Diass: "Storytelling is honestly my love language when it comes to music"

Born, raised, and based in Bulgaria, Diass has been a pioneering force in his country’s electronic scene for over a decade. His music transcends borders through an ever-evolving blend of organic textures and driving energy, earning him a place on stages around the world. A musician since the age of 12, classically trained and refined through years as a studio engineer, Diass has built a sound rooted in depth, groove, and storytelling—establishing himself as a distinctive and powerful voice in the global electronic landscape.

Your musical journey began at a very young age — at 12. What first drew you to music, and how has that "first love" evolved over time?

Music has always been part of my life. My father is a DJ, so from the moment I was born, I was surrounded by records and sound. Electronic music truly entered my world around the age of 12, when I discovered a CD collection of Italian trance and techno in my village that belonged to my uncle. It was love at first listen. The sounds I heard moved me in a way I had never experienced before - they excited me, challenged me, and made me feel music on a completely different level.

Not long after, I started taking private lessons after school with one of Bulgaria’s most respected sound engineers and VST creators, Ivan Kovachev. I spent nearly four years deeply immersed in the craft of sound engineering and mastering, building a foundation that still shapes how I approach music today. From there, the rest is history - I’ve been producing for 18 years now, and my sound and taste continue to evolve.

What I’ve learned over time is that I no longer chase trends. I follow my intuition. Music has become a form of self-expression rather than direction-following, and that’s the only way I know how to stay true to myself.

You are a classically trained musician and also a studio engineer. How does this dual background influence your approach to electronic music production?

Studying music and playing the piano really expanded my perception of sound and musical structure. Being so closely connected to a traditional, acoustic instrument shaped the way I approach electronic music production - I naturally gravitate toward organic tones, orchestral elements, and harmonically rich textures when I’m creating.

I often like to say that electronic music is the new classical music. It carries the same emotional depth and boldness, but translated through modern tools - it’s immersive, expressive, and capable of touching all the senses at once.

People often talk about having a "personal style" in electronic music. How would you describe Diass’ sound today, and which influences were most decisive in shaping it?

I’ve definitely developed a signature sound over the years - when you hear a track by Diass, you can usually tell it’s mine. From the very beginning, I’ve been drawn to strong, groovy basslines, and I’ve always been deeply obsessed with vocals. It’s rare for me to make a track without a vocal element - for me, the human voice adds emotion, tension, and a sense of storytelling that instruments alone can’t always achieve.

My influences come from outside the boundaries of electronic music as well. Artists like Massive Attack, Pink Floyd, and Hans Zimmer played a decisive role in shaping my taste. Their music is bold, layered, and cinematic - and that depth is something I constantly try to translate into my own productions.

I enjoy thinking outside the box and combining elements that, in theory, shouldn’t work together. But when they’re placed in the right context, those contrasts can turn into something unexpected and truly unique.

Storytelling is a recurring element in your sets and productions. How important is it for you to tell a story when performing for an audience?

Storytelling is honestly my love language when it comes to music. I can’t imagine playing a DJ set or producing a track without some kind of journey in it - a surprise moment, tension and release, emotional ups and downs, a bit of drama, and of course…some magic. I’m just not the type of DJ who can play a straight, flat set with the same energy from start to finish.

For me, it’s about building a landscape from the first track to the last. I like taking risks, shifting the mood, and really guiding people through something that feels alive.

I want the crowd to feel like they’ve experienced something - not just danced for two hours. I think that comes naturally from being around music since I was a kid. My brain doesn’t think in isolated tracks - it thinks in stories.

You’ve worked and performed in very different cities and contexts — from Sofia to Ibiza, from London to Mykonos. How do these different environments influence the way you play and create music?

I always keep in mind where I’m playing and what slot I have. Context is everything. If it’s a beautiful sunset set, I’ll create a special, emotional moment that matches the atmosphere. If I’m closing in the early morning, I might prepare a surprising final track that leaves a lasting imprint. Every setting has its own energy, and I respect that.

Being able to travel the world and share my music is one of the greatest gifts in my life - but it’s also a responsibility. People trust you with their night, their memories, sometimes even with very personal moments. That naturally creates a certain pressure and expectation. But when you truly love music and you know how to read a room, it becomes exciting. It feels like conducting energy - guiding the crowd, shaping the vibe in real time.

Playing in different countries and cultures has definitely developed my taste and expanded my musical knowledge. Every place teaches you something new, and that perspective is incredibly valuable to me.

In 2022, you co-founded KATUN. What was the intention behind this project, and how do you think it is redefining the electronic music scene?

