Riva Sound is one of the leading independent record labels in Bulgaria with a decade-long career. The main activities of the company include producing and distribution of music items (CDs, audio and video tapes, DVD's, promotional videos, etc.) by Bulgarian and foreign artists performing in various music genres.

  Riva Sound was found in 1990 by a couple of music fans determined to help out Bulgarian pop and rock bands and solo artists in the years after the demise of communism in Bulgaria. Shortly after the label's birth, its first release was produced, namely NLO's "Favourite Parties". With over 100.000 copies sold, it is still one of the most successful products released by a Bulgarian independent label.

  NLO's album was followed by the release of Stanley's "The Road to the Temple" (one of the 20 best Bulgarian rock albums of the 20th century, according to Rhythm Magazine), Panayot Panayotov's "Shopkinia" (1994), NLO's "Friday 13th" (1998), etc., etc…

  At present, Riva Sound's catalogue includes more than 100 artists with over 250 albums released, including such names in Bulgaria's pop & rock scene as Emil Dimitrov, Rossi Kirilova, Panayot Panayotov, Ivelina Balcheva, Nelly Rangelova, Valdy Totev, Villy Kavaldjiev, Ann-G, Xplisit, the duos Rhyton and Shick, NLO, Hypodile, Herman's Wolf Band, Monolith, Barabi Blues Band, Upsurt, Ostava, The Headstall, X-Team, etc.

  Riva Sound works with jazz & new age artists, too, having produced one of the first Bulgarian releases in these genres - Milcho Leviev and Anatoliy Vapirov's "Nocturno" (1992), followed by albums by Vassil Parmakov Quartet, Vassil Petrov, the piano masters Rumen Toskov, Raicho Ivanov, Sergey Djokanov, Slavi Bitrakov.

  The audio-portraits of some of the greatest Bulgarian pop composers are very successful as well, e.g. Toncho Russev, Stefan Dimitrov, Alexander Brazitzov, Kristian Boyadjiev.

  Regarding authentic folk music, the label's most valuable release is the album "A Portrait of Nikolai Kaufmann". It includes performances by world-famous Bulgarian folklore choirs like The Mystery of Bulgarian Voices Choir, The Cosmic Voices of Bulgaria Choir, The Pirin Ensemble, etc.

  Not long ago, Riva Sound signed a deal with well-known Bulgarian singer Dyana Dafova for the production of her latest effort entitled "Charisma" - a trademark release in the genre of ethno/world music.

  Last but not least, Riva Sound deals actively with classical music, as well as with releases dedicated to children.

  If we focus on Riva Sound's activities abroad, we'll see that some foreign artists rely on this Bulgarian music company, too, for example the Austrian alternative rock band Novi Sad. Besides, Riva Sound has exclusive deals for licensing and distribution of the products of some leading European independent labels - Cooking Vinyl (UK), Frontiers Records (Italy), Lion Music (Finland), the giant of classical music Naxos, Enja (Germany), Disky (Holland).

  Riva Sound's name can be found in all important music catalogues and encyclopedias, e.g. "Who's Who in Popular Music", "Billboard Music Guide", "Music & Media Directory", "Euro Pop Book", etc. The company has also taken part in various international music forums like Pop Rock Festival - Bratislava (Slovakia), Tam Tam - Bruges (France), MIDEM - Cannes (France).

  Riva Sound develops a variety of other activities as well, including music management, advertising, etc. It has perfect working relations to all important Bulgarian media (newspapers, magazines, TV and radio stations). Besides, more than 30 national and local Bulgarian radio stations broadcast "Audio Adrenaline" - a weekly one-hour radio show produced by Riva Sound and presenting the label's hottest songs and performers.

  Riva Sound has a very well organized distribution across the whole country, and works with all main Bulgarian record and distribution companies.

  Riva Sound's future plans are focused on working with young and promising Bulgarian artists, as well as on expanding its international activities.
  

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