Romania Rocks is back for another year, and we have some exciting surprises in store for you! We’re kicking things off with a band you’ve probably already heard of… and if not, now’s your chance!
For over a decade, Toulouse Lautrec has been making music with and for the people. With chart-topping singles, dozens of songs, and six albums, the band continues to evolve artistically. Their latest album, Ultratonic, was released on October 31st at Quantic.
The album release concert for Ultratonic on October 31 at Quantic was full of surprises. Toulouse Lautrec—featuring Cătălin Rulea on vocals, Fabian Prelipcean on bass, Bogdan Dragomiroiu on drums, and Alex Costan on guitar—had several surprises in store, including the release of two vinyl records for the albums X and A fost sau n-a fost.
After such a busy year, we wanted to learn more about the album and the band’s plans for 2025, so we sat down with Cătălin for a special interview.
How would you introduce yourself to someone discovering you for the first time?
Well, Toulouse Lautrec are a fair rock band with a twist. Indie in their essence, they go all the sideways but especially as an alternative to a mainstream discourse.
What led you to choose Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec as the name for your band? Did you identify with his style or personality?
Rooly studied Graphic Arts. When singing, he found himself in the rehearsal hall with beard-men drinking French red wine and a guitarist legally named Henri Septimiu. The name it was written on their foreheads.
You’ve been performing since around 2009. How do you view the journey from then until now?
It a was a hard way, it was running, avoiding collisions, slipping and sliding. It was not necessary the band itself, but everything surrounding it, from venues to publishing, to social media, radio stations. Otherwise we are happy by the way we evolved as people and musicians and we owe a lot to music.
Looking back, do you feel you’ve remained the same at your core in terms of music, energy, and the message you convey? Or do you feel you’ve transformed over the years as you’ve evolved as artists?
We definitely changed. People recognize us, that’s true, but since the first album there were so many facts. We wrote about revolutions, gold, personal life. We became less pure but more complex.
What does “Ultratonic” represent, and how did the idea for the album come about?
Ultratonic is our sixth album, it is our getting over pandemic, which was a huge turn off. “A fost sau n-a fost” was our creation in pandemic and Ultratonic returns to enjoying life and mainly music.
What inspired you in creating the album?
It is an album focused on music and with small speeches about personal life, stories of life in general.
What generally inspires you? What keeps you singing without pause?
Well, that singing without pause it is something. It is hard to say for sure. It is not for a living, it is not about being musician. I would say it is the passion of creating, of generating things. It is magic when you put them together and you can say wow, I like. But, why not stop one day? Maybe that day will come, maybe not. Maybe one day one doesn’t need to go public with these creations.
Is there a particular message you wish to convey through “Ultratonic”?
Don’t worry, be happy, enjoy life with a gin cocktail, a day in the forest, enjoy music, ignore recipes.
Compared to your other albums, was there any difference in the creative process?
Yes, quite it was. It was more about enjoying music, before message. It was about different sounds and guitars, about accepting new paths, new ways.
You often write and sing songs in multiple languages. Have you noticed any difference in emotions between songs in Romanian and those in English? What makes you choose one language over another?
Romanian language is more direct and moves the public easily. We sing mainly in Romanian when we go live. But with composing and recording is different. It depends on the daily mood. French is just for spicing up a bit.
What does the graphic design on the CD represent?
The graphic design on the cover is a critical approach of Artificial Intelligence. We did it all with photos and art direction but we tried to imitate what is happening with AI as in anomalies, and funny results.
What is your favorite track on the album, and why?
I can speak only as the vocal and guitarist. So, I have two favorite tracks: One is “If you wake me” and the other is “Ramai asa cum esti”. I guess I like signature guitar parts. Although “10 ani cu tine” has some signature guitar parts too.
How has the audience reacted to “Ultratonic”?
Well some said is more psychedelic, some said is fresh and something else. I guess “10 ani cu tine” reached 1st ranking in ROMTOP. Not so bad.
What were your favorite moments from the album’s launch tour?
The night after the gig in Cluj, We stayed until late, we drank and we spilled a jar of
blueberry jam on my trousers. We also met old friends from Cluj. It was nice and chill.
Artists often learn new things about themselves and their art as they create and express themselves. Did you learn anything from the “Ultratonic” album? But from 2024?
I don’t remember what 2024 was about. From Ultratonic I learned to enjoy music more and to ignore outside humming.
You’re kicking off the year with a new concert on January 23rd at Control. What other plans do you have for this year?
It seems that we visit Oradea, Baia Mare, Suceava and Piatra Neamt. We also launch a new location, on the 1st of March, in Bucharest, I hope it will last, it could be a nice concert venue in the future.
What message do you have for those who will read this interview?
Hey, come at our shows, I bet you will want to come more. Enjoy music. Discover Toulouse Lautrec live.
Interview by Loredana Stângaciu & Radu Mihai
Rock Monsters Romania 
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