Interview
Nedislav Dragnev
Nedislav is a singer, songwriter, actor, and muse. He became popular in Europe after his amazing performances on stage at The X Factor in Bulgaria, becoming part of a boy band. The band created 4 hits together in different versions. The band members are involved in the writing and performing of their songs in the Bulgarian language, but they also do covers of world famous artists.
While touring nationwide with the band and other famous collaborators, Nedislav took time to attend festivals and study acting, performing in three University Theater Spectacles.
Nedislav is also a model, dancer, and fashion maniac.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“My journey in the art world began way back when I was only 7 years old. I asked my mom to let me join the local theater academy that was run by a teacher and actress called Sophia. When I started with the classes, I was very excited and knew there was no time to lose! I fell in love with the theater stage when I was a kid.
I have professionally trained in drama, acting, modeling, and dancing. I enjoy making hits and touring with our boy band.”
What inspires you most?
“I’m inspired by music, artists, plays, poetry, and martial arts.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“As a songwriter and someone who uses his voice to sing and record vocals, my jams are always inspired by love and poetry. I can’t live without love songs and poetry, and I can’t live without music and dancing. This is what lies within my art. It is energy.
As an actor, my message is dedicated to making people witness pure art: the magic, culture, and truth brought to them through acting. Live performances can make people shocked, angry, high, or simply be happy and laugh.”
“Every performance is a tribute to an idea. Regardless of what the idea is, it is a reflection of people’s behavior.”
How would you describe your work?
“I still plan to study and get a Master’s degree. There’s so much more that I see ahead of me in theater and acting in future, even on an academic level. I’m also looking forward to directing. I have a special need to get deeper into the arts—a feeling that I’m sure I share with people in the same profession.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I can’t really say I’m influenced by any artist at all when I work. I have thousands of favorite artists, people whom I admire, but in my work I’m only influenced by myself.”
What is your creative process like?
“Whatever I do, it’s often with a large number of people and artists who have their own vision. We are all different people and we do different things in our lives, but the creative process requires getting together and materializing the work on each project. We have our desired ideas to make our conceptions possible and real to us, and also to everybody. This is what leads to our success.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“The artist plays a very special role in society. Artists create today’s innovations. Artists and art actualize our reality and make it acceptable to our minds.”
Instagram: @nedislav_dragnev