We launched KATUN in 2022 together with Dimo BG and Mr. K with a very simple intention: to create a home for the kind of music we truly love to play and represent. It started as a platform to showcase our own artistic identity, but over time it naturally evolved into something bigger. All of us are Bulgarian, and building a fully Bulgarian label that makes a real impact on the electronic music scene is a true moment of pride for us. What began as a shared vision between three artists has grown into a movement that represents not only our sound, but also our roots.

We built a strong circle of talented producers who were constantly sending us incredible music. Creating a label became the logical next step - a way to support and release beautiful records from both established and emerging artists. From day one, we made a conscious decision to prioritize the music over the name. While many labels focus mainly on well-known artists, we actively support newcomers and young producers, giving them a real platform to be heard.

In just three years, KATUN has grown into one of the best-selling labels in Organic House, with the majority of our releases entering the Beatport Organic House charts. That consistency tells us we’re on the right path. At the end of the day, music speaks for itself. We have some very strong releases scheduled for this year, and I’m genuinely excited to share them with the world.

You’ve performed in many diverse contexts and often supported other artists. Has there been a particular live moment or experience that deeply impacted or changed your approach to music?

One of the biggest highlights of my career happened in 2023 at The Reactor Festival in Panama. I was playing a sunrise closing set, and the connection with the crowd was something I’ll never forget. As the light was coming up, it felt like we were all breathing as one living organism - completely synchronized in that moment.

When I played my final track, a guy lifted me onto his shoulders, and suddenly I was surrounded by people dancing, screaming, and living those last minutes together until the very end. Experiences like that stay in your heart forever. They remind you what a privilege it is to share your own music with people on the other side of the world.

Another unforgettable moment was last year at Hï Ibiza, which was voted the world’s No.1 club by DJ Mag. I had the chance to open for Mëstiza during their residency there. Playing in a venue of that caliber already carries huge weight - but the fact that it happened on my birthday made it even more special. It felt like one of those full-circle moments you dream about.

Experiences like these don’t just impact you emotionally - they reshape your perspective. They remind you that this journey is bigger than you, and that connection with people is the real achievement.

Your releases on labels like SACRO, Make The Girls Dance, Scorpios, and We’re Here have reached the genre charts. How much does critical or chart recognition matter to you as an artist?

Releasing my music with great labels like SACRO, Make The Girls Dance, Scorpios Music, and We’re Here, and seeing those tracks enter the genre charts is definitely a beautiful validation. It shows that the endless hours in the studio, the dedication, and the obsession with details are appreciated - that people genuinely support and invest in your music.

At the same time, I try not to let numbers define my direction. Chart recognition simply means that something is connected at a particular moment - but it should never become the reason you create. The danger starts when you chase positions instead of emotions, and I’m very aware of that line. I consciously stay on the creative side of it.

For me, the most meaningful recognition will always be the reaction on the dancefloor. When you see people close their eyes during a breakdown or completely lose themselves in a drop - that’s the real chart. Of course, I value the visibility and support that rankings bring, but I never want them to influence my authenticity. Music has to come from instinct first. Everything else is just a beautiful bonus.

The electronic scene is constantly evolving. Which sound or live experience trends excite you most today, and which do you think are overrated?

The electronic scene has changed massively since I started playing. One of the positive shifts is how accessible the music has become. Platforms like Spotify, Youtube and Apple Music have helped electronic music reach a much wider audience. That visibility brings more people to events, more diversity to the crowd, and more opportunities for artists. In that sense, the scene feels bigger and more global than ever.

At the same time, there are certain trends I find a bit confusing - especially the "backstage culture", where sometimes you see more people behind the DJ than in front of the booth. I understand that events have become more social and image-driven, but for me, the magic has always been on the dancefloor. Even when there’s a crowd backstage, I barely pay attention to what’s happening behind me. My focus is entirely on the people in front - the energy we share and the exchange that happens between us.

I believe trends come and go. What always remains is the core reason we gather: the music itself. I hope the focus continues to shift back to that shared experience - the connection between the DJ and the crowd, and the dancefloor as the heart of it all.

Looking ahead, what are the next projects or ambitions for Diass — both in the studio and on stage — that you hope to realize over the next two years?

Looking ahead, I’m planning to release a new album within the next two years - one of the biggest and most special projects I’ve been working on. My focus will be on finishing all the ideas I’ve been developing and really diving deep into the production process.

At the same time, I want to bring my music to new places, touring widely and sharing those moments with people around the world. For me, the studio and the stage are two sides of the same story: creating something meaningful and then experiencing the connection it creates live. That balance is what drives me and keeps the journey exciting.

Ultimately, my goal is simple - to keep making music that I love, share it with people who feel it the same way, and create moments that leave an emotional mark.

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