Ivo Nakov Creates Bulgarian Funk
by Ramon Shiloh
The syncopated jabs and rhythmic punches break up the quiet evening air. In general, night life in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood is mild and sporadic. But, not at the Seamonster Lounge, where KA-POW has been blasting their own unique sound of Postmodern Transfunk every Wednesday night.
On stage are band leader and drummer, Ivo Nakov, organist Ty Bailey, Andy Coe is playing the guitar and Craig Flory is on the sax. The energy is hypnotic. Nakov, whose calculated drumming is inspiring, does not miss a beat as one song segues into the next.
As one fan puts it, “Their fusion of sound is what jazz musicians should be jealous of!”
KA-POW’s catalog covers all genres of music, breaking them down and funneling them through a flavorful, funky mesh that keeps moving and makes people feel good. The resulting sound is what Nakov describes as “Bulgarian Funk”.
Nakov exemplifies the persona of a true musician. Dedicated to the arts, he is diligent in his efforts to keep learning, producing and passing on his knowledge to help the next generation of musicians grow in their craft. When he’s not on stage, Nakov shares his experiences with budding percussionists enrolled at the Seattle Drum School of Music.
Nakov believes in elevating students’ confidence in their craft. As a result, his lessons not only teach the technical side of drumming, but he also tries to show students how to think for themselves, how to let go of their nervousness and how to take control in a creative element. Showing them how to connect to the music goes a long way in achieving these goals.
Early Life in Bulgaria
Like most children growing up, discovering new places and absorbing life’s complexities can be challenging if one is not prepared. In Nakov’s case, he quickly acknowledged his place in Bulgaria as a temporary refuge for bigger things to come.
“When I was 10 or 11, I remember my parents took my brother and me around town and showed us apartments and asked us which one we would want. Even though I was very young, they just wanted to know. I looked up at them and said, ‘I don’t want to live in this country.’ And my mother asked, ‘Well, where you want to live?’ So I said, ‘I want to go live in the States.’ Not that I knew at the time, where in the States, but it was setup in my mind. I wanted to leave.”
Yet, when asked about his upbringing, Nakov reflects with love and praise for his country. Sophia, Bulgaria, is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is a hot destination for globetrotters around the world. Nearly 7 million visitors each year flock to the region to sample the local food, scenery, history and culture.
Born in 1967, Nakov grew up in a much different Bulgaria - one that was controlled by Communism until 1990. At the age of seven, Nakov discovered his love for music. “I wanted to play the drums so bad that I played on the yellow pages for two years” he recalls. “I would literally drool when I saw pictures of drum sets.”
From then on, Nakov tapped out a beat on every surface he could get his hands on. His brother, who was “great at building things”, fashioned Nakov a drum set from old ice cream buckets and plywood to help him bring his music to life.
Nakov’s Musical Influences
Nakov’s romantic visions of the West were accentuated by the album collection his parents had at home. “Not only did we have six or seven guitars around the house, but my father also had a lot of Opera, Johnny Cash, Beatles, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Rush,” recalls Nakov.
When his mother finally realized the depth of her son’s passion, she guided him to a local youth center for lessons, where he spent the next few years honing his technique. While many teachers came and went, one instructor really took notice of Nakov’s talent. When the instructor suggested that he audition for the Philharmonic Pioneer Youth Orchestra, Nakov decided to see if he had the chops to play professionally.
“There was an audition, and from then on, I began to go to rehearsals, and it was difficult. Think about it, I’m 13 and playing some serious classical pieces,” Nakov explains of the competitive orchestra, which was led at the time by legendary conductor, Vladi Simeonov.
The orchestra’s primary goal, which features talented musicians between the ages of 4 and 19, is to not only teach classical music, but also to prepare young musicians for a broader audience in a concert hall. For the next six years, Nakov toured the world extensively, visiting places such as Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and Greece.
Nakov also gives credit to his years in the orchestra for shaping his musical style. “In the orchestra, especially percussion, you have a lot of rests in between other performers so you have a lot of time to observe and listen to all the people,” he explains. “You hear clarinets on the right, trumpets on the left, oboes, the flutes and wood instruments right in front of you. I mean, I’m literally learning parts of whole sections. So, when it comes down to writing music, I think about that influence.”
All of these experiences have fused into a style of music that Nakov labels Bulgarian Funk. “But,” he’s quick to point out, “it’s not just funk, it’s everything, such as, Bulgarian folk music, jazz, rock and classical music.”
“I’m very aware of how music influenced my life professionally. It’s like as if a seed was planted in my brain when I was young and it kept growing. Finally, I wake up 30 years later, realizing at that moment how it all began. It’s interesting to reflect on the origins of your life.”
