Gueorgui Linev
performing live
performing live
Background information
Birth nameGueorgui Iliev Linev
Also known asKan Wakan
George Linev
OriginSofia, Bulgaria
GenresElectronic, Trip-Hop, Experimental, Orchestral Pop, Psychedelic
InstrumentsGuitar, Piano, Electric Bass Guitar, Drums
Labels3tone Records, previously Verve Records

Gueorgui Iliev Linev, known professionally as Kan Wakan, is a Bulgarian-born, Los Angeles and UK-based electronic music producer, composer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.[1] Linev has released two studio albums under the name Kan Wakan (Moving On and Phantasmagoria Vol. 1).[2] He is currently signed to the Bristol-based label 3tone Records. He has done collaborations with Moses Sumney, Thundercat, and toured with Lianne La Havas, and Arctic Monkeys, just to name a few.[3] Well-known for his cinematic approach, Linev wrote the music for Brian Klemesrud's 2016 crime thriller Dead Draw.

Musical style

Gueorgui Linev incorporates both electronic and acoustic instruments into his compositions, often featuring instrumental solos such as his use of harmonica on "Molasses." With Kan Wakan, Linev often uses live orchestras in compliment to Analog Synthesizer, Electric Guitar and Bass, and various other instruments.

His music is described as "touching the borders of trip-hop, acoustic balladry, and psychedelia" according to The Fader.[4] LA Weekly's Jeff Weiss described his music as "Striking a smooth, sinister balance between crepuscular trip-hop and experimental minimalism, Kan Wakan’s debut artfully recalls Air and Portishead, Mazzy Star and The Cinematic Orchestra."[5]

Career

Kan Wakan

Kan Wakan formed in 2010 and began putting out songs two years later. In 2013, Kan Wakan released its debut EP, produced by Linev and engineered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Darrell Thorp. Those entrancing early tracks quickly earned him airplay on Los Angeles' KCRW radio station, a publisher, management and a contract with Universal's sub-publisher Verve Music Group. The EP featured orchestra performances via the Metamorphosis Chamber Orchestra led by Linev's uncle, Bulgarian Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra conductor Stefan Linev. In 2014, Kan Wakan returned with his debut full-length album, Moving On. Upon release, 'Moving On' peaked at #37 on the Billboard Heatseekers Albums chart. Yahoo! Music listed Kan Wakan as one of the "11 Best New Artists of 2014"[6] and the success of 'Moving On' lead to Gueorgui Linev being named one of "The 10 Best Young L.A. Songwriters" by LA Weekly in 2014.

In August 2016, Kan Wakan released 'Molasses,' which was named "Today's Top Tune"[7] by Los Angeles based radio station KCRW, and premiered in Nylon Magazine.[8] Followed by positive reviews from notable music blogs, including Indie Shuffle, the track hit #2 on Hype Machine.[9] Following the successful momentum of 'Molasses,' Phantasmagoria's second single 'I Would' reached #2 on Hype Machine after Clash Magazine[10] premiered the track, calling it "Absorbing" and was later placed in Indie Shuffle's "Best of October" Playlist.

Phantasmagoria Vol. 1

In 2018, Kan Wakan released his second studio album Phantasmagoria Vol. 1. His song Molasses (ft. Elle Olsun) was used on season 1 of the American drama Queen Sugar.[11]

Discography

Singles
Year Title Label Notes
2014 "Forever Found" Verve Records
2014 "Like I Need You" Verve Records Used in HBO's 2014 Spring Preview[12]
2014 "Why Don't You Save Me" Verve Records Insert song in NBC television program State of Affairs, season 1 episode 4: "Bang, Bang"[13]
2016 "Molasses" MurMur Records Insert song for Queen Sugar season 1 finale episode "Give Us This Day"[11]
2016 "I Would" MurMur Records
2017 "I Had to Laugh" MurMur Records
Albums
Release Date Album Label Chart Position
June 3, 2014 Moving On Verve Records #37 Billboard Heatseekers Albums[14]
March 2015 Moving On Remixed -
August 31, 2018 Phantasmagoria Vol. 1 MurMur Music

References

  1. ↑ "Gueorgui Linev | Nord Keyboards". www.nordkeyboards.com. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  2. ↑ "Kan Wakan". Discogs. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  3. ↑ "Kan Wakan Releases "Indigo" and It's a Jam!". Too Much Love Magazine. 2018-08-01. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  4. ↑ "Kan Wakan's "I Would" Video Is About Literally Haunting Love". The FADER. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  5. ↑ Weiss, Jeff (2015-03-18). "From Bulgaria to L.A.: The Incredible Journey of Kan Wakan's Gueorgui Linev". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2020-09-18.
  6. ↑ "The 11 Best New Artists of 2014". www.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  7. ↑ "Kan Wakan: Molasses | Today's Top Tune". KCRW. 2016-08-29. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  8. ↑ Gore, Sydney. "Listen To Kan Wakan's Single "Molasses"". Nylon. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  9. ↑ "Kan Wakan - Molasses (Ft. Elle Olsun)". Indie Shuffle. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  10. ↑ "Premiere: Kan Wakan - 'I Would'". Clash Magazine. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  11. 1 2 "Music by Kan Wakan". Tunefind. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  12. ↑ "Hear Kan Wakan's 'Like I Need You' (aka the song from HBO's new promo)". EW.com. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  13. ↑ "Music from State of Affairs S1E04". Tunefind. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
  14. ↑ "Kan Wakan". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-09-03.
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