words by Paula Zawicka

Anton Pentchev: “We can all share that atmosphere and create memories that will last a long time.”

There aren’t many people who manage to combine real talent with a genuine sense of community, but Anton Pentchev is the rare exception. The half-Polish, half-Bulgarian singer-songwriter from a town near Warsaw has become a fan favourite musician, drawing crowds outside major arenas and putting smiles on faces before the headliners even hit the stage.

Among Polish fangirls, he’s earned a reputation as the unofficial support act for artists like Niall Horan, Harry Styles, and most recently, Shawn Mendes – bringing fans together for a singalong to celebrate both the artists and the community they’ve created.

What many of these concertgoers don’t realise though, is that Pentchev is also a brilliant songwriter with a bright future of his own. We had the privilege of talking to him about his music journey, inspirations, and what’s next on the horizon.

“I used to watch music videos on MTV for hours when I was a kid. My mom and dad played me all sorts of music, from 70s disco to classic rock. I remember one day, when my older brother wasn’t home, I looked into his wardrobe and I found this old guitar. I picked it up and started messing with it, not knowing that I just found my lifelong attribute.” After learning songs online, Pentchev quickly realised playing guitar was also a great way to impress people. “I had a major crush on this one girl, and I decided to write a song for her.” And the rest is history. 

Growing up with such diverse musical tastes, Pentchev isn’t sure how to describe his genre, but pop mixed with rock is definitely a good guess. “It will first give you energy like a shot of espresso, and at the same time give you peace like a lovely cup of tea.”

His newest single Eye On Me, released in July 2024, reflects that blend perfectly. His soft yet emotionally charged vocals give the track a dreamy, almost ethereal sound. It leaves you craving more, and it’s easy to imagine the song becoming a cathartic moment at a live show.

The pop influences in Pentchev’s career are undeniable- from his single to the busking sessions he hosts outside concert venues. So it makes perfect sense when he talks about the artists who shaped him: “Growing up, it was definitely all the greats from the 60s and 70s, with The Beatles and Queen absolutely at the top.” He even admits to still getting goosebumps listening to Abbey Road. “Then I started leaning into newer artists, till this breaking point in 2020, when I discovered Harry Styles and One Direction. Something clicked in me. It changed the way I write music and lyrics. It was a revelation – something you don’t feel often in your life.”

These days, he finds inspiration in pop icons like Shawn Mendes, the recent internet sensation Role Model, and of course, Harry Styles. But musicians aren’t the only ones fueling his creativity. “When I’m reading a beautiful piece of literature – like Rumi, I can be inspired to write a piece of music.“

So what’s Pentchev’s creative process like?

“It always comes in the least expected moments, for example, when I’m riding a bus. Out of nowhere, I get struck by an idea I think is so good, my brain keeps replaying the melody or lyric until I write it down at home. It has to be quick, or it’ll drown in a sea of other thoughts. Once I write it down, I try to work on it as long as possible, usually as long as I can keep my eyes open.” He doesn’t like to exhaust himself by making the same song for days, but instead prefers to capture those moments of spontaneous creativity.

“I always feel this sense of ease and self-satisfaction after writing a song, like the first sip of wine after a long, tiring day. When love fills me up so much that I become a vessel for it, I want to write songs and tell the whole world how in love I am.”

But songwriting isn’t only for the good days. After all, heartbreak is often the greatest inspiration, and Pentchev knows that feeling very well. Making music helps him through those painful experiences and gives him the peace of mind that only comes from putting those feelings on paper.  

As therapeutic as songwriting can be, it doesn’t come without its struggles. Being an independent artist means constantly relying on yourself. There’s an amount of passion and resilience that’s necessary to keep going. The Eye On Me writer notes that appreciation from others is vital for a small artist to grow. Not feeling seen can make it extremely difficult to keep putting yourself out there. “It’s especially important not to lose yourself in that feeling. You have to keep doing what you love, because you never know what the next day might bring.” 

Those feelings, when turned into songs, become incredibly vulnerable stories that Pentchev wants listeners to pay attention to and understand.

“I’ve always said that people who listen to my music, or come to my shows, give me so much love and space to be unapologetically myself. I want to give them the same feeling, so we can all share this atmosphere and create memories that last a long time.”

Whilst the sets he puts on are certainly moments fans will treasure for a lifetime, Pentchev doesn’t have a specific pre-show routine. Lately, he says, the best vocal warm-up has just been… talking to people. Whether it’s friends, loved ones or strangers he passes on the street. He also always appreciates a nice cup of coffee and some good music to hype himself up before singing.

What’s next for Anton Pentchev?

Live performances are what he’s most known for, and he has no plans to slow down. His recent appearance singing outside the Shawn Mendes concert in Kraków, Poland, proves that fans are falling more in love with him.

But he’s keeping busy off-stage, too. When he’s not travelling or busking, he’s working on new music. He’s currently mixing another single with a friend and already planning for more future releases.

You can now check out Anton Pentchev and his music on Instagram and TikTok at @apentchev. Make sure to give his latest single, “Eye On Me”, a listen!

“Trust me, you won’t regret it xx”

Photos by @jules.lt28 and @wwolnyphotography