Deep Zone as support for other artists in the Bulgarian national final

Deep Zone will be producing the singles of some artists participating in this year's Bulgarian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009.

Producing and remixing most hit singles of other Bulgarian artists, Deep Zone also started Music Space, a project to promote their young protégés.

But Deep Zone is not only helping other artists in buliding a successful career, they have been busy following their own ambitious projects as well, such as their National Club Tour which led them to 20 Bulgarian cities. Moreover, they did over hundred live performances and club gigs, including an appearance at Spirit of Bourgas, an international music festival.

Their current single is called Let the music love ya, which was released in October and managed to reach the top of various important charts. Due to a contract with ToCo International, the single is set to be released worldwide in a month.



source: esctoday.com

Bulgaria: 45 songs, nine heats

On Thursday 2nd October, the first heat of "Be a star in Bulgaria" will open the national finals and preselections season for Eurovision Song Contest 2009.

Every month (October, November and December) will have 4 shows. In the first 3, 5 of the participating songs will be presented, and in the 4th one the televoting results will be presented. The top three songs from each month will qualify for the semifinal.

In the semifinal, to be held in January, 18 songs will take part - nine that qualified from the heats, and another nine that will be chosen by a committee. Nine of those songs will be sent to the final by a jury where they will be joined by three wildcards, commissioned by BNT.

read more on esctoday.com

Elitsa Todorova seriously injured during rehearsal

The Bulgarian singer Elitsa Todorova (ESC 2007) survived by miracle Saturday, after hundreds of kilograms of iron crashed down, on top of her during a concert rehearsal.

A sudden storm had caused a scaffold from the concert's stage to crash down on performers and the technical team. Two other individuals have been injured, however, Elitsa's condition is the most serious one because the singer had sustained head trauma.

It is still unclear if the concert would take place as scheduled. According to reports, the wind in the area is becoming stronger and there is a possibility of cancelling it.

The company that has built the stage on the sand has not yet offered an explanation of the cause of the incident.


Hope she'll be ok soon!




source

Second Semi-Final -reactions after perfomance

The representatives of nineteen countries have presented their songs tonight in the Second Semi-Final of the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest.

Watch the reactions after perfomance below:

Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankulov become heroes in a comic book

Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankulov, the Bulgarian duet, which ranked fifth in the Eurovision contest in 2007, became comic book heroes.
Todorova herself came up with the idea for the story of the comic book, avtora.com said.

Her character would fight against dark forces. She restored the people and animals desire for love with rhythm, songs and dances.

A giant and a skilled hero, resembling Yankulov, help Todorova’s character fight against evil.
The comic book’s message was to keep Earth clean. Todorova and Yankulov would support the cause with their new song Zemya (Earth).

Japanese publishers were already interested in the comic book and planned to release it in Tokyo, avtora.com said.

Currently, Elitsa was writing the second part of the story.

It would be sold with a set of drumsticks, carrying Todorova and Yankulov’s signatures.

source:sofiaecho.com;

photo:elitsatodorova.com

Bulgaria selects song for JESC on 29th September

Bulgaria is one of the newcomers in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest this year.

The first Bulgarian national selections for the junior contest were presented in Sofia on Friday. Bulgarian broadcaster BNT will hold the national final on Saturday 29th September, the same night as Ukraine and Belgium.

source:belgovision.com

Elitsa and Stoyan join African duo in an ethnic project

Bulgarian representatives at this year's Eurovision final Elitsa and Stoyan and an African drum duo presented their new joint ethno project in the framework of July Jazz Fest in the town of Smolyan.

"The composition, called "Meeting on Three Continents", combines Bulgarian folklore motifs with typical African ones", the soloist of the Bulgarian duo Elitsa explained.

There have been used several unknown for the Bulgarian audience percussion instruments - balafon, skin covered hand drum, called djembe and ngoni.

"We hope that we will be given the opportunity to promote the project before the tribe of our African colleagues in Burkina Faso," Elitsa said.

