In this BLOND:ISH interview collection, Vivie-Ann Bakos shares insights on music, activism, and the dance music industry. In this BLOND:ISH interview collection, Vivie-Ann Bakos shares insights on music, activism, and the dance music industry. BLOND:ISH, the electronic music project of Canadian artist Vivie-Ann Bakos, has shared revealing insights about her creative process and career journey in recent interviews. From her underground beginnings hosting weekly parties in Montreal to collaborating with Madonna, Bakos offers a unique perspective on bridging underground electronic music with mainstream audiences while maintaining artistic integrity.
Origins of the BLOND:ISH Name and Montreal Underground Scene
The BLOND:ISH name originated from weekly parties that Vivie-Ann Bakos organized in Montreal, specifically targeting the underserved Wednesday night slot in the city’s house music scene. “We started this night in Montreal on Wednesdays, there was nothing really going on in the house community and we decided to take over, like hijack the Wednesday night slot,” Bakos explained in a recent interview. The parties became so successful that they dominated the local nightlife calendar, with Bakos noting, “Every single Wednesday, like we ruined everybody’s Thursdays, like you could not do anything on Thursday.” The creative process behind the name involved exploring multiple options before settling on the distinctive moniker. “We thought of like other names like Blond Time More Fun, we’re like I need some cheesy, but we came up with Blondish,” she revealed, adding that “You have to come up with a lot of cheesy names to come up with a good name I think.”
- BLOND:ISH started as weekly Wednesday night parties in Montreal’s house music scene.
- The name was chosen after considering multiple alternatives including “Blond Time More Fun.”
- The parties became so popular they affected Thursday night attendance across the city.
Madonna Collaboration and Mainstream Crossover Strategy
Furthermore, BLOND:ISH’s collaboration with Madonna on the “Sorry” remix represents a strategic approach to expanding electronic music’s reach beyond underground circles. Bakos describes the surreal nature of working with her childhood inspiration: “I’m so in the fishbowl. I never had even a chance to think about it. I mean, growing up, she was always a huge inspiration to me.” The collaboration aligns with Bakos’s broader artistic mission, which extends beyond entertainment. “A lot of my goals with my music is it’s not just to play for big crowds. It’s, you know, to maybe like help humanity a little bit, make it a bit more positive world through the music,” she explained. This philosophy drives her decision to work with mainstream artists, as she notes: “So you can’t do that in the underground. So it was a great collaboration because our music gets to a wider audience.”
- Madonna was a childhood inspiration for Vivie-Ann Bakos before their professional collaboration.
- The Madonna remix serves BLOND:ISH’s goal of spreading positive messages through wider audience reach.
- Bakos views mainstream collaborations as necessary for creating social impact through music.
Upcoming Music and Eastern-Western Fusion Sound
In addition, BLOND:ISH’s forthcoming album showcases an ambitious blend of Eastern and Western musical traditions, with Bakos describing the project as still taking shape during production. The lead single “Self Love” represents the album’s emotional core, with Bakos sharing her personal connection to the track: “When I listen to it, every time I get goosebumps and it just the message around it is so, so deep and so needed.” The album’s sound palette draws heavily from cross-cultural influences. “There’s Indian inspired music, a lot of Eastern instruments, but playing with Western sounds,” she explained, emphasizing the unique sonic territory the project explores. Production is scheduled to complete in fall, marking a significant evolution in BLOND:ISH’s artistic development. Previous releases mentioned include the Montreal-influenced “On My Land” remix and “Dak Janiels” on Monique Music, with extensive promotion planned across European markets including Holland and Germany.
- The upcoming BLOND:ISH album features Indian-inspired music mixed with Eastern and Western instruments.
- Lead single “Self Love” focuses on deep personal and social messages.
- Album production is scheduled to finish in fall with European promotion campaigns planned.
Explore More
Moreover, Continue exploring the world of BLOND:ISH and discover more about the artist, music, and mission. Find more on Mixmag and Resident Advisor.
Explore More
Furthermore, Continue exploring the world of BLOND:ISH and discover more about the artist, music, and mission.
Frequently Asked Questions — Blondish interview
What is BLOND:ISH’s real name?
As a result, BLOND:ISH is the stage name of Canadian electronic music producer and DJ Vivie-Ann Bakos. She performs as a solo artist under the BLOND:ISH moniker.
How did BLOND:ISH get started in music?
Consequently, BLOND:ISH began by organizing weekly house music parties on Wednesday nights in Montreal, taking over an underserved time slot in the local electronic music scene. These successful events eventually led to her music production career.
What are BLOND:ISH’s most notable collaborations?
For instance, BLOND:ISH’s most high-profile collaboration is the remix of Madonna’s “Sorry.” She views this mainstream partnership as a way to bring positive messages to wider audiences beyond the underground electronic music scene.