Dear readers, we interviewed JENYKA, who won the first prize with the song titled "Everything" during the "I Want Your Music" contest.
We already had the pleasure of interviewing Jenyka last May for our E-Magazine; we leave the link below: https://art-waves.blogspot.com/2024/05/JenyKrinchevaInterview.html
This year Jenyka has released other original songs: 'Everything', 'There Was a Light' and and her latest single "When I live" was released on November 2nd.
Let's find out more in this new interview!
Hello, and thank you so much for everything you do to promote music and its creators. It’s always a pleasure to be here and share my story with you. When they announced my name as the winner, I could hardly believe it was happening to me! I was shouting with joy.
These 10 days following the announcement have been incredibly exciting for me. I was invited to perform as an artist in the global Sofar concert network, and just a day ago, my first acoustic concert featuring my original songs took place. In two days, I’ll be joining the Sofia Songwriting Camp, and I’m deeply honored to meet Che Pope, a Grammy Award winner; Robin Jenssen, the founder of KREATION Music Rights Europe; and Jinbyjin, the creator of some of the biggest K-POP hits. Just a few hours ago, I also received two wonderful pieces of news: my music will be broadcast on the most popular radio station in Bulgaria, and my music videos will be aired on Bulgarian music television. I’m truly happy that, step by step, my music is reaching more and more people.
'Everything' is your second original song, after 'Hopeless'. The song talks about the importance of pursuing dreams. Could you tell us how this track came to be?
When you announced on March 30 that my song “Hopeless” won second place in the “On The Music Waves” contest, it wasn’t just immense happiness for me, it also inspired me to keep writing. By then, I already had over 20 lyrics drafts in various stages. On April 4, I had a session to create a new song based on my lyrics, but the participants decided we should combine three of them into one. By the end of the session, we had a new song, but it wasn’t quite the next song I was envisioning.
In the following days, I gave interviews to Bulgarian media, radio, and television that covered my second place in “On The Music Waves.” I received many congratulations from strangers and numerous collaboration offers. On April 10, I had another songwriting session, and the night before, I decided the new song would be about the happiness that surrounds us. When we have it, we should simply cherish and appreciate it. I titled the lyrics “All I Need,” because I firmly believe we shouldn’t miss any beautiful moments with our loved ones or anything that makes us happy.
So, you could say that part of my inspiration came from you, while my love for music and my desire to touch people worldwide pushed me to pour my heart into the lyrics and music. I wanted the song to be very personal, expressing my deep conviction and faith in my “everything.” On April 10, I met Mexican Ernesto Valenzuela, who had been living in Bulgaria for a year. He had already heard my first song and came specifically to meet me. He loved the lyrics for “All I Need,” and during our conversation, we discovered another shared passion—horses. Ernesto encouraged me to perform the lyrics as I felt them, and the song was born. Thanks to Robi, it was quickly recorded. I am immensely grateful to both Ernesto and Robi for encouraging me to express myself authentically and put everything into the song. It’s invaluable when mentors strive to bring out the best in you, and I’m very thankful for that! This is how “Everything” was born on April 10.
After that, we searched for the perfect arrangement, and that took nearly two months. In the process, I found a kindred spirit in Mitko Lefterov, whose arrangement allowed “Everything” to soar. This is my first time working with him. He’s a well-known reality star in Bulgaria and a beatmaker for many Bulgarian songs. I truly enjoy working with him and am already recording my fourth song in his studio.
I wanted “Everything” to sound unique, and Dimo Dimov, known as “themixingwizard,” took care of that. He did the mixing and mastering of the song and is truly a sound magician and a wonderful person who completely embraced my vision for the song, crafting it just as I felt it. The ending, which soothes the ear and invites you to listen again and again, is truly impressive. I’m endlessly grateful to him for that!
In the music video for the song, a horse named Enigma appears, displaying a very exuberant personality, as you've mentioned on social media. You have a personal connection with horses riding is one of your hobbies. How does this special bond with horses influence your music?
Horses are not only a hobby for me but also a significant part of my life. They bring incredible freedom and inspiration that help me connect more deeply with myself and with the emotions I want to express in my music. When I ride, I feel like I can escape from daily life and immerse myself in my own thoughts and feelings.
