BLOND:ISH

The Beginnings and Formation of BLOND:ISH

Vivie-Ann Bakos, known worldwide by the stage name BLOND:ISH, was born on October 16, 1981, in Montreal, in the province of Quebec, Canada, although she grew up in Stoney Creek, Ontario. Her passion for music and her restless nature led her to delve deeply into the electronic nightlife scene. In 2007, she co-founded the BLOND:ISH project as a duo alongside Anstascia D'Elene Corniere after meeting at the Winter Music Conference in Miami. They began by organizing and DJing at their own eponymous parties at the Cherry Nightclub in Montreal. Their organic style and charisma made them stand out quickly, motivating them in 2010 to move to London to immerse themselves fully in music production and the demanding European electronic scene.

Rise in the International Scene

The move to the United Kingdom proved to be the definitive catalyst for perfecting their sound. In 2012, they released the successful EP Lonely Days through Noir Music, catching the attention of Michael Mayer, who brought them into his legendary label Kompakt. On this iconic German record label, they released highly acclaimed works such as Lovers in Limbo, Inward Visions, and Wunderkammer, consolidating a style that flowed fluidly between Deep House, Techno, and organic, hypnotic textures. They produced official remixes for legendary artists like Depeche Mode and performed at iconic festivals such as Burning Man and Tomorrowland. In 2015, they crowned this first major stage of their career with their exquisite debut album, titled Welcome to the Present.

Solo Evolution

In 2019, Anstascia and Vivie-Ann decided to go their separate ways, and Vivie-Ann Bakos took absolute control of the BLOND:ISH project as a solo artist. Far from slowing down her work pace, this transition inaugurated a stage of overflowing creativity and personal empowerment. In this new sonic phase, she explored Afro House rhythms, disco music, and Tech House, releasing on labels like Insomniac Records and collaborating with major industry figures such as Madonna, Diplo, and Black Coffee. Songs like Waves and Call My Name earned her nominations for Canada's prestigious Juno Awards. In parallel, she launched her own record label and artistic collective ABRACADABRA, an innovative space that releases cutting-edge music and produces immersive events across the globe. Her immense growth led her to become a resident at iconic temples like Pacha Ibiza and to headline colossal sessions for the Cercle platform.

Environmental Activism and Web3

Beyond her undeniable talent on the decks, BLOND:ISH is a prominent environmental activist. After witnessing the alarming amount of waste generated on dance floors, she founded the charity Bye Bye Plastic in 2020. This pioneering initiative has the major goal of eradicating single-use plastics across the music industry, promoting eco-riders and maximum sustainability on world tours. She is also a tenacious entrepreneur in the universe of Web3 and decentralized technologies, constantly seeking new ways to connect fans with artists. Today, BLOND:ISH continues to spread her inexhaustible positive energy, proving that music can be the perfect engine to achieve a real and sustainable impact in the world.