Vivie-ann Bakos, known professionally as BLOND:ISH, is a Canadian DJ, producer, record label head, and Web3 entrepreneur.[1][2][3][4][5] She founded the nonprofit charity Bye Bye Plastic to eliminate single-use plastics from music venues and events.[6][7]

Origin

In 2007, Bakos formed BLOND:ISH at the Winter Music Conference. The act began performing in 2008 while running and DJing a residency called Blond:ish at the Cherry Nightclub in Montreal.[8][9] In 2010, BLOND:ISH moved from Montreal to London to focus more on music production and become immersed in the London music scene.[9]

Recording history

In 2012, BLOND:ISH released the Lonely Days EP on Noir Music.[10] After the release of Lonely Days, the act was were signed by Kompakt label boss Michael Mayer, who released the next EP, Lovers in Limbo, that same year.[11]

In 2013, the act joined Get Physical Music, where they released their Strange Attractions EP with Thomas Gandey.[12][13] As a result of their success, BLOND:ISH was commissioned to produce remixes for Depeche Mode,[14] Pete Tong, Maya Jane Coles, Kate Simko, and WhoMadeWho.[15]

From 2013 to 2014, the act produced the next two Kompakt EPs, Inward Visions and Wunderkammer, from a makeshift studio near the Mayan temples in Tulum.[16][17]

In 2015, BLOND:ISH released the first album, Welcome to the Present, under Kompakt.[18]

On 16 April 2016, the act premiered their debut Essential Mix on BBC Radio 1, which they recorded in a makeshift studio in Tulum, Mexico.[19][20] BLOND:ISH have released music on labels like Get Physical,[12] Kompakt,[11] Leftroom,[21] and Noir.[10] The act have also played at Burning Man.[22][23]

In 2019, Anstascia D’Elene Corniere split from BLOND:ISH, while Vivie-Ann Bakos continued with the project.[4]

The single "Waves" was a Juno Award nominee for Underground Dance Single of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2022.[24] They received a second nomination in the same category at the Juno Awards of 2023 for "Aye Aye".[25] "Call My Name" was awarded the Underground Dance Single of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2024. [26]

On 14 February 2025 the sophomore album Never Walk Alone was released.[27] The album marks the first physical release for BLOND:ISH. The vinyl release features a unique component called BioVinyl, a recyclable material comparable to conventional vinyl pressing.[28] The BioVinyl release furthers the work of charity Bye Bye Plastic, to address the use of fossil fuels in the production of vinyl records.

Performances

BLOND:ISH has played festivals and events like Flying Circus,[29] SXMusic Festival,[30] Symbiosis Gathering,[31] the BPM Festival,[32] ENTER.,[33] Mysteryland,[34] Ultra Music Festival,[35] and Wisdom of the Glove, Achoes from Agartha, Cercle .[36] Also at Burning man.

On 1 February 2022, it was announced that BLOND:ISH would perform at the 2022 SXM Festival on the Caribbean island of Saint Martin/Sint Maarten in March of 2022.[37]

Under the ABRACADABRA label, BLOND:ISH released a remix of "Sorry", on which Madonna is credited.[38][39]

In 2024 BLOND:ISH performed at the Yuma Tent at Coachella, Rock in Rio, and Tomorrowland festival.[40][41][42]

On 3 December 2024, it was announced that BLOND:ISH would perform at Electric Forest in June of 2025. [43]

Abracadabra

In 2017, BLOND:ISH launched their record label, brand, and party ABRACADABRA, a self-described "female-powered collective" for music and art, which has given BLOND:ISH the opportunity to collaborate with various artists and explore creative endeavors within the electronic music landscape.[2][4][44] Under the ABRACADABRA brand they have held brand events in Miami and New York. The label hosted an ABRACADABRA stage at Tomorrowland in 2018, taking over the LEAF stage for both Saturdays of the festival.[45] In 2020, the label launched the ABRACADABRA TV channel on Twitch to stream live music performances and "self-love programming" during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown.[44]The intended goal of the venture is to guide community towards a "Happy Happy world" as she refers to it.

Bye Bye Plastic Foundation

Bakos is responsible for the creation of the Bye Bye Plastic Foundation in January 2020 and its #PlasticFreeParty Movement to promote sustainability in the music industry.[46][47] The charity aims to eliminate single-use plastics from the music industry by 2025 by promoting eco-riders for artists and providing resources for promoters to encourage sustainable practices. In addition the charity advocates for sustainable clubbing and festival practices.

