Rock Monsters Romania

In 2022, we had a lot of releases that showed the incredible rise of Romanian alternative rock.

One of the best releases was undoubtedly the third album of Rockabella, “[In]vulnerabili“, an album that drives you through all the feelings and types of songs. In one word: masterpiece.

The release concert also gave me a night to remember and was for sure one of the best concerts I’ve been to in 2022, an evening where the pure passion and emotions of the band could be easily seen in an amazing performance.

But what is their source of inspiration and what’s the next step? We talked to Teodora Moroşanu, the lead singer and the mother of dragons at Rockabella, to find out more about these subjects.

2022 was an amazing year for the band. Now that the year is over, how does it feel to think of what you’ve achieved? Can you describe the whole year in a single word?

Intense is the best word to describe 2022. It’s had a lot of ups and downs but wrapping it up with the release of our new album was exhilarating.

Of course, last year was also the year when you released your third album, “[In]vulnerabili”. Which was the moment when you said “This is the perfect time for another album”?

The album came to life over a long period of time, with us writing and recording songs as we were living through the pandemic and transformative personal experiences. There wasn’t a “perfect” moment, it just happened.

“[In]vulnerabili” contains 10 songs. Some of them were already released as singles before and some of them are new, so I am guessing that they were not inspired by the same story or event. What was the biggest inspiration for them and why?

All ten songs were born out of introspection. Some are confessions, meditations on love and loss and some are simply a form of empowerment. There is no single source of inspiration, other than life, I guess 😊.

What about your favourite song from the album? Why?

My favorite song on the album is “Fără Răspuns”. It’s one of those meditations I mentioned earlier, about abandoning the search for answers, living without seeking. I feel I have always been looking for something, and this song brings me stillness and peace.

In December you also had a release concert in Control with special guests like Leyah, Muse Quartet and Paolo Profeti. How did having friends on the same stage during a special moment like that feel like?

It’s something we’ve been dreaming about for a long time and it felt amazing to see it come true. We’re already thinking of ways to make it happen again.

I know it’s a really tough question, but what did you feel through the entire concert?

Performance anxiety is a close friend of mine 😊, so I’m always struggling with that during concerts. But I’ve found ways of coping and one thing that really helps me and the band is going in for a huddle, just like athletes do before kick-off, and pumping ourselves up. This transforms our anxiety into excitement, and we go on ready to rock.

Which was the best part of the concert for you?

The live rendition of “Fără Răspuns”, with Muse Quartet and Paolo Profeti. It sent chills up my spine.

At the concert, you’ve played your most popular songs, but also a new one. What can you tell us about this particular one?

We played some songs from our previous album, “Clarobscur”, and all the songs from “[In]vulnerabili”. The song you’re probably referring to is “Harta” which we did in a very minimal way – guitar, voice and piano. We did this as a nod to the way most of our songs come to life.

You already began the year with a sold out concert along The MonoJacks. Is this a sign of another collaboration after the one from “Steagul Alb”?

The Mono Jacks are close friends of ours and our collaboration with Doru goes beyond “Steagul Alb”. He was with us in the studio while we wererecording vocals for “[In]vulnerabili” and the experience was fantastic. For sure we will find ways to collaborate in the future.

What goals do you have for 2023?

We’re excited to play the new album live in clubs and festivals, but we’re also looking for new ways to create experiences with our fans. We have some ideas brewing but nothing we’re ready to give away yet 😊.

Do you have any message for the people who supported you through 2022? Also for the ones who will read this interview?

We are immensely grateful for the people who support our project; they are as stubborn as we are and we love that. My message to them is keep loving what you love and connecting to like-minded people, because there’s nothing like finding your tribe. And to find our tribe we must be open, honest and brave. In a word, together, we are [In]vulnerable.

Interview by Radu Mihai

Photos by Cristina Oltean (@elegantly_tasted)