Rock Monsters Romania

This year’s edition of Rock La Mureș was a blast, and it also gave us the opportunity to discover new local bands through their fan-voting system, which provided them with the chance to perform at the festival.

One of the bands was Era Nouă, an energetic rock band which burst onto the Romanian underground scene, tracing its origins back to Gura Humorului, Suceava County. Established in 2020 by Rareș Catargiu on drums, Iustin Negrea on rhythm guitar, and Cosmin Carpiuc on lead guitar, the band underwent rapid growth. They were later joined by Cosmin Fazekaș on bass and Andrei Rotaru on vocals. Over time, they established a stable lineup and made significant efforts to bring the authentic sound of rock back into the spotlight among today’s youth.

So, what lies ahead for the band? We had a conversation with them to learn more.

When I first heard about you, I immediately became interested in listening to your music, mostly because your name, Era Nouă, suggests a “new-gen” musical approach. How did you choose it, and were there other options considered?

Initially, the project was named “Tethys,” and the album we envisioned was titled “Era Nouă” (The New Era). However, we encountered two problems: there were other bands called “Tethys”, and its pronunciation and spelling were quite challenging. For these reasons, we decided to change our name. And this wasn’t an easy task, as three of the members wanted to change the name to “Era Nouă,” while the other two were completely against the idea.

 After several discussions , we managed to narrow down the options to “Era Noua,” “Scurt pe Doi” (A Romanian idiom that translates to “short and immediate” ), and “Antet” (Header). Then, we organized an internal vote and sought the opinions of ten close friends. In the end, we concluded that “Era Nouă” was the right choice. This name not only symbolizes a fresh start for us, but also reflects the diversity of musical genres explored in our upcoming debut album.

How did you all meet, and how did the idea of forming a band come about?

It was relatively simple for us to come together and form the band, considering we were all based in a rather small town, Gura Humorului, and we all had  the same group of friends. Initially, the band’s lineup consisted of Rares Catargiu  on drums and Iustin Negrea on rhythm guitar. Later on, Cosmin Carpiuc joined as the lead guitarist.The three of them had the opportunity to participate in a charity show organized by their school. After a few months, we were delighted to welcome Cosmin Fazekaș on bass and then Andrei Rotaru as the vocalist, marking the official formation of our band.

I understand that the band was officially formed in 2020. How difficult was it to work together during the pandemic? Were there any positive aspects that emerged during this time?

Cosmin Fazekaș became a member of the band in February 2020, but very soon, we were all affected by the restrictions imposed by the quarantine. Andrei Rotaru joined later in the fall, when the restrictions had eased a bit, and that’s when the band’s lineup was finalized. The quarantine prevented us from meeting or playing together, but we used our free time to learn more about music and hone our skills. So, in the fall, with enthusiasm and fresh energy, we began meeting much more frequently to work on what would become the band’s first album.

You come from a city with few rock/metal bands. Do you consider this have been an advantage or a disadvantage for you?

It brings both advantages and disadvantages. On the one hand, we benefit from limited competition, which gives us a greater chance to stand out and build a name for ourselves locally. However, it also comes with limited opportunities, which leads us to seek events and collaborations in other locations. Additionally, by contributing to the music scene in Gura Humorului, we have the opportunity to bring value to our city and help it evolve its cultural scene.

July 2022 was a month of firsts for you: your first complete songs released on streaming services and the first concert as the opening act for Old Brew Mob. How did these experiences feel at the time, and how do they look now, over a year later?

Those events were each unique for the band, filled with emotions and excitement because we didn’t know how the audience would react to our work. One of the most thrilling moments was right before stepping on stage for the first time. The emotions were overwhelming, but they quickly dissipated when we saw the support from the audience. All we can say is that it was an incredible experience, and we are deeply grateful to the Old Brew Mob for the opportunity they provided. Looking back at these events now, we can analyze the situation from a more objective perspective to identify the mistakes we made and focus on improvements.

What do you think could have been done better in 2022, and what do you feel went “smoothly”?

