Rock Monsters Romania

Some people are saving souls by being on stage, some people are saving souls offstage, and heroes do it in both ways. This is the case of Roxana Amărandi.

Roxana Amărandi is 50% artist and 50% scientist. You probably know her from E-an-na, where she is a vocalist and violinist, and their successful participation in Eurovision Romania 2022 or Romania’s Got Talent 2023, or from winning the 2nd Place at Wacken Metal Battle 2017. Of course, you definitely know her if you listen to Romanian Metal a lot and/or if you are a fan of E-an-na.

Her contribution to music extends beyond E-an-na; you can also find her in two other amazing bands: Era Divină, where she is a vocalist, and Odyssey, where she is a violinist.

If her contribution to music is impressive, her contribution to science is equally impressive. She completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry in 2011 and her Master’s Studies in Molecular Genetics in 2013 at the University “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” in Iași, Romania. After that, she went to the University of Gent with ERASMUS for one year to study Biochemistry and Biotechnology and completed her PhD Thesis in Chemistry in 2017 in Iași. In the meantime, she also had two ERASMUS mobilities at the University of Copenhagen.

In 2017, she joined the University Politehnica of Bucharest as an Early-stage Researcher before becoming a Postdoctoral Research Assistant in the Department of Immunology at Colentina Clinical Hospital. In April 2020, after two years as an Area Sales Manager for laboratory equipment, Roxana became a Researcher at The Regional Institute of Oncology Iași. Her scientific work is exceptional, with 15 articles cited 210 times according to Google Scholar. Additionally, ResearchGate ranks her among the Top 32% Researchers of the World in any domain due to her Research Interest Score.

I have been a fan of E-an-na since 2018, but I met Roxana face to face and spoke to her for the first time at Mastering The Music Business 2022, after E-an-na‘s concert in the Showcase. She convinced me that music is a perfect complementary field to any domain. On the last day of the conference, we discussed Bio-Informatics and Biotechnology (as normal people do at a music conference, right?), and that conversation still inspires me to this day. Moreover, every time I meet Roxana, it gives me a special boost, knowing that the sky is the limit.

Who are her role models and what inspires her to do all these amazing things? We talked to her in a special interview.

What are the things people should know about you before reading this interview?

First of all, thank you so much for inviting me to take part of this interview series. For quite some time it didn’t occur to me that I could be a source of inspiration for anyone, as most of the things I’m actively involved in I do because I always strive to continuously challenge myself and I enjoy what I do very much, even though it can be difficult sometimes. But I’ve come to realize that people can become motivated by the music that I contribute to or the energy they see on stage, and I think that’s a wonderful thing and I can only say that I’m grateful for every feedback that I get. People should probably know that I’m a research scientist with a passion for music, and that I find the balance I need in life in between the two. And that I can usually be found performing alongside my ‘we don’t have a defined genre because we like to explore so we just call it mioritic’ metal band, E-an-na, where I do clean vocals and play the violin.

Which woman inspired you from the beginning? What have you learned from her as a model?

There have been many women which inspired me throughout my life, and one of the most important things I’ve learned is that it’s best to enjoy your own accomplishments rather than strive to achieve what others have and not focus on your own wants. As far as the music industry goes, I’ve been inspired by the many women which through hard work and determination have defined their own paths. I’m going to go ahead and say that Madonna, Björk and P!nk have been with me from the beginning, but I’ve found many more inspiring women along the way. I’d like to especially mention Eileen Ivers, which has been an inspiration ever since I restarted playing the violin more seriously back in my college years. Look her up, she’s pretty amazing. And as far as science goes, I’m not even going to start. Too many to count. But did you know that the 2022 Nobel Prize for Chemistry laureate Carolyn Bertozzi used to be in band with Tom Morello while an undergrad?

Why have you chosen the music industry? Where does your passion come from?

I’m going to say that the music industry chose me rather than the other way around. It appears that I fuel myself through curiosity, creativity and performance, with the added bonus of other people enjoying the end products as well. I never really thought that my passion for music would amount to anything much when I first started playing in a band. I just knew that I liked to express myself, and doing it through music only came naturally, since I learned how to play the violin at an early age. I only do it in a more fast-paced environment now.

Was there a moment when another woman warned you about the challenges you might face in the music industry because you’re a woman? What was your reaction?

I’ve heard many voices throughout the years saying that it can be challenging for women to maintain creative control over their art, especially in the way they present themselves, but so far, I haven’t faced that challenge myself. I’ve also been warned about prejudice and condescendence towards women, especially from a technical standpoint. Nothing I wouldn’t expect, to be honest.

Have you faced any challenges that could only happen to women in this industry? Can you give us some examples and explain how you overcame them?

In all fairness, handling the music industry wouldn’t be possible without my bandmates and our manager, so I can say with confidence that I’m not alone in facing the challenges it offers. Yes, there have been times when I’ve been patronized or viewed below my own worth, but usually I don’t let it get to me. I’ve learned to distance myself from people which adopt these kinds of views over women, but when I can’t, I admit I take great pleasure in dumbfounding them through savviness.

