into the Lumineers and Harry Styles, while Zbiljic ranges from house musician John Summit to old-timey balladeer Frank Sinatra.

To the excitement of many Bennies and Johnnies, Neeks ‘n Brandt have lots of things planned for the future. In a few weeks, they’re releasing a song with a big label. Meanwhile, they’ve been busy promoting their name outside of the CSB+SJU campus. They plan to perform in February at Sal’s, and at darties around town on St. Patrick’s Day and Case Day. But there is one solid date in mind: for their next big gig, catch them on March 24 at the La Playette.