Alternative Rock    

Awake is a Bulgarian rock band formed in 2002 in Sofia /Bulgaria/. The band, led by front man and co-founder Ivan Ivanov, has gone through numerous lineup changes since its formation. Now the members of the band are Ivan Ivanov (vocals, guitar), Zhelyaz Zhelezov (drums), Andrea Samengo (guitar) and George George (bass).

The acclamation of Awake's music comes in 2004 when they win three awards by the popular Bulgarian radio station BG Radio. Two of them are in the contest "BG Talents" and the prize is just what the band wants - audio and video recording of their first rotated single. The song is called “Za neya” /”About her”/ and it turns into a hit released in three different Bulgarian music compilations. The third award is from the annual BG Radio music awards 2005 in the "BG Discovery" category.

Not only “Za neya” but another song – “Trapka” /”Thrill”/ is released as a compilation track. The name of the compilation is “Playlist” and includes 15 Bulgarian rock and alternative tracks in their first release ever.

In the end of 2005, the band changes it’s drummer with Zhelyaz Zhelezov (ex Portocal, P.I.F.). That change is prompted by the new harder sound and direction of the band. Awake orientate their music to the big stage performances.

This moment is marked by the second single of the band – “Plain story”, released in the beginning of 2006. The song is in English and it doesn’t reach the mass success of "Za neya", but it earns many new rock fans for the band. “Plain story” is played by all Bulgarian rock radio stations and some online Medias such as pulserted.com – UK. In the meantime Awake is already playing at the big rock festivals in Bulgaria and at Exit’06 /Serbia/.

On 17 of December Awake release their third single called “Little bliss”, which gives the name of the debut album of the band, released later the same month. The song is nominated for “Best Rock / Alternative song” on the MMTV /Bulgaria/ awards ceremony.

The album is produced by Pacific Studio (owned by the drummer of the band) and it contains 11 compositions. Ten of the songs are in English. The only one in Bulgarian is “Trapka” in new unreleased version. The third single from this album is the song called “Away”.

With the album “Little bliss” Awake uncover themselves as a modern rock band, influenced by the spirit of the classic rock of the 70’s and the grunge music of the 90’s, finding their identity in the modern sound and vision.