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Sofia Live Club is a sparkling place to be – the one that Sofia needed badly because of the live music performances and the type of events as a whole.

Inside, there are a lot of things you can look at and be impressed with. The main entrance and the following corridor create a visual illusion, making one think that the ceiling is exceptionally high while the corridor – abnormally long. Then the toilets and the wardrobe area merge – they are like an open space which allows for unrestricted movements while you prepare to enter into the main hall. Next, however, the restrictions come with the two doors – you are either a VIP or not.

Irrespective of your status, the stage is huge. If I were a musician, I would feel very happy on it and when a video wall with the size of the stage rises behind me, I would not want to get off it and would sing until the last muscle of my body sores or the security guys come. Then exhausted but forced by the crowd, I would sing my last encore and go home.

Sofia Live Club is literary under the National Palace of Culture (NDK) – you have to go down into the underpass and look for the fountains in the shape of metal balls or the red carpet which leads to the main entrance.

I came across easyHotel Sofia completely by chance but I instantly thought that it would be useful for those of you who do not know where to stay for cheap. The hotel is brand new, purpose built, clean and funky. You cannot miss it because of the distinctive orange colour that is present inside and outside the building.

As it is situated on the corner of the Aldomirovska str. and the main Todor Alexandrov blvd (map), the hotel is very close to the very center of the city and the big shopping areas like TZUM or Mall of Sofia. The metro is near by as well, so apart from the center, you can see the two ends of Sofia (and get culture shock). And then, at the end of the day, you safely return to your cosy room and revise all the events from the day, planning what to do for tomorrow.

For more information, check Easy Hotel’s website and the phone number is 00359 (0)2 920 1654.

Darkness has rooted in Gaba bar, for a long, long time, turning into a permanent characteristic feature. Right from the very entrance, faces become blurred and I concentrate on finding my friends. The place looks bigger than it actually is but this is because of the shadows and shades. I hear voices, see murky silhouettes and finally here they are – my friends. They discuss keenly the political situation, so I take the advantage and observe the place. Darkness now combines with smoke – it seems that everyone present is holding a reeking cigarette. I disapprove and ask the boy next to me whether he would smoke until the rest of his life. He doesn’t really know but admits his addiction. Anyways, we say “nazdrave” (cheers) and change the topic.

I come to think that Gaba Bar has an audience of its own. Such a place would not have survived otherwise through the years and that should be my main point. It fosters people with alternative music tastes and more importantly, it offers conceptual music, the one that is out of the mainstream. Thus, the whole night turns out to be conceptual, not always though. For example, we listened to Beirut which glued us to our seats in expectation for the next songs. Yes, it was nice and it was getting late but the forthcoming tracks were important. Still, we would listen and talk, talk, talk… and occasionally hum with the songs.

Gaba Bar is on 44 “6-ti Septemvri” street, just after Downtown Hotel if you are coming from Vasil Levski blvd. It is a big metal door that would lead you in downstairs.

Yes, it is 14th of January, still it is not too late to wish you Happy New Year!

Let the new year brings you new friends, tons of love, lots of travels and prosperity.

Thanks to Vladimir Georgiev who provided us with this photo of Sofia’s first minutes of 2010!

On my first dinner in Moskva Restaurant I had quite a good time because of the whole setting and the people I was with who I did not know much but eventually started to dance and sing. It was a gradual process that left me thinking over the particularities of the Russian traditions when it comes to celebrating around tables. They certainly aren’t few and Moskva restaurant proves it with balance between style and taste.

Within the exuberant setting, the menu list is undoubtedly intended to be the center of attention. The meals’ title are both familiar and new to me since this is the first time I officially go to a Russian restaurant. The rest I know from the pictures in the Russian traditional cuisine cookbooks that always seem to reveal a whole tale. That is exactly what happened then – at first, the setting provided an air of formality and expectations what might happen next (I had already that feeling that something unpredicted would happen). And then the food was served, in beautiful plates, looking and tasting great, instantly turning into a recurring theme for conversations. Of course, it was garnished with vodka and sentimental memories about life in Russia (for those who had them). That certainly warmed up the atmosphere and when the live performance of two musicians started, all barriers fell and the people I was with but did not know much eventually started to dance and sing. We were like a family, a Russian one.

Moskva Restaurant is open everyday between 11:00-24:00.

