MIKA: Music and Lifestyle Magazine Issue 3 by Gaya Designs

october 2011

SEvi band

bright sight Echo of souls

аlley sin rock ‘n’ roll

Hate campaign demigod

MIKA

music without borders

music & lifestyle magazine

luca ricci

juan

alvarez

chus 3

In this issue • CENTRE EXCUSE • Plamen K. • Code: Color! • Android Beauty • VOODOO People • E-LECT.NET • Fashion and Style

in issue 3 Editor: Raya Balfour Art director: GAYA DESIGNS Editor in chief: Monique Leon Graphic design: GAYA DESIGNS IT administration: Jason Dimitrov Project manager: Аspeia Alexieva Мarketing manager: Jason Dimitrov Event coordinator : Milen Kamenov News: Dimitar Dikov Beauty & Fashion: Silvia Mitova Creative director: Аspeia Alexieva, Atanas Stefanov Juniour Assistant: Rositca Ivanova Authors: Nicholas Hallstroem, Daryon Hallstroem, Kornelia Aleksieva, Eric LaCroix, Sarah Burton, Milena Koleva,Yuri Ivanov, Nikolay Ivanov Photography: Manuela Balocco, Eric LaCroix Correction: Elena Popova Coordinator production: Raya Balfour

2 Content 6 News 12 Code: Color! 18 Marco simoncelli 24 In Memorial 26 DJ CHUS: LIFE IN STEREO 34 LUCA RICCI: Una Historia del Amor Musical 48 Juan Alvarez 58 DJ Plamen k

content

66 centre excuse 76 SEVI 96 bright sight 104 Alley sin 116 hate campaign

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124 TVHATCH exclusive 129 Go Jane! 132 beauty Apps 136 Fashion & Style 142 voodoo People 148 Cat story! 154 E-lect: Love on! 156 Erotic massage

116 66

12 76

The cult American band “30 seconds to Mars” continues their world tour! MIKA goes behind the scenes of “Closer To The Edge” and will tell you in the November issue about the three concerts the tireless musicians will put in France! 30 Seconds To Mars is an American rock band from Los Angeles, formed in 1998 by Jared and Shannon Leto. Soon the family plans to grow. That growth is followed by the rapid change of two guitarists in the band members before Tomo Milichevich joins them and the final band is made. “This is War” is the third studio album, released by Virgin Records and EMI on December 8, 2009. The album reached the 18th spot on the Billboard 200. Alternative press from writing that this is an artistic triumph for the band, Billboard and MTV identify the album as “undeniably epic.” Entertainment Weekly said that “Leto not only aims at the moon with unabashedly epic” This Is War “, he colonizes it!” MIKA would like to express a special thank you to Elena Boydeva and the Bulgarian 30 Seconds to MARS Echelon, who organized a special surprise for musicians!

“SHUM” are back! The noisy gang, which poisons the lives of many, but is music balm for the ears of everyone else, will be playing in the cold winter night on November 25 in the club “3 Ushi”. The concert is titled “Band SHUM - Live from 3 ears in a noisy winter night”. MIKA is pleased to announce DJ Muggs European tour, which began in Geneva and will last for several months! Lawrence Muggerud, better known as DJ Muggs, is Cypress Hill’s DJ and producer. Cypress Hill is one of the most famous rap groups. Established in 1986 and has sold over 17 million copies worldwide. Its members are B Real (Louis Freese or Freeze), Sen Dog (Senen Reyes), DJ Muggs and after 1994 includes percussionist Eric Bobo.

newsflash

With their concert on 15 .10. 2011 at Club “3 Ushi” MAZE launched their first national tour. During this tour guys will be playing in club Toucan Bluzz & Rock in Sofia on November 4, 2011, Beryozka Club (Plovdiv) on 05.11.2011, in the club “Rokpoynt” (Sofia) on 12 November 2011, and also in Club “Burning Sound” in the city on November 19, 2011. The tour continues through December. On De-

cember 9, MAZE will be in the club “KDK” in Haskovo and on December, 10 they will be inclub “Bizarre” in Burgas. More tour dates are about to be announced as the tour goes. The boys will return to Sofia in December for the band’s third birthday. The concert party will be in club Toucan Bluzz & Rock on December 17. Albums can be found in stores “NA TAMNO”, “O.CH.Z.,” “Yako” and“Rock Land”.

After the long media triumph of Adele, all the top charts are still hers. Adele is on the first place in the Billboard top 100 chart. This very talented young singer and songwriter and composer makes millions of people love the beauty of her work, voice and emotion, which are put in her beautiful songs. Adele’s new DVD, which was recorded at her concert in “The Royal Albert Hall”, will be issued on November 29 from XL / Columbia Records. Currently, the young superstar is “resting for an indefinite period of time” because of problems with the voice strings. “My voice is weak and must be restored,” said Adele on her official website. Therefore, 10 tour dates in the U.S were canceled.

As MIKA already told you in the previous issue Marcus Raute and A-man (Abnormal Boyz) prepare a new remix. The name is “Bound For The World” (Standard Fair) and will be released at the end of this month.

newsflash

“Sofia Lads” is the new EP release from DJ Gosh Milushev. It will be realised by the “Black Eye Records”. EP includes two tracks: the original mix and a remix by the Argentinian DJ Rodrigo Diaz.

The new album by the American band Nickelback is called “Here and Now”. The official presentation is preceded by the release of two singles from it. The album premiere is scheduled for November 21.

Mike Shinoda (Linkin Park), is not only a composer, multi-instrumentalist, but also a singer and rapper. Now he adds film director to his list of talents. Mike speaks with great passion about the coming out action film “The Raid” (official premiere set for next year). “I have tried to do small films and television projects for sometime now, but this is the first time I am doing something so engaging and exciting.”

Slowly but gloriously, Coldplay made a brilliant breakout by throwing something against the wall and watching it stick for a long time. Their experimental performance make them one of the most commercially successful rock bands in the last 10 years. If “Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends” of the 2008th has convinced fans in Coldplay’s interest for “game styles”, the new album “Mylo Xyloto”, which was released on 24 October sets a complete color picture for their music . Along the club beats and synths sounds you hear also Rihanna.

With their latest album, Red Hot Chili Peppers once again proved to the world that they are incredibly adaptable and creative musicians. With their new guitarist Josh Klingofar, replacing John Frushiante, the Red Hot Chili Peppers show character both in composition and on stage!

newsflash

Foo Fighters! The Foo Fighters are a band that needs no presentation, but listening! The exclosive alternative band have been hold the top Billboard rock position with “Walk” for already 5 streight weeks.

Britney Spears was shocked by the incident, which happened after her show in Dublin. A 31-year-old woman who in the words of the authorities, fell from a fairwheel anddied on the spot. Spears, with a sad heart, sent her deepest condolences to the relatives of the deceased.

With a new name and two videos on their way Мy Disorder won the music competition held by Music Space and club „Alcohol“. The guys will rock on November 21 at the club.

code:

color studio 54 started the new season in Studio 5 with

http://www.facebook.com/CODECOLOR Saturday night has always been that night, which we secretly dream about all week long. An evening, wrapped in the mysterious scent of an exquisite perfume, mysterious smiles and good humor. And a lot of music, of course. When in 1996 the British band jamiroquai issued their third-studio album “Travelling without Moving” there was hardly someone who could imagine that Saturday night was possible. At least not then and there! But on October 15, 2011, exactly at 22:30, the rainy, cold autumn Sofia became a glamorous New York, in which noth-

ing is impossible. Mika‘s team was among the lucky ones who went “overseas” with stepping through the front doors of Club Studio 5 and enjoyed the luxurious and unique atmosphere of the cult nightclub Studio 54. There is hardly anyone left who hasn’t heard about the Manhattan club, which during the 90s became the throbbing heart of the global cultural and artistic elite. Namely there is the place where ideas and imagination find inspiration and give impetus to a number of cultural changes in the global view. So the night life is changed forever. 13

Studio 5 certainly canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be confused with any other institution. That is because Studio 5 is not just yet another place, where you can meet friends, but a different and very special place, which quickly becomes your friend, impressing you with its own identity and comfort. But thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s not all - Studio 5 is more than that.

Studio 5 is primarily a spiritual center. That impressed us very deeply. Everything here conducts creativity, spirituality and positive energy. Therefore, it is no surprise that the beating heart of the club is the scene. The scene - alike everything else in Studio 5 - has its own genuine aura. The stage has hosted many exception-

al musicians from different generations and styles; many theatrical productions; book launches and film premieres. The club is professionally and technically equipped to hold any concerts, performances, festivals, promotions and events. When you combine this unusual atmosphere packed with artistry and grace with

the phenomenon Code:, then nothing in this Saturday night canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be anything less than magical. So, like Alice, who astonishingly steps through the mirror, Mika emerged into the world of Studio 54! Thanks to CODE:COLOR! and their inspiration to create real parties with unique atmosphere and design, Studio 5 greeted 15

us to the magical atmosphere of an event from a new level. For one evening we moved to New York, with the love of decadent lifestyle club and the brilliance of the unique experience. It would not be exaggerate if we say that we were deeply impressed. A unique visual feast revealed itself just before our eyes! Of course, this was not a coincidence. The visual design ideas are entrusted into the hands of VJ Lubo Petrov,

who creates the visual should check out the upmagic, especially for the coming dates. The idea series CODE: COLOR!. of CODE: COLOR! is to make hip parties and the But what is an adventure sponsors are successfully without music?! The mu- dealing with this task. The sic was provided by DJ club scene in Bulgaria will Stefan Dega and DJ toK- never be the same after Kah, who were joined by CODE. the brass section, consist- And you are you ready for ing of Todor Bakardzhiev adventure? Collision and - trumpet, Kiril Zafirov - music. Actually, a lot of trombone and Denis Pop- music! Because music is everything and everything stoev - saxophone. If you have not been to is music. And COLORs. any of the parties of the (Editorâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s note. wordplay CODE: COLOR!, then you color). 17

Маrco Simoncelli „We’ll miss you, Marco! It was a pleasure to watch you ride. You will stay forever in our hearts and in our thoughts, and we will remember with love. MotoGP will never be the same without you!“ Barbara & Charlotte Bray, England

On 23 October 2011 at 16:56 in Malaysia after a brutal crash, the motor sport lost one of its most charismatic figures - the amazing twenty-four-year-old Italian rider Marco Simoncheli. by Nikolay Ivanov

arco Simoncelli was born on January 20, 1987 in Cattolica, Italy. His racing career began in 1996 when he was only nine years old but he competed for the Italian Championship Minima. He won the Championship both in 1999 and 2000. From 2002 up until 2005 he competed

in the MotoGP 125 cubic class, and it was in 2005 when he finished fifth in the final standings. Although his performance results aren’t that good, Simoncelli is the only rider that graduates to eighth place contestant and received an invitation for the next year to compete in the 250 cc class. In 2006, Marco

joined the team of Guilherme Metis. His first season was impressive but at the end he lacks only seven points to win the prize „Newbie of the Year“ for which he fought until the last round with Shuhey Aoyama. Simoncelli’s first victory won is on June 1, 2008 at the track „Mugello“ in his native Italy.

