The Purpose of My Music is to Help Others Find the Way of their life - Sleepwalker

How and when did you start on your musical journey?
I have a solid musical background, which comes out from long studying here in Bulgaria. I have a bachelor degree in music – New Bulgarian University, by subject "Computer Systems & Technology in the branch of Music" and I have a master's degree from the same university, majoring as a “Sound-engineer”. In the music scene I am known with the pseudonym Sleepwalker and I am composing generally in the New Age/World genre, but I have a great appetite for film music and symphonic soundtracks. Since 2003 I have officially released 2 solo albums and a Single. Since 2005 I am official member of ASCAP (American Society of Composers, Authors & Publishers). My basic instrument is Native American flute.

What kind of music do you like to make? How would you describe your music?
I love the use of various sounds, which create ambience and atmosphere. In this way I want to build a more authentic picture for the listener, to take him there and make him part of that reality. Everything has happened in my mind. It’s like a huge orchester support my creativity playing somewhere deep in my brain. My music combines in a fascinating way different genres as New Age, Chill-out, Lounge, World and Ambient, mixed with folklore motives from all over the planet, symphonic parts and Soundtrack themes.

Who is your musical inspiration?
Well there are a lot artists out there that I have been inspired in. We can say Enigma, Claude Challe. Oliver Shanti, Douglas Spotted Eagle, Deep Forest, Atman, Lesiem and etc. I am also truly interested in soundtrack music, which also reflect on my own composing. Here I can mention Hans Zimmer, Klaus Badelt and Howard Shore.

How do you distinguish yourself from others?
The purpose of my music is to help others to find the way of their life, to instill much love and faith in themselves and peace. I took this much as philosophy – way of life. In every my song I left a piece from my heart which can be felt by the listener, depending on how far he wants to go into it. Definetely what I composed is a reflection of my spiritual understanding. Only in this way I can give sense of each composition.

Tell us more about your album 'Amenti' on Guitarati. What is the inspiration behind the album?
Amenti is my latest official release, which is a 2 year of hard working album. The music inside is a tender blend of low and high acoustic guitar lines with a soaring wordless vocals moving in and out of the background, noble tones of Native American flutes and innovative combo of bongos, djembe, doumbek and timbal fits nicely in the New Age, World & Ethnic genres. The main conception for the album comes out from the story about “Halls of Amenti”, place which exist only in the world of Atlantis. This actually is a continuation of my previous album “Flower Of Life”, because it is said that “Flower Of Life” is decorated in the “Halls of Amenti”. The difference with my past works is huge, as I had 2 years to do my compositions, to find the proper musicians and instruments that I wanted to blend with my music. More than 60% of the music inside was recorded with real instruments, but not samples. I wanted to replace as much as I could with real instruments, which inquired a lot of time and organization. As the height of perfection the album is mastered by the Grammy award-winning engineer Bob Katz, Digital Domain Studio, USA.

Do you write your own songs?
Yes, I am doing this all the time, everything I wrote by now is own music.

Which is your favourite song from your album? What is the story behind it?
My favourite track from the album is “Invisible Cloister”. Perhaps it is no chance that it occupied the #1 place in the World chart of the prestigious website GarageBand.com, earning 5/5 stars over more than 110 reviews.

Are you working on a new album?
Yes, I am working on my 4th release, which is still with unknown release date. It will be more chilling album and with many guest musicians.

What is a day like in the life of a musician?
Well, to begin with I am an ordinary man, like all of you. I have own life, enriched with all kind of emotions and doings. The life looks quite simple and complex in the same time, but I think I find myself on the right path – to live and work with music. Most of the time, I am working over my stuff or any client’s ones in my studio – AMA Sound (online studio for mixing and mastering music)(www.ama-sound.com), which I officially opened 1.5 year ago.

Any parting shot?
Thank you for interviewing me. It was nice to share my way of life and I hope get you more close to my music.