Can you give a brief introduction to Irfan?
Irfan is a Bulgarian Ethereal wave, World and Medieval music band. Irfan’s music is an invitation for a mystical trip in and beyond time, a message, poetically extended in the language of the heart. Irfan’s music is strongly influenced by the sacred and folk music traditions of Bulgaria, the Balkans, Persia, Caucasus, the Middle East and North Africa, as well as by the musical and spiritual heritage of Byzantium and Medieval Europe, yet it retains its own original sound. We use traditional (Bulgarian, Balkan, Oriental, Persian, Indian) and medieval European instruments and vocal techniques from the same regions and historical periods, sometimes woven into a delicate electronic sound. Until now Irfan has released 2 albums with the French label Prikosnovénie: “Irfan” (2003) and “Seraphim” (2007).
Who are the members of Irfan and what is their musical background?
Irfan was founded in 2001 by Ivaylo Petrov, Kalin Yordanov and Kiril Bakardjiev. In 2002 the talented female singer Denitza Seraphimova joined the band and in 2004 Irfan expanded with another member - Petar Todorov. Since 2006 Denitza Seraphimova is devoted to motherhood and currently Irfan is working with a new female vocalist - the Bulgarian traditional (folklore) singer Vladislava Todorova with whom the band performed in its recent concerts. None of us is actually a professional musician (except for Vladislava Todorova who has a classical music education and used to sing in a professional choirs like "The Cosmic Voices of Bulgaria" and "The Great Bulgarian Voices") but nevertheless each one of us has his own musical background back in time. Denitza Seraphimova used to sing with the Bulgarian Music Art Formation “OM” and in a choir for Orthodox chants as well before joining Irfan. Ivailo Petrov used to work on a solo industrial music project before the foundation of Irfan. Kalin Yordanov was a vocalist of the Bulgarian ethno-ambient bands “Isihia” and “Kayno Yesno Slonce” before that and Kiril Bakardjiev was a member of the Bulgarian gothic/industrial band “Zaratustra”. Peter Todorov used to be a member and is still co-working with the bands “Sposob” and “Kayno Yesno Slonce” as well.
What does the name Irfan mean and what does the band have with mysticism and spirituality?
The name “Irfan” is borrowed from the Sufi terminology and can be translated as “gnosis”, “mystic knowledge” or “revelation”. We believe that composing and performing music is a spiritual act in which the artist sometimes could be just a vehicle and a mediator. And we also believe that spirituality is a very important element and aspect of human’s life. That is why it has a certain reflection in our music. Sometimes music could be a spiritual journey, a mystical experience or a personal revelation but this is something very intimate, personal and individual…
Awhile ago the original singer Denitza Seraphimova left the band and was replaced by Vladislava Todorova. A new singer often has an influence on a band and their sound, what does Vladislava add to the music Irfan?
Vladislava has a very expressive voice trained in the Bulgarian and Balkan folklore singing tradition that directs us more into the field of World music and the ethnic sound of the Balkans, The Middle East and the Mediterranean.
Your music is a blend of many different cultures, how would you describe it yourself?
As a journey in space and time and in the depths of our minds, hearts and spirits…
How did you get in contact with all the different kinds of music?
Well, we all are passionate lovers of World and ethnic music, as well of Early and Classical music, Trip-Hop, Industrial, Ethereal Wave, Gothic and New/Dark Wave…All this kinds of music have influenced us through the years.
Is it hard to take all these influences and sounds and transform it into the Irfan sound? How are Irfan songs created?
Each one of us brings and devotes his personal talent, experience and influences during the fusion process of creating music as a team. Sometimes this happens very easily and natural, but sometimes it’s a hard challenge.
You are signed to the French label Prikosnovénie, how did you get in contact with them?
We knew the Prikosnovénie label and liked its conception for music since many years now. That is why we wanted to contact them from the very beginning. They liked our demo and invited us to participate in their ‘’Fairy World Vol.1’’ compilation. Then we signed a contract and released the first album “Irfan” in 2003 and recently the second CD “Seraphim” (2007).
When you compare the first album to the new one “Seraphim” what are the differences?
We feel this second album as a much more mature, professional and profound work and as a step further, as well as a memory from a very hard and difficult period for the band…
How are the responses to Seraphim so far?
Well, as far as we could see, the responses are very good, encouraging and positive.
The goth audience discovered Irfan, did you expect that people who are into goth music would love Irfan? You play for a different crowd (in the Netherlands you will play at a goth festival as well as a folk festival) is that different for you and in what way?
We believe that the message of our music is universal and that it is for everyone who could understand it with his heart nevertheless his language, color, religion or music stream and preferences.
You use many different traditional instruments on stage, how did you learn to play them all?
Well, learning it’s always a process, sometimes endless. Through the years we collected and gathered traditional instruments from different cultures and regions that we started to learn and are still learning now.
What is your favourite instrument and why?
Personally for me, the perfect instrument is the human voice. But I like as well the frame drums and especially the Persian daf. I like the sound of the Persian santour too and many other oriental and medieval European string, wind and percussion instruments as well. But this is something very individual. Each instrument has its own language and beauty and it is very relatively to favor one instead of another.
What can people, who visit an Irfan show expect?
Irfan…
Any last words for the readers?
Thank you for your attention and interest in our music! Warm greetings to you and your audience!
Kalin Yordanov & Irfan
www.myspace.com/irfantheband