Rock Monsters Romania

Sometimes, the heroes of underground and alternative music aren’t on stage or even near it. They’re in a room with a headset on…

Irina Canacheu is the producer of Avanpost Radio Guerrilla, one of the standout shows on Radio Guerrilla, and a prominent female figure in the Romanian alternative radio scene. With a strong presence in the industry, she has made a name for herself not only through her work in radio but also as a PR and Communication Specialist, a talent she has demonstrated through her contributions at BandBook in 2024.

Beyond her expertise in media and communication, Irina is also pursuing her studies at the University Politehnica of Bucharest, proving that passion and dedication can thrive across multiple fields.

I first met Irina back in 2022 in front of the Radio Guerrilla production cart at Summer Well when I wanted to congratulate the Avanpost Radio Guerrilla team on the great work they were doing. She quickly became my go-to source for recommendations on local alternative bands (and, of course, Taylor Swift songs) just by following her stories and content on social media.

From Irina, I learned a lot about how the industry works, how to discover new bands, and where to find the best concerts. She also played a key role in helping me connect with more and more people in the music scene, introducing me to artists and industry professionals alike.

Now, it’s time to let her share her story in an exclusive interview about her journey, her goals, the challenges she has faced, and much more.

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

That I’m some kind of a professional clandestine person? I accidentally landed my dream job while joking around with people on the internet.

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

Honestly, if we’re talking about the Romanian music scene, I feel compelled to say that both Iulia Pop and Dorina Constantin from Overground Agency taught me what it means to be a professional in a world led by testosterone. They showed me that no matter what obstacles arise, experience in the field—and most importantly, the passion and trust you have in both music and musicians—will prevail.

Why did you choose the music industry? Where does your passion come from?

As I mentioned earlier, I entered the industry by accident—but what a wonderful accident it was! As a young girl, I always loved listening to music. I used to dance around the kitchen every night and lip-sync to every Disney or Disney Channel song I came across.

I wasn’t a fan of reading, but in my teenage years, I realized that music was the best way to express yourself. If it had occurred to me that music starts with writing, maybe I would’ve been a musician by now. My parents weren’t really supportive, but neither was I. As a proud ADHD kid, I couldn’t do one thing over and over without getting bored, so I gave up.

Luckily, there are many ways to be involved in music besides being a musician. That’s when I discovered radio. As a child, my parents mostly listened to mainstream stations, but occasionally, they switched to Gold FM or Radio Guerrilla. I was mesmerized by the idea that you could listen to music all day and then just go live and talk about anything you wanted! Of course, that was my 10- to 12-year-old self thinking.

As I grew up, I saw a radio career as something beyond my reach—something I might do in another life. So I gave up… again. But I kept discovering new music and became the designated road trip DJ among my friends.

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 don’t remember exactly, but I don’t think anyone warned me :))) I dove headfirst into the industry with bright eyes, over-the-top optimism, and naivety. I had to learn about the “downsides” on my own, but they didn’t affect me directly.

I tried to ignore the bad stuff and focus on the things I could control—like improving my skills as a radio show producer. When you’re an engineer, critical thinking is… well, critical :))) So I focused more on the technical side than the creative one. From hosting a student-only show, I became the producer of the drive-time segment Avanpost at Radio Guerrilla. Crazy, right? Sometimes, if you’re determined enough, you actually achieve what you wish for.

Have you faced any challenges that only women in the industry experience? Can you give us some examples and explain how you overcame them?

Being one of the youngest women in the industry, I had a double challenge: being a woman and being young—a beginner. At first, no one took me seriously. I felt discouraged and, honestly, considered giving up numerous times to become another IT corporate employee.

But the little music-loving girl inside me screamed in my head, telling me to never give up, no matter what the future threw at me. Even when things got tough with school, I kept pushing until I made my voice heard—pretty ironic if you think about it. But I did it. As my mentor, Bogdan Șerban, said, I helped bring the show into the “digital era” by creating profiles that connected with younger audiences.

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

Not really. As a kid and teenager, I was very shy, but working in this industry over the past few years has toughened me up. So if I want to dress, speak, or act a certain way, I do it shamelessly.

If I may quote a cliché: Life is short—do whatever the f**k you want.

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

I’d love to see more female hosts in radio. Heck, if I had the money, I’d create a radio station with only women hosts. As sexist as that sounds, I’d still do it!

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

I’d say I’m pretty optimistic. I’m a big fan of the Women in Music community and mentorship program. I’m lucky to be surrounded by strong women driven by pure passion and love for music. Their fire fuels mine, making me push harder every day so that the voices of other women—those at the start of their careers who may not know which direction to take—are heard and nurtured. I want to help them navigate this path more easily.

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

Honestly, I’m proud of my entire journey over the last four years. I used to think that working in this industry was like a fairy tale—something only the “chosen ones” got to do. But I stayed true to myself, worked hard, had a little bit of luck, and made it.

When I was younger, I was terrified of speaking up or sharing my thoughts and opinions—nobody listened to me. Now, my voice is heard in households across Romania—whether in commercials or on Bogdan’s show. That’s the kind of thing you see in movies, not real life… so yeah, goosebumps :))

If my middle school and high school selves could see me now, they would absolutely die.

Are there any projects or collaborations you’re currently working on that you’re excited about?

I’m proud to be part of the NESEMNAȚII X ELECTRECORD campaign at Radio Guerrilla. It’s exciting to see fresh new faces with fresh new sounds starting out and actually fighting for something—a chance to record and release an album on 300 vinyls through such a prestigious record label. Opportunities like this don’t come often for beginners, so it’s truly wonderful!

Looking back on your career so far, what are some valuable lessons or insights you’ve gained that you wish you knew when you were starting out?

“Multitasking is crucial. Focus on both school and radio—you can do both easily.”

If someone invented a time machine, I’d go back in time and tell that to myself.

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to pursue a career in music?

Go read interviews with other great women in the industry.

I can only tell them to stay true to themselves and their dreams—to keep working, trying, failing, and starting over again. But more importantly, I urge young women to ask for help—even if they’re too stubborn to.

Ask for anything. Don’t let society silence you. Be loud, be real, and never give up. It sounds cliché, but it’s true.

Do you have any special message?

In the end, I want to thank four important women in my life.

First, my mother—for teaching me that kindness without boundaries is abuse. Her style, elegance, and wit have shaped me into the woman I am today.

I also want to thank my best friend since high school—who is basically my sister—Diana Dobre, for showing me that even in the face of scrutiny, you stand tall and ignore it. Ignorance is bliss, and Diana is an immovable object—one that cannot be budged, not even by an unstoppable force.

Next, I want to thank my other best friend and sister, Anca Dobre, who taught me that no matter how much pain and suffering life throws at you, you have to push through. Life is what you build for yourself. You’re in charge of it, so make it worth living.

And lastly, the final important woman in my life—Taylor Swift. 😂 She taught me how to be brave in moments of weakness and how to express my feelings, no matter whom it might bother.

Thank you to all the incredible women around the world. Thank you for being an example for the little girls who are watching. Thank you for standing tall and proud in the face of unfairness and still moving forward.

Thank you.

If you want to follow Irina and get a sneak peek into her life, you can find her on Instagram and wherever you see or hear Avanpost Radio Guerrilla.

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 Radu Mihai

Interview by Ionela Pleșan and Radu Mihai