Leaving Sofia
When Nakov ended his run with the Philharmonic at the age of 19 in 1986, he was whisked away to serve a two-year, mandatory stint in the military. After he had fulfilled his national duty, Nakov knew it was time to honor his childhood vow to leave for the States.
As an artist, Nakov believed he had accomplished everything he wanted to do musically in Bulgaria. “I didn’t want to be the first in the village and the last in the city, you know?” Nakov jokes before recalling some of the many musicians back home who are highly talented, but who are stuck or comfortable with no aspirations to move ahead.
“As great as they are, you need to travel. The information you get can be a vital step in transitioning your creative path for the better. Performing in Seattle is amazing. New York, Los Angeles, Boston or even Austin, Texas, are hot spots for growth if you want to be heard.”
When the Bulgarian Communist Party fell in 1990, the Anti-Communist Union of Democratic Forces privatized the land and industries, which resulted in unimaginable unemployment rates and left the country broke. At the age of 22, Nakov was among the thousands of Bulgarians who received political asylum in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada.
“I don’t know if you ever been there, but it’s frigging cold. Like, minus 40 degrees while the sun was out. As we were landing, I looked at my buddy next to me and said, ‘Where’s the airport, man?’ Everything was white,” Nakov recalls. “Usually you’d see some lights or something blinking. I was trying to find anything that might peek a little civilization, but it was just a white sheet of snow. For a moment, I thought the plane was going down.”
Like many refugees, Nakov arrived in Canada with no luggage, money or clothes. All he had left was $27 and his passion to make music. His journey eventually led him to the Pacific Northwest to find an old friend. He has since spent the past 14 years performing and teaching in Seattle.
Nakov’s life goal is to build a platform for children who want to learn. He has taught at the Seattle Drum School since 2002. His philosophy is simple: “Don’t waste my time.” And, his “with the whole body and not just the hands” teaching technique is why he’s so integral to both the Bulgarian and the Seattle music scene.”
In 2002, Nakov released “Like a Drop…EVO2″, a medley of trans-drum and bass grooves that shows off Nakov’s expertise and timing. On the funky beats from “Everstone: Wrongy Dong”, which was released in 2005, Nakov projects mad skills in his drumming. George Clinton would be proud of this album.
“Bulgarian music is in a league of its own. People love listening to it, but it’s very difficult for even seasoned musicians to play.” If you happen to find yourself at a venue where Nakov is performing, take notes because you’ll definitely be schooled.
© 12/8/2008
by Ramon Shiloh
The syncopated jabs and rhythmic punches break up the quiet evening air. In general, night life in Seattle’s Wallingford neighborhood is mild and sporadic. But, not at the Seamonster Lounge, where KA-POW has been blasting their own unique sound of Postmodern Transfunk every Wednesday night.
On stage are band leader and drummer, Ivo Nakov, organist Ty Bailey, Andy Coe is playing the guitar and Craig Flory is on the sax. The energy is hypnotic. Nakov, whose calculated drumming is inspiring, does not miss a beat as one song segues into the next.
As one fan puts it, “Their fusion of sound is what jazz musicians should be jealous of!”
KA-POW’s catalog covers all genres of music, breaking them down and funneling them through a flavorful, funky mesh that keeps moving and makes people feel good. The resulting sound is what Nakov describes as “Bulgarian Funk”.
Nakov exemplifies the persona of a true musician. Dedicated to the arts, he is diligent in his efforts to keep learning, producing and passing on his knowledge to help the next generation of musicians grow in their craft. When he’s not on stage, Nakov shares his experiences with budding percussionists enrolled at the Seattle Drum School of Music.
Nakov believes in elevating students’ confidence in their craft. As a result, his lessons not only teach the technical side of drumming, but he also tries to show students how to think for themselves, how to let go of their nervousness and how to take control in a creative element. Showing them how to connect to the music goes a long way in achieving these goals.
Early Life in Bulgaria
Like most children growing up, discovering new places and absorbing life’s complexities can be challenging if one is not prepared. In Nakov’s case, he quickly acknowledged his place in Bulgaria as a temporary refuge for bigger things to come.
“When I was 10 or 11, I remember my parents took my brother and me around town and showed us apartments and asked us which one we would want. Even though I was very young, they just wanted to know. I looked up at them and said, ‘I don’t want to live in this country.’ And my mother asked, ‘Well, where you want to live?’ So I said, ‘I want to go live in the States.’ Not that I knew at the time, where in the States, but it was setup in my mind. I wanted to leave.”
Yet, when asked about his upbringing, Nakov reflects with love and praise for his country. Sophia, Bulgaria, is one of the oldest cities in Europe and is a hot destination for globetrotters around the world. Nearly 7 million visitors each year flock to the region to sample the local food, scenery, history and culture.