Discography

Albums

Year Title Label Reviews
2010 Miss You[48] Hi-Bias Records
2015 Welcome to the Present Kompakt
2019 Higher Ground
2022 Sete[49] Insomniac Records
2025 Never Walk Alone[27] Insomniac Records

Singles and EPs

Year Title Label Reviews
2011 "Truth in Me" (feat. Ted Alexander) Noir Music
2012 Lonely Days EP Noir Music
2012 Lovers in Limbo EP Kompakt
2012 "In My Head" Get Physical Music
2013 "Island Eyes" (feat. Balcazar & Sordo) Hot Waves
2013 "Town Joker" Get Physical Music
2013 Strange Attractions EP (feat. Thomas Gandey) Get Physical Music
2013 Inward Visions EP Kompakt Resident Advisor [50]
2014 Wunderkammer EP Kompakt Resident Advisor [16]
2014 Wizard of Love EP (feat. Shawni) Rebirth
2015 Endless Games Kompakt
2021 "Waves" (featuring Grace Tither)[51] Spinnin' Records
2022 "Hold Tight"[52] Spinnin Records
2022 "Tra Tra"[53] Insomniac Records
2022 "Sete" Insomniac Records
2023 "Call My Name"[54] Original
2024 "Can't Let You Go" (feat. Bantu)" [55] Insomniac Records
2024 "Shout It Out" [56] Insomniac Records
2024 "Different Way (feat. Zeeba)" [55] Insomniac Records
2024 "Never Walk Alone (feat. Stevie Appleton)" [57] Insomniac Records
2024 "Higher" with Black Circle[58] Insomniac Records
2025 "Self Love"[59] Insomniac Records

Remixes

Year Title Artist Label Reviews
2012 All In Vain (BLOND:ISH Remix) Peter Zohdy, Michael Senna Two Birds
2012 Till We Die (BLOND:ISH Remix) Tomas Barfod feat. Nina Kinert Get Physical Music
2012 Flash of Light (BLOND:ISH Remix) Luca C & Brigante Southern Fried Records
2012 Dawn (BLOND:ISH Remix) Pete Tong feat. S.Y.F. Defected
2012 In The Night (BLOND:ISH Remix) Sivesgaard Eklektisch
2013 Go On Then (BLOND:ISH Remix) Kate Simko Leftroom
2013 Everything (BLOND:ISH Remix) Maya Jane Coles feat. Karin Park I/AM/ME
2014 Should Be Higher (BLOND:ISH Remix) Depeche Mode Free Track/Columbia Records
2014 Beautiful Girl (BLOND:ISH Remix) Junge Junge feat. Kyle Pearce Get Physical Music
2015 Ember (BLOND:ISH Remix) WhoMadeWho Get Physical Music
2015 Sputnik (BLOND:ISH Remix) Public Service Broadcasting Test Card Recordings
2019 Samba Sujo (BLOND:ISH Remix)[60] Born Dirty and Diplo Higher Ground
2019 Give Dem (BLOND:ISH Remix) Kah-Lo and Diplo Higher Ground
2023 Sorry BLOND:ISH, Madonna, Eran Hersh & Darmon Insomniac Records
2023 Es un secreto (Hugel Remix) HUGEL, Dalex Es un secreto
2024 Fortnight (BLOND:ISH Remix) Taylor Swift, Post Malone Republic Records

Compilations

Year Title Label Reviews
2014 Flying Circus Ibiza Vol. 01 Compiled by Audiofly & BLOND:ISH[61] Seamless Recordings