Address:  2 Lege str.

When I gеt inspiration I am always like this – Twins bar is on the other side of Funkiss club which on its side has been keeping a low profile for some time now. It’s like I haven’t heard about any activities going on there. Too bad, we would agree.

Twins bar, however, is at its height. It made me impression that unusual events are being organized like, for example, on that last Tuesday night there was a band playing and singing live a strange mixture of folk songs and drum and bass rhythms. They even had didgeridoo as an exotic ingredient. And you should have seen the crowd – most of them were whistling, jumping and dancing some kind of horo which made the whole setting totally awkward. Still, people enjoy it and did what they felt like doing while I played billiards with almost professional gestures.

Find the bar on one of the sides of the National Palace of Culture (NDK), on the other side of Funkiss Club. There might be some admission fee at the entrance which is by any means affordable.

Since our last interview lots of parties passed, many drinks were drank and tons of memories were amassed (or totally erased). Since then, I meet Laylla Dane occasionally or way too often, on different places with different people and every time is fun. She knows electronic music well, deals with it all the time and loves speaking about clubs, events, mixing, or dancing – in short, about all the features of a blasting party.

I decided to ask her again (in the middle of the night) several questions because I know that she has been observing Sofia’s nightlife very closely, trying to influence it and to contribute with some quality sound so that we all go happy to beds in the morning.

Where has been Laylla Dane musically and mentally in 2009?

Hello dear Rada. I feel that I am standing at the crossroads of life on which I must clearly state that playing music is what I really want to do. However, I think that this is obvious anyway – I still have the resident days at Toba&Co Bar. The euphoria after the DJ contest at Chervilo has been long forgotten but I do not complain about lack of engagements in different events. 2009 has actually been a very intense year including various gigs, meeting so many new people, spending a great deal of time abroad. Nothing to complain about.

As an active participant in the nightlife, is there any change since our last interview?

In my personal opinion, the house scene is becoming less and less attractive in terms of DJ guests except for Loco Dice, who, if you ask me, made the party of the year. I became more interested in listening to Bulgarian artists who distinguish themselves by selecting and playing quality electronic music – not the one you will hear on a Friday/Saturday night in a regular club in Sofia. In addition, recently, I visited several drum and bass and dubstep parties and it stroke me how well developed that scene is here in Bulgaria.

What does a perfect party night mean to you?

It has two main variants – it depends on whether I play music or whether I am part of the audience. The key ingredients however are the desired company and the quality music. Recently, the dynamicity matters a lot – I don’t like to stay in one place but rather to visit as much places as possible.

What audience do you call the best ?

This is an easy question – the audience that genuinely have fun.

We found out that you played in Macedonia not so long ago! What happened there?

Oh, yes, this is one of my favorite parties ever. I played in the city of Ohrid in an overcrowded club irrespective of the fact that there were two big events the same night. I wasn’t very sure whether the Macedonian public would like my selection of tracks but the party turned out great! People were having fun which is a real recognition for what I do.

Let’s talk about vinyls – you have concentrated on them. Why is this so?

I wouldn’t say that I have concentrated on the vinyls only. But it is true that I peep from time to time in the vinyl stores. My interest in them is growing bigger again. The vinyl is a fragile instrument which needs attention and serious attitude while working with it. Such facts raise mixing to a higher level. Besides, buying vinyls is a great way to show respect for the artist and a means to obtain authentic piece of music.

What inspires you to create mixes?

It’s the atmosphere which I try to recreate – usually it corresponds to my mood or to an experience I had. For example, not so long ago I was subject to incompetent criticism concerning the moods in my live sets which provoked me to record comparatively darker set that induced interest.

You’re obviously no stranger to praise, but what about criticism? Have you had any?

Constructive criticism is a rare phenomenon. It’s funny that most people who make comments on my DJ-ing are not exactly electronic music lovers but intruders looking for confrontation. This automatically locks my criticism receptive organs. I do not aim at becoming everybody’s favourite. My goal is to impress those who have some background as electronic music listeners.

What’s your favorite drink?

My favourite beer is drink Really, I love it.

Now you can follow us on Twitter as well – @sosofiacom – it would be so much fun!

We’ll try to post daily updates on concerts, parties, galleries and whatever happens in the city.

Don’t be scared, we changed the outlook of SoSofia for the better!

+ more changes to come :]