Rock Monsters Romania

Emerging progressive trio Tartar Monks are gearing up for their debut tour, promoting their latest single, “Ugly Song”, as well as two upcoming releases, “Gypsy Dresses” and “Easy Mingus/Hate Me”. The band’s distinctive blend of harsh and melancholic tones draws from grunge influences such as Morphine, Jeff Buckley, and Primus, while showcasing intricate harmonic and rhythmic complexity inspired by the likes of John McLaughlin & The Mahavishnu Orchestra, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Miles Davis’ later fusion works.

Formed in 2023 as a result of spontaneous jam sessions in the music pubs of Târgu Mureș, Tartar Monks quickly crafted a sound that stands out in Romania’s underground scene.

Drummer Tamas Iszlai brings a dynamic, frantic energy to the group, weaving together grooves from salsa and bebop with heavy grunge and sludge rock elements. On bass, Aris Nichi anchors the low end with melodic lines punctuated by syncopated funk and slap grooves, driving the evolving energy of their tracks. Guitarist and vocalist Șerban Calugar ‘Monk’ adds an extra layer of grit with his aggressive jazz chord progressions and blues-infused solos, while his vocals, reminiscent of Mark Sandman and Nick Cave, inject an eerie calm amidst the chaos.

As part of their ongoing musical journey, Tartar Monks are planning to record additional tracks in the coming months, with ambitions to take their sound beyond national borders. Their first international shows are scheduled for April 2025 in Belgium and Rhe Netherlands, marking a significant milestone for the band.

Before heading abroad, fans can catch Tartar Monks live at various venues across Romania during their November tour, including a live showcase on Radio Guerrilla’s – Guerrilla Showcase with Bogdan Șerban on November 14. The tour will include stops at the following locations:

• 7th November– Cluj-Napoca, Insomnia Café & Bistro (opening jam session at Transilvania Jazz Festival)
• 8th November– Târgu Mureș, J’ai Bistrot
• 9th November – Sibiu, Love Bar (opening for D-l Goe)
• 15th November– Brașov, Tamplarie Pub (guest act: Watzzy’s Solo Guitar Madness)
• 17th November – Bucharest, Echoes Haus (guest act: Razvan Cipca Trio)

Stay tuned for more updates from Tartar Monks as they continue to make their mark on the Romanian and international music scenes!