However the victory is marked by scandal too. One lap before the end of the race Marco tilted to the left to block Hector Barbera, Barbera ran into him and the Italian rider won the race just with three seconds ahead. There are a lot of calls for sanctions against Simoncelli, but the more serious 19

penalty is saved and Marco received only a verbal warning from the Safety Commission MotoGP. After the victory in Catalonia, Germany and Australia and after a third place in Malaysia, on October 19, 2008 Marco Simoncelli is finally pronounced the Italian world champion. His career in the MotoGP super-

class of began in 2010 when â&#x20AC;&#x17E;Sideshow Bobâ&#x20AC;&#x153; (Sideshow Bob is a characterfromtheanimated series The Simpsons with hair similar to that of Simoncelli. It is because of that similarity Marco was nicknamed after the cartoon character) joined the team San Carlo Honda Gresini. His first season is not particularly strong - he finished eighth in the rankings. His talent is obvious,

for his reckless driving. Earlier the same year during the Grand Prix in France, he hits with Dani Pedrosa due to late braking and even got a penalty. Whether this incident could have been avoided, and whether something could be done prevent such dreadful crashes Before that fatal from happening crash Simoncelli in the future is the received warnings question. And the however, and experts predict that next year will be pleasantly surprised. On October 23, 2011, however, during the Malaysian Grand Prix after the incident with Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi during the second lap Marco drops his helmet and gets a hit, which ultimately proved to be fatal.

answer according Franco Uncini, representative for the security of competitors at the MotoGP, is no. Franco Uncini believes that the track is perfect as regards safety. Curious fact is that Marco Simoncelli himself was a member of the committee that is actively helping to reduce risk. In the end perhaps the most 21

dren. I saw how he always stepped up to the maximum. He crashed many times, but with no serious injuries. He was invincible. What happened „For me he was like a little today seems impossible. brother. So strong on the „- Andrea Dovizios, Repsol track and so cute in nor- Honda team mate mal life. I will miss very much.”- Seven-time cham- „Rest in Peace, Marco. pion Valentino Rossi. We lost a special talent. „„Marco was a strong Marco Webber, Formula 1 competitor and gave ev- driver. erything from himself. We rode together as chil- „Sideshow, we miss you. appropriate way to honor the life of Marco Simoncelli is to show what he meant for his colleagues and fans.

Each racing weekend was full of shouting in support to Marco „Sideshow Bob“ Simoncelli. With pain in my heart I say, that you will speed up in Heaven! You are a true born legend and you will never be forgotten! I was convinced that you will become one of the best riders in the history! Your portrait will be framed on my wall. To me, you will always be the champion! Rest in peace, Marco”- Tracy French,

roaring to limit. He seemed happy and smiling. He was „We’ll miss you, Marco! It one of the greatest personwas a pleasure to watch alities in motor sports, we you ride. You will stay for- will miss him so much. „ever in our hearts and in Kevin Trainor, Bristol, Engour thoughts, and we will land remember with love. MotoGP will never be the „Marco was the one I look same without you!“ forward to watching each Barbara & Charlotte Bray, race. In recent years, he quickly became my favorEngland ite and all that came after „Marco made MotoGP years during which I was pleasant to watch. He was a fan of Rossi. While many brave and his engine was of us knew him only from Scotland

MotoGP races, all feel this dreadful loss. There was something special in him. He was a mischievous devil with charisma, who was destined to become great. I was looking forward to his first victory. Too bad now this will never happen. I am so sorry that now we will never see him become the world champion he was meant to become. MotoGP will never be the same without him.“- Stephanie, Melbourne, Australia. 23

e-LEct exclusive by Yuri Ivanov

Steve Jobs is that genius to whom we owe the enormous technological progress in the last 30 years and the unprecedented improvement in living standards throughout the world.

It was Thursday, 5th October, when the founder of the Apple Corporation, Steve Jobs, died. I will not comment on how great is this loss, but he was one of no more than a dozen people whose genius we owe the enormous technological progress in the last 30 years and the unprecedented improvement in living stan-

dards throughout the world. Jobs‘ death enlightened the talents of a 19-yearold student from Hong Kong, whose tribute has become a„virus“. It was a good example in today‘s article. To set up a counterpoint, before Jobs‘ genius, the Bulgarian genius coolly has wandered around the Internet. I got

a mail from bookstore „Helicon“ titled „Steve Jobs dies.“ In ittherewas nothing mentioned about Jobs‘ death itself , but there was an advertisement of the last book about the founder of Apple. I have no words to describe my contempt for those senseless „human beings“ , who use such a tragedy about someone

in such ungly ways . So I‘ll leave the story speak for itself. And the owners of „Helicon“ should be happy to do business in Bulgaria because whether did people in the west knew about their discraseful actions, „Helicon“ would have been suffering from a severe „penance“ from their customers. 25

LIFE IN STEREO

CHUS

DJ CHUS is the artist who not only created but also fully developed a brand new trend in house music: the Iberian house music. However, the talented Spaniard knows no rest and is non-stop working on numerious projects. MIKA finds DJ CHUS at club Yalta, Sofia, where he is the star of the upcoming party. DJ CHUS, we are pleased to welcome you to Bulgaria! Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;ve created a whole new trend in house music: Iberian house. But what started all this? What made you become a DJ,

composer and producer? I think it is more correct to say that I was chosen by the music. You cannot choose just like that the music at one point in his life. That can never happen. The music chooses you in the very first moment you were born into this world. This is a way of

life. And I live this way for more than 18 years now. How do you choose the tracks in the set list for parties? Above all, I have a general idea of for the set list. Of course, this idea is related to the topic of the respective parties. Then I tune into 27

the atmosphere of the club and I listen to the people who are in it. I observe the spirit of whole party. Each and every place is different and has its own specifications. As a result, a universal set that is applicable to all clubs cannot exist at all. Have you got the practice to experiment with unfamiliar tracks? Yes, sometimes I do that.

You have a track with our own Bulgarian DJ Pepo! Oh, yes. It’s called „Shopska Salata“! Did you hear it? It turned out very good. I love „Shopska salata“! What is your biggest achievement with Stereo Productions up to now?

Well, that is certainly the creation of Iberian Sound. Over the time the Iberian style house has become a global trend. It has been adopted and supported by artists and producers from all corners of the world. The Iberian style is my trademark. It’s an amazing mix of hypnotic house, warm and rich tribal flavor, that give an additional charge of naturalness and charm of modern techno house.

Who do you think have the greatest impact on the house scene? The music evolves and changes constantly and more and more producers are able to demonstrate and bring significant changes to it. We cannot give or talk for just only one name. House is plastic music that is formed as a philosophy and style under the influence of many different tracks by different artists. All these deposits lead to the evolution of music. A track can only give the head start. How has you sound changed over the years? It has deepened and grown. And along the way it has picked additional various new elements. My sound changes with every passing record. But when you come to think of it, it would be extremely boring if every track sounded the same way as the track before, right? You were a guest DJ in clubs all over the globe. Is there a DJ or artist has who most influenced you? Maybe this is the maestro Danny Tenaglia. He has a certain way to enchant people with music and rhythm. With a long career as yours, could you tell us how to make a track that will withstand the time? There are no specific rules, but most importantly, it should be making music with soul. Music that says something important. And an artist should never stop looking for an original approach and new sounds, new beats. They 31

How does DJ Chus feel in stereo? I feel good. And proud. For Stereo Production is growWhat is the difference between ing very quickly. A lot of efforts were made to reach a good and a great the place where we are now. DJ? Oh, that‘s a lot of work, great And those efforts and expesound and good sense of rience go into making music and DJ-ing. It’s not only luck. music. It‘s about hard work, lots of music ... and yes, a little bit „How do you feel of good luck. in stereo?“ it has been asked in one of What can we expect your biggest hits. are at the heart of dance music.

soon from DJ Chus? Many things. Various projects are being implemented every week. You can follow my www.djchus.com site for more information. I can tell you one thing – there are a lot of surprises to be revealed! You are the man behind the Madonna’s remix „Hung Up“. What is it like to make a remix

for Madonna? One day I received an email from Orlando Pertas from Warner, who asked me if I would like to work on a remix. He didn’t say which artist we were about to work with. Only after that I realized that it was a remix for Madonna. I worked on remixes with my good friend and colleague Ceballos. The

initial thing we noticed was the excessive use of sample piece of Abba „Gimme, gimme, gimme“. These samples didn’t sound like Madonna for us. We were getting 30 seconds samples of the song and were working on them piece by piece. It was in the very end, when we could hear the complete remix and say

the project. A DJ have to think about the idea and the story he will The remix of tell the music. The „Hung Up“ by elements we place Chus & Ceballos in a track sometimes require more time to is over 10 develop into a comminutes long? We are DJs and it is plete composition. well known that a DJ That is why the time needs to complete track length is not a its work perfectly no criteria to be watched matter what. You can’t for. Tracks tell stories. think of a time when They mark time not you are working on the other way around. „Yes, now this is Madonna“.

una de amor

photo: Georgi Todorov

historia

musical

There are artists who create music. There are artists who promote music. And there are artists who take music to the next level. Such a bright and talented artist is the Italian DJ & Producer Luca Ricci. Born and raised in Ischia, a beautiful island located in the gulf of Naples, Italy, Luca is the man behind the exquisite house hits “The Love You Need”, “Una Historia de Amor” and “The Inside That Counts”. It is more than a pleasure to meet Luca as he visits Yalta club in Sofia for his “My Girlfriend is a…Freak” party. It is an honor. Despite the rainy and cold weather outside, Luca is like the sun cheerful and energetic, - and his face lightens up even brighter as we begin talking about music. Music is in his blood.

Hello, Luca! We are so glad to meet up with you! How are you doing? Hello, Mika! I’m great. I have just arrived in the club and I am ready for the “My Girlfriend is a…Freak” party, here in Yalta club! Visiting Bulgaria is always a pleasure and I hope you like the party that my friend Juan Alvarez and I have planned for you. I hope that the pouring rain won’t stop people to come and see us, because there are some really nice surprises in store.

www.lucaricci.com http://www.facebook.com/lucariccidjfan http://www.myspace.com/lucaricci http://soundcloud.com/aenaria-recordings http://www.facebook.com/aenariarecordings

are Yalta Club in Bulgaria, the Vaticano Club in That is wonderful Portugal, Pervert Lounge in and we will defiMexico City and Q club in nitely stick around Zurich just to name a few. to find out! You are But the locations aren’t an international all that important to me. DJ. You have played In my opinion it‘s not only in a lot of places the place – club or venue all over the world. – that makes it special or That must be quite favorite. It’s the crowd and the fun. Of all the the energy in the room that places you have catches my heart. played, which is I think the club is like a your favorite? library or a school, no, I have played in a lot of even better – a university! places around the globe – You go to the club to learn from Pacha, New York all about the music. You the way up to Beach Party get the chance to meet in Singapore. Then there various artists and learn

from the source. The great thing about music is that it is the ultimate universal language. You are a Bulgarian and I am an Italian. We speak different native languages. But when the beat starts and the music flows, it doesn’t matter what nationality you are. All that matters is the way you feel about the music that is playing and the core of emotions that reaches into the soul. Music connects people in a universal everlasting circle of ideas, emotions and inspirations. It is how the magic works. 37

photo: Georgi Todorov

Therefore, the club is an educational institution. You go to the club to learn and meet people like you. Back in the day, in Italy, and I’m sure everywhere else too, when

you go to the club you enter another world. The differences cease to exist. All that matters is the music. You learn what is new, what is hip. In the days when I started making

my first steps as a DJ, house music was starting to emerge on the musical scene. It was something completely new. We went to the club to learn what house music is all about,

what good house is and how to make good house music. You can’t read that in any book, you have to feel it. House music is all about feelings. Deep feelings. It is

that unique ever-changing genre that allows one person can make a change in other people’s lives and vice a verse. Because it is the music we share that

connects everyone and is larger than life. A club can be defined as “a place where you go to listen to music”. Music is the gravity that pulls everyone 39

photo: Georgi Todorov

together. You go to the club – listen to the new tracks, get inspired and live through the emotion the artist has put into the track and by listening to the music you start learning about it. You learn what is good and what is not so good. As you look

at your friends – you learn about them too. What they like, what sound they prefer, what beat is their favorite and which artist makes them feel different emotions. In a way the DJ reveals his/ her inner self to his audience via his/hers music. The

sequence of the tracks that a DJ plays corresponds to his emotional state. The connection with the DJ is inevitable. But it goes the other way around. The DJ feels the room, the vibe, the people and the space between them. It is like a

complex and at the same time really fragile network of emotions that starts with the music key tones. The DJ plays the music from his deck which is usually staged above the audience. In that way, he or she can observe the people and catch up on any

changes of the mood and the energy in the room. The DJ is like a shaman that opens his mind to the people – you can feel the energy flows through the room. It is simple, yet brilliant. I think that the complexity of the human soul can only be revealed by the music. The music is everything. And it’s the music that surrounds you. I’ve been in Bulgaria already several times and I think you have a very unique music climate. You are openminded and fresh in every way. And you have the great unique opportunity to meet DJ artists from all over the world and learn directly from them. For instance, I heard that Sandy Rivera was here a few weeks ago. Today it is me, and the next week will be DJ Chus. And you have really great resident DJ-s such as my friend – Juan Alvarez.