Better time management and organization could have been employed to maximize the potential of each rehearsal, learn, and progress much more rapidly and efficiently. However, we are proud of how we managed our priorities and applied our existing knowledge productively.

2023 brought your first major festival appearance at Rock la Mureș. How did you react when you found out you were part of the lineup?

We secured our spot at Rock la Mureș through a contest. The first five bands that were voted the most by the public  received the opportunity to perform at the festival. We managed to grab the 4th place with a total of 699 votes. When we found out that we would be part of this festival, we were extremely excited, not only because it marked our first experience at a festival but also because we had managed to gather such a large number of votes. This support showed us that our hard work has an impact, and we are grateful to every person who supported us.

How can you describe your experience at Rock la Mureș in one word, and why did you choose it?

Unconventional. Simply unconventional. The festival experience brought something entirely new into our lives. We learned how things work at a festival and how much hard work it takes to participate in such an event. We faced a series of challenges, from seemingly simple ones like creating a setlist to more complex logistical issues. During this time, we had the opportunity to make new friends and feel extraordinary, both on stage and as spectators. This experience enriched us and provided precious memories that we will cherish forever.

What other festivals do you have on your bucket list for the coming years?

First and foremost, we plan to perform at local festivals, such as Cetatea de Rock in Suceava or Legion Phoenix Motorfest. In addition to these, we have the ambition to step out of our comfort zone and expand the band’s visibility to other regions of the country. We would be thrilled to have the opportunity to play at prestigious festivals like Rocanotherworld or Out of Doors Fest. We are also open to venturing into events like the Danube Rock Festival, Astra Rock, or any similar festival that could offer us the chance to share our music with audiences throughout the country.

Two weeks ago, the song “Singuri pe plajă” was released. Where did the inspiration come from, and what is its message?

“Singuri pe Plajă” was born from an improvisation session between Cosmin Carpiuc on acoustic guitar and Rares Catargiu on electric piano in their dorm room. Later, with the help of the other band members, the song evolved and captured a specific summer atmosphere, influencing the choice of the title “Singuri pe plajă” (Alone on the Beach). The main theme we wanted to address is that of love combined with melancholy. However, we want to emphasize that the song is not exclusively for couples. We are convinced that each listener has someone dear in mind when listening to the song and can resonate with the emotions and feelings expressed in the lyrics.

How has the song been received by fans and people in the music industry?

We have received tremendous support from our fans. “Singuri pe Plajă” quickly gained an impressive number of views on YouTube in a very short time, and since then, our band has seen steady growth. Shortly after the release, we had the opportunity to perform at Art Rock Cafe in Suceava, where we had the joy of observing the audience singing along with us. Additionally, “Singuri pe Plajă” caught the attention of several publications that wrote articles about us and our song, and the team at Radio Noise added the song to their playlist.

There are still a few months left in 2023. What concerts do you have planned, and what other plans do you have?

On September 30, we will perform as the opening act for Nightmarion at Art Rock Cafe in Suceava. We also plan to release another song from our upcoming album by the end of the year and organize several release concerts in cities like Suceava, Iași, Botoșani, and Piatra Neamț. In addition to our musical activities, we aim to build a strong relationship with our fans, and  we have created our own Discord server for that. Through this server, we plan to organize events and activities for our fans to enjoy.

What are your goals for the next few years?

We have a clear goal in mind: to step out of our comfort zone and promote the name “Era Nouă” to an increasingly wider audience. However, the most important goal for us is to continue to evolve as musicians. We want to bring value and contribute to the development of the rock scene in Romania through our unique sound. So, we strive to evolve constantly and create music that touches the hearts and souls of our audience.

What message do you have for the people who have supported this project from the beginning? What about those who are discovering you through this interview?

First and foremost, we want to express our gratitude to everyone who has supported us so far. Whether you attended our concerts or liked our posts, we consider that each of you has had a significant impact on our project. Without your support, we wouldn’t have been able to come this far and do what we are passionate about. If you’ve heard about us for the first time through this interview, we sincerely hope we have made a good impression, and we invite you to be a part of our family. We are happy to share our passion for music with you and create memorable experiences together.

Interview by Radu Mihai