Some of the ethno project's compositions are planned to be included in an album.

source:Sofia News Agency

Bulgaria starts preparing for Belgrade

Bulgarian TV have planned a detailed national selection process to decide their next representative to the Eurovision Song Contest, while at the same time making an effort to keep the public involved. The campaign kicks off on July 1st when the call for entries begins. This year's slogan is "To be a star, to get on the big stage, turn the summer romance into music."

Bulgarian broadcaster BNT have announced this year's national selection process that will decide who gets the ticket for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade. As of October 1, BNT will launch a new weekly show, called EuroBGVision, which will be held at the National Palace of Culture in Sofia. The show aims to present the Bulgarian public with possible candidates from the local music scene and give the public the chance to send their favourites to a semi final.

EuroBGVision will feature each week live performances of songs which will be followed by discussions on general music topics. At the end of each of the three months (October, November and December) a special show will feature all the songs presented previously in the same month and each time the viewers will select three to go to the semi final.

The songs not selected will be given a second chance, together with all new songs that will be submitted until the end of 2007. At the end of January, an expert jury will select nine of those to go to the semi final as well, raising the number to a total of 18.

Finally, BNT will add three wildcards that will go directly to the final.

source:esctoday.com

The 2007 Bulgaria's Music Awards

The 2007 MM Music Awards on BTV

The winners:

Best pop/dance song :Gravity Co. - Empty World''

Best Debut: Leepra Deluxe

Best Male Singer: Grafa.

Best Hip/Hop or R'n'B song: Upsurt and Mala Rodriges

Best Female Singer:Beloslava.

Best Non-Bulgarian Video :Nelly Furtado – ''All Good Things''

Best duet or group:Gravity Co.

Best video:Gravity Co

Award of the Public: AVA & Star Tattooed - ''Make Me High''

Lifetime Achievement award:Vasil Naydenov



source:oikotimes.com

Anna Vissi in Bulgaria

from oikotimes.com

Anna Vissi was in Bulgaria the last three days, where she gave a VIP concert on June, 23rd, at the opening of the Royal Beach Hotel complex, in Sunny Beach, Black Sea cost.

Lili Ivanova, a living legend of the Bulgarian pop music, was also among the many guests of the concert, which lasted 8 hours and was attended by over 1500 guests. The ex - Crown Prince of Greece Nikolaos was also between the VIP guests and stayed up until the morning, while Anna sent him a special greeting, from the stage.

The day before, Anna was a guest in the tv show "Shouto Na Slavi" (BTV), where she sang her Billboard hit "Call me" and her last Greek single "Nylon" and also talked about her career in Greece and Cyprus.

Anna is not unapproachable and she's not acting like a diva: "It's important for an artist, especially for one like me who's more than 30 years in the industry, to be down to earth and keep in mind that all that's happening in his life is a gift from God".

She remembers she moved in Greece when she was 15. "It was difficult singing the nights and studying, because these years, being a singer was quit suspicious. I just went to a biggest place - Cyprus is Greece as well, what's released in Greece, it's also released in Cyprus, just like here, in Bulgaria. I didn't know I'm famous here".

Many of her hits are translated into Bulgarian. "I don't have a problem with that. It's an honour and a compliment for me when they sing my songs. I believe songs and music should travel". Last year she ended 9th at the Eurovision Song Contest of Athens, even though she was the absolute favourite to win the Festival: "It doesn't matter, but I really want to thank Bulgaria for giving me 12 points. You had a very good and sexy song that year, a beautiful singer as well; I liked it. I like authentic Bulgarian music".

She's currently in Greece and has recently been to Acropolis. "It's a place full of strong energy, as if you are in the heavens. We are very proud of it".
She got married once with Nikos Carvelas, her lifetime composer and partner. "I do believe in marriage, but I do believe in divorce as well. I got married with the right man, because we broke up and we are still friends and have a daughter".





video source:oikotimes;youtube

Elitsa & Stoyan in MAD Video Music Award in Athens

Elitsa and Stoyan triumphed for Bulgaria in the 52nd Eurovision Song Contest as they ranked 5th with their song entry Water a big time favourite this year.

