Bulgarian DJ& producer Gallya is one of the newest and most interesting names in techno.
Whether a rolling techno bassline or a dynamic film score project, Gallya’s ability to consistently churn out dark and immersive yet vibrant tracks has made her a force to be reckoned with in the scene.
Check out our chat with Gallya where we talk about her plans for 2019, favourite artists and the Techno scene in Bulgaria.
T.H.E – Hey Gallya! Welcome to T.H.E – Music Essentials. How was 2018 for you?
Gallya – Hey! It was an amazing year for me, I had some incredible shows and releases. Canʼt wait to see whatʼs coming in 2019!
T.H.E – Love your latest EP – Sanity Canʼt Wait and the dark, immersive vibes that it brings! Have you always been attracted to the darker, underground sounds?
Gallya – Yes! I’ve always gravitated toward darker sounds. It makes me feel more mystical when I play haha. I like to rewatch movies for their scores, especially when they’re darker. I love the music in “Annihilation”, for example, and I feel like it’s something I could remix into techno, which I feel would be super interesting.
T.H.E – Have you been attracted to other genres apart from Techno?
Gallya – I have been into all the genres of electronic music over the years, but always loved the more dynamic ones. So I’ve definitely been attracted to other genres, but techno is definitely my favorite.
T.H.E – How long did you work on the EP, and what does a typical day in the studio look like for you?
Gallya – Usually, it only takes me one day to start an idea and get it to a place where I’m happy with that idea, because I can’t stop working on something until I feel like it’s ready. After that, I need about two weeks to finish the arrangement mixing and adding effects and other elements to get a finished product. The first day I work on a track I’m usually in the studio for 12 or 13 hours straight, then the next few weeks I spend a couple of hours each day perfecting it. It’s not like that every single time, but usually, it happens that way. I’m often working on a couple of tracks at the same time so it takes me a month or so to finish an EP, depending on deadlines. For something like the Deadmau5 remix, I can really push myself and finish a track in a week. I didn’t have much time on that one, but I’m super happy with the results.
T.H.E – What inspired you to become a DJ/Producer, and what role did Bulgariaʼs electronic music scene play in your musical journey?
Gallya – I started going to parties when I was sixteen; the party scene was the only interesting thing happening here for me. Eventually, I realized I wasn’t enjoying the parties as much because I didn’t like what the DJs were playing in the clubs at the time – I wanted to control the music around me, and that’s when I realized I wanted to DJ. It took me a couple of years to believe in myself enough to make it happen. The scene in Bulgaria shaped who I am today for sure. My taste and style were all formed here because I didn’t leave the country for the first time until I was 20, so all the music I’d ever heard was in this context.
T.H.E – Which artists have you always looked up to?
Gallya – The artists I look up to are constantly changing depending on my mood and the music I’m into at the moment. But the ones I’ve always followed and admired are artists like Dubfire, Richie Hawtin, Sven Väth and Pan-Pot.
T.H.E – “Techno” is thriving across the world. Which countries do you feel are havens for techno music?
Gallya – Yeah! Bulgaria definitely – the scene is super strong here right now. People are really excited about techno throughout Eastern Europe right now. Also, South America is huge – every time I go there the crowds are crazy, people love it.
T.H.E – What does 2019 look like for you in terms of touring and production?
Gallya – We are hoping to do a US tour with my crew. I am super excited about it because I’ve dreamed of going to the US since I was a child. Canʼt wait to make that happen. We’ve also already started the planning of a very big event in Bulgaria for 2019. There’s a lot of exciting stuff happening next year, but we’ll just have to wait and see how it all unfolds!
T.H.E – Lastly, which 5 artists in the industry would you like to collaborate with?
Gallya – The artists I’d most like to play with are the same artists I look up to the most in the techno world – Richie Hawtin, Dubfire, Pan-Pot, Sven Väth. I’d love to collaborate producing with artists like Julian Jewel, ANNA, Popof, and Sian.
T.H.E – Thanks, Gallya!
Gallya – Thank you!
