Sevi (band)

In 2005 Svetlana "Sevi" Bliznakova is invited by Italian record producer Rocco Milano to take part in a CD compilation with the song “On My Own, which she had co-written with Pino Biaggioli. The song is recorded with the Italian rock band "Eldritch" and in the beginning of 2014 it is re-arranged and re-recorded by Svetlana Bliznakova's band SEVI. Svetlana is (as of 2016) the only Bulgarian singer to have performed in the show of Sky Italia in "Club Lost" during the Sanremo Music Festival in 2007. She co-writes many new songs with Rally Velinov, himself a musician and songwriter, who arranges many of Svetlana compositions. The same Mr. Velinov later goes on to become the bass player, and a key figure in the band SEVI. In the summer of 2008 Svetlana, records 11 new songs in collaboration with Rally Velinov and guitarist Peter Bratanov. In January 2010 with the idea to create a wider platform and develop her career, claiming a stake in the music business, together with Rally Velinov, Svetlana starts a band, which she names after her own nickname, SEVI – making the band, in essence, an extension of Svetlana herself.

The band SEVI is formed in January 2010 by Svetlana Bliznakova on vocals with Valentin Nikolov – drums, Tania Apostolova – keyboards, Rally Velinov – bass guitar, Todor Todorov – guitar and Vladimir Donkov – guitar. In August 2010 the two guitar players leave to be replaced by the former guitarist of Bulgarian alternative rock band "Awake" – Peter Bratanov.

By the end 2010, the band has already recorded their first single – "Can't Stand the Pain." In February 2011 they also shoot a video for it, but the single is released several months later, by which time Peter Bratanov has already left the band. In March 2011 SEVI brings in Ivan Angelov to fill the position of lead guitarist.

The original rock style of the band impresses local audiences and many media outlets and in very short time SEVI are played and invited to many radio and TV shows: the late show "Denis & Friends" on BNT 1,[8] SKAT TV,[9] Z-Rock Radio, Bulgarian National Radio,[10] "Radio ORV",[11] etc...

As of January 10, 2010 some of SEVI's songs enter in the permanent "Golden Archive" of the Bulgarian National Radio.[12] On November 13, 2010 SEVI win first place award for original composition with the song "Fighter For Happiness" at the "Sonic B.A.N.G competition Bulgaria".[13]

The next year, on June 24, 2011 Sevi releases their first official single and video "Can't Stand The Pain". It is the first video by a Bulgarian artists to be shown at movie theaters, between ads and upcoming movie trailers. [14] "Can't Stand the Pain" and SEVI are named "Band of the week" by Rock Symphony Radio in Lima (Peru).[15]

The summer of 2011 is very successful for SEVI. The band tours extensively in Bulgaria, playing festivals and other open stages. At the "International Festival – Belozem 2011" they win the "Special award".[16] Later the in same year, on the precise date of November 11, 2011 (11 / 11 / 11), SEVI release their second single and accompanying video to their song "Limited Edition".[17]

In January 2012 the band decides to organize a festival, dedicated to the emerging Bulgarian rock scene, and original rock music. This becomes the "23 & 1/2h Rock IT Marathon," with the event taking place at the Sofia club and bar Rock IT on March 17 and 18 of 2012.[18] The event features 30 bands that take the stage over the course of two days. In the middle of 2012, guitarist Ivan Angelov leaves the band and is soon after replaced by Bobby Zasheff.

Two weeks later, on June 14, 2012 Sevi release their first official album "What Lies Beyond".[19] Later that June, the band embarks a national summer tour in support of their debut release.[20] November 30 of 2012, SEVI releases their third music video "Victim" as a prelude to their first all-acoustic live set.[21] Nine days later, on December 9, Svetlana debuts her collaboration with Sugar Djs. The tracks is billed as "Sevi feat. Sugar Dj's" presented their new track "Shocked". On March 23, 2013, SEVI opens the bike riding season in Sofia, with a performance on a moving flatbed truck platform, while being followed by a motorcade of avid riders. The event was captured on video, footage of which later becomes the single "Speed Up".[7]

“Speed Up” quickly zooms to the top of the Kamenitza Rock 40 chart on Z-Rock Radio and maintains a position in its top 10 for 30 weeks.[23] During 2013, Sevi does a lot of performances on motorcycle meetings and festivals, including performing one of their most notable concerts so far – The "Last Call for 2013"[24]. That show is also a heartfelt goodbye with guitarist Bobby Zasheff, who leaves the band as his family is to relocate abroad.