Why and how you’ve got involved with music? I have always been fascinated with music. Actually music runs in my family. I started playing guitar at age nine. My grandfather bought me

my first guitar and ever since that moment, music is a big part of my life. When I was a teenager, I used to go to clubs to observe how DJs spin. I started going out on Sunday afternoons to a small club to watch and spend time with DJs as they were working their magic! After spending hours upon hours of watching and studying the DJs, I decided it is time to venture into a life of music. There was this video of the DMC World Championships that was very influential for me to make the transition to DJ-ing myself. After spending countless days watching and practicing the video, I started scratching and mixing to the sounds of Run DMC, the Beastie Boys and Public Enemy. My passion for music never stopped and in 1998 I found my way to London, where I got the opportunity to meet some of the most respected DJs and producers. If memory serves me well, it was in 2003 and it was also the year when “The Love You Need” was made. How do you get inspired? Tell us how a day in the studio goes. How do I get inspired? Allora, I listen to a lot of music. I don’t 41

limit myself to electronic music. When an artist listens only to electronic music, he limits his own creativity and blunts the point of view. I listen to jazz, funk, groovy and soul. I really like Aretha Franklin. Ever since I was a boy, I am surrounded by music. Being involved with music from such an early age really shapes the character and develops an exquisite taste for music. What advice will you give to new artists? Be humble and focus on the music. It‘s always about the music! If you think of logos and t-shirts, you can’t be a real musician! Keep one eye on the future, one on the past – music and technology wise! And never stop listening to music. You have your own record label: The Aenaria Recordings Studio. How do you like having your own record label? Yes, Aenaria Recordings Studio is my own little world to share with the music industry. Of course, having a record label requires a lot of work! Still it is fun and it‘s definitely a different way 43

to express your ideas. The greatest thing is to be able to help out new talent in this business. I have recently come across an artist, he is only twelve years old but he is so very, very talented. You really should check him out. I keep an eye on the biggest and the smallest artists. I like to shop for all kinds of music; I don‘t like to stick with one sound only. I think you have so much good music out there to find and listen to. I like to have a plan on how my whole set is to be played, but I also chose the tracks in correspondence to the mood in the room. What makes a good track a great one? There is no universal recipe for making great tracks. Again, it is all about the feeling and creating a track with a soul that perches from the key tones to the hearts of the listeners. It all starts with a feeling of the DJ/Producer and

then it goes from there. A good track makes you feel. A good track never leaves you without a feeling. Music is all about feelings. Is the rivalry competition between the DJs a good one? Yes, indeed, it is. The competition is a form of learning. As music deepens and evolves it is necessary to keep in pace. What better way than to learn from the others? It‘s nice to show respect and share a DJ booth with other DJs, no matter who opens for whom. The music and party is about sharing, it‘s a community! Music is connecting us. It’s a network. Actually, it’s a family. Who‘s your favorite DJ? Maestro Danny Tenaglia. If you could remix one track, which one would you do? That would be „Imagine“. It’s in my top ten favorite records. Do you prepare your sets? How and when? And of course, tell us a little secret: how do you choose your tracks for the sets you play? Yes, I prepare a raw version 45

piracy policy. I keep all my music (that I shop or I receive from labels) in digital version; I keep the receipts too, so I can prove that it‘s all legal and not piracy. I use „iTunes“ to organize my music.

of the set I will play – what goes with the theme of the party and what my audience would like to hear. I’d like to know my audience. What kind of sound do they like and what do they expect to hear. The Bulgarian audience is one of the best. You are hungry for music and yet you have developed a

very sophisticated taste for it. Usually I start to prepare my DJ set a couple of days before the event, as I like to edit music from others beside my own productions. I‘m also working on my live act, so it takes some time for programming in the studio but then the rest is made on „the flow“, feeling the moment and

the crowd. Each gig is a lesson learned in action and of course an example for a different new story. Where do you get your records from? The internet - Beatport, and all the rest of the digital shops. Also, promos I receive for Aenaria and from other labels.

And the vinyls? Ah, the vinyls! I like them so much. But travelling around with bags of vinyls is not practical anymore. I have lots of vinyls but they stay at home. The technology and the Internet allow you to be way more light, mobile and yet well informed as before. Thanks to the technological development there are no borders anymore. It does not matter if you are in Sofia, Bulgaria or in Ischia near Naples, Italy or a whole world away in China or in photo: Georgi Todorov Los Angeles. The world is connected. Everyone is connected. Everything is With all the connected. travelling you do,

how do you pack your DJ bag? Light or heavy? There is this thing - I don‘t burn CD‘s anymore. It‘s illegal in some countries to play from a CD-R and as an artist I am against the

If you could, how would you define music? Well, I couldn’t… It is simply not possible for a man to define music. Music is not to be defined. It is to be

felt. Music is an art to me, music is for the body and mind. Music is freedom! Music is everything? Music is in everything. Then, how would you define your style in three words? Still difficult, but let’s say: electronic deep feelings. Our interview is over and Luca heads up to the DJ booth. We will certainly stick around for the party that he has in mind. With such a deep and profound understanding of the music, he really leaves us breathless and wanting more and more music. He is known for his different taste of music and the art of mixing various styles in his sets. “My Girlfriend is a…Freak” party is definitely the best occasion for those who like the different sounds of music. Luca Ricci is not only a DJ, he is a complex artist who never stops to explore and push the frontiers of the sound. Music is everywhere. Progress is irreversible. Liking Luca Ricci is inevitable. 47

juan alvarez for the talented

music is a calling!

In this issue Mika is pleased to introduce you to a very interesting musician, artist and a person. His name is Juan Alvarez. He is the resident DJ at Club Yalta for already seven years, He has worked alongside a lot of famous musicians from the world electronic music scene and he has never stop to improve himself. With a variety of sets that make the audience to dance, and with a surgical precision and skill, Juan Alvarez is one of the brightest names in Bulgarian music scene. http://www.juanalvarez.dj/ info@juanalvarez.dj http://www.facebook.com/pages/Juan-Alvarez-DJ-Official/ Hello, Juan! Tell us more about yourself! Hello, MIKA. My name is Juan and thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s all ...(Just kidding, of course!). I work as a professional DJ since 1994. At first it all started as a joke as I enrolled in a music class. 48

This is something I did like that â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for own amusement. See, music has always attracted me with its huge power, vast opportunities for development and the magic that holds. Ever since I was very little, I started to use music as my greatest motivator and

inspiration. By that time the house music was so much different than we know it today. It was the very first days of house. I worked with the hits and all musical styles, but with the advent of electronic music, I fell in love with house immediately. 49

House music has developed and changed quickly and this is something that intrigued me even more. At that time I worked in the cult club where we had theme evenings. I made my first theme night a house music night in 1998. The most interesting of all was that many people around me somehow refused to accept this certain type of music as a music at all. That fact surely motivated me to impose it. House music is not just music. Through house people express a lot of beautiful things, feelings and pictures from your inner world and imagination. I remember that there were times when I talked to my friends and the electronic music theme was brought up, at once our positions used to get very strongly divided ... That was a strong motive for me. Is there anything stronger than wanting to convince your friends that are making a mistake by judging one music genre without knowing it? Of course, initially my friends were angry with me and even used to stop talking to me for days, but eventually music prevailed everything. What inspires you? Hmmm ... everything! Wherever I go, whatever I do ... All those little things that bring color into everyday life. And all those things that bring up emotions and feelings. For example, when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;m at a party with friends, there are moments that are captured in my mind, leaving emotions in me. Momentslike when Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m in a brand new and interesting place. I have my favorite places where I go just to listen to music because music is my greatest inspiration. Each and every detail can be 51

inspiration when I’m in the studio working. Who are those people, who has influenced the most your music? And why? When I first stood behind the DJ console, I just wanted to do everything well and I was so worried about that – doing the right thing. There were a lot of comic situations around that, some funny, while other entertaining. As I began working very quickly, I had to dive into the vast ocean of music, so I can give the best of me. That was the time when I listened to pretty much any and all kinds of music. I used to get together with some friends and exchange tons information on what we have discovered and listened to from the records we were able to find. Those were the times when you manage somehow to find a very unique music. Soon I have gathered and listened to lots of mixes by DJ Jean, Peter Rauhoffer, Danny Tenaglia, Boy George, Pete Tong and these are the

people from whom I took a lot in my work as a DJ. DJs like Victor Calderone, Tall Paul, DJ Vibe, later, Miguel Migs, a well as musicians and groups Orbital, Jean Michel Jarre have a strong influence on me too. Apart from that, I have listened a lot toThe Beatles. A friend at school once gave me one of their tapes. I was very impressed and asked him for others too. And so with every passing day I found myself more and more surrounded with the music and music people. The profession of a DJ is closely related to the human beings! The biggest influence for me is Yanni. I’ve discovered Yanni a long time ago in a rather interesting way. I walked into a music store with a great desire to buy a few new CDs with music. Okay, but the store I am talking about in this story, was very poorly stocked. Maybe because those were the first days of the compact discs and I was slightly disappointed that I was about to leave without finding anything interesting to buy. Finally, I just liked the title and cover of Yanni’s album

from the 1990. But then when I came home, and let played it ... you know ... I loved it so much! What is like to be a DJ? Well, that’s an interesting question! Both interesting and fun! Despite that being a DJ has its difficulties too. Perhaps the biggest difficulty comes from the fact that many people do not recognize the DJ-ing as a profession and do not attach importance to the fact that somewhere stands a man who selects and cares for something bigger than the material world. However, lately things tend to change and DJs began to be evaluated more seriously. A lot of people came by the studios to be DJs, fascinated by the magic of this type of communication with the audience and back respectively, many DJs starts to produce and this movement is important because it changes and raises the figure of the DJ on the stage itself. Being a DJ and a producer are two very important and related activities. It would not be very far-fetched to say 53

that DJ is the â&#x20AC;&#x17E;surgeon on the dance floor. The responsibility is not small, you know. Well, yes, certainly not in the literal term. But yet

on the dance floor, a good DJ should be good enough to get a satisfactory result after his intervention and to make people dance and

have fun. WHAT makes a GOOD track? And a good set? Most importantly,

the track is made with feelings and desire. And in the track you can feel the author and the emotion that he has invested. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

this recently observed phenomenon to make as many tracks as possible in pursue of commercial purposes, which in turn results immediately on the quality of the tracks themselves ... When one set contains a suitable selection of tracks, because each set has a direction, so to speak, towards where the artist will lead the audience, that is a good set. Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a difference when the set track selection is made for a live presentation at the club or it is meant for a radio streaming or just for the artist to presents himself. The purpose of the set, enrolls the next step in the selection of tracks in it. If one set fails to capture the listener, then this set is no good for me.

honored to work with a lot, if not all big names in the music industry. Yalta Club is a very serious benchmark for quality in the Bulgarian club scene. So the preparation for each party is serious. Always I have in mind with whom I will play, what is the focus of his style, how long will the sets take place ... Last but not least, each party has its own spirit and gives emotion that everyone accepts for itself in a different way. For me it is important to approach professionally from beginning to end, to learn what the audience awaits and to bring them into the next tracks. That is how a DJ starts building and this set building is a complete experience ... No one knows in advance which tracks will be played exactly. The clearHow do you er idea of that comes choose the tracks only when the DJ comes for your own in contact with the audisets? ence. Then everything As I said, it is important to falls into place. Initially have a clear idea of what yes, you have a general is the purpose of the set. plan for the track list, but As a resident DJ at Club the contact with the pubYalta, I am pleased and lic changes everything.

WHAT do you expressed in the music? Feelings and emotions that I want to share with my friends and fans. Something I want to show them and to make them feel. WHAT are you listening to? Oh, I listen to all kinds of music: from classics up to rock, soul, funk, jazz, chill out and pop. Music is different and much depends on my mood when I rest, travel, work, dream or think. Tell us about your best party so far? For me, every time a DJ stands in front of his fans, he reads their need of music and their expectations. Each DJ is aware of this. But still there are no guarantees if the party will be one hundred percent good. The best award for a DJ is to hear the opinion of his fans. That is the call that determines how good or bad a stage performance of a 57

specific live show is. Tell us about the link between a DJ and the audience? The relationship is so strong that without it, there is no possible way for a DJ or an audience to exist with the absence of the other. This link is based on exchange of emotions and feelings that go in both directions. When this happens, the result is obtained with a party atmosphere that is remembered for a long time. Meeting with fans is an integral part of the work of DJ. Friends and fans come to share their opinion on the track that grabbed their attention and they ask detailed questions to show interest. There are also a lot of people who are connected with the music world in some way, who come and talk to me and share what impressed them and how. How has MUSIC been developing ever since you started DJ-ing?