Greece of course loved the song and therefore the duo arrive soon in Athens to attend and perform at the MAD Video Music Awards which will take place on June 25th.

One day after Elitsa and Stoyan will be back in Bulgaria to attend and perform at the Bulgarian MM Music Awards. Thanks to Elitsa & Stoyan Bulgaria will compete directly to the final next year for the first time.

Soon on oikotimes an interview with the Bulgarian duo.

source:oikotimes.com

Bulgarian music awards on 26th June

from esctoday.com

On 26th June, the Bulgarian music awards will be held for the 9th time. The show is one of the biggest music events in Bulgaria and will not only include the award ceremony but also performances by many national and international stars. Among them - as you might expect - some former Eurovision Song Contest entrants.

Sistem (Romania)will be performing live on stage. In 2005, after winning the semi final, the group finished third in Kyiv with Let me try as backing group for Luminita Anghel.

Mariana Popova was the second Bulgarian singer in the Eurovision Song Contest one year later. Although she is a well-known singer in her country, she did not reach the finalbut only finished 17th in the semis. She will not only perform on stage but she is also nominated for an award.

Prizes will be awarded in the following categories:
Spectators hit
Best debut
Best pop/dance song and album
Best rock / alternative song and album
Best hip-hop / R&B song and album
Best foreigner video
Best artist and best Bulgarian video.

Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yancoulov - Final Night - VIDEO

Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yancoulov who gave Bulgaria their highest position ever in the Eurovision Song Contest told local press that they feel the winners. Bulgaria ranked sixth in the semi final receiving a total of 146 points from 27 countries, and fifth in the final with 157 points from the same number of countries.

“Our song ranked fifth” Elitsa said “that is a great success for Bulgarian music and culture!” . Stoyan Yancoulov added “In Eurovision, votes are based on the country rather than the song” and he continued to state that the fact that Water was voted by many countries is a success in itself as it means that many people from different countries appreciated their music. When asked what was the secret of their success, Elitsa answered : “Being yourself instead of repeating something that has already been done is the key to success”.

Interview with Elitsa and Stoyan -VIDEO

Interview with Elitsa and Stoyan after the first semifinal rehearsal




from escfans.eu

Bulgarian 2007 ESC entrants busy after grand success

from ogaemalta.com


If you happen to be in Bulgaria these days, you might care to check one of the concerts of Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov.

Just a stone's throw away from Turkey, the town Kardzhali will welcome the Eurovision stars on 21 June.


The mobs of international tourists will be able to enjoy Elitsa's magnificent voice and Stoyan's percussion virtuosity on Sunny Beach Black Sea resort on 22 June.

On 23 June, Elitsa and Stoyan go south to the village of Ravda, again on the Black-Sea coast, for their next concert. T

The tour closes in the capital city Sofia, where the duet will perform at a private party.

The interest in the percussionists has grown a lot after the Eurovision Contest abroad as well as in Bulgaria.

Elitsa and Stoyan plan to release their second indie album, which will include the 2007 Eurovision entry, the hit "Voda" / "Water". This will follow their first album "Drumboy".

Elitsa and Stoyan finished fifth at the Contest in Helsinki, a position Bulgaria had never reached before. The artists are very happy with the prestigious position.

Elitsa and Stoyan honoured by Bulgarian Parliament

from Sofia News Agency

The speaker of the Parliament awarded Friday Bulgaria's representatives at this year's Eurovision contest Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankulov an honorary plaque.

The Speaker Georgi Pirinski thanked the duo for coming and congratulated them on the fact that they managed to make their fine, specific art part of the mass one without compromising.

The artists, who grabbed the fifth spot at the Eurovision's final, were invited by the Environment and Water Parliamentary Committee.

The ceremony was planned to take place on March 22, when the World Water Day is being marked, because Bulgaria's bid is called "Water".