Vassi

Bio

The same beginning

Well, so what more hides behind the scene name DJ Vassi (we all know the smile that never leaves your face though): Vasil Milkov Ivanov, born on 14th of July 1984 in the beautiful small mountain town Smoljan, nothing too much to happen there, but having the famous resort of Pamporovo nearby turned to be a solid foundation for starting and developing a DJ career, since the first touch with clubbing culture could be found there – the tourists basically brought it with them.
Which were the artists that made the greatest impression to you before you became a professional DJ - we were informed that you had the greatest music collection of all there to be around at some point of your life so probably lots of music stuff has passed through your mind?

„There were basically so many artist that I was listening to at these times, that I can't actually make a top 10 list or something similar, but I do need to mention here Depeche Mode, INXS, Queen, Earth Wind & Fire – pretty classical stuff though, you may learn a lot from all of them...“

Understandable, and which came next?

„Due to the specifics of the environment I started entering the great diversity of the electronic music when I already had a name as a good DJ within the district and therefore I had a lot to make up for. I started developing pretty quickly though,some times I would be a step behind, but most of the time I was definitely couple of steps in front in terms of discovering how many artists were out there that were worth it to listen to. If I would make a list her I would surely include Moby, Moloko, Basement Jaxx, X-Press 2, Shake Down, Shapeshifters, Faithless, Josh Wink, Todd Terry, David Morales, Danny Tenaglia, Sia, Funky Green Doggs and many more...Historically these are probably the guys that have the greatest influence on the way I work and create music now...“

Any additions to the said so far: Well, considering the fact that I started when I was 14, and I already had couple of “gigs” - I won a competition in 5th grade on a talent show it seems I've been around for a while. Having in mind that we were living in a district, where DJ-ing was initially understood as having someone in the boot to play all the newest stuff and whatever he's told or paid to play, i've been on a long way to real DJ-ing and this way was related to enlightening the people around regarding clubbing, electronic music, and the whole culture related to these.

The path of career.

For ten years on stage, Vassi had played in all of the coolest and well known clubs within the area and along with couple of fellows at the time being known as United DJs started organizing and playing on the first electronic parties so the last sentence from the above paragraph is not cocky at all – those were the days. The greatest event from that period is the opportunity given to Vassi to play in front of 3000 people on the final evening of the Orpheus Celebrations. Basically these celebrations are for various culture and music specifics of Bulgarian people, so what better stage to show the folks around there the newly coming to them clubbing culture and electronic music with its Bulgarian representatives in the face of DJ Vassi.
And there comes the first serious gig – yet talent didn't remain unnoticed so DJ Vassi is invited by DJ Steven (one of the founders and still yet the most recognizable faces in BG clubbing) to play on one stage with DJ Doncho in Chervilo – the most popular place to club in capital Sofia.
Next to come is DJ Vassi as a resident of Organza club in the old capital Veliko Tarnovo where the scene is big enough and the audience is warm and allowing development and experiments, so he becomes a popular person within the city clubbers.
2006 is really important year in his career as DJ Vassi appears on the international stage with couple of gigs in some of the most popular clubs in Ibiza, Spain. Most important to him from these events is the experience they give -new audience, international gathering of people and the whole different look they gave to him for partying and proper nights with electronic music and people having the time of their lives in the clubs of Ibiza.
Logically in 2007 DJ Vassi becomes summer resident of club Lolas in Ibiza and there come the meetings with some of the people that make the world of clubbing go round and round - Pete Tong, David Guetta, Tom Novy, Luciano, John Aquaviva, Josh Wink, Tania Volcano, Loco Dice and many others. All this proves that dreams may come true, so you must believe in you, work hard and you will get it.
Next year, 2008, Vassi is part of the national SEE ME tour in 15 clubs all over the state. He is also playing at the final event of the tour – the last evening of SEE ME, a world class event that takes place in the -1st floor and the underpass of the Central Station in the capital Sofia. 4 stages, more than 30 Djs along with: Jeff Mills, Paul Woolford, Eddie Halliwell, John O'Callaghan and Punk Soundcheck.
In the summer of 2008 Vassi appears on the same stage with Lumidee, and the greatest summer event is when he is invited to play before and after the first performance of Ida Corr in Bulgaria, the event takes place in one of the most visited club in Golden Sands - Papaya.
To end up the probably the best year so far comes the invitation from DJ Mag Bulgaria – DJ Vassi plays along with names like Marco V, DJ Steven and Lubo Ursiny on the party for the final worldwide chart Top 100 DJs. It takes place in the central ancient bath Sofia with unique decoration and atmosphere. More than 1000 people attend the event and dance in two main rooms, 2 VIP areas plus one terrace. Some magazines nominate it as a club event of the year.
Year of 2009 so far seems to be for personal projects and as a result Vassi is away from the big stage for a while, but we do expect him to come back at some point as there will be couple of good parties to happen this summer and afterwards.

Would you add some words to conclude...

Actually 2009 is really important year for me as this will be the tenth year after I stood on the desk for the first time and looked in the eyes of the audience. During these 10 years I placed solid foundations of my career playing in many of the top Bulgarian clubs. Nothing is how it used to be, same could be said for me too – starting with funky vocal house through Progressive and Electro sounds and for the last couple of years I feel perfect in the deepness of the minimalistic sound. I do not put boundaries though so don't be surprised if I come out with something new and different at some point. For these 10 years, not many and on the other hand quite a few, I learned the most important thing – only the audience matters, it's all about them, the people you want to put smiles on the faces of, and when I see their joy with what I do, I really feel happy.

His energy and temperance always heat up the dancing red, not so wide and not so commercial in a small country like Bulgaria and yet he is still one of those DJs whose performance will leave a deep print on people's hearts and souls...10 years DJ Vassi.

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