Bobby is replaced with Temelko Temelkov (guitarist for LieVeiL))[25].

The beginning of 2014 signals yet another lineup change where keyboard player Tania Apostolova is replaced by Dessy Markova – experienced keyboardist, who has worked mainly with cover bands, cruise musicians, and is a rockin' music pedagogue. In June 2014 SEVI are chosen to take part in Kavarna Rock Fest 2014,where an international jury chooses SEVI to be the opening act for the night of the festival that will feature the bands: Europe, Krokus, Gus G, Pretty Maids.[27]

In July 2014 SEVI start their first European tour[28], which features dates in Italy and Serbia.

The promo of the single "Victim" gives SEVI yet another opportunity to present themselves in a more imaginative light. After a performance at “Hijack Acoustic” for Z-Rock Radio, Sevi decides to create a full repertoire of acoustic arrangements from the songs that featured on their debut album What Lies Beyond.

The acoustic live show becomes the third original concept of SEVI's themed shows. The first one is created for the "What Lies Beyond Tour 2012" and it presents the band as pirates (in full regalia, replete with functioning cannon), scouring the world's stages gathering new fans by the thousands. After the "Pirate Show," and later the same year SEVI present their second themed show – the "Route 66 Show". The stage is set with an old-style gas pumping station, like one would see while crossing the border between New Mexico and Nevada; guitarist lighting a cigarette dangerously close to the pump; the keyboard player in dirty overalls as a mechanic who's ready to take a quick peek under the hood; and the rest – a small team of desperados, ready to set up camp anywhere and entertain the locals. Along they way, while developing these shows and promotions, SEVI start to compile ideas for their second studio album, teasing audiences with the occasional live preview of a new track.

SEVI second full-length release is entitled The Battle Never Ends. The album is presented at Sofia's club Rock IT on Friday (May) 13th, 2016. Living up to their reputation, the band had prepared a special show for the evening. The stage set to look like the aftermath of a battlefield, the musicians (including two guest backing vocalists) dressed in black, covered in a cloud of haze. The show starts with a soundscape of brutal winds, clinging swords (courtesy of Rally Velinov) and it features the vocal talents of prominent Bulgarian actor, Asen Blatechki, who reads out lines from the album's eponymous track: "It nevers ends...so stand... and prepare yourselves...'cause the battle...never...ever...ends" cueing the band to blast into the opening riff of the song! After the performance, SEVI welcomed guests and excited fans into their Fan/VIP area backstage for drinks and selfies.

SEVI third full-length release is entitled me/ Follow Me. The album features names like Thomas Vikström and Jen Majura from Evanescence The release date was March 09th with a big show in Sofia Live Club. In June 2019 SEVI released the featuring song with Jen Majura “To Hell and Back” as a single. Fast cars, fire, passion and strong guitar riffs. The song was very well accepted by fans and media.

During the summer of 2019 the band was part of the line-up of some of the biggest festivals in Bulgaria, such as ''Hills of Rock'', Varna Rock and many others along with names like Disturbed, Avantasia and W.A.S.P SEVI played also on festivals in Greece, Serbia and Romania. On 11th of September SEVI opened the show of Evanescence in Arena Armeec and performed their single "To Hell and Back" along with Jen Majura.

2020 started with a new single "Shattered" and a special 10 years anniversary show which was held in Music Jam Club - Sofia on march 6th.

Associated musicians

• Jimi Sobara
• Sugar DJ's
• Zyggie
• Jen Majura
• Thomas Vikström