WHAT IS THE MUSIC SCENE / club scene in BULGARIA. And what is to be a young and talented person IN BULGARIA? Music is constantly evolving, with different rates, but always for the better ... The Music scene in Bulgaria is quite mature and dynamic, with different kinds of interesting events for people with any taste. I do not think there is someone here who will complain that Bulgaria lacks musical events ... Recently in Bulgaria were made a lot of quality events for the electronic music. In that line of thought, letâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mention the SOLAR Summer Festival, and the large number of clubs with such direction. That all indicates that we really have a scene for electronic music and something more - we have a Bulgarian representative at the # 19 position in the world charts. As the technical evolution unfolds, it is way easier for the really tal-

ented artists to rise if they really work hard. The world is already connected enough and there is scope for better communication, exchanging experience and information. Of course, all this holds its difficulties, but it is really worth the try. WHEN you are in the studio composing and mixing, what makes you think you are making a good track with good feeling for rhythm? Well, I think, first of all, the track must comply with the musical canon, if it can be called such, and then I think that each piece has its own charm. Each and every track has its own style and information, emotions that makes us feel different things. Tracks are places - everyone is able to find their own place, respectively track. Overall, this is the charm of music as a whole: each track is different and everyone find oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s place in the music. There is no ready 59

recipe for a hit. It‘s a view shared by producers, musicians and ordinary listeners. When I do music, I put myself in the position of the listener, who first is listening the track for a very first time. And that track leaves me motionless and I don’t feel anything at all, then there is something seriously wrong with the track. Do you play experimental tracks at

your parties? with Radio NOVA. I do. Sometimes I play a whole track, sometimes How would you only a fragment of it or just define your style in part of the idea that I’m three words? creating. Ha ... Hey, you got me! I can do in less than three. SimWHERE CAN LISTEN to ply... Juan! you spinning LIVE? In Club Yalta, where I am Are you WORKING now a resident DJ for a ON NEW SONGS AND seventh year. I also par- PROJECTS? ticipated in a lot different Yes, and I hope that you events. And I’m working a will like things that I have in new project in collaboration mind.

He is young. He is unpredictable. And music is an inspiration. Meet

plamen k.

Tell us more about yourself? How did you choose the music as your career path? My name is Plamen Kunov. I was born in Plovdiv and I am 23 years old I am. I work as a sales consultant and my time besides that is devoted to music. I decided on a music career in my early childhood. I started writing lyrics and my dream was to become a

rap artist. That desire changed when I discovered the electronic music in the face of Leftfield, Orbital, Underworld, Astral Projection. It was back in 2006 when I met Ivan „d-phrag“ Filipov, who quickly became my best friend, colleague and mentor. Ever since then, I could say that my career in music was determined with my interest in electronic music… or rather you could say mixing

fluenced your musical taste and creativity? Why? First and foremost will be uncle, who What is your showed me the inspiration? I am inspired by ev- magic of the elecerything around me. tronic music for the The people around first time ever. Ivan, me, the sounds of who I already mennature and even tioned, also had a big the weather if you influence to my music will – there are sim- as he taught me how ply so many things not to confine myself that could make me to the style. I learned build a concept for a from the work of the new set. well-known John Digweed, that any style of Who are the music can be incorporated into a set regardpeople who ina few unique ideas / tracks/ to make one really inspirational set.

l e s s your set list? How of the do you choose the spe - songs? What’s the cific spirit at one of your c i r - parties? cum- I choose my tracks, according to the mood that they transmit, when I hear them in first stances. place. I usually prepare 5 to 10 tracks before each party, What makes a good but I rely more on improvisatrack? What about tion. As Chuck Norris would one set? say, “I do not choose them, That will be the harmony they choose me”. As for the between the sounds in the party mood, you can find out track. The track should also for yourself on November 11, be memorable but not easily 2011 as I am playing with my to recognize able as any pop friend D-phrag at Club Plazma song you hear on the radio. in Plovdiv. And last but not least, the track should be made with How is the music love, which can be felt as a developing since you vibe throughout the track. “A started mixing? good set”does not mean how It’s developing all right, but I good it is remixed. Recently a am far from stating that it has well-known producer and reached its peak. Every develDJ said: „Even if you catch a opment has its tides. There are monkey and you have taught periods when so many good it how to mix, it will mix re- tracks are released. Unfortually good in 99% of cases. nately, there is a huge percentA good set does not define age of the new tracks that are how good it is remixed, but just cases of bad production. in the selection of the tracks. „. I stand behind those words, When you compose, too. That is what makes a set what are the a really good one. guidelines by which you judge if the How do you choose track is ready to be the tracks for a set? released and that it How do you prepare has a good sense of

http://www.plamenk.com http://www.soundcloud.com/plamenk https://www.facebook.com/plamenk3y http://www.mixcloud.com/plamenk http://www.myspace.com/plamenkey

rhythm? I think a good track should stand out from thousands of tracks. It must be recognizable, but not commercial. It should also be distinctive, but not too repetitive. For the moment, I do not compose. Do you play experimental tracks on your parties? I play many tracks by talented young producers, who are also happen to be my friends – for which I am thankful to them. Where can we hear you live? I am hosting a party at Club Plazma (Plovdiv) on November 11th. How would you define your style in three words? Unpredictable, touching, distinctive! Hehe. Are you working on new ? I am currently working on a new project, which will be announced very soon. All that I can say for now is that it is an going to be a guest mix, which will play on a British Radio station, which name I will announce later on Mika. 65

centre excuse

Centre Excuse are a hard hitting, trio creating a fresh sound, that fuses their own contemporary 80’s style synth pop with the raw energy of punk rock. The band is formed by Teddy Lewis (vocals, keyboards and guitar) and brothers Jamie (vocals, guitar and bass) and Adam Rush (drums). Their unique sound is created through crafting intricate layers of driving rhythms, catchy melodies and meaningful, sometimes almost poetical lyrics. Performing live is the where the bands passion truly lye’s and it was from being immensely impressed after watching a frenzied audience of around 300 people overwhelmingly chanting and dancing to Centre Excuse’s stunningly insane Riverside Festival performance, that the MD of indie label New Motion Record’s signed the band on a Joint Venture agreement in October 2010. Since then they have been working with Producer Lester Woodward (Young Guns/50cent) to record their material for a demanding release schedule throughout 2011 and 2012. The video to their debut single release ‘Last 3 Days’ in late February 2011 with director Ben Taylor (Deaf Havana) received over 30,000 YouTube plays in its first month of release. With regular video releases, live performances and continuous fan engagement, Centre Excuse has enjoyed a fast growing international supporter base with already having over 15,000 on Youtube and 8,000 on facebook. Their second single, “Don’t Let Go” will be presented on November 20, 2011. The EP “Generation Z” will be the second tray and the boys will be presented in the beginning of the new year 2012. 67

More news and information on the guys and their live shows can be found at the official Centre Excuse page in Internet and band social network sites: www.centre-excuse.com www.myspace.com/centreexcuse www.youtube.com/centreexcuse www.facebook.com/centreexcuse www.newmotion-records.com/artists

Hi guys! For the first time in MIKA we have the pleasure to present you. Tell us a little more about you three! How did you meet up? Who is who? Give us a little insight! Teddy: Hi MIKA and everyone reading this I’m Teddy Lewis the Lead singer, I also play the keyboards, guitar and program all the sequencers. Jamie Rush is the Lead Guitarist and also does backing vocal and plays bass guitar. His brother Alex Rush plays the Drums. We live in a small village in rural England and we’re only a couple of minutes walk from each other, so I met Jamie & Alex at the village primary school about 9 years ago, became good friends with them playing football, Skateboarding etc. As we got older we all started learning to play instruments at school and we used to play a lot of Blink and Nirvana songs for fun but it took us several years before we formed Centre Excuse back in July 2010.

Why“Centre Excuse”? Is there a story behind the name of the band? Teddy: We really like the fact that there is no other band in the world called Centre Excuse, just check it on Google! Interestingly though, the name actually came from one of my English teachers from when I was back at school. I went through a bad spell of handing my homework in late and on this one particular occasion she said to me “so what’s the Centre of your Excuse this time Teddy?” I remember thinking wow what a great name for a band and wrote it straight down.

In the very beginning what fascinated you about music? Jamie: I love everything about music, there’s a song for every occasion, every emotion and the world would be boring without it. One song could change someone’s

What does the band mean to each and every one of you? How does the music you make change from the first time together to the release of your new 6-track EP?

opinion about something completely. Alex: How hitting a few drums and a few strings can make something so powerful. Teddy: From the beginning, I think it was the feeling of everybody taking on the same emotion from a song and feeling like you can all relate to each other for the 3-4 minutes it’s on for. I thought if I can make this happen through my own music then that would be almost magical.

Jamie: This band means the world to me; I honestly have no idea what I would be doing if it wasn’t for the band. Alex: Life! Teddy: It has it highs and lows but I wouldn’t change it for the world, music’s in my blood! Just before we officially decided to set up a band, the 3 of us use to jam along together to different tracks usually Nirvana / AVA / Blink or Green Day, we we’re just out to have some fun rather than thinking about what it would be like for anyone listening to us play. Now although we’re definitely still out to have fun which is important to us, we also have a much more structured, professional approach to

writing new material and we con- great song” stantly attempt to make sure that the listener can feel the emotions What makes, in your and energy for what’s going on in opinion, the difference the song as we do. between an average and a great song? AcHow is the composing cording to you how process going? Tell us does a good song how a day in the resound? hearsal studio goes. Teddy: It’s either catchy with Jamie: Usually Teddy writes most some great hooks that people can of the material and he tends to easily sing / hum along to or creates start with a guitar riff or keyboard certain emotions that means somemelody and then writes his amaz- thing personal to the listener. ing sequencer tracks around the tune. Once the music is almost How do you decide completed he’ll compose the lyr- which tracks to go into ics. It’s at that point he let’s Alex the sets you play? and me hear it and we’ll add our Teddy: We always want to give thoughts. Over the last year we’ve our audience a great experience written 13 tracks fully and another at our shows so when they come 17 at various stages of comple- to see us so we tend to make sure tion. So we’ve got plenty of mate- our sets play out through a range rial and a stack more ideas. of different emotions. For example playing a slower song and When you start workthen hitting it right back in with the ing on a new track, how energy of a big fast paced song do you know that the like ‘Don’t Let Go’. We also do a track is going good? mix of old and new songs. Teddy: Wow, that’s a really good question! I suppose we’re always Who would you point listening out for a catchy hook or as a key influence to how it makes us feel, especially get- you individually and ting those moments when the hairs then as a band? on the back of the neck just stands Teddy: I was brought up listening up. Admittedly, we do seem to put to the likes of Nirvana, The Offa lot of pressure on ourselves to spring and then also more elecmake sure every track the band tronic music like Depeche mode writes people are going to hear it from the moment I was born so and say “you know what, that’s a bands like that have really guided 73

me creatively. Jamie: I’ve always been into pop punk bands like Blink 182, Green Day & the Foo Fighters. I used to sit on the edge of my bed playing guitar to their awesome songs. Alex: Basically anything with a great rhythm caught my imagination, so not surprising I ended up a drummer! As a band we’ve always been into Rock and

Punk primarily, but we what is coming also have loads and up next from loads of other second- Centre Excuse? ary genre influences Jamie: We have recentfrom here and there like ly just finished recording our 2nd EP entitled electronic music. “Generation Z” in the studio with our producHow would you define your er Lester Woodward and we’ve been workstyle in three ing ever since planning words? our next single release Electronic pop punk Don’t Let Go and the video to go with it which What have you will be available for recently been working on, and download from the 27th

