Rock Monsters Romania

After speaking with an incredible woman who works behind the scenes, it’s time to step into the spotlight and talk to someone who grew up on stage.

Maria Jugănaru, known as Krrysopher, is an alternative artist from Pitești who first gained recognition in 2021 during her standout performance on SuperStar, while she was still in 11th grade. She reached the finals, earning high praise from the judges, who were confident in her future success—a prediction that came true.

Four years later, she has established herself as a rising artist, performing on some of Bucharest’s most iconic stages. A standout performance at Expirat during the Mastering the Music Business showcase drew significant attention, leading to an opportunity to perform in Bulgaria at the SoAlive Music Conference showcase.

I think I first heard about Krrysopher through my extended friend group since, apparently, we have mutual friends. But the first time I truly noticed her as an artist was at last year’s Pride, where I saw her name among the performers online. She caught my attention, and from that moment on, following her journey to actually attending her concerts and listening to her music was just a natural step. Her song Homesick was on repeat for me throughout all of 2024. It’s a simple, easy-to-understand track, but the way its message is wrapped up is so well done that it becomes almost addictive.

As an artist, Krrysopher comes across as incredibly humble and genuinely grateful for the opportunities she gets. I’ve seen her perform in big clubs like Control and Quantic, as well as at festivals like Diud, Where’s My Tune? la Conac. She feels like a breath of fresh air in our often stagnant local scene.

Even though I think she has the potential to create “radio-friendly” tracks, her songs aren’t the typical I love you, you love me, what’s next? kind of thing. Her presence and artistic approach make it clear that she thrives on what she does, and her musical background only adds to that. She’s an emerging artist who deserves nothing but encouragement. And because we love promoting artists we truly believe in—and actually listen to—today’s Women Making Waves in Music interview is with her. An up-and-coming artist who, like many others, has surely had to navigate a male-dominated industry where attitudes toward women are, at the very least, questionable.

We had the opportunity to find out more about her journey through this interview. The challenges she has faced, how the project is going, and whether she has encountered gender stereotypes.

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

I am an artist and a woman, a person who loves words as much  as she loves melodies, someone who finds meaning and romance  in everything, who aspires to inspire and touch the people around  her.  

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

It might sound cliché, but my grandma. She taught me kindness,  she taught me resilience, she taught me the art that resides in the  love for people and life. She always had a smile on her face and  warmth to offer, and her strength knew no bounds. She is the  person who inspired my name as well (Krrysopher), as I want to  carry her lessons with me wherever I go. I named my art after her  because without her love, it wouldn’t have existed.  

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

My passion for music and songwriting strangely comes from my  love for words. I have always been in love with words. As a kid, I wrote poems and stories, which later transformed into song lyrics. I  fell in love with music because of how easily and effortlessly it gets  to people, it touches people, it influences people. And I noticed it in  myself as well – how I would tear up every time I heard a song I  loved, how it felt like it was touching my very heart strings. I love the  raw and vulnerable emotion of music, it brings my words to life  and it is my favorite way of expressing the many emotions I am  lucky enough to feel.

 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?  

To be honest I don’t remember such a moment. However, ever  since I was young I’ve always tried to listen to successful female  artists talk about their experiences, about the challenges and  obstacles that they face in this industry, so I was mostly aware of  what awaited me once I entered this world. I would love to hear  more experiences from local artists and I hope I will have the  chance to in the future.  

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? 

I feel like I have had and still have to work hard to be respected  as a musician. I’ve had instances when I felt I was viewed more like  a doll, something that has more value tied to her looks than to her  skills and talents.I feel like I sometimes struggle to be taken  seriously, especially by the men in this industry. But I actively try to  work on myself and on my skills, on knowing my worth and having  confidence in the art that I choose to put out.  

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

Definitely. I have always felt the pressure of looking neat and put  together, being nice and polite, always smiling and trying my best to  not inconvenience people. As women, we have been taught to take  up as little space as possible and not let our negative emotions  show, which is incredibly harmful. I am actively trying to get rid of  this voice in my head that is telling me to be smaller, to be less.  

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

I would like to see women’s individuality being celebrated more. I  feel like female artists are treated more like products, like something to mold and manipulate in the shape that’s gonna bring  the most money. I would like the industry to have more space for  creativeness and authenticity. Also I wish it held all people to the  same standards. I think that standards for male artists are  significantly lower than for people who are not men, who are  expected to always look good, have a great voice, great stage  presence. On the other hand, men are just expected to be there, to  show up – the criticism and feedback are way less harsh. 

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

Sometimes I feel hopeless, but then I look around and see  incredible, creative, smart and powerful women who work hard to  shine through and make themselves heard, and that gives me hope  for the better, it makes me feel like there’s nothing we can’t achieve. 

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

I am incredibly grateful and happy that I managed to showcase  my music outside of my own country, in Sofia, Bulgaria. It felt  especially magical since my grandma’s name was also Sofia. The  audience was the best I’ve ever had, they had such a warm and 

inviting energy and I keep the memory of this concert very close to  my heart, as proof that my project has a soul and a life that can  touch people’s hearts.  

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 am working on my first project in Romanian and I am beyond  excited. It is extremely personal and it opened up a whole new  artistic side that I didn’t know I had in myself. It talks a lot about  anxiety, mental health and loneliness, and I hope it will resonate  with people and make them feel heard. 

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?  

The most important lesson I have learnt is to have faith in  myself, to acknowledge my worth and be proud of the work that I  put into my music. There are always going to be people that are  better than me in certain areas but that doesn’t diminish the value I  have as a musician and an artist, it doesn’t make my vision less  important or my art less inspiring. I learnt that there is inspiration  everywhere, and in order to be a great artist you need to feel as  much emotion as you can, know yourself, spend time with yourself,  and love with as much passion and joy as your heart allows.  

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

Don’t try to be anybody else. Don’t try to follow a path just  because it worked for somebody else. You are unique and your  authenticity is your most prized possession. Be proud of your heart  and your mind, but always seek to learn, to improve, to know more  and more about music and about its wonderful intricacies. Be in  love with your craft, put passion and soul into every line you write  and every note you sing. And for everybody reading this,  romanticize life as much as you can. Find meaning in everything,  allow yourself to feel any feeling that your heart gives you and love with your whole heart.

I highly recommend heading over to Spotify and giving her a listen—who knows, maybe we’ll see each other in the front row at her future concerts, because I know for sure I’ll be there!

Rock Monsters Romania believes in professionalism and in the chance for women to stand out in an industry that seems dominated by men. Due to this belief, we have decided that once every two weeks on our website, you can find a woman who is making waves in the music industry and offers daily inspiration and support to those around them.

Text by Ionela Pleșan

Interview by Ionela Pleșan and Radu Mihai