My connection with horses teaches me patience and perseverance—qualities that are important in music as well. Every time I work on a new song, I try to transfer the emotion and dynamics from my riding into my music. Therefore, the presence of Enigma in the music video is very important to me; she symbolizes the freedom and passion I want to convey to the audience.
Enigma is truly a very special horse for me. She is a young mare, only three years old, and is currently in training with quite a wild temperament. I have been riding her and actively participating in her training for several months, and when I chose her for the video shoot, I expected it to be a huge challenge.
I am sure that Enigma really enjoyed the song because throughout the shooting, she behaved calmly and followed every command, not just mine but also from the entire crew. She first checked the camera by licking it, and then she did everything the director and the operator required of us, continuously, against the backdrop of the song "Everything." Enigma truly shone like a star on set and contributed to the magic of the video.
I am very grateful to the owners of the "Sparta" Riding Center, who care for all the horses in the most humane way and provide me with incredible support in my endeavors. They were the first to organize my acoustic concert, and their support is invaluable to me!
'Fly' is your first international project, marking the start of streaming your music on global platforms in 2023. But there’s more, ‘Fly’ truly soared, like a big dream come true. During the finals of the 'United Kids' contest, Ukrainian composer and producer Ruslan Kvinta announced that an artist had moved him to tears with their performances... and that artist was you! How did you feel in that moment, knowing you had touched the heart of someone so influential?
I am very happy that I can touch people with my voice, and I dream that my songs will support, encourage, and heal. I just sing with all my heart, and I believe that the audience feels my sincerity. Ruslan Kvinta is not only an incredible creator but also a wonderful person, and it is an honor for me to connect with such people!
Your third original song, titled 'There Was a Light,' was released on October 1st. It draws from many experiences where you realized that there is always hope, even in the most confusing and challenging situations. It’s a deeply personal piece that serves as a reminder that everyone makes mistakes, but we can always acknowledge them and move forward. What message do you hope listeners will take away from 'There Was a Light'? And how do you think this song could impact someone going through a difficult time in their life?
I truly hope to support everyone going through a difficult time. Everyone makes mistakes, but awareness is light. The least we can offer to the people we have hurt is honesty. And no matter what happens, we must always value the people who make us happy.
When we were shooting the video, I thought of light as inspiration. Initially, we seek inspiration, but at some point, we start to undervalue it and overlook it, as if we are running away from it. But the conclusion is that the light in inspiration is priceless when it is in our hearts.
I hope everyone realizes that every insight that brings us peace, calm, and love is part of our transformation into good and kind people.
It was an honor for me that the song was first performed on stage at the Jazz Festival in Shumen, where I was among the participants. The song is already in rotation on radio stations in France, Belgium, Italy, and Bulgaria.
On November 2nd, you released your fourth original song, an invitation to authenticity. On social media, you mentioned that you were happy to announce that you'd completed a long and challenging journey with this new song. What creative conflicts and production difficulties did you encounter in bringing your vision to life? And what message do you hope to convey with this song? Could you tell us more about it?
My fourth song is called "When I Leave" and in the pre-chorus, it goes: “But do not forget that you’re not all I’ve got. I’m sorry, so sorry, actually, I’m not...” It would be wonderful if we only had good moments in life. I believe everyone has their challenges. In my case, at one point, the people who were supposed to support me decided that they could turn me into their property and demonstrate their power—sometimes with more experience, and other times with restrictions if things didn’t go their way. Even my slight shining became a problem.
Actually, for the song Everything, it became necessary to start replacing the team, and things didn’t look promising. After my third song, the team was new, and there was no way for the song When I Leave! not to be born. I faced many challenges with it. At one point, I was expected to reduce the lyrics by almost 80% or to agree to a super minimalist arrangement. Here, I cannot fail to mention my music business teacher, Mr. Milen Minkov, who, despite his huge workload at his recording studio in New York, was always available for support and advice. So, we should never lose ourselves, and it takes courage and awareness to realize that sometimes the best way to preserve your uniqueness is to distance yourself from people and situations that limit you.
The story in the song When I Leave! has many faces, but it is my opportunity to support anyone who experiences similar moments.