November. The EP will be released sometime in early 2012 and we think it’s a big leap forward for us from our original material as a band, we’ve really worked hard to stretch ourselves and create something that we feel is very special – Hope you guys out there like it. Thanks MIKA you guys are awesome! 75

here are songs that are written in such a way that once we listen to them, they seem to touch those delicate parts of our souls that we had not even thought existed. This is the case with the „Can‘t Stand The Pain“ by SEVI. „Can‘t Stand The Pain“ is a gorgeous and complex song that profoundly shakes you by the depths of its emotion, vocals and lyrics. It simply makes you pause in awe. That is because the music has its own soul is difficult to describe with simple words. Sevi are a truly unique Bulgarian band. They are young, energetic and very talented. The music that they make belongs to the world. The group consists of Sevi (Svetlana Bliznakova) - vocals, Rally Velinov (bass), Ivan Angelov (guitar), Pavlin Ivanov (drums) and Tanya Apostolova (keyboards). They do not only inspire with their energy, creativity and talent, but they are also very interesting people from whom we can learn. Despite the cold autumn day, a meeting with them seems to inspire you to dream, to listen to music and to know that the sun will rise again. Mika met with Sevi, Rally and Tanya for this exclusive interview.

www.sevi-sevi.com www.facebook.com/SEVI.band www.myspace.com/sevisinger www.reverbnaiton.com/sevi

www.twitter.com/sevisinger www.imradio.com/sevi www.youtube.com/user/SEVIband

Hello! It is not possible to start our conversation without exclaiming: “Can‘t Stand the Pain” is a song with a capital “S”! We would like to congratulate you for its release and to ask you for all those small and large details that surrounded its creation and production! Tell us more about it. Sevi: Thank you. We are glad that you like it. „Can‘t stand the pain“ is a piece that I wrote a while back. At one point of time the band and I decided to release it. The

lyrics are influenced by life itself and all those moments when you simply want to scream out loud: I “Can‘t stand the Pain”. We changed it a little bit made it sound differently. Subsequently we felt in love with the track and decided to make a video, too. You recently had a promotion. Sevi: Yes, it was on June 24. The premiere of the new single, called “Limited Edition”, will be on 11.11.11. We thought that the uniqueness of the date is a perfect match for the song. We have prepared some77

thing really remarkable for the live show. How is the album going? Sevi: Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;re almost done with it. We only have some track mixing to do and it is all set. The album release is planned and we are hopeful to have it out by the end of this year. How did you meet each other? How was SEVI formed? Tanya: I accidentally found out from a friend of mine that the group is looking for a pianist. Actually my friend was rehearsing with them at the time. I was looking for a group to play with and so I decided to meet them and see what happens. It was like a love at first sight â&#x20AC;&#x201C; we totally clicked together and ever since then we are playing together in the band. Sevi: The best thing for us is that apart from playing together, we are good friends. This helps a lot in our work. How does a day in the rehearsal studio go? Sevi: It is a lot of fun! Rally: We usually rehearse either well-known pieces of our 78

repertuar or we undertake a new project. We listen, comment and develop the ideas and if we see that they are going well, we begin to put the pieces together to form a new song. Sevi: We add keyboard compositions to enrich and to complete the musical form of the songs. This is one of our main ideas: the songs are constructed in such a way that the presence of keyboards in the composition is required. This is our style melodic rock. Rally: Generally we try to create something new that can be both for the rock scene and for those who are not strictly rock fans. That way the strong female vocals can reach a wider audience. We must not overlook the fact that many people like this unique style since it bears a little bit more commercial sound. With the project SEVI, we are trying to do something to sketch the actual geographical limits and boundaries. We want to make an international project, which actually belongs to the world. That is why our lyrics are in English. Sevi: English is the universal language. Besides the very style suggests English lyr-

ics. My personal opinion is that there are certain pieces/ songs from different styles that sound good only when sung in one specific language. We do not want to give you the wrong impression with this statement. We are in no way underestimating the Bulgarian language! In the world of music, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s not all that important on what language you sing, but the emotions that you incorporate in the song. We think that the most important thing is the overall sound of the song. Tanya: Exactly. The idea of one or another track comes with its own expression. Things that you say in the music have their own linguistic approach - music is a language that is universal. I do not think this thing is against Bulgaria or Bulgarian music. We have received a strong critic because our songs are not in Bulgarian. In my opinion, it does not matter whether a song will be sung in Bulgarian or English or any language whatsoever, it is the message in the song that is important. Rally: English is the first widespread language. The absence of a language barrier that restricts a song to be 79

appreciated by only one specific area and to exclude all others, contributes much to popularize the music. Sevi: Yes, indeed. For example, we already 82

have many fans abroad Bulgaria, who like our songs. That is possible precisely because there is no language barrier. The English language allows

our message to exceed the geographic boundaries of Bulgaria and to reach people regardless of their nationality or mother language. Of course, there are

certain songs that can only be sung in a regional language, but those songs already belong to a specific sound style. One example may be given with the

French chansons. Rally: The world is already sufficiently open to all. At the San Remo Festival, where we were with Sevi, she sang Aretha Frank-

lin’s song „Natural Woman“ and the response we got was amazing. Sevi sang in English a song on an Italian Festival! How is “Can’t

stand the pain” perceived? Rally: „Can‘t stand the pain“ is a song that lives a life of its own. It became a song of the week and a couple of months ago we were “a group of the week” in Peru. Sevi: Rock Radio Symphony played our record!. This was a great surprise to us because we did not know that the recording of „Can‘t stand the pain“ has gone overseas. They contacted us to tell us that we are selected because of the very same song. That was great! And quite an accomplishment! Once again it proves that music knows no territorial barriers. Rally: It was pretty interesting as the Rock Radio Symphony discovered

us on their own. We have not contacted them before that. This is perhaps one of the first serious evidence to support that singing in English is not a flaw. Moreover, it shows why we do it - to allow our music to reach more people. Music is multinational. Music should not be associated with only one geographical location because music belongs to all, to the world. Sevi: Last but not least, this is the first serious recognition that what we do is actually good. You said a little while ago that the birth of the song is accompanied by its lyrics. But what comes first the lyrics or the melody? Tanya and Sevi: It is different every time. Sevi: And some83

times both come to mind right away and sometimes the lyrics are developed before the melody. If anyone from the group has an idea for a melody, we get together and start developing the melody and just like that there is the moment 84

when the words come along by themselves. When do you know that one track is going good? Tanya: It is a matter of an inner sense.

Sevi: Yes. Rally (smiling): When we all go out of the rehearsal studio to the smoke. Have you tried playing in front of an audience

experimental pieces or songs that you did not rehearse too much during rehearsals just to see how the audience reacts? Sevi: Yes, of course. We

have performed songs that we only rehearsed once. We were never uncertain of what would happen, but because we enjoy the tracks we canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t wait to present them to the audience. So we decide to risk it. In most cases, it goes

really well as our audience feels the emotional charge we put in the song. Rally: The newer the song is to us, the more emotionally charged it becomes as it is still fresh and the adrenaline is high. When we are play85

ing an old song or a cover, the emotion is there once again, but it is much different than when you perform something new on stage. Tanya: There was one time when we assembled all of the tracks on the stage. It was a kind of improvisation. We played with Jimmy Sobara at Club 3 Ushi like an improvised colaboration and it became very inspiring and best of all, the audience liked it. SEVI: Jimmy is very expressive musician and there was

no way that we wouldn’t click with him and make a great performance with him. It was very, very, very interesting. We felt charged and enthusiastic. Is it difficult to work with other musicians? Sevi: Well, it all depends on the musicians, but overall the music binds us all together. So when there is music, then everything is fine. We are very open to collaborations. Rally: It is interesting to note that we do collaborations with musicians from different styles.

We are open to all friends of music. Sevi: Currently, we are working with musicians from Project Arcadia. The song that we are crafting together is very dark lyrics and by the looks of it the track will have a very interesting and different sound. Rally: The technological advances allow such collaborations. You do not need to know personally the people with whom you are about to work with. However, the work process is very dynamic - we

send our idea, the other side hears it, brings their own elements and thoughts in the theme, modify it, edit it and then send it back to us. Then it is our turn to hear it and modify it and so on until the song is ready. Sevi: Furthermore, we experimented in the field of electronic music. Tanya: We have a proposal by a group of DJs to colaborate with them on „Can‘t stand the Pain“ remix. Interesting things and ideas

came together. Sevi: A long time ago, I recorded a song with an Italian alternative band called „Eldrich”. This is when I recorded the prototype piece of „Everytime”, which later on the band and I developed in Bulgaria and made our own. We are currently working on a song, called „Shock”. Remix of „Pleased to meet you” was made by DJ Katsarov and it was very unusual. Certainly we were very, very pleasantly sur-

prised for its new sound. The effect is unique. That is how an audience that would not listen to rock, will enjoy our ideas, too. Rally: We are even more surprised by the comments about „Can‘t stand the Pain”. Besides the interest of the DJs, the song attracted R & B artists. We even received a sample remix of it, which we really enjoyed. „Can‘t stand the Pain” is attracted the interest of musicians from diverse musical styles. 87

only rock, and more specifically melodic rock, then we wouldn’t have the chance to meet many different and interesting people and it would have resulted in reduction of the band’s creativity by 80%.

That is yet another proof that music should not be confined to any borders. When something is good, it‘s good and it has a future. Rally: What impresses me is that everyone can find something to relate to this track. It inspires more and more artists from different styles to contact us and continue working on it with us. The message - in the lyr88

ics or the melody - is strong enough to awake and inspire creativity. „Can‘t stand the Pain” is a song that came from Bulgaria. We are really proud of its success and it is yet another proof that more and more things are qualitative in Bulgaria. Sevi: There are many really good Bulgarian bands that has great potential.

Is it difficult to be a musician in Bulgaria? Sevi and Tanya (simultaneously): It is very difficult. Sevi: There is music in Bulgaria. There are talented musicians, too. All of us are here and work very hard. We only need a little bit more support from the public and the media. With a little assistance, things in Bulgaria

will change significantly to brighter direction. Rally: It is very important that both the artists and the media are open not only to one style of music. We should not limit our horizons – creatively and informationwise. Otherwise there is no chance for idea to develop, improve and become a quality product. If, for example, we were set on doing

How do the ideas come to you? Rally: The ideas often come unexpectedly. That’s the situation with new single „Limited Edition”. I was at home when the accidently read the inscription on a pack of toilet paper that said “Limited edition” and I thought - this is very cool and unique. I called Sevi and we discussed it. Later on she came up with several ideas for the melody. So we sat down to put together lyrics with melody as we were waiting for the rest of the band members to come join us. Tanya: Compared to “Can’t stand the pain”, our second single „Limited Edition” is faster and more energetic track. You‘ll hear it on November 11 at Club Faith! We, despite all established standards, decided our first single to be „Can‘t stand the pain” although it is much slower, heavier piece with a

deeper message. Sevi: We really decided to take a chance and do „Can‘t Stand the Pain” as a first single. Many people told us „It is a slow song”, but we did it anyways. We got great reviews! It is interesting how the song impacts people. „Can‘t Stand the Pain” is one of those songs that you can write and produce in one heart-breath. You are influenced by the emotion and the words flow together with the melody. And so a song was born.. Rally: „Can‘t stand the pain” brings together the experiences of different people at different times. Sevi: Everyone has gone through similar times. Rally: Exactly. Concretization of this experience is not necessary. Tell us about the song „She‘s bad”. Sevi: Oh, „She‘s bad” is very interesting. The guitarist Mihail Baev, who had already heard „Can‘t stand the pain”, offered me a piece written by him ten years ago. He just sent me the melody for the song. I liked it and the 89

lyrics came together easily. As Mihail Baev’s melody file was titled „She‘s bad”, I decided that that should be the title of the song. He loved the direction in which we were developing the file and that’s how “She’s bad” came to be. We are traveling to Plovdiv on the 28th

of this month to join Mihail in Club Polinero. It is going to be the first time that we meet Mihail Paev in person. We are very excited about it. We are also planning many other collaborations with Jimmy and Mihail, and many other musicians. We hope that next year we can

