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Meet Kmn – a rare-to-find representative of underground music scene in Sofia. His skills spam over wide areas of life, starting from chemistry, programming to visual arts and music. Talking to him is always fun as he would explain patiently and informatively the essence of a particular issue to the point in which you discover that you are out of questions. For this interview, though we had to be short as the time was limited. Nevertheless, enjoy!

What is the role of a VJ and why it is important?

Nowadays, more often than not we listen to DJs who perform their music from laptops and the audience cannot not really see what they are doing. All they see is a person and a laptop, which makes the whole visual experience devoid of any action. By the way, there are very good essays on the topic by Robert Hanke from Monolake (which you can read here and here). So we, the VJs, step in at that point. Parties and concerts become much more interesting and lively, ready to be fully experienced. What we try to do is to blend music, vision and lighting into a complete whole. It is great to cooperate with the Djs, to catch their mood and understand their ideas. It’s a two sided process actually – sometimes when the DJ sees that I am using an element of my visual performance in order to emphasize a definite moment in his or hers set, it becomes really nice and we have fun all the time.

How did you start?

A friend of mine who already was involved in visual arts invited me to a party where he participated. After I watched him for two or three hours, I just sat on the PC and started playing visuals, just like that. This happened in 2005. We set up owr own crew – Po Vision and we worked toghether until 2007. After that I worked by my self for several years. At the end of 2009, a VJ friend of mine – Vladzen offered me to join him and Vijdai in the group Phormatic Visual Lab. Since then we work together, we have our own web page – http://www.phormatik.org/. We have many exciting events coming!

How do you choose what to play on, is there always concept?

I have something like a flowing set of images which modifies all the time – I do new sequences, add some from the archive. I always try to have new material for the parties I take part in. It would be too much if we say that there is a special concept, rather the sequences of images are chosen according to their dynamics and themes for the particular style of music.

How does the audience react to what it sees?

That is an interesting question. I ask it myself on each party. Usually, we as Vjs sit behind the scene where we can’t see the crowd and we somehow lack feedback. It turns out that lots of people don’t really know that we mix short video clips in real time. They have this idea that we play ready animation and we can do it forever.

How is this culture developing in Bulgaria?

It is not popular, but it has its progress. At some point we were about 20 persons dealing with visuals. Now we are few – me, Vladzen, Vijdai, Gnome, Demobaza and few more. Some went abroad, others just stopped doing it.

Kmn’s performances can be enjoyed at HMSU and Mirizma parties, as well as other electronic music events.

Yes, it’s coming slowly but steadily! I cannot wait to put my feet on this sacred place – Katina! For a numerous time or in particular 10th, we are about to explode under the Drum and Bass rhythms! Let’s give summer time a new meaning! Hello friends, hello party people… I am looking for a tent!

Kutina Open Air starts on the 2nd of July. More info about how to get there and have ultimate fun you can find on HMSU’s website.

It is nice when you can go to a place that is reviving. It makes the occasion even more special, when you have in mind little less than a hundred years of history. Since its very establishment, Влайкова (Vlaikova) is a place of social importance. It is named after Maria Vlaikova – a generous lady contributed for the realization of the building and its purpose. This happened around the year 1926 and ever since at least 5 generations have passed though it which is huge!

With time Vlaikova has been there like an inherent part of the city and a collective memory of ours. Some know it as a community centre (читалище ha), others as a cinema but now Vlaikova is speeding up. The cinema is still there but the whole building flashes a new ВЛКВ light – the one painted by the colors of diligence, pure thought, youth modernity and old architecture. There is a smell as well, reminding us of newly painted bathrooms allowing for multiple activities like art installations, happenings and fun as all around the place. Isn’t this a clear signal for a concept? Like ZOOFIA exhibition – a perfect opening for the new history of this place and the city itself.

And the bar offers drinks and the nice people are there.  Plus, the music set is carefully selected. We should now make a group indulgence into good time and sweet talks. ye ye

Find ВЛКВ Club (enjoy Cyrillic) on 11 Tsar Ivan Asen II.

The season changes, the weather becomes warmer, we are getting old and nothing can stop us! In case you wonder what to do, allow me to give you an old advice – go outside, talk to girls. A good way to start such activities are the parks. During the day, you can chill with mothers and children running over your feet, while in the night parks seem quite lively and full of surprises. People enjoy sitting in the open, especially when we throw behind the memories from the long winter.

