Rock Monsters Romania

DWMT La Conac, the only arts and music festival in southern Romania, organized by Diud in collaboration with Point, returns in September for its second edition with a line-up full of well-known artists, but also names for the future.

In the lineup, you will also find Paul Tihan, one of the rising names in the Romanian music industry over the past year.

Paul Tihan, an artist from Iași, has evolved from his raw acoustic roots into a modern-day quintet that reflects his thoughts and experiences. The essence of his project transcends any specific musical genre, unfolding as a journey through chapters that reveal life’s subtle layers. Musically, Paul describes his project as indie poetry rock.

In 2024, he released his album Din noile căderi am să adun tot zborul, which was well-received by both the public and critics, along with a successful release tour across Romania with Andra Andriucă.

Paul Tihan will have one of his first performances of the autumn at DWMT La Conac this weekend, so we took the opportunity to ask him more about himself and the set he will perform at the festival in an exclusive interview.

Your album, “Din noile căderi am să adun tot zborul,” explores a wide range of emotions and states. How did the creative process for this album evolve and how did the collaboration with Andra Andriucă influence you?

This album has been in the back of my mind and in progress for a long time. All the songs were written progressively, one after another, always searching for the right puzzle piece, looking at it in the context of the other songs. Together with Andra, I found the last piece of the puzzle that not only completed the album but also the tour we had this year.

Photo by BandBook

During the recent “Welcoming Tour,” you had the opportunity to present your music to a diverse audience. What was the most memorable experience from the tour, and how do you feel it transformed you as an artist?

I can say that the first concert of the spring tour, the one at Control Club, was a milestone that opened up many new perspectives, directions, and thoughts for my project. That concert sparked my appetite to do as much as I can regarding the music I write and everything that surrounds it.

Photo by BandBook

Your music is often described as a blend of indie, poetry, and rock. How do you perceive the evolution of your musical style, especially in the context of new influences and experiences in recent years?

This band started as an indie-folk project, gradually branching out, and at the right time, into progressive and alternative rock areas with experimental elements. I’m truly fulfilled to have reached this point, but I know that the band’s stylistic journey won’t stop anytime soon.

How do you manage to blend the soft studio audio style with the heavier sound of your live concerts?

I strongly believe in the power of dynamics and its impact, and that’s where I focus my intentions regarding the live show. There are songs that start from a delicate, whisper-like setting and reach the other extreme, where it feels like the club is about to collapse.

DWMT la Conac marks your first participation in this event. What attracted you to perform here, and how do you plan to adapt your setlist to match the vibe of this intimate and special festival?

Dwmt la Conac has been on my wishlist since the first edition, and now that I’ll be stepping on that stage, it makes me incredibly happy. This event is a huge, huge achievement for my project.
Let’s go!

Text by Radu Mihai
Interview by Ionela Pleșan