Born in 1967, Nakov grew up in a much different Bulgaria - one that was controlled by Communism until 1990. At the age of seven, Nakov discovered his love for music. “I wanted to play the drums so bad that I played on the yellow pages for two years” he recalls. “I would literally drool when I saw pictures of drum sets.”
From then on, Nakov tapped out a beat on every surface he could get his hands on. His brother, who was “great at building things”, fashioned Nakov a drum set from old ice cream buckets and plywood to help him bring his music to life.
Nakov’s Musical Influences
Nakov’s romantic visions of the West were accentuated by the album collection his parents had at home. “Not only did we have six or seven guitars around the house, but my father also had a lot of Opera, Johnny Cash, Beatles, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin and Rush,” recalls Nakov.
When his mother finally realized the depth of her son’s passion, she guided him to a local youth center for lessons, where he spent the next few years honing his technique. While many teachers came and went, one instructor really took notice of Nakov’s talent. When the instructor suggested that he audition for the Philharmonic Pioneer Youth Orchestra, Nakov decided to see if he had the chops to play professionally.
“There was an audition, and from then on, I began to go to rehearsals, and it was difficult. Think about it, I’m 13 and playing some serious classical pieces,” Nakov explains of the competitive orchestra, which was led at the time by legendary conductor, Vladi Simeonov.
The orchestra’s primary goal, which features talented musicians between the ages of 4 and 19, is to not only teach classical music, but also to prepare young musicians for a broader audience in a concert hall. For the next six years, Nakov toured the world extensively, visiting places such as Brazil, Spain, Italy, France, Germany and Greece.
Nakov also gives credit to his years in the orchestra for shaping his musical style. “In the orchestra, especially percussion, you have a lot of rests in between other performers so you have a lot of time to observe and listen to all the people,” he explains. “You hear clarinets on the right, trumpets on the left, oboes, the flutes and wood instruments right in front of you. I mean, I’m literally learning parts of whole sections. So, when it comes down to writing music, I think about that influence.”
All of these experiences have fused into a style of music that Nakov labels Bulgarian Funk. “But,” he’s quick to point out, “it’s not just funk, it’s everything, such as, Bulgarian folk music, jazz, rock and classical music.”
“I’m very aware of how music influenced my life professionally. It’s like as if a seed was planted in my brain when I was young and it kept growing. Finally, I wake up 30 years later, realizing at that moment how it all began. It’s interesting to reflect on the origins of your life.”
Leaving Sofia
When Nakov ended his run with the Philharmonic at the age of 19 in 1986, he was whisked away to serve a two-year, mandatory stint in the military. After he had fulfilled his national duty, Nakov knew it was time to honor his childhood vow to leave for the States.
As an artist, Nakov believed he had accomplished everything he wanted to do musically in Bulgaria. “I didn’t want to be the first in the village and the last in the city, you know?” Nakov jokes before recalling some of the many musicians back home who are highly talented, but who are stuck or comfortable with no aspirations to move ahead.
“As great as they are, you need to travel. The information you get can be a vital step in transitioning your creative path for the better. Performing in Seattle is amazing. New York, Los Angeles, Boston or even Austin, Texas, are hot spots for growth if you want to be heard.”
When the Bulgarian Communist Party fell in 1990, the Anti-Communist Union of Democratic Forces privatized the land and industries, which resulted in unimaginable unemployment rates and left the country broke. At the age of 22, Nakov was among the thousands of Bulgarians who received political asylum in St. Johns, Newfoundland, Canada.
“I don’t know if you ever been there, but it’s frigging cold. Like, minus 40 degrees while the sun was out. As we were landing, I looked at my buddy next to me and said, ‘Where’s the airport, man?’ Everything was white,” Nakov recalls. “Usually you’d see some lights or something blinking. I was trying to find anything that might peek a little civilization, but it was just a white sheet of snow. For a moment, I thought the plane was going down.”
Like many refugees, Nakov arrived in Canada with no luggage, money or clothes. All he had left was $27 and his passion to make music. His journey eventually led him to the Pacific Northwest to find an old friend. He has since spent the past 14 years performing and teaching in Seattle.
Nakov’s life goal is to build a platform for children who want to learn. He has taught at the Seattle Drum School since 2002. His philosophy is simple: “Don’t waste my time.” And, his “with the whole body and not just the hands” teaching technique is why he’s so integral to both the Bulgarian and the Seattle music scene.”
In 2002, Nakov released “Like a Drop…EVO2″, a medley of trans-drum and bass grooves that shows off Nakov’s expertise and timing. On the funky beats from “Everstone: Wrongy Dong”, which was released in 2005, Nakov projects mad skills in his drumming. George Clinton would be proud of this album.
“Bulgarian music is in a league of its own. People love listening to it, but it’s very difficult for even seasoned musicians to play.” If you happen to find yourself at a venue where Nakov is performing, take notes because you’ll definitely be schooled.
© 12/8/2008
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