By: Lisa Steinberg
Q) How did growing up in Bulgaria influence you to become the artist you are today?
A) Growing up in Bulgaria shaped my creativity in a very unique way. But the most defining influence on my development as a singer came from the more than ten years I spent living in Kyrgyzstan. That’s where I first started performing professionally. Being surrounded by so many talented hip-hop creators gave me the push to discover my own path. Music became my way to express hope and to bridge different worlds. That mix of Eastern European roots and global influences is still what drives me to create songs that feel both personal and universal.
Q) We last chatted in 2024 about your EP Smile. How have you grown as an artist since that time?
A) Since Smile, I’ve grown a lot in terms of sound and confidence. I’ve learned to trust my instincts more and not be afraid of experimenting. The year 2024 was also a big transition year – I moved back from Kyrgyzstan to Bulgaria. In Sofia, I found amazing vocal coaches at DStars who helped me refine my voice and push my abilities further. That gave me the chance to connect with listeners more deeply – not just by sharing songs, but by sharing energy, stories and emotions people could carry with them. During this period I also released “High on Life” and I’m really looking forward to soon releasing another new track, “Beyond the Sky.”
Q) Where did the concept for “High on Life” come from?
A) It coincided with my transition back to Europe. The concept came from a moment when I realized how fragile life is, yet how powerful love can be in transforming fear into freedom. I wanted to create a track that feels like pure elevation – that rush you get when you forget your limits and let love lead the way. My initial thoughts were: “Do you have a reason to be happy?… Only our love will free us from the immaturity of not living in the present… Your journey is your journey, don’t compare it to someone else’s. Life is more than just an algorithm; there are emotions and feelings… Stop thinking too much… have fancy time and experience the life…”
Q) The song came out in June and was a summer must-play. What kind of response did you receive from fans?
A) The response was overwhelming! People were tagging me in videos of them dancing to it at parties, road trips and even workouts. It was amazing to see the song travel so far and to know that the energy I felt while creating it reached people in their everyday moments.
Q) Do you hope listeners were able to relate and soak in the “no fear, only love” message?
A) Absolutely. That’s the heart of the song. I hope when people listen they feel empowered to let go of doubts, to love fully and to trust life a little more. If even a few listeners felt that message sink in, then the song did its job.
Q) With “High on Life” out now, have you been back in the studio working on new music?
A) Yes, I’m already deep into the next tracks! My new song “Beyond the Sky” is currently being mixed and mastered and I’m also preparing the visuals. I recently performed it live for the very first time at an Oktoberfest event in Sofia and I was thrilled by the audience’s reaction – people were moving with the beat, and later a short 20-second clip I shared on social media received a lot of likes, comments and shares. I want to build on the wave of energy from “High on Life” while also showing different sides of myself – more intimate, more experimental.
Q) You frequently collaborate with music producer Felix Kotlo. What makes working with him such a great experience?
A) Felix just gets me. He knows how to translate my raw ideas into soundscapes that feel alive. We push each other – he challenges me to go bolder and I challenge him to explore new layers. It’s a creative partnership built on trust, and that’s rare to find.
Q) When we last spoke your dream collab was with a K-pop or J-pop group. Who are some artists you have in mind now?
A) That dream is still alive! I’d love to work with groups like GOT7, Stray Kids or SEVENTEEN and maybe even LYKN from Thailand. I’m also open to cross-genre collaborations – perhaps with DJs or artists who blend cultures and languages in their music.
Q) You are often described as a mix of EDM/pop/rap. Is there another genre you’d like to explore in the future?
A) I’m always exploring different genres. I usually have three vocal coaching sessions a week and besides working on my own songs, I also learn covers across many styles – from “Die with a Smile” by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” or Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night.” Recently, I even took on a Bulgarian rock classic, “The Black Sheep” by the band Ahat and now I’m working on Junhee’s “Supernova.” In the future, I’d love to explore more acoustic and cinematic sounds – something that feels like a film soundtrack. Stripping things down sometimes brings out a whole different emotional power, and I want to challenge myself in that direction too.
Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of your music?
A) I just want to say thank you, truly. Every stream, every message, every moment you share my songs with your friends – it means the world. You give me the courage to keep creating and dreaming bigger. Let’s keep building this journey together – no fear, only love.