References

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  2. ^ a b Lundberg Toresson, Gustaf. "How BLOND:ISH Translated Happy Music To Passionate Change". Forbes. Forbes. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  3. ^ "Q&A: Blond:ish". Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  4. ^ a b c "BLOND:ISH on SXM Festival, Recent Split & New Beginnings". The Nexus of All Things DJ. 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  5. ^ "Blond:ish Biography - Resident Advisor". Retrieved 2019-03-01.
  6. ^ "BLOND:ISH announces new 100% biodegradable vinyl album '#PlasticFreeParty'". Mixmag. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  7. ^ "The DJ who wants zero-plastic gigs". BBC News. 2019-04-26. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  8. ^ McCorquodale, Amanda (2011-06-21). "Blond:ish Gets Ambitious at Arkadia June 24". Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  9. ^ a b "Blond:ish, Off the Dance Floor". Interview Magazine. 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  10. ^ a b "Lonely Days EP". Discogs.
  11. ^ a b "Lovers In Limbo EP". Discogs.
  12. ^ a b "Strange Attractions EP feat. Thomas Gandey". Discogs.
  13. ^ "Introducing... Blond:ish + Their fabric Promo Mix - fabric blog". fabric london. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  14. ^ "Should Be Higher Blond:ish Remix". "Soundcloud".
  15. ^ "Blond:ish Remixes" Discogs.
  16. ^ a b "RA Wunderkammer EP Review" Resident Advisor.
  17. ^ "Blond:ish - Wunderkammer - Decoded Magazine". 2014-07-18. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
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  20. ^ "Listen again to Blond:ish Essential Mix | Data Transmission". 2016-04-18. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  21. ^ "Kate Simko - Go On Then - Remix EP". Discogs. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  22. ^ "Watch: Burning Man 2012 Highlights - Robot Heart". pulseradio.net. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
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  27. ^ a b Di, Marco. "BLOND:ISH Will Take You "Higher" with New Single". ravejungle.com. Rave Jungle. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  28. ^ Klassen, Maja. "BioVinyl". Optimal Media. optimal media GmbH. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  29. ^ "10 Years Flying Circus Barcelona Feat. Martin Buttrich, Audiofly, Blond:ish at INPUT High Fidelity Dance Club". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
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  31. ^ "Event Review: Symbiosis Gathering's 10 Year Re:Union". Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  32. ^ "The Bpm Festival 2011 presents Blond:ish & Uppercut at La Santanera". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  33. ^ "ENTER.Ibiza Week 10 • ENTER•". Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  34. ^ "Mysteryland USA Conquers the Woodstock Grounds". The Scene is Dead. 2014-05-28. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  35. ^ "Ultra Music Festival Announces Phase One of 2014 Lineup: David Guetta, Diplo and More". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  36. ^ "Wisdom OF The Glove - Guy Gerber at Pacha Ibiza". Resident Advisor. Retrieved 2016-06-30.
  37. ^ Mims, Taylor (February 1, 2022). "Blond:sh, Danny Tenaglia, DJ Tennis to Headline the Return of SXM Festival". Billboard. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  38. ^ Sunkel, Cameron (2023-03-16). "BLOND:ISH Announces 2023 North American Tour Dates, Including DJ Set at F1 Miami". EDM.com - The Latest Electronic Dance Music News, Reviews & Artists. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  39. ^ Bain, Katie (2021-03-19). "20 Questions With Blond:Ish: The Producer on Crypto, Digital Detox & When John Legend Made Her Cry". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  40. ^ Ramage, Jack. "Coachella 2024 dance music streaming schedule Weekend 2 announced". DJ Mag. DJ Mag. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  41. ^ King, Ashley. "Lollapalooza Chile, Argentina, and Brazil 2025 Lineups Revealed — Justin Timberlake, Tool, Olivia Rodrigo, Alanis Morissette". Digital Music News. Digital Music News. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  42. ^ Di, Marco. "Tomorrowland unveils the full lineup for 2025 edition, "Orbyz"". Rave Jungle. Rave Jungle. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  43. ^ "THE SHERWOOD SYMPHONY IS HERE". Electric Forest. Electric Forest. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  44. ^ a b djtimesmag (2021-04-05). "BLOND:ISH: Eco-Activist | DJ Times Magazine". The Nexus of All Things DJ. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  45. ^ "BLOND:ISH Announce ABRACADABRA Summer Tour Dates & Label – The Partae". 2023-11-04. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
  46. ^ "How we work". Bye Bye Plastic Foundation. Bye Bye Plastic Foundation. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  47. ^ Zimmerman, Randi. "7 Eco-friendly Music organizations making the world a better place". Hypebot. Hypebot. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  48. ^ Miss You (feat. Coco Hayek) by Robson Vidal & BLOND:ISH, 2010-11-02, retrieved 2023-09-11
  49. ^ Times, The Nocturnal (2022-12-15). "The Nocturnal Times Top Electronic/Dance Songs of 2022". The Nocturnal Times. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  50. ^ "RA Inward Visions EP Review" Resident Advisor.
  51. ^ "Waves (feat. Grace Tither) - Single by Blond:ish on Apple Music". Apple Music. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  52. ^ "Playlist of the Week: WHIPPED CREAM". Beatportal. 2023-03-08. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  53. ^ Tra Tra, 2022-11-04, retrieved 2023-09-11
  54. ^ Bhanawat, Akshay (2023-06-16). "BLOND:ISH Returns With The Disco-Infused New Single 'Call My Name'". T.H.E - Music Essentials. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  55. ^ a b Bhanawat, Akshay. "BLOND:ISH Drops New Single "Can't Let You Go"". T.H.E Music Essentials. T.H.E Music Essentials. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  56. ^ Freeman, Rachel. "Listen to BLOND:ISH and Night Tales' Radiant Dance Anthem, "Shout It Out"". edm.com. edm.com. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  57. ^ Sunkel, Cameron. "BLOND:ISH and Stevie Appleton Don't Sweat the Tough Times in New Single, "Never Walk Alone"". edm.com. edm.com. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  58. ^ "Black Circle's Favorite After Hours Cuts". Beatportal. Beatport. Retrieved 27 January 2025.
  59. ^ "Self Love BLOND:ISH Track 3 on Never Walk Alone". Genius. Genius. Retrieved 20 February 2025.
  60. ^ Scruggs, Rugby (2019-12-09). "Diplo and Born Dirty's 'Samba Sujo' gets remix treatment". Dancing Astronaut. Archived from the original on 2019-12-10. Retrieved 2019-12-23.
  61. ^ "Flying Circus Ibiza Vol. 01 Compiled by Audiofly & Blond:ish". Beatport.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blond:ish
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