THE INTELLIGENT MUSIC PROJECT – A Project Of Classic Rock Stars!

Interview with Milen Vrabevski, MD

1. How did you get into the music industry?

I used to play the guitar, and the piano with a friend of mine when we were schoolbys and students in the universities a bit later. In 2010 I decided to try some of my school-time ideas, and turn them into good songs. Nothing important was really happening in rock-industry at that time. So, I decided to compose and produce my own music, sharing ideas I would like my kids to grow up with. This was just some kind of following the pattern of the great rock stars in my life – their influence over my personal growth and development. I had this ambition, to be an adequate alternative of the banal styles that still dominate on the market. They add no value, but brainwash only… Instead of complaining of their domination, I decided to offer a worthy alternative. The other direction of my final ambition was to promote the potential of Bulgaria, as a donor of world class music, that leaves meaningful messages. My wife appeared to be the right inspiriton, and so it happened. 🙂 I recorded my first album (at that time in Bulgrian language) in 2010, and decided it would be worthwhile to try it on the world market. And above all: music is a great passion…

2. Which is the story behind the formation and implementation of the Intelligent Music Project?

My previous Communication Dept offered me this title. I said, why not. It was challenging and somehow binding, but clear: Music, that makes you understand the importance of a meaningful existence, a life with a mission, opposed to vegetation. Let your mind create and add value, instead of judging, or complaining. At the same time promoting your country and the talent of its musicians, seemed the right thing to do, as well. What was left, was to raise awareness of our existence. The easiest way was to invite great r’n’r stars, what I actually did, starting with the Uriah Heep’s top vocalist John Lawton. Then, for the second project I invited Simon Phillips & Joseph Williams. For the third, I added John Payne, Nathan East, Tim Pierce, Carl Sentance (Nazareth), some of them appeared on the IV album… Then I went towards adding a different vocal blend, as per the latest development of our style: Ronnie Romero (Rainbow) & Richard Grisman (River Hounds). I had a few very good musicians on-board, selected personally by Simon Phillips to record with him in LA, when he was a music co-producer of the 4th album, ‘Sorcery Inside’: Dave Palmer, Jessie Seibenberg, Earnie Tibbs, and I added Tony Crumpton (the bass guitar player of River Hounds) to sing in a track of the 5th album, ‘Life Moiton’. I must emphasize that the Bulgarina team is at a very high level too. We record live everything, strings included. I am so proud of our strings orchestra, choirs, music co-producer etc., too.

3. Did you gather all the famous artists to record their parts or did you follow the model of the virtual collaborations?

Some of them joined me in my studio: Intelligent Music Studios in Sofia, like John Payne, Tim Pierce, Carl Sentance, Ronnie Romero, Rich Grisman… The rest had to record their parts over the ocean… Simon Phillips did gather a whole band (mentioned above) in a studio for my 4th album. They did play together, and the value added was significant. Those guys are all in their highs and are quite busy. Right after recording my third album for example Tim went to record the new album of Adelle. So hard to get them together for a show, but actually it is not that necessary. 🙂

4. Which is the vision/mission of the Intelligent Music Project?

Тhe mission is one and the samе for all the people on Earth – to live for their fellows. However very few people focus on that. So, we decided to kindly remind them… 🙂 Our vision is to create the kind of music, that brings passion and awareness into life. Not just dopamine, serotonin & antibodies… 🙂

5. Which is the line up of the musicians that worked towards the creation of the Intelligent Music Project V “Life Motion”?

 Drums & music co-producer (together with me & Ivo Stefanov, who’s been working with me since 2010) – Simon Phillips, vocals: lead – Ronnie Romero with Rich Grisman, John Payne, Tony Crumpton, Bobby Kosatkata, Lina Nikol, Slavin Slavchev (an X-factor winner), keys: Ivo Stefanov (a music co-producer), Sami Eftimov; Guitars – Biser Ivanov, Bass: Ivo Zvezdomirov, Strings: Intelligent Music Strings Ochestra.

6. When and where did you compose and record the latest album of the Intelligent Music Project?

As always, I’ve got plenty of music ideas. 🙂 This time, they had to be materialized during the pandemic – a strange time, but quite productive for me… 🙂 The way our style developed showed us the way to a new line-up, starting with the drummers: now we’ve got Bobby Rondinelli (Rainbow, Black Sabbath) & Todd Sucherman (Styx). The vocalists: Ronnie Romero, Rich Grisman, John Payne, Carl Sentance. The rest of the Bulgarian team is available (just changed the conductor… It is now Vlado Djambazov). This line-up is about to form my 6th album, that is coming up in Feb next year – ‘The Creation’.

7. Which is the meaning behind the words of the latest album?

About ‘Life motion’: It is an album about what moves things forward in life. The ability of your spiritual part to attract the right energy quants, provided we sincerely live with a mission, without expecting gratefulness. We’re just grateful to the Universe, that we’ve got the ability to add value to our fellows lives, and to live our lives based on the useful efficiency principle. There’s this 6th album of mine coming up – ‘The Creation’, which covers up the efficiency of our mind in spite of life challenges…

8. Do you have any plans for a touring line up of the project?

We’re planning to start with two live gigs in Greece. The provisional dates/venus are: Oct.23rd – Thessaloniki, Oct. 24th – Athens. Both are promo-gigs, that we give for free especially for the Greek audience. Here is the right moment to introduce to you our promoter, who is Greek, too…:-) It is Mr. Christos Terzides, who will accompany us througout this year and the next, which goes like this: in Aug. & Sep. we’re in Bulgaria – Varna, Sofia, Plovdiv, Bourgas. The repertoire is based on my last two albums – 4th & 5th, respectively ‘Sorcery Inside’ & ‘Life Motion’. Then in the beginning of Feb, next year we have a pre-premiere of my 6th album – ‘The Creation’ in Sofia. Then in May we have a Balkan Promo-Tour of this 6th album. As you can see, we try to keep busy, in spite of the strange situaiton, and to emphasize the main life principle: never to give up…! 🙂

9. Except your career as a music producer, you have a such a great scientific activity as a doctor and CEO of large company. Would you like to talk us about these non music activities of yours?

 Sure. My scientific carreer is close to a quarter of a century long. I am the proud owner/CEO of the biggest Clinical Research & Site Management Organization in the region, that covers 28 countries, certified for quality by EC with a ‘Seal of Excellence’, and a ‘Growth Champion’ certificate + Excellence in Innovation Award by the EU. My Corporate Responsibility Programme is executed by my foundaiton, that invests in talented kids, struggle with infertility, cultural & histoiric herritage, education, and career development in our region. I invest in various fields I consider top priorities for the societal growth, like education: I’ve got one private school and two kindergardens. this is my example of personal responsibility based on personal investment in what  I think high quality education is to be like. This is a grosso modo description of my activities. There are some more parallel businesses of mine… So there are a few things that keep me busy… 🙂 I love going to Greece, if I find some time. This year I am about to visit Syvota for the second time, this summer, and Afroditi (from Ktyma Bellou) in Agios Dimitrios (near Katerini). Great places, great people, nice and hospitable. I express my deepest gratitude to them.

10. What about your next music plans?

My 6th album, ‘The Creation’ is already recorded, and we just do the fine tunning… So, I recorded my1st song from the 7th abum, with the working  title ‘Unconditioned’. I guess I will be able to pleasantly surprise our fans accross the world. 🙂

Band information: https://intelligent-music.com