Conversations with Victor Blagoev

Today we’d like to introduce you to Victor Blagoev.

Hi Victor, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Prague, Czech Republic to Bulgarian parents. Since I can remember, I was fortunate to be a part of a vibrant, international community that exposed me to a myriad of different cultures. My parents, while not musicians, were big fans and supporters of the music world, so there was always music being played in the house, car, and around. I took piano lessons at a younger age, but did not seriously get into music until I was about 13 or 14. I had gone on a school band trip, and upon returning, realized I hadn’t ever had as much fun doing something as I had there, playing music. It lit a fire, and was a huge turning point for me, as someone who really couldn’t put much effort into something unless I loved it. I was originally interested in saxophone or guitar, but gravitated towards the bass, as I figured it would be easier to play yet still ‘cool’ (I was clearly wrong on the “easy” part). From then on, there was no turning back! I started playing in clubs all around Prague, and occasionally around Europe. My journey led me to some amazing experiences at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, and following that, I moved to Los Angeles a little over two years ago. Since then, I have been based here as a bassist/musician and songwriter, having worked with a number of artists and productions, including a tour with The Life and Music of George Michael and rising artists like Gayathri Krishnan and Sergio de Miguel.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I myself have been very fortunate to have the support of my family, which put me in a position where I could pursue a career in music without compromises. Of course, as with any pursuit of passion, there are obstacles and hurdles that come up; you sacrifice a lot for something that very well may not yield many returns. Spending years away from family with lots of failures (and risky investments down the drain) definitely take their toll, and starting over in a city this daunting is no easy task. For many artists, the reality is that the majority of creative endeavors don’t even see the light of day; so many things come so close, yet there are many factors to to keep a project from succeeding. As such, you have to learn to embrace and enjoy the process of creating music as much as possible (positives and negatives alike). To be clear, I am very fortunate even to be in the position to pursue something like this, and with the opportunity to stay true to my creative interests and desires. I have seen and known many who have not had the chance to, and some who have had it taken away. I certainly don’t take it for granted.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
While I love the simplicity of playing bass as a freelance/session musician, my years in the music industry and exposure to different kinds of artists and workers have to just how much more opportunity there is out there if you broaden your body of work and skillset. Nowadays, with the introduction and potential threat of AI, it is imperative for a musician— or really, any professional— to diversify and expand their capabilities. For me, that meant going beyond just ‘playing’. I began to write music with friends and collaborators, now working as more than just a bass player. I am also pivoting outside of the creative side of the industry; I am currently finishing up a music business program at UCLA, to help me break into the sync/licensing world and assist up-and-coming artists to place their music, as well as get an understanding and control of the publishing side of things. All of these aspects are intertwined, and can only serve to help you further tap into your potential. Finally, above all else, this is great fun! That is something that many artists, myself included, can often forget. Of course, it is easier said than done with all of the financial troubles and personal complications we may face, but doing our best to keep that childlike enjoyment of music front as center is what enables us to keep pushing through the difficulties of this career.

Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
I have had many people along my journey that have shaped me the way I am both as a person and a professional. Mike Pope, a jaw-dropping bass player and household name in the music world, who has worked with Chick Corea and David Sanborn among others, was my primary instructor at Berklee. He has since become a good friend and mentor who I can turn to for any kinds of advice when trying to navigate the volatility of the music industry, and is always accessible, no matter how many things he has on his plate. Another is Juan García-Herreros, who has taught me discipline and integrity that I value to this day. He is currently touring and recording with none other than Hans Zimmer. Finally, and most importantly, is the support and trust of my parents, friends and peers. They come from all walks of life, whether they are dear friends I’ve known since I was five, or good-hearted, sincere people I’ve met just last year. It is hard enough to try and break through in the entertainment business as is, so they add a much-needed layer of stability. I can’t emphasize how nice it is to have the chance to work with people you like, and would choose to spend time with regardless.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.victorbmusic.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victorbx6/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victor-blagoev-bb92b92a9/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@victorbx6

Image Credits
Concello de Moaña
Alia Becker
Adriano Monticelli