Rock Monsters Romania

Roca Camp 2025 concludes at the end of this year as a comprehensive mentorship and artistic development program dedicated to emerging bands in the indie, alternative, and rock scenes. Initiated through a national open call launched in August, the project was built around the real needs of Romania’s alternative music scene and proposed a structured, step-by-step journey of training, production, and visibility.

mizantrop was one of the bands selected for Roca Camp 2025. Founded in 2024, the band brings a fresh presence to Bucharest’s alternative rock scene. The band blends indie, post-punk, and art-rock influences, creating a refined, intense, and melodic sound, supported by a carefully crafted visual and conceptual identity. Their music explores delicate aspects of the human experience – alienation, vulnerability, and emotional memory – translating them into poetic, atmospheric compositions.

Their debut single, “Întors din drum”, marks the beginning of an artistic direction that emphasizes emotional authenticity and a cinematic sonic aesthetic. mizantrop is formed by Gavrilă Ioan-Tudor (vocals), Nichi Aris and Mihăilă Rareș (guitars), Nastasă Alin-Cristian (bass), and Ciupercă “Cici” (drums).

mizantrop is a young band, yet one with a clearly defined sonic universe. How did your musical DNA take shape, and where does the need to address delicate themes come from?

Each of us comes from a different musical background, so we put everything we loved most on the table, ideas and “controversies,” and assembled the pieces of different puzzles into one new, larger image. When it comes to the themes of our songs, we believe that the least discussed subjects carry the greatest weight.

How did the story behind the name “mizantrop” come about? Is it an artistic statement, a manifesto, or a metaphor?

We chose this name because it represents the antithesis of our music. Even though the definition of misanthropy is hatred toward people, we chose to write it in lowercase because we are afraid of becoming disappointed with the world we live in and, implicitly, coming to detest it. It can also be seen as a manifesto, but we hope it remains only a metaphor, a reminder.

What motivated you to apply to Roca Camp, and what hopes did you have before getting there?

As a band that is new to the alternative music industry, we were looking for a way to broaden our horizons, and at the same time we realized that beyond the artistic side, the rigor of the music business is very important. We set out with the goal of developing on all musical levels and of meeting new people with whom we could collaborate in the future.

What feedback you received at Roca Camp made you think the most, whether positive or challenging?

What stayed with us the most was the feedback from producer Alexei Țurcan, who showed us the importance of restraint in the number of ideas we try to express at once. It is important to say everything you have to say, but gradually, using a language that serves the music rather than complicates it.

Was there a song, an idea, or a vibe that was born there and that you want to continue?

We formed many connections that we hope will lead to future collaborations, and we had many exchanges of stories and experiences that are already finding their place in our creative process.

Roca Camp is a mentorship, training, and artistic visibility program dedicated to emerging bands from the alternative, indie, and rock scenes, organized by the Creative Industries Association under the Rocanotherworld umbrella.

Cultural project co-financed by the National Cultural Fund Administration (AFCN).

This project does not necessarily reflect the position of the National Cultural Fund Administration. AFCN is not responsible for the content of the project or the way in which the project’s results may be used. These are entirely the responsibility of the funding beneficiary.

Interview by Ionela Barbu