Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Slavena Daskalova: a close-up

БНР Новини
Photo: private gallery



Last year was successful for Slavena Daskalova. A singer and actress she has had diverse appearances. For one, Slavena was cast in the satirical TV series Shmenti Kapeli: the Legend. Also, her song Wanna Believe received the special prize for debut at Sofia Sings, a competition for a new Bulgarian pop and rock song. The idea for the song came from her part in the TV series.

"Indeed, the film Shmenti Kapeli: the Legend was the catalyst for the song Wanna Believe that we presented at the end of last year. It was inspired by my heroine in the film, Svetla, a dedicated and brave person. For the song I worked with Petar Petrov known as Jazz Orpheus. He made the arrangement and is the guitarist in it. The incredible trumpet piece of Denis Goev has added to the jazzy sound of the song. Petar Yordanov-Bunny is the percussionist that gives the rhythm to our project. The lyrics are by rapper MC Cigulkata (MC the Violin). He is an actor and is also cast in Shmenti Kapeli: the Legend. The crew who shot the video is from the film as well, and we have used footage from it. Being an actress and singer is such fun in this project! Music and film mix beautifully together. When the words come to an end, the music comes.”



Slavena Daskalova spent three years studying music at the Siano Academy in Genoa, and afterwards graduated from the Sofia-based National Academy of Theater and Film Art. “I am open to all sorts of projects and I love experimenting. The more the better, but not at any cost”, Slavena smiles. The latest project has made her happy singing pop, rock and jazz.

"Our project Pop & Rock Meets Jazz is open -I and Petar Petrov are at the heart of it but we also invite guest-performers. We have different personalities and styles, so concerts are great fun. We perform famous pop and rock compositions turned upside down. For instance, we have turned some rock songs into bossa nova and disco hits into jazz. We crack jokes with the audience and give away prizes to anybody who can guess the original of a song. This symbiosis of styles we present mostly in nightclubs: in Sofia and other towns of Bulgaria. In January we appeared in Yambol to enjoy a wonderful audience there. My impression is that people in the provinces are keen to listen to Bulgarian bands."

English Daniela Konstantinova


The audio file contains the following pieces:

1/ Let's Start All Over Again

2/ Wanna Believe

3/ I Still Haven't Found...

4/ Nobody's Wife with the musicians from the Pop & Rock Meets Jazz project  



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Todor Gadjalov - ''Locked Door''

Young singer Todor Gadjalov presents his new original song "Locked Door". It is inspired by the struggle of every person with their own obstacles and challenges. "This is a story about the way up – difficult, but full of hope. The song is about..

published on 11/29/24 2:22 PM

Mary Boys Band - "Wake Me Up When May Comes"

Mary Boys Band keep their promise to drink the summer to the last drop with their new song "Wake Me Up When May Comes". Staying true to themselves, on the eve of winter, the musicians immerse us in warm emotions, typical of all their songs from the..

published on 11/28/24 9:41 AM

Plamen Bonev De La Bona and his latest single

For Plamen Bonev De La Bona, as a performer and songwriter, 2024 is a year filled with love. “Obicham” (I Love) is the title of his latest single, which also gave the name to his latest album, which collects ten songs. The singer says that he..

published on 11/27/24 4:42 PM