Music is often a form of vulnerability. How do you feel about sharing your deepest feelings and personal experiences in your songs?
Often, the feedback I receive about my songs is that listeners feel the music as part of their own experience, filtered through their stories, which can be very different from the story that inspired the song’s creation. I believe that the greatest reward for an artist is for their music to become a part of the listeners' stories and for them to find support and love through it. For me, music is an opportunity to express my emotions and thoughts. The world is full of thoughts and emotions!
Imagine stepping into a time machine and traveling 5 or 10 years into the future. Where do you see yourself as an artist? Are there any specific dreams you hope will come true in your musical journey?
I believe that dreams come true. When, a year ago, before we started the session to create my first song, I was asked where I see myself in a year, I stated that I believe my music will be played at the best festivals and competitions in Europe, and then I thought—pretty bold, but why not? That’s how my first song-writing session began. You already know the story—at that time, the song "Hopeless" was born.
I dream of conquering the biggest stages in the world and having people sing my songs along with me. I hope to one day work for the largest record label and have their support to reach people all over the world.
Have you ever thought about collaborating with other artists? If so, who would you like to work with, and why?
I really adore many artists and I sing their songs, I am inspired by them and I learn from them, and I am sure that one day I will have star duets. I would definitely like to be part of a concert with Billie Eilish. Her songs are powerful stories crafted with incredible skill. But I also have a long list of unique performers with whom I would like to share the stage. I am inspired by the incredible performances of Amy Winehouse, Elvis Presley, and many others. I love listening to quality music. My playlist is huge and very diverse. I enjoy experimenting and I am open to collaborations.
Each of your songs tells a story and touches people's hearts in different ways. What is the most important message you hope reaches those who listen to your music?
To believe in oneself, not to surrender one’s freedom, to be in love with life, to chase one's dreams, no matter how difficult it may be.
What would you like people to remember or feel when they think about and listen to your songs, even after many years?
Enough that they will need to hear them. From 2016 to 2022, I have sung over 20 new songs for children, and it is a huge satisfaction when those songs, which are now over 8 years old, continue to excite and please children, and they sing them. I hope my songs will also move people for years to come.
Was there a particular experience when you felt deeply connected with your audience during a concert?
I always feel connected. Sometimes the audience is silent and suddenly erupts in applause, while other times they sing along with me. I love to sing and to fill people with emotions.
But for the first time, I felt that I had touched the audience with my performance of the song 'Nature Boy' during the auditions for 'Bulgaria is Looking for Talent.' I saw tears in the eyes of the jury, and later many people shared that I truly moved them with that performance. After that performance, it was hard to walk down the streets without having to give autographs, and everyone wanted to talk to me.
What would you say to young artists who dream of making music but don’t know where to start?
You need to start from somewhere — the path may not be perfect, but it’s important to take action. I wandered quite a bit and continue to search for my way — I tried writing lyrics, went through various textbooks on songwriting, listened to and tried everything. Then I took a course in music production, a second course, followed by one in music theory, another one, along with at least five different vocal technique trainings, and of course, a lot of singing and listening to music. I am very grateful to my parents for always encouraging me to try, to learn, and to never give up. I still have so much more to learn.
Often, music becomes a refuge for listeners, a way to escape reality or find comfort. If a fan told you that one of your songs changed their day or helped them through a difficult moment, what would you say in response?
In social media, I receive such messages, and I usually find myself at a loss for words, but I am very, very happy. I always send a heart in response.
And what about your dreams and aspirations at this point in your career?
Dreams come true when you don't give up. I have had many difficult moments that completely hinder any creative beginnings. I am grateful to my family for their immense faith and support in me.
However, a question arises: can we expect an album of original songs from you in the near future?
I am already working on my seventh song and I hope the album will be ready soon. A month ago, I even came up with a name for it.
JENYKA, thanks for your time and availability, good luck with your music! I wish you much success and for your dreams to come true! We hope to see you in Italy soon!
Thank you for the great interview! I hope to see you soon in Italy! I wish everyone health, peace, and lots of happiness!
Interview by Marianna L. for Art-Waves
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/bg/artist/jenyka/1752280150
Website: https://www.jenyka.com
E-mail: jenyka.music@gmail.com
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