*When did you really get involved into music in general and into metal specific? Who was responsable for your interest in (metal) music?

My first appearance as a singer was in a TV competition for young talents at the age of 16 and I have never stopped singing since then. Music has always been my greatest passion and the only force that can change me. My first encounter with metal was when I was 10 and the band was Iron Maiden. Then, in the 6-7 class, I started listening to Black Sabbath, Manowar, Metallica … Metal was always in my blood, but thanks to my drummer Kossy D. it was the first time in 2011 that I could express it- our first metal album ‘Miracle’ came out.

*Which artists or bands did influence you the most?

Janis Joplin, Michael Jackson(we are born on the same Date ;-), Skunk Anansie, Queen, Tina Turner, Alanis Morissette, Bruce Dickinson, Devin Townsend, Anastasia, Within Temptation, Nightwish….

*Which instrument do you play and how and when did you learn to play? Dis you had lessons in school or private lessons? If so, was that because your parents expected that from you? Or did you learn to play the instruments by yourself? Do yo still follow some lessons?

As a 6th grade student, I suddenly had the irresistible desire to play the guitar. Then my grandfather gave me a classic guitar and I started taking lessons. One day I asked my teacher to show me how to play Don’t let me down from The Beatles … and so I started singing. I learned to sing my favorite songs and to accompany myself and when I discovered my voice , I just left the guitar … I played an obligatory piano as I studied in the Music academy in Sofia. I have been working intensively on my keyboard at home for a year now, since I give singing lessons at the Music Academy in Münster and accompany my students.

*Do you follow other or are you interested in other styles of music beside metal? If so, what is the music you prefer to listen to?

I love the Music of Michael Jackson, Joni Mitchel, Prince, Depeche Mode, Kosheen, David Guetta, Anastacia … And I listen to Opera too, my favorite ones are Carmina Burana and Norma. I admire artists like Maria Callas and the Bulgarian Bass Boris Hristov!

*Is music a full time job for you now or do you have a job beside music? If so, what kind of job are you doing? If you would be really succesful with music, would you quit your other job?

I teach singing at the Music Academy, but unfortunately only on Fridays. I conduct a small children’s choir in the Bulgarian school Jan Bibijan in Münster. No, music is not a full-time job for me, but if it did, I would probably give up my current job in the nursing service.

*If you could start a band with other musicians on other instruments, which artist would you pick for wich instrument and why? (Something Like an “All Stars Band”.) Would you still go for a symphonic metal band? Or would you do something completely different?

If I could sing with an All Stars band, it would be in a symphonic metal style. I would like to design the band like this: Mike Terrana on the drums, Cliff Burton on the bass, Devin Townsend guitars, backings and growls, Ihsahn (Emperor) on the keyboards

*If you had been banned to an uninhabited island and you may pick 5 albums to listen to, wich albums would you choose and why?

‘Stooch’: Skunk Anansie

‘Number Of The Beast’: Iron Maiden

‘Bad’: Michael Jackson

‘The Unforgiving’: Within Temptation

‘Oceanborn’: Nightwish

These albums have a sentimental background for me and hit different frequencies from my soul.

*Every new album of a band or an artist is the best one, that’s what they always say. So here is a chance to promote the album. Why should a music lover buy your album? What are the standout tracks for you on this new album and why?

I can’t say that ‘A Time Called Forever’ is better than ‘Miracle’, it’s just more interesting from the song structure, has arrangements towards more power and progressive metal. The mega talented composer Jens Faber not only plays the guitars, bass and keyboards, but also sings backings and growls on almost all songs. In this album we also have 3 guest singers: Michael Thionville (Voodoma) on ‘Fly With Me’, Erick Dow (Helsott, USA) on ‘My Misery’ and ‘Don´T Leave This World’ and Lachezar Stefanov (Bulgaria) on ‘Bleed’. The song ‘At Time Called Forever’ is love from first hearing to me, I also love ‘Fly Away’. Maestro Markus Teske (Bazement Studio) provided the massive symphonic sound. Everyone who buys the album will be able to identify with at least one song and feel that we created ‘A Time Called Forever’ with our hearts.

– See “CD-Review” for a review (written in Dutch) for the new Ani Lo. Project album ‘A Time Called Forever’ (Pride & Joy Music) –

*Is there a chance that you will promote these songs through live concerts? Are there contacts with other musicians to promote the album live yet? And if so, would you prefer small clubs or big festivals? And is there a chance we can see ANI LO. PROJECT in Belgium?

The original band split up in 2012 when I emigrated to Germany with my family and drummer Kossy D.- to the USA. The rest of Ani Lo. Project 1 is in Bulgaria and we would get together for gigs in clubs or festivals. However, it is not out of the question that we also invite foreign colleagues for live performances. We would of course also be very happy to meet the Belgian metal fans 😉