For Strahil Velchev, better known as KiNK, electronic music began with whatever he could find in Sofia. Radio broadcasts, pirate cassettes and a small record shop introducing him to Warp and Ninja Tune opened up a world that was still difficult to access in Bulgaria. What started as a fascination with sound eventually grew into production, DJing and a distinctive live approach built around improvisation and experimentation.
Since then, KiNK has developed a sound that moves between house, techno, bass music and more experimental territory, while keeping the same curiosity that first drew him to electronic music. He describes his evolution simply: he is still drawing the same picture he imagined when he was young, only finding different ways to paint it.
Now, with decades of music behind him and new ideas still taking shape, KiNK continues to explore where his sound can go next. We spoke with the Sofia-based producer and live performer about his early influences, the evolution of his music and the ideas shaping his work today.
How did you get involved in music?
I fell in love with electronic music in 1991 through the radio and pirate cassettes sold on the streets of Sofia. I loved listening to DJ mixes and naturally got attracted to the idea of mixing music and doing my own edits.
Sadly, at that time in Bulgaria, studio and DJ equipment was out of reach for regular people. I had to wait. I started producing around 1999 and DJing in 2000 through more affordable digital platforms.
I also loved dancing and meeting like-minded people in the clubs at that time, but my passion for the sound came first.
Could you share your early and current influences?
My earliest influences in electronic music came from whatever was available on the limited music market in Bulgaria at that time, which was pretty much compilations.
There was a German label called !HYPE. They were putting together albums with tracks by the likes of Joey Beltram, F.U.S.E., Speedy J, as well as early The Prodigy and F.S.O.L.
In 1994, a compilation series called Jungle Mania ignited my love for UK bass music. In the mid-’90s, there was a record shop in Sofia called Diukian Meloman, specialising in labels like Warp and Ninja Tune, and that was a big influence on me too.
I discovered house music from the US much later, through the internet. These days, I gravitate towards the same styles and their new versions: techno, house, bass music. Nowadays, I’m very impressed by the artist Verraco, the fellow Bulgarian Imperiëux, and also my buddy Raredub. I play a track by him in every set of mine.
I really like Ben UFO as a selector. Last weekend, I was very impressed by Anz behind the decks. Jeff Mills will always be my guiding light in how to manipulate sound on stage, back then and now.
How would you describe the evolution of your music style?
My direction was defined by the music I was listening to when I was younger. I knew what I wanted to do years before I had the technical abilities to do it.
So, in that sense, my music hasn’t evolved that much. I keep drawing the same picture I was imagining when I was young.
However, the development of technology and the influences from new artists make me paint that picture differently over the years.
I am known for classic house and techno music, with a twist. I enjoyed harsher sounds and faster tempos after 2020. Now I feel like making warmer music again.
Can you walk us through your recent project? What was the inspiration?
A year ago, I was experimenting with an AI platform, simply to make a beat. It seems that platform was not that intelligent. It gave me an a cappella instead, but it was too bad.
The lyrics are basic, but fun. Recently, I made a four-track record with that material.
It comes out on Running Back this year, and it will be called Versions.
What’s next for you as an artist?
Beside the Running Back release, I’m forced to revive my techno project Kirilik because there is some demand again. I am doing it with pleasure, just a bit stressed with time.
KiNK – some remixes, reworking a stone-cold classic by Justin Berkovi and a really fun one by Myd for Ed Banger Records.
I take my annual time off from shows from January till March, and the plan for that period is, of course, more KiNK dance music, but also to retouch an ambient album I did two years ago for a collaboration with the light artist Christopher Bauder and to release it.
Also, to start working on an immersive A/V show with the Bulgarian leaders of video art, Electrick Me. Also some personal plans. Sounds ambitious! If I realise 70% of all this, I’ll be happy!
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Photos by KEYI Studio
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