Rock Monsters Romania

Rotko is a recently formed art rock, alternative, and electronic band from Cluj-Napoca, founded in 2025. Their sound blends modular synths, drum machines, and distorted guitars into a dynamic mix that shifts between expansive and intimate moments. The result is a melancholic, slightly sci-fi sonic world, shaped by introspective lyrics that add emotional depth to their music.

The band consists of Mircea Bozac (guitar, vocals, synths), Ádám Soma Oriold (modular synths and drum machines), Márk Feiérvári (synths), Tamás Tóth-Fábián (bass), and Marc Pocola (drums).

On May 5, Rotko will launch their debut album at Club Control, joined by Coridor Apt., a Midwest emo band from Bucharest. The group previously released a five-track EP titled Interior. The event is part of the Stray Lights Showcase series, a recurring platform spotlighting Romania’s emerging indie and alternative scene.

Today, May 1, Rotko also release their debut single, “Pins on the Kitchen Table.”

I first saw them live last November at Control, when they performed alongside Orkid for the release of “Urlă ca Marea.” I had done a bit of quick research beforehand and was curious to catch them on stage. I remember the synths, the endless cables more than I have in my own apartment and thinking I needed to see what they were really about. I ended up liking them enough to leave with one of their T-shirts, but I kept wondering who they are beyond the performance. So, as a curious girl from the Banat region now based in the capital, I decided to bug them with a few questions.

For this interview, most of the answers came from Mircea Bozac, the band’s vocalist and guitarist, with additional input from the rest of the group.

How was Rotko formed, and what made you start the project in this particular lineup? Was it planned from the beginning as an art-rock/electronic project, or did it evolve more organically?

I really wanted to play with Mark and Adam after listening to their first ep last year, I was just curious what it might sound like, I don’t remember having any high hopes for the project at first, but it really worked. Also playing with Pocola and Thom is probably the tastiest experience i’ve ever had, it’s like having a sunny day for a rhythm section. The “art rock/electronic” badge is just the two genres we as musicians came from, so it wasn’t something planned per se but thats just what we played organically. 

If someone has never heard Rotko before, what kind of experience should they expect when listening to your music?

We’ve had only three concerts, so we can’t say too much about this. