Gabriella Vergilov

Name, where are you from?
Gabriella Vergilov.
Born in Bulgaria - country of countless rose fields, the best yoghurt in the world and rich folklore, thanks to which we had a song included on the Voyager space probes' Golden Records, launched into space in 1977. 

Describe your style in three words?
Feminine, classy, sexy.
At least that’s what my friends say.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
That would always be the next one, because naturally - things should evolve. As a resident at Ampere, Antwerp - I enjoy feeling at "home" there. Shelter club in Amsterdam is also a hot spot - great sound system, open-minded crowd and I don’t know how do they do that magic trick, but they got trees inside! When I'm not playing but only attending- I always enjoy DVS1's sets. He’s a mentor.

If you could be on the line up with any two bands in history?
I grew up listening to rock dinosaurs, as well as watching documentaries about their lives. Let’s say Whitesnake, and don’t get me wrong - I know they were quite a commercial rock band, but that's what was on the menu in Bulgaria back then, due to the regime. I had a crush on David Coverdale as a kid and I got pretty fascinated by the lifestyle of these guys - sex, drugs and rock'n'roll, but then also the whole peace and love idea was interesting too. The other one goes to Britney. Because “It’s Britney, b*tch”. She was this dream-girl I always wanted to be as a teenager but never was. Now I don’ t wanna be anyone else but myself and I'm pretty happy like that.

Which Subcultures have influenced you?
Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Pink Floyd - psychedelic rock bands helped me shape my preferences - not just in music and art. I also got into hip-hop at some point and that eventually influenced the way I dressed: baggy and loose pants, sports brands, caps, t-shirts and anoraks. I became a little tomboy at the time. Wu-Tang-Clan and most specifically Method Man and Redman were my heroes. The beats in hip-hop back then were different to now. There were lots of rhythmic songs. The textures typical for psychedelic rock and the ghetto-gangsta hip-hop beats inspire me often when I explore my own musical process. Electronic music got me a little later but it seems like my love for it is gonna last forever. House music to begin with, because it was also close to hip-hop and disco, and there was this happy and festive feeling around it that I was seeking for. When techno stepped into the picture - I started to open up myself to the more obscure and dynamic side of the music combined with reading philosophy and exploring the human mind. Last but not least - New Romanticism left its trace in the way I am and carry myself.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Cleopatra. The books are full of myths about her but what exactly made her The Cleopatra, The Cult? And of course, how did she make that perfect cat eye. I love the old Holywood movie from 1963 with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. Call me cheesy as much as you want but I love it. And damn, the costumes!

Of all the venues you’ve been to, which is your favourite?
Berghain in Berlin. Because it is simply Berghain and there is no other equivalent of it in the world. It plays an essential part in my electronic music education and that of many others, I believe. The mutual understanding and respecting of one’s own privacy on the dance floor is a big thing there and that is the main ingredient to unite everyone out there while experiencing the place. It’ s also a space where you can be whoever you want and be tolerated as such without being judged. It’s decadent, too. It has a great sound system and you can even get ice cream!

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
I’ ll start with my earliest memory of electronic music: Vangelis. I was really small - maybe four years old and these futuristic sounds felt like something was opening in me, a new dimension of understanding the world of music. I still get the chills. His synthesizer sound has had a huge influence on my own productions, as well. 

Find out more about Ampere and other Antwerp hangouts in our Subculture Weekender: Antwerp feature