Have you ever felt pressured to present yourself in a certain way because of your gender?

I have not, but that doesn’t mean that other women, and especially girls, don’t feel this pressure. Expectations can lead to feelings of insecurity and self-doubt, and these can sometimes be devastating for a young female artist at the beginning of her career. And while I may not have personally experienced these pressures to the same extent as others, I recognize the importance of acknowledging their existence and working towards creating a more inclusive and empowering environment for all individuals, regardless of gender. It’s essential to foster a society where everyone feels free to express themselves authentically, without fear of judgment or discrimination. I believe that every artist in this industry needs to be genuine towards themselves and not conform to external expectations when creating their art.

What changes would you like to see in the industry to make it more inclusive and welcoming for women?

Creating supportive networks and mentorship programs specifically tailored to women in the industry can provide valuable guidance, encouragement, and networking opportunities. Such initiatives already exist in Romania, such as the Women in Music Business Mentorship Program, and I can’t help but hope that they will grow into providing women with more skills and know-how to full on face the challenges of the music business. Education and awareness-building efforts are also essential in challenging stereotypes and promoting gender equality within the industry and society at large. By fostering a culture of inclusivity and respect, we can create a more welcoming environment where women can freely pursue their passions and thrive professionally. I’m trying to actively contribute to this by sharing my own experience with juggling between music and science, with a strong emphasis on good work ethics to (try to) keep everything balanced.

How optimistic are you about the future of the music industry in terms of gender equality?

While there’s still work to be done, I’m optimistic that the collective efforts of passionate individuals and organizations will continue to drive meaningful change. In order to stay true to ourselves, we as artists will have to challenge stereotypes, so that we can create a music industry that truly reflects the richness and diversity of human creativity. As long as they have a voice, regardless of gender, every aspiring musician should have the opportunity to make their mark on the world.

Can you share a memorable experience or achievement in your career that you’re particularly proud of?

I’ll leave the winning second place at Wacken Metal Battle in 2017, getting in the Eurovision Song Contest Romania 2022 semifinal, the many music releases and over two hundred live shows for another time. There are two events which I’m particularly fond of and I’ll always carry with me. The first one is from 2022, when we played a show with E-an-na at the local city days of a north-eastern city in Romania. There was a gentleman on duty with the local police on that day who excitedly came to us after the show to tell us that although he doesn’t really resonate with the music we play, he finds the energy we managed to spread through our live performance inspiring. So much that he shared his own art with us. Poetry, to be enjoyed from artist to artist. I think of it as a lovely anecdote showcasing the positive impact of artistic expression. The second one happened after an acoustic concert in Bucharest last year, when a young woman came to me to say that through acknowledging that work and art can be successfuly balanced, I’ve inspired her to finally find the courage and take singing lessons. And after about half a year, we met again, and this time she told me that she had had her first concert. I’ve never been more proud.

Are there any projects or collaborations you’re currently working on that you’re excited about and would like to share with our audience?

I’m currently working with E-an-na on quite a few things, and we’re hoping to release many of them this year, so keep your eyes on us. There’s still four more concerts left from our ‘Serată cu E-an-na’ Tour, so you can still catch one of our shows in Sibiu and Timișoara on the 29th and 30th of March, respectively, and in Iași and Suceava on the 12th and 13th of April. And for our Bucharest fans we’ve prepared a special Electric/Acoustic combo show in Club Control on the 18th of April. I’m also quite excited about a collaboration that just got released on February 29th with a fellow former Wacken Metal Battle participant from back in 2017: phyX – Plan B. This one’s a bit more heavy, though, but beautiful nonetheless.

Looking back on your career journey so far, what are some valuable lessons or insights you’ve gained that you wish you knew when you were starting out?

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that curiosity leads to growth, but that growth is not always going to be linear. Sometimes it needs fuel, sometimes it needs rest, sometimes it needs 24/7 involvement. And I find this applicable both in music and science. An artists needs to constantly challenge himself because if he becomes too comfortable, he will not be able to create great things. This is probably why I wrote part of my PhD thesis in the van, while on tour.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to pursue a career in music? But to the ones that are reading this interview?

By staying true to yourself, working hard, staying motivated, dedicating yourself to continuous learning, and surrounding yourself with a strong support network, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with pursuing a career in music. Remember that your journey is unique, and success looks different for everyone. Stay focused on your goals, believe in yourself, and never underestimate the power of your passion and perseverance. And for those reading this interview, my advice is to come and enjoy the E-an-na concert experience. I think Radu can vouch for us. 😊

If E-an-na, Era Divină or Odyssey are coming to your city, don’t hesitate to go. You’ll have a great time and you can also say hi to Roxana, the “Batman” of Romanian Metal.

Roxana concludes the series for now, but it will continue in the upcoming weeks. We would like to thank all the amazing women featured in this series, and we hope to see more women in the music industry in the coming years.

Thank you for being yourselves every day!

Text by Radu Mihai

Interview by Ionela Pleșan and Radu Mihai