release an album „SEVI & Friends”, which will contain many of the great collaborations that we have made through the years. Tanya: It’s interesting how ideas are enriched by the particular collaboration. They bring fresh perspective and way of thinking,

and hence overall sound becomes unique. Sevi: Here, for example, Tanya loves funk. Tanya: Yes, I like funk, bossa nova and latin. They possess contrasting styles of keyboards than those used in rock, which make them sound very nice. Slight

mixing of different styles enriches the overall background of the composition. Sevi: Every one of us has a slightly different interest in music. For example, our guitarist has played very heavy rock music. Rally: In this line of thought, let‘s say that we have pre-

pared a surprise. It is going to be revealed on the premiere of our second single „Limited Edition”. Sevi: We love to experiment with our own songs. If you hear the original „Can‘t Stand the Pain” track, you would not even recognize it as it has nothing to do with the released version. Initially the song had a R & B sound but as the track was developed by the band it changed. I play the piano, but when I am joined by the band, the song becomes alive and it takes on its own way. Tanya: We often remix our own songs and have at three different versions of some tracks. Rally: SEVI’s repertoire has about 50 songs that are ready to be released. SEVI has an extraordinary voice and ideas, which when arranged can undertake different directions. That is why we decided to make the group. The ideas as we said before accumulate and enrich and new concepts are being developed. I should also mention that when you have a serious repertoire and lots of ideas, you have the opportunity to meet more people from 91

the show business. Thanks to the new edge technology and the fact that our songs are in English, the band‘s music can reach more people - without limits of geography and political boundaries. Music is an emotion dressed in sound. It belongs to the world. For or against the electronic distribution of music? Tanya: The attitude of people in Bulgaria on that issue is quite different. When you say I am a musician, they tell you - „Yes, but what do you do for a living?“. It‘s the conventional understanding that musicians aren’t paid well. In Bulgaria there is a lot stronger. It is difficult to explain to someone that being a musician is something that you can’t achieve in a day or a week. It is the result of hard work, a lot of effort and perseverance. It all starts in the early childhood. Being musician is a profession. We dedicate our lives and more than 90% of our time to music. And when your work is fun - yes, you can have fun doing it because it‘s calling you - people need to understand that this is just the same “work” as in any other profession. And like any

other profession, it must be paid.To some extent it is nice to have free music, but these limits should be clearly defined. Sevi: Our album will be released for general distribution through familiar sites. Yes, it is important for our music to reach as many people as possible, but not when it reflects a negative impact on us. A lot of resources and time as well as work and effort go in the production of an album. Every song is thought over, experienced and produced before it comes to your player in a mp3 form. Tanya: The very nature of music is abstract. Behind the symbolic value of 1 or 2 Euro, stands the song with very difficult, very emotional value. Becoming a good musician requires years spent in rehearsals, playing and learning how to express one self. People are hardly aware of the process behind a song release. Sevi: In order to change the people‘s opinions about the matter, musicians need to support each other. The music is a vocation, but also a profession. We must raise the bar. Rally: In our busy schedules, keeping an idea for a song for a long time is very difficult. There is simply no time. You run back

and forth and before you know it the idea changes and it is not in the same “shape” when you finally found the time to record it. Tanya: So - yes, we are for electronic and Internet distribution of music, but as any other business, it needs to comply with certain requirements, it must be regulated to preserve the right of the artists on his/ hers or even theirs intellectual labor. Rally: It is important to change people‘s thinking. We have very talented and artists. We must learn how to properly evaluate their work, too. Internet has made communication easier and has opened many possibilities. However, with the progress that the Internet brought it also brought many negatives. To order to reduce them, we need to change people‘s thinking. Tanya: As for the digital distribution it depends on consumers. The quality sound of a CD shows the diversity of musical tones in one song. But if user just wants to hear the overall concept of the song, then a mp3 song will suffice. Rally: It is important for the institutions to protect the copyright and have adequate positions on intellectual rights in the modern 93

digital world. Many of our songs are in the golden fund of BNR (Bulgarian National Radio). „Can‘t stand the pain“ is only one of these songs. What can you say about the musical scene in Bulgaria? Tanya: We were pleasantly surprised to discover how many scenes, festivals and motto fairs there are. This summer we participated in the Nation-

al Moto Rock Fest in Lozen. Rally: Mindia Festival was one of those festivals where a lot of fans come together. There were about 3,000 people in the small town’s square. A documentary was made for the festival. It was impressive. Sevi: Don’t forget the Belozem Festival, where we met many talented artists from all over the world. Tanya: The artists are eager to participate in

these festivals because the live contact with the audience makes the performance different. It is one thing to play in the club and another to play on the big stage. All that remains is to wish SEVI inspiration and creative success. Among the wishes will be for them to perform at many different scenes so we can enjoy their music - only in Bulgaria but all around the world, too. The good music belongs

to the world. It is an emotion, dressed in sound and it has to be shared. If you are in Plovdiv, you can hear the band on their concert in club „Polinero“ on October 28. The group returns to Sofia for their Video promotion to “Limited Edition” on November 11th, 2011 in Club Faith. One thing is remains certain, we are yet to hear more music from SEVI.

3 Moskovska Street Sofia, Bulgaria phone: +359 893 513 240 www.urbanbar.eu http://www.facebook.com/urbanbar 95

photo: Georgi Nikolov

еcho to our souls Bright Sight is a very interesting band. That is specifically due to the reason that every one in the group sings leading vocals – in such a way they achieve variety of vocals and a choral effect. From the debut concert of Bright Sight in December 2009 until now, the boys from the energetic punk-rock band from Sofia (Bulgaria) do not stop working on the songs and style. Although they are busy with studio recording of new songs and the shooting of their video to “Artificial world”(„Изкуствен свят“), they managed to talk to us about their compilation “Echo to our souls” and their views about music. We are introducing to you Stanko (bass guitar), Angel (guitar), Yassen (drums) and Daniel (guitar).

www.facebook.com/brightsightsofia http://myspace.com/brightsightsofia http://brightsight.bandcamp.com

www.youtube.com/user/brightsightsf http://brightsight.mp3.bg http://soundcloud.com/bright-sight

Hello, guys! Could you please introduce BRIGHT SIGHT to our readers? Who are you? How and when gathered? Stanko: Hello! We are Bright Sight and we are from Sofia. We play punk rock and our band was established in May 2009. That is when the idea for a band

guitar sound and so we decided to have a second guitarist. Daniel was simply the name that came to my mind right away and that is how he joined us. He was really enthusiastic like every one of us. As if our destiny was to get together and as if we were all waiting for this very turning point in our lives. The

within this musical style popped in my head. I have already had an idea about the band members and as they joined the project, we started playing with Angel on the guitar and Yassen on the drums. I took over the bass guitar. After the second rehearsal we decided to add more density and tone in the

unique characteristic about us is that we all sing and we also use choral vocals into our songs. That contributes to the sound diversity that you will find in our songs. WHY ROCKPunk? WHAT attracts you to this style – the protest or the position? 97

photo: Georgi Nikolov

Stanko: We love rock-punk as it is socially engaged music. It carries its protest in the form of music and through the lyrics. Angel: This is the music that we have been listening to for years. It is a protest but in the same time it is also a stated position. A band of young people who are angry at the “blind” society that surrounds us. We are showing our own position about the things in life that we feel that are not properly perceived by the community 98

my life, I‘m happy that I managed to remain fresh.“ Yassen: I am a fan of punk-rock Daniel: I am personally atmusic for years… Bands like tracted by the messages, The Offspring and Pennywise the lyrics and of course, the have been my idols in many music. ways. At first I liked the very sound of punk rock and even- What stands behind tually I agreed with many of the band’s name the messages that the lyrics „BRIGHT SIGHT“? carried. Do not get me wrong Stanko: The antonyms of - I do not share the extreme pessimism. ideas in this scene. It‘s all Yassen: It is safe to say that about taking matters into perhaps we can all give you your own hands for me. So a definition of our own. My that one day when you are opinion is that Bright Sight grey and old you can say“I love stands for positivism, a ... That is why we do punk-rock!

photo: Georgi Nikolov

symbol of the knowledge each day is better than the day before it. Daniel: Mostly positivism and faith that everything is not black and hopeless. What inspires you? Walk us through one of your rehearsal days?

jokes and laughter.

the song brings.

Daniel: Mostly working on new and old forgotten songs. Of course, not without any pranks.

Daniel: Music, good arrangement, the text are very important elements. Generally speaking it is the message and well-made music.

WHAT DO YOU think makes a song a good one? Angel: The most important things in a song are the message and the emotion, which the song leaves behind.

Stanko: I think the specific mix of catchy music and lyrics that touch you and provoked you in some way.

Yassen: A typical Bright Sight rehearsal passes Tell us more about „2012“. Prophecies, mainly in work on our music mixed in with lots of Yassen: The energy that promises or just a 99

different view of it all? Yassen: That is also a question about human relationships. If tomorrow is the end of the world, will regret the mistakes that you made today?

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photo: Georgi Nikolov

Stanko: In our contacts with the people around us, we all often put pride above everything else and that‘s why many good friendships are ruined. That‘s exactly what we are trying to say using this reference - that all those errors that you have made would definitely weigh much on your conscience, if tomorrow is really the last day of our lives. What is the story behind the creation of „an echo of our souls?“ This is your debut album. How did you come up with it? Daniel: The album is natural conclusion of all of our efforts for the

last two years. It was the the idea is that everyone necessary progression that should be glad and happy we all looked forward to. to be part of the band. We don’t have a division of How did the idea of labor in our band. When the name „artificial someone has an idea for world“(Изкуствен a song, he steps up and свят) came to be? shows us what he has in Stanko: We found our- mind. From there on, we selves surrounded by start developing the tune many snobs, who pretend- and the lyrics. ed to be artists, competent in anything relevant to mu- Stanko: We pay special atsic. Such people were re- tention to each and every ally irritating us with their single song. We want to pretensions and snobbery. avoid having albums with You probably met such just a couple of really good people yourselves. They songs, while the rest of the leave you with that nega- songs are simply there just tive feeling and you know there for track quantity. I it in your gut that they are would not say that worknot genuine people and ing in a team is a comprothat everything that they mise though. It’s more or do is out of fashion and less an upgrade. Everyone posturing. All this simply leaves their own unique couldn’t be ignored any imprint on the songs that longer. we are working together. HOW does the band function? Is tHERE A DIVISION IN THE BAND? Who writes the songs? HOW do you select on which song to focus on first? Angel: Compromises are constant part of any band or band, but ultimately

What do you find inspiring? Stanko: Our music is a positive direction, but with a negative character. Therefore we are inspired by all the wrong doings that we see in people around us. Such things create a positive kind of hatred within us and drives us to be

more genuine and to pay better attention to our relationships with our family, friends and the world. Simple things like that are what inspire us to create our lyrics. Which bands / artists have had the greatest influence on you as musicians? Daniel: H2O, Pennywise, Rise Against, Spot, Crowfish, Anti-Flag, The Offspring, Avenged Sevenfold, Parkway Drive, Ignite. HOW do you choose the tracks for your sets? Yassen: Usually we gather minutes before the set and quickly combine a particular sequence. Anyway, our track list is similar for most of our concerts, so it’s something that doesn’t take us a lot of time. Stanko: We take in mind which songs appeal more to the audience and we perform them on the expense of others that the audience is not that fond of. It all depends on the audience and the feedback that we get. Sometimes 101

we really like performing released a mini album covers of songs by our fa- with two videos to it. Angel: Do not forget East vorite bands. Noise Fest 7. WHAT ARE your Could you describe future goals? Yassen: We are considering BRIGHT SIGHT in three recording few songs for a words? possible collaboration with Yassen: Energy. other artists. Daniel: Message. Stanko: Emotion. What is your biggest achievement up to You released your album with a big this moment? Stanko: We played on the promotion campaign biggest festival in Bulgaria a week ago? What are - Spirit of Burgas. We also you up to now?

Stanko: The near future is clear – we are continuing the promotion campaign with concerts and a brand new video to our song “Artificial World”, which will be released very soon. Yassen: We plan to continue doing music for a long time. WHERE can we listen to YOU perform Live? Angel: We are going to participate in Hate City Fest at Club Mixtape 5 on 11.11. 11.

imagination matters!