Recently I have been noticing the following tendency: a humming and colorful forms  in front of the National Theatre Ivan Vazov. It has become the new Popa or even more by providing supporting evidence with the people that could be seen – many of them displaying different skills like fire spinning, hacky sack tricks and beer drinking. All the rest are interacting. Last time, it was so overcrowded that I said blah and went undisturbed to a quieter place – in the nearby Zaimov Park.

Jackin Bar had a flying start and continues in the right direction, having no intentions to slow down. The parties I have been are interesting and different – all of them are framed by the sounds of electronic music which is just to my taste – m – m. Continuing with the positive impressions, I would add that the DJs are the popular among the ones who care, even more – they mark frequent appearances onto the club scene in Sofia and not only. In other words, we are in safe hands.

Of course, the drinks are always there, waiting for their happy consumer to arrive.

Jacking Bar is on 1 Bulgaria square – in the underpass of National Palace of Culture (NDK), right next to Magnito and Sofia Live Club.

Open Monday to Saturday – 4:00 pm to 4:00 am

I know that cheese cakes are totally outlandish to our traditions and stuff but since the world globalizes, you have to accept this one as local! It’s my mother’s cheese cake and it is like no one else’s. Made only on special occasions, the cheese cake has acquired legendary status while my mother is celebrated for her skills.

Recipe – by request.

Supa Star is for soups! It is a great little place where you can eat the healthy way and enjoy a rustic atmosphere. I would add a rustic-modern one where you have the feeling that you are in a kitchen space but not quite. Inside, you are entertained by the drawings on the walls and all the details that contribute for the completion of the friendly setting. You eat and contemplate at the same time.

I also like the play with words – supa in Bulgarian means a soup but it is transliterated to the Western gangsta style where reduction of letters is valued and the slang is part of the lifestyle. The name is very ingenious, it implies the qualities of the soups mixed with urban attitude! You just go there, have a quick soup and continue your errands but recharged as you feel how the hot liquid warms you inside. It seems to me that these are the right ingredients to a successful survival in a rivalry world. Besides, everyone loves soup!

Of course, there are sandwiches and other extras in the menu that is constantly changing because of the speed with which food is disappearing.

Supa Star is on 8 Shishman street, where Bistro#8 was previously situated.

I have always admired those utterly devoted to music, especially electronic. KiNK is undoubtedly one of those rare birds. Claiming to be involved with different electronic styles, he is best known for his raw-acid-groove-house, occasionally melancholic, sound. Recently, KiNK has been quite active releasing his productions. As a result, he is being mentioned on the web more often than ever and positive comments are endless.

Here are several of KiNK’s releases that caught my attention (click on the links / images to get the idea):

Rachel EP - a full 3-track debut release on Josh Wink’s OVUM records. ‘E79’ is my personal favourite.

‘Bitter Sweet’ is a debut original track on Hamburg-based label Liebe Detail

Remix on Matthias Meyer’s ‘Tout Va Bien’ again on Liebe Detail

Yesterday the police chased us and in my efforts to remember how this happened I felt like writing an article. Now I discover that stress can be a powerful tool for getting some inspiration. That is why I think Florimont Expo Center deserves our attention, as it has begun to be a place for interesting parties. Though the name sounds funny, the place is not bad at all. It offers a beautiful view of Sofia and Vitosha mountain while sitting in huge sofas, dancing or hanging out on one of the balconies. That is because Florimont Expo is situated literary on Sofia’s circular road, right across the National Historical Museum. It is hardly reachable by any public transport or if you decide to try this way, you need carefully to plan the trip and estimate the walking part, otherwise you risk getting lost. My advice is to go there by a car driven by experienced local party maniac or a taxi.

The place itself is big and easily adaptable for various purposes – it is either suitable for a wild d’n’b party or something more fancy like a cocktail. Here comes the strangest part – it has a sushi restaurant at one of its ends. I think that you cannot both eat sushi and party as it closes at some point while the party continues.

The best part is that you can make as much noise as you want.

Address: 132 Bulgaria blvd.

Since SoSofia team is regularly enjoying the city’s nightlife, we cannot remain impartial to local artists who draw the picture of Sofia’s electronic scene.
Ataneus, to begin with, involved himself with electronic culture a decade ago. Today, he is one of the very few Sofia-based artists to provoke exterior attention thanks to his musical productions. Deeply influenced by the Italian techno and tech-house sounds, Ataneus has developed a unique style which has arouse the interest of several well-distinguished European labels.
Lately, he has been working on a remix for Budai & Vic’s ‘Girl Behind Me’ which was released on Melomane Records last month. The remix reveals Ataneus’ typical tech-house sound, pleasing the ear of electronic music lovers.

Hear his latest track here as you prepare for your night out!