Rock Monsters Romania

While on Monday we spoke with a band manager and booker, today we have someone who brings something different to the music scene.

Marina Budău is a woman with a portfolio of highly diverse musical styles and with extensive experience in organizing numerous events. Her journey into the world of organizing artistic events started 10 years ago as a volunteer at Filmul de Piatră, and since then, she hasn’t been able to stay away from this field. The dream of being part of a booking team for underground Romanian bands came true through BandBook, which gives her immense satisfaction.

Marina is the type of person who doesn’t judge when it takes you 20 minutes to decide what t-shirt to buy at merch, or whether to go for a vinyl or a CD. And yes, she knows only one joke, but it’s pretty bad, and she told it to me about two weeks ago at the BandBook party.

She is part of the Gămalia project, and if we count Lipici, her dog, Marina represents about 33% of Gămalia. For those who don’t know, Gămalia is a video production company that brings the best live music closer to you, anytime, anywhere. Or at least, that’s how they present themselves online.

In her free time, if you don’t find her on the mountains or training Lipici, you’ll definitely find her in a concert hall, actively involved, whether it’s gathering cables, moving around the merch table, putting on wristbands at the entrance, or simply enjoying the music.

We talked to Marina about how she got here, the gender stereotypes she faced, and what brings her so much satisfaction in this field. Read on to discover more!

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

The reason why I’m answering these questions today is that, for over a year, I have been part of the cool gang at BandBook. I’m enormously delighted by cultural events, especially those that involve music, and organizing them gives me a lot of satisfaction, so the position of booking/event manager suits me perfectly. Apart from that, I have a rather diverse background, which has helped me understand people better and develop essential skills for the music industry: the ability to manage stress, attention to detail, and organization. I always work with people, and that is what I like the most – to contribute to moments that bring joy.

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

Paula Niculescu – an extremely complex person, a good friend, and an actress at “Teatrul Tineretului” at Piatra Neamț. Together, we shared the responsibility of organizing Filmul de Piatră festival for several years. From her, I learned that, in organizing an event, any problem has a solution (even if that means finding and then losing, in just a few hours, a set of scaffolding). Besides the lessons about problem-solving, I also learned how important patience is. People have different rhythms and working styles, and a good teammate knows how to adapt their approach without losing direction.

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

As cliché as it may sound, I think the music industry rather chose me. Cristina and Bogdan from BandBook saw me many times rushing around stages—gathering a cable, setting up a microphone, filming something, or making sure everything was running smoothly—and they invited me to join their team. The passion came 10 years ago when I was given responsibilities at the Filmul de Piatră festival. I was so absorbed by the work there that I realized I would love to do this forever. Music has always been present in my life, but only when I started working in the industry did I understand how many unseen details are behind a successful concert and how satisfying it is to contribute to such moments.

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 did not have a direct warning, but unfortunately, I often received remarks like: “Let them handle it themselves,” “Don’t carry the stand, you’re a girl,” “It’s not your job to help unload the van.” Precisely such remarks motivated me even more to help the artists so that the concert experience would be enjoyable both for the audience and for them. At the end of the show, I want the band to be able to enjoy and relax, and I want to know that I contributed to that.

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 cannot say with certainty that I was refused by certain locations where I was trying to do booking just because I’m a woman or simply because I was not known in the industry. However, in the beginning, I came across such refusals quite often. How did I overcome this? Through work and perseverance. I built solid arguments in favor of my artists, I was always open to new challenges, and I sought to learn from the best. Now, the situation has changed, but I know that the industry still has room for improvement regarding equal opportunities.

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

Yes, in the sense that I felt the need to prove that I’m strong and that I can handle the responsibility of an event. The music industry is a demanding one, and sometimes it was necessary to show that I do not need to be spared. However, I did not let myself be influenced by the expectations of others and built my own approach – professionalism and fairness are the most important.

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

I believe that we are already on the right path. We don’t need to fundamentally change things, but just encourage more women to enter the industry and make their voices heard.

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

I’m optimistic, especially because I see more and more women active in the industry. Not only on stage, but also behind it—in production, management, technical, photography. Things are changing, and the industry is becoming more and more diverse and balanced.

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

I’m proud of every concert brought to a successful end – whether it is an acoustic concert in a café or one at Electric Castle. For me, success means seeing the audience smiling, the artist delivering a good show, and knowing that I have eliminated any obstacle that could have affected the event.

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

There are many projects underway at BandBook, but one that excites me enormously is the collaboration with Diana Căldăraru. I’m happy that I discovered her and that I’m part of the team that supports her. I laugh, cry, and dance at all her concerts, which I recommend to anyone.

 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?

I’m a doctor every day, between 8 AM and 2 PM. At the hospital, people rarely come for a happy reason, and this drains me negatively, day by day, for about 10 years. This experience has taught me a lot about patience, responsibility, and managing emotions, but if I could analyze my path and change something from the past, I would have entered the music industry much earlier and would have had more confidence in my organizational skills. I have learned that you don’t have to wait for the perfect moment to make a change. Sometimes, opportunities don’t come to you, you have to go to them. The music industry has offered me an unexpected balance, a place where I can use my energy in a constructive way and where I see the direct impact of my work: smiles, emotions, people enjoying the experiences created. If I had known how much I would love it, I would have made this step earlier.

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

Before anything, make sure you enjoy interacting with people because you will meet all possible types. Be open, learn from every experience, and don’t be afraid to take the first step into this world. Contacts and connections are important, but more than that, the music industry needs cool people with solid values.

I hope to see you at the upcoming Bandbook concerts, where you’ll definitely find Marina as well—carrying gear, at the merch table, making  Instagram stories, or running around from one place to another, only to finally enjoy the music.

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