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http://www.myspace.com/alleysinbg http://www.facebook.com/Alley-Sin/ alley_sin@abv.bg

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Alley Sin is a band without an equivalent in Bulgaria. Alley Sin starting from scratch, and they quickly turn into a band that must be heard! And this can happen on 31/11/2011 in Rock Club Theatre 21 hours. Immediately after that, the fans in Thessaloniki and Athens can listen to Alley Sin live on respectively 4.11 and 11.05.2011. Nikki Riot (vocals), V.B. (guitar and backing vocals), Steff (bass), Van Cock (guitar) and Blago (drums) are ready to show you what is a quality rock and roll. MIKA talks with Emilian Shterev a.k.a VB.

Hello, guys! Could you please introduce ALLEY SIN to our readers? Who are you? How and when was the band established? Alley Sin is a Rock‚n‘ Roll band, founded in 2008 by Nicky (Nikki Riot) and I. We met by coincidence in the net. At that time I had another band, but I started to play in Nicky’s band, too. So we started to write music together and we simply clicked. It didn’t take us too long to realize that we must quit the other bands and make a new one together and to allow it to grow and develop in the direction we wanted. Initially it was quite difficult and both of us needed to do acoustic live gigs in order to introduce our music to the audience, but

it didn’t take long before we managed to record our first EP “Rock’n’Roll Sluts” with the help of our friends. During the life of the band we have had band members who came and go and we are grateful to every single one of them for the time spent with Alley Sin. From January 2011, we have five members - Nikki Riot vocals, VB (Myself) guitar and backing vocals, Steff - bass, Van Cock - guitar and Blago - drums.

Let me first clarify where the idea for the band’s name come from. We are rarely asked this question. Usually everyone try to make their own translation of it or attempt to link it to a path of sin, but written in that way it is incorrect. The name comes from the name of a young porn star and photographer for the rock magazine, Allie Sin. We decides to change one letter in her name and thus the word-play came to How did you be. It sounded nice begin doing to us and we didn’t music? think much of it. At We have all started the end, rock and doing some music roll has always been in our school years. associated with Personally, I grew girls, sex ... up among musicians and music WHY did you was a logical choice pick glam / for me. punk / rock music? What How did you is the music come up with for you? WHAT the idea for inspires you the name of from the music the band? of the 70s-80s? 105

prefer to call Alley Sin a rock and roll band! The words glam / punk / rock are for people who are trying to classify our

band. 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s are the most creative years in rock music. Everything is quite more genuine: from the birth of the rockâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;nâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;roll in the 50s, though the various searches in the 60s and the punk invasion in the 70s and the way up to the shine and the kitsch of the 80s. The 90s and the so-called alternative wave tried to kill all of that, but letâ&#x20AC;&#x2DC;s look at things realistically. Kurt Cobain is dead, the various alternative forms of the music are just barely present, and the rock

and roll is still here! Chuck Berry is alive and is still on the scene, the Rolling Stones are here and there are not going anywhere soon! AC / DC and Motorhead are rocking hard. Motley Crue is still one of the most glamorous rock bands for decades and people are lining up to see the show of Alice Cooper for even longer. It is difficult to explain, but they left a lasting imprint on me back in the 80s when I discovered them all. Music for me is a way of life. I could not live

without music. I am up to this day an avid fan and I continue to buy records, CDs and go to concerts ... What inspires you to write one or another song? Tell us how a typical rehearsal day go? We are inspired by the music itself and from everything that is happening around us. We have no particular message! We are not from all those people, who will tell you how much your

life sucks, etc. Our rehearsal studio is always surrounded by chaos. Our rehearsals are very much like our live performances – we are trying to have as much fun as possible. When we are working on new material, we are a little bit more serious. Usually our rehearsals start with a trip to the store nearby for some beer and snacks, haha.

and simple things that get into your head and you can’t shake them off are the things that make a track a great one. We tend to look at the music by our fans’ prospective – we are not the people who will dissect a song to explore it, etc. If the song grabs my attention, then it is a good song for me.

our earliest tracks and I really like it. It was written the same time period, when Nicky and I still did acoustic gigs. Realistically, we have always had pretty strong blues influences. There is no way to make rock-n-roll music and not to turn back to the roots of the style! We have many more songs with the same songs.

How do you write a WHAT makes one song „ROCK‘N‘ROLL HOME“ song? Where do you is a very interesting a good one? start from: the text A good song is a song that song with a classic or the melody? manages to grab your at- ROCK-N-blues sound. There are many different tention. There is no exact How was it made? formula. Usually, the little Rock‘n‘Roll Home is one of ways how to write a song.

We usually start from the melody or from a couple of played guitar chords. Many of our tracks are “born” on rehearsals. Someone starts playing some interesting beats and we all join him. I prefer to be more spontaneous and to develop my ideas, when we all together. Nicky brings pieces that are developed. Ivan has also started contributing with new ideas and recently submitted a great idea. Eventually, when everyone put in their own unique style, the song be-

comes quite different from the original idea. Nicky takes care of the lyrics. I love that the lyrics are inspired by events or situations that have personally happened to Nicky or to another member of the group or to a friends of his. So the lyrics are real and genuine. The album will also have lyrics that are written by our friend Andy. You have a VIDEO FOR THE SONG „SHUT UP BITCH“. How did the idea for it come to be? How did the day of the

video shoot go? Is it hard to make a video in Bulgaria? We wanted to make a video for quite a long time, but we weren’t sure which song should we shoot. That was until the right song came along. The video is produced by Brodnik productions: director - Boris Nikolov (also known as the vocal from the bands Melekh and SWAFI), Operator Dimitar Skobelev, assistant - Savkov Rosen and editor Joseph Kokonchev. The location was the RockSchool.bg

building. The shooting of the video is a quite expensive endeavor, but in this case everything was made by friends. We are infinitely grateful to the team who made it and to Tanya Gencheva for her participation. The 2-day video shoot was tiring, but we made everything in our power to make us all feel very comfortable. In the current music situation in Bulgaria we are lucky that we could made this video. The truth is that it is a challenge for many Bulgarian bands to shoot a video in Bul109

garia. Teamwork is a complicated work and may require compromising. How does the band function? Quarrels and compromises are present within every band, but this is normal. Overall, I do the organizational part and promoting, but everybody pitches in with anything that they can do. Everyone has does different things in life outside the band and we try to maintain the work around the band in such fashion that it is convenient for everyone. That’s how we organize the rehearsals and everything, too. Every one of us deal with it for long enough to know how things happen. Which bands / artists have had the greatest influence on you as musicians? And what about groups? Personally every one of us has been influenced by huge number of groups from different styles. The complete list would be very long. There is of course some common ground, but we all enjoy music from different bands. We were mainly influenced by Hanoi Rocks, Motley Crue, Ramones, Misfits, Dogs D’ Amour, AC/DC, Motorhead, etc. We constantly listen to music and even rising bands may influence us. Is it hard to be a musician in Bulgaria? It’s a nightmare. The conditions to do music are hard, too. There are no real clubs! The stage scene is limited. Many groups talk against one another. We support competition between the bands for the scene and for the hearts of the fans. But sadly there

are people who do feel like a competition will do anything good. Everything revolves around couple of bands from the past, who play in the same clubs as the new ones and they gather a lot less fans to such places. But the money go to them. The big festivals are organized so that those big but sadly outdated bands get stage appearances, but the fans want something else. There have been cases when we are playing with some of those “celebrities” and the promoters come to us and stop us from playing our 4th or so song, simply because the audience enjoys us and prefers us more than the “big names”. That is simply ridiculous, don’t you think? There are very good bands but they constantly face obstacles like this on daily basis. Some people simply wouldn’t make any benefit if our country joins the world’s music business. I am a musician since the 80s and I remember the„music direction” and people there. I can tell you a lot of things about those people. But eventually things wouldn’t chance if we simply mumble about them. That is why we are trying to walk forward and to promote ourselves. We wouldn’t hide in the basement and complain how bad it is. There is no way that things will change if the bands do not work seriously. alley sin is a band that has taken part in many international events. What is audience abroad Bulgaria? What do people expect from you over there? The audience is an audience no matter where you are. The audience reacts depending on what and how you present. Wherever we have been, people accepted us really well and friendly. Generally, the audience outside Bulgaria is much more exposed to music and 111

therefore more difficult to impress, but at the same time the people are there to well-known bands as well as unknown ones, too. People in Bulgaria are skeptical of our bands and are constantly trying to compare them with the big names. In fact, we are accepted much better abroad than here in our home-country. Our music has been played in several European and American rock radio stations. We have given interviews and reviews have been written for us in the many more Western medias more Bulgarian ones. Original music vs.

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COVER music: What is the current trend IN BULGARIA AND WHAT should artists emphasize on? Original music, of course. Although many clubs tolerate cover bands, original music should be the priority. I understand the tribute bands, but in my opinion if you do covers from the first track up to the last one, you are not a musician but a singer in a tavern. It is time for us to make a distinction between those people who inspire to create original music and those who only redo things made by others. I am tired of watching live perfor-

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such songs are definitely on the sets. We try to include a cover or two, but usually these are songs that we like and that doesn’t necessary mean that they are hit songs. It’s important for us to have fun, because that’s the only way that we can entertain others. That is one of the reasons why our set contains tracks that we would really enjoy playing.

either like it or not. We sit down and think: „We are going to do this song in such scheme” and then we start playing it. If the idea appeals to us all, we develop it and that’s it. If we like it, then others will love it, too. It is important for us to enjoy What are you looking it, to like it and to have fun while playing it, because in for in one track to know that it has that way we are sure that we will entertain others as well. turned out good? I may repeat myself when I That is one of the reasons say this, but we are trying to why we put on our set list look at our music from the different songs – those are prospective of our fans. We the tracks that we feel like

mances at festivals, where the bands are constantly playing covers and even do so very incompetently. And in the same time talented groups are not even invited to such festivals.

playing right now.

Do you experiment with new songs on gigs? When you have new materials, you always want to present them. We are not afraid to play new stuff because we wrote them exactly because we want to play them.

HOW do you choose the tracks for your sets? Usually we try to play everything that we have written and completed, but sometimes we are limited by the time. In these cases we play the things that we enjoy. Some songs get boring to us with the more we play them, so we like to keep the track list fresh. Of course there are songs that are well-known and our fans love them and

What are your future goals? Our main goal is to finish the album on which we are currently working. We delayed its release in order to add new tracks. We are hopeful that we will be able to complete it real soon. Then we’d handle its promotion and a tour… We are in the process of negotiating with a US label, whose name we are keeping a secret for now. Then

after this is all said and done, we’d be working on our next album. We have already sketched few ideas. We are planning a second video, too and we have a pretty good idea which track we want to make. We have two very important live shows in Thesaloniki and Athens (Greece), so keep your fingers crossed that we do great there. They have big expectations for us over there and we are really trying to justify their faith in us.

now and we are making it work. If we have to brag, we’d note that we made the biggest club tour that has ever been made by a Bulgarian group so far: 24 consecutive days. We already have over 120 appearances on the big stage! We were able to fully sale the whole circulation of our first two editions. For a group, emerging from the underground, these are great achievements.

