Rock Monsters Romania

Next in the series is a name you will probably recognize, someone with a lot of experience, even if her age might not suggest it.

Our next guest is Teodora Georgescu, who is currently working as a Booking Agent at Avatar Booking and is also Co-Owner of Backstage Babes, one of the newest rising names in the Romanian music industry. At the same time, she serves as Stage Manager for Bikers for Humanity and works as a Junior Executive at Kimaro Entertainment.

She was also a mentee in the latest edition of Women in Music Romania Mentorship Programme and worked as Social Media Manager for Rock Academy Cluj.

We spoke with her to find out how she managed to rise so quickly in her career and already become one of the best and most professional people in the industry.

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

Well, if they haven’t read yet, my name is Teodora (everyone calls me Teddy), I work in event production & booking…and uh…I’m just saying some random facts I guess?

Like I run on caffeine (if i could i’d use IV’s), I like trying weird foods, I make too many jokes, mostly in the worst situations and I am probably the most chaotically organised person you will know. And I talk. A lot.

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

That’s a quite ironic question :), since we work in a still very male dominant industry, I can say I was quite lucky to have several women as my models.

Names like Roxana Luca, Andreea Nedelea, Raluca Andor, Flavia Ionescu come right on the top of my head.

What have I learned? Basically everything from all of them, especially Roxana, who I am so fortunate to actually call one of my greatest friends. From literally learning how to act as a woman in this industry, to straight up applicable things (problem solving, logistics, strategic thinking, smart planning, time management). I feel like writing my resume when i talk about what i’ve absorbed from her knowledge.

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

I was born into it. I orginally wanted to become a movie or musical video director, but stage always fascinated me. I would fall both asleep and in love with production while watching sound enegineers, light designers and VJ’s doing their work.

I would always imagine designing stages, running in backstages and meeting great artists and make their visions come true. I watched and went to concerts and festivals all my life, I felt most at peace doing that and looking at brilliant creative minds that offer an experience for people from age 5 to 99.

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 used my life principles in my professional life like treating everyone with politeness and kindness (even if in reality they’re assholes, male, or female for all I care).

I don’t remember a specific moment when someone warned me about the struggles i will inevitably face, but I feel like my training around men had and has become one of the best things that happened to me.

I feel like we (women) are protected to some extent by the men around us, or at least that’s how i felt most times in all the situations i’ve been in.

Obviously, I’m not saying it’s all picture perfect, because challanges come along the way, but I feel like as a woman, you just have to prepare yourself or at least try to be at least 1 step ahead, or just think quick on your feet and get past all of them.

Struggles, like in life, will still come, just be ready to punch them right back in the gut with both tact and intelligence.

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?

Of course I faced challanges, especially since I’m a YOUNG woman in the industry. I am still struggling everyday to prove myself, to be taken seriously.

However, I’m greatful to have the resources and network to show my potential and abilities.

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

NO! I have to argue that in this industry you can present yourself as the greatest person in the world, but if the actual work, the palpable objectives or tasks prove otherwise…then you can’t survive.

You may seem a nice person at face value, but if you don’t prove that you have drive, energy, solutions, determination…that’s on you. You can’t fool anyone. You have to be willing to take risks, to have your reputation ripped apart, to face unprofessional people, and your name will be at stake.

So, to sum it up, show what you got, don’t just put a nice smile and get to work to be credited and to actually matter.

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

Honestly, I’d really love that this ,,Women supporting Women’’ trend going on globally be brought in this industry. We women generally are mean as fuck to each other, especially if one’s more successful than another.

You know what, I will tell you something that not many people know about me.

Whenever I see a woman working in this industry (whether a light designer, a tech, a stage manager, a tour manager, a booker, a hospitality manager, a special effects specialist, you name it), I go up to them and tell them ,,I just wanna tell you that you re doing a wonderful job and as another woman who works in this, you keep up the good work, because it shows and you inspire others to be better and bring the best to the table! ‚,

I feel like we should tell each other those kinds of things. You don’t know how many times I felt so great when another person told me those kinds of things..especially coming from a woman. Like, the light designer from Architects gave me a big hug and thanked me for saying that. And Sepultura’s tour manager thanked me like 10 times.

That’s what I hope the future brings. Women supporting women more.

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

Oh God! I honestly don’t know, that’s a hard question, but one thing I know for sure is, there will 100% be more women in this industry, and in charge positions. Personally I can’t wait to see that.

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

For me, the greatest achievement is seeing people having their best time at a place where I know i worked hard for.

And meeting people whonlove to do the same things I do, and do our best together to make something incredible.

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

At the moment I’m in between jobs, but the best thing going on for me right now is my firm, BACKSTAGE BABES, that I created with one of my best friends, Irina Marinescu.

We’ve got so many projects and exciting things coming your way…Just watch the success of Punk Apocalypse, and you’ll know what I’m talking about. STAY TUNED on more projects, more music, more concerts, more bands and more festivals!!

What other things I’ve got going on:

The Bikers for Humanity Rock Fest in June (it’s all for charity, get your tickets on iabilet.ro), where I’m stage managing for teh second time,

I recently started managing a great band, The Voodoo Child (check them out, also ticktes to their concert on iabilet as well.)

Um..booking for Avatar Booking.

I don’t know. I picked up a lot of project from within different parts of the industry, because I strive to learn a lot more about everything and be able to help people achieve their dreams.

Oh, and I did one thing for myself, for once. I started learning Capture and Vector Works which are 2 of the best programs for stage and event plotting and designing. Really cool thing and I like the process so far.

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 best thing you can do to sruvive in this industry is to be adaptable, to treat everyone nicely and most importantly, to be very professional.

If you do these 3 things, no one will have anything bad to say about you.

Oh, and keep your promises! That’s a big one too. If you said you’d do something, do it! It will on help YOU!

P.S: One failure doesn’t define you. Also an important lesson.

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

Try everything you can.

Stick to 1-2 things and be fucking awesome at them, Don’t try 7 things and be mediocre at all of them. Find your skills and strong points and use them!

Be professional, be professional, be professional, evem to them assholes! Learn to listen too! Treat everyone nicely. Don’t be a pain in the ass! Be soft spoken, but tough!

Use all of the above! – just like they say in quizzes.

So next time you attend a concert or a festival and see someone who looks like Teodora, it’s probably her, even if it feels like she’s everywhere at once.

Rock Monsters Romania believes in professionalism and in the chance for women to stand out in an industry that seems dominated by men. Because of this belief, every March on our website you can find 8 women who are making waves in the music industry and offering daily inspiration and support to those around them.

Text by Radu Mihai

Interview by Ionela Pleșan and Radu Mihai