Describe a concert of yours. 5 things that we must I read in a blog thoughts about our live perforknow about alley sin. I have not thought about mance that wherever Althat. Come to our live and ley Sin are, the party is you will understand every- garanteed. We love to be thing. It is enough to know on the stage and we enthat we are rock and roll joy having fun while playband. We are not a cover ing. Everything is real and genuine! You want rock band! and roll? Come see us! What are Where could we see your biggest you perform live achievements up to then? this date? Our biggest achievements You have multiple chanc... well, firstly, the simple facts es to experience the live that we exist and that we show! We are touring and are still kicking are our most playing wherever we can! important achievements. If you invite us we can Otherwise, we are proud even come and play in that we are a group who your living room, if your functions for three years folks allow it ... 115

photo: Vesselina Penkova

MIKA had the pleasure to meet the musicians of the hard-metal band “Hate Campaign“. Below you can read the filled with music and humor interview we had with them, but before that let us introduce you to the guys from Hate Campaign: The Bulgarian band Hate Campaign was found in 2007 by Mihail Nachev - Misho (guitar, vocals / ex. Fyeld) and Nikolay Valchev - Lassie (ex. Suffer H). Later they were joined by Ilian Shiklov (bass, vocals / Downslot, eks.Suffer H; ex. Propaganda). In 2009, Lassie was replaced by new

hate campaign exclusive for demigod, the music and the hate towards champagne! http://www.facebook.com/hatecampaign http://www.myspace.com/hatecampaignband http://www.last.fm/music/Hate+Campaign+(Bulgaria) http://www.ilike.com/artist/Hate+Campaign http://www.reverbnation.com/hatecampaignband http://soundcloud.com/hate_campaign http://twitter.com/hate_campaign

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drummer - Vladimir Ivanchev (drums / Tatul).Major contributors to their „aggressive“ music are Pantera, Machine Head, Sepultura, Slipknot, Metallica. In the beginning 2011, the band was joined by Alexander Nachev(vocals / New Disease) as a new lead singer. With his help they have improved some old tracks and have made some new ones. Their latest track Demigod has been recently released on the Internet. Hate Campaign are planning an album and numerous concerts throughout Bulgaria.

Hello! Could you introduce yourselves and the band „Hate Campaign“ to the readers of MIKA? Who are you? How and when did you gather for the first time?

and Alexander Nachev - vocals. In the not so distant year of 2007, the band was gathered with a different crew. Then we were with Nicholas Valtchev - Lassie. Shortly after that the band was joined by Ilian. In 2009 Lassie‘s Misho: The guys from „Hate Campaign place was taken by Vladko (Vladimir „ are Mihail Nachev - guitars, Ilian Shi- Ivanchev). From the beginning of this klov - bass, Vladimir Ivanchev - drums year, Hate Campaign’s lead singer is 117

photo: Vesselina Penkova

Sashko (Alexander Nachev). typical rehearsal. Vladimir.: Misho inspires me. What is behind the And in the rehearsal: grief, group name - „Hate sorrow, sweat and pain. Campaign“- a protest Misho: It’s so fun how seriagainst commercial ously it sounds when we say or rebellion against the word „inspiration“ ha all rigid ? ha ... Good ideas for songs Ilian: It isn‘t a protest against have always been born of anything. We‘ve just gath- momentary moods ... Or just ered to have fun. riffs that whistle and says, Vladimir: I hate champagne. „God dammit, check out how Misho: I found the name cool this sounds!“ „Hate Campaign“ by a mere And how rehearsal goes at chance in a music magazine our place.. well mostly with sometime between 1998 beers, jokes, laughter... and and 1999. I don‘t remember if we have time play some exactly... That was the title of tracks... an album from Dismember, Alexander: One hour spent an album that I haven‘t heard on drink beer, a little adjusteven today... It just „grabbed“ ment time, and then feedme and so the story goes back on the sets. from there ... But now I think the name fits great with what What makes a good we do ... song? Alexander: What rebellion? Ilian: A good drummer, killer Boiko Borisov crushes every riffs and wonderful, memorebellion. rable vocals. Vladimir: Misho and Vladko. What is inspiring for Misho: Well, if you play the you? Tell us how does song with pleasure every a typical day in the time, that means that the rehearsal room the song is good or at least so band go? I think. Ilian: Entertainment, alcohol, Alexander: Every song has jokes and playing, this is our an individual spirit, that car-

ries the mood for the moment it was created. What‘s the story behind the creation of „DEMIGOD“? Vladimir: Grief.

Misho: It‘s a song in which all is said bluntly, and it is pure hostility to certain types of people as they always had and will have ... Teamwork is complicated and may require compromising. HOW is the band functioning? Who writes the songs? How do you select on which song to focus your efforts?

Ilian: There no divisions with us. And compromises are made every day, every minute. Everything is instant. Vladimir: Grief. Misho: Yeah, well we have been compromising and continue to. We have fought a lot and yes, we still continue to. It is normal, because we all are knotty characters ... but that’s the beauty of the whole thing ... Most of the songs are done by Vladko and me. This is because we

simply have more time to play than others. Otherwise everyone has contributed in each and every piece in some way. Alexander: Misho and Vladimir write the songs. Illian makes them complete and I ruin everything with my singing. What inspires you to write one or another single?

photo: Vesselina Penkova

Ilian: There are a lot of things that can inspire us. Nice live show, a song we heard, or some stories from our own everyday life. Vladimir: Misho and grief. Misho: Heh-heh, that inspiration question again ... Alexander: Ask Misho. Which bands / artists have had the greatest influence on you as musicians?

Ilian: We all listen to different music, and to a wide variety of bands. For me, the bands that have been an influence for me most of all areSlayer, Machine Head, As I Lay Dying, Tes-

tament. Vladimir: Milko Kalaidjiev Misho: A strong influence on me has Chuck Schuldiner and his band Death, Dimebag and Pantera, and of course the monstrous aggression of Slipknot ....Well, there are also a lot more bands. Ilian: Everyone has their own inspiration, the most important is that the style is one.

professional musicians who deal only with music and support artists and musicians. Vladimir: Happy days. Misho: Triple Platinum album! Heh-heh-heh Alexander: Keep walking only forward.

WHAT ARE the creative horizons for hate campaign?

You have plans for an ALBUM. WHEN DO YOU EXPECT it would be ready?

What are your biggest achievements up to date?

Vladimir: I am the highest. Misho: Our name flashed How do you choose in the Journal of Metallica - „So What“ the tracks for the Alexander: The last time live sets? Ilian: We select the songs we did a song for 10 minso that we can keep the utes. audience‘s attention for as How would you long as possible. Vladimir: By scrambling describe Hate Campaign in three the pieces. Misho: Well, we pick what words? we want to play right now. Ilian: We hate chamAlexander: Heads or Tails, pagne. joke ... We choose the Vladimir: Grief, sorrow, tracks so the whole con- grief. cept is not annoying and Misho: Tragedy in C.. so that we will not be tired Alexander: And no champagne. at the end of the show.

Ilian: We want to become

photo: Vesselina Penkova

Vladimir: Painful question... Misho: It seems a long way to it ... Sponsors of all countries, unite for us! Haha-ha ... Alexander: When we find sponsors, then the album will be

ready.

Misho: We must tour a bit through Bulgaria Tell us more and play in other citabout your fuies (if they can hanture Projects. dle us) and in the Ilian: Rock Am Ring, future – to become Rock Im Park, Rock artists for Roadrunner in Rio, Wacken .. ... Records. Vladimir: Misho will Alexander: Videos, say ... records, everything

depends on sponsors. WHERE CAN we LISTEN to you?

Misho: On November 2, at Rock bar „FANS“. There we will play with WARTIME. Come and hear us. 123

Jennifer carpenter reveals on „ D e x t e r “ CONGRATULATIONS for the good rating on the PREMIERE episode of this year. Thank you. I do not pay much attention to these things, but I‘m glad that the series is doing well. During the filming we generally don’t think about ratings, because if we constantly think about all of the people who are following the series and about the pressure from the ratings, it will most affect my work.

ebra Morgan rose in her career as a cop, and though she is still in complete ignorance of the hobby of her brother, does that mean that she will eventually get too close to the truth? Jennifer Carpenter will tell us more about it.

have the promotion. But Debra really works hard on every major case. But she misses the most obvious thing. After all her brother is a serial killer. Yes, it’s true. That’s a good point.

about Dexter? I think the audiences are ready. I definitely am. A long time has passed since the death of Rita and Lundy. Now it would be a good time for such disclosure. I think that the viewers are looking forward to it, too. I want to give it to them. The scene, when Lundy was killed, was the hardest one in my career because it was very emotional. But I do this ever since I was 8 years old and I managed to cope.

How does she fail to understand all of those clues? It is becoming increasingly How did you react difficult for me to justify when you learned her actions. She is so clever I did not know that that Debra is getting but still she misses so many you are an actress a promotion at clues. How come that she for so long. You have work? doesn’t inquire where her graduated from It’s incredible. It can happen brother seems to disap- Juilliard, RIGHT? How only on TV that you can miss pears? Especially now that did you end up there? so many steps and become she takes care of Harrison! I was 8 years old when I a lieutenant right away. But It is logical to be more inter- told my parents that I want my uncertainty about the ested. to become an actress and I credibility of this promofocused on it ever since. I tion coincided perfectly Is it difficult for you have never had any other with that of my character. that after all this career choice. My parents Strangely I am Batista’s boss, time Deb has still not didn’t disapprove of my while in fact he deserves to discovered the truth choice – they simply asked 125

home and I started talking to them. They immediately made me a remark on my expressions. Immediately I realized how ugly it sounded. But it is somehow natural for Deb. It seems What do your that she has only parents think one swear word about the language that and she uses it in 50 Deb uses? different ways. So it After the first year may seem like her of the show, I got vocabulary is poor, me how I was planning to achieve that. That meant that I had to have a plan. I did a research and found out the best schools and then applied to them.

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but to her it always mean something different. At this stage I no longer pay attention to this. Dexter refers frequently to the „Dark Passenger“. Has SOMEONE counted how many times? No, but I agree. I did not hear it so often,

because I am not present at these scenes. I had lines like „There will be a new victim“ and immediately feel that this is Dexter. We are police. New murder, but not a new victim. All we have so much influenced by Dexter that sometimes we have to remind ourselves that we are not serial killers.

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beauty apps by Sarah Burton

Like many smart phone users, I’m always on the lookout for handy new apps that can make my life easier, or help kill time when on public transport or when I otherwise want to play with my phone. Recently I started looking for beauty apps that I could use on my phone – this was not as easy task as I thought it would be! (Be warned – searching for “beauty apps” on Google can take you straight to centrefold picture apps and other “interesting” places!). more on http://abeautifulstory.net

Here are my thoughts on 5 apps I recently downloaded from Android’s App Market. (Sorry to those with iPhones – there may or may not be an iPhone equivalent of these particular apps on iTunes.) I’ve ranked these from 1 to 5, with 1 being the best. All of these apps are free – so even if I have given it a poor review all you will lose is time if you want to test it out yourself! OK so here we go!

My Beauty Adviser This app has been designed by Procter and Gamble, a US based cosmetics brand that owns Cover Girl, Pantene

and others . It is a very professional looking app with a sleek design, and has 4 different sections you can explore – Mag, Beauty Bag, Explore and Profile. Of these my favourite was Mag, which is a magazine within the app updated approximately monthly. I liked this a lot as this part contained interesting beauty articles as well as video tutorials. Beauty Bag is a section in which you can drag and drop different Procter and Gamble owned products that you have to make note of things such as their expiry date (it calculates this for you) – so you can later be reminded

to buy more when needed! The Explore section gives you the opportunity to browse and gain more information on products by name, by scanning the barcode of a product you already have (or are looking at if shopping), or by voice. The Profile section appears to allow you to write reviews on products and undertake “consultations” which are basically quizzes about different aspects of beauty – at the end of the quiz particular products are recommended to you based on your needs. This app is user friendly, packed with features, and well designed. However, the downside is that it only fea-

tures Procter and Gamble owned brands, which is a bit limiting. I wouldn’t mind using the product expiry reminder feature for all of my makeup (of many different brands)! Natural Beauty Recipe This app contains a wide range of natural recipes for beauty products you can make at home. The recipes are conveniently divided into sections for easy browsing, and include recipes for after shave, bath products, cleansers, hair care, face masks, nail care products, and more. The app allows you to share recipes online via social

media sites as well as email and Bluetooth. It also has a Favourites feature to make it easier to later find those particular recipes that interested you. What I didn’t like about this app was that some of the ingredients in many of the recipes are obscure and expensive. Thus as a user of the app I would be more likely to buy a product off the shelf for the same or a cheaper price rather than actually use a recipe, due to the high costs of ingredients. Having said that, this app is very interesting, user friendly, and will particularly appeal to those who like to make their own

beauty products. It will also appeal to those who are interested in natural skin care products. It is certainly worth downloading! Hair Change This Korean app – which has the main menu items in English so non Korean speakers won’t get stuck – is a lot of fun. It is designed to help you find the right hairstyle for you, in a similar way to popular hair websites such as thehairstyler.com, and has a section for both women and men. You first take your picture on your phone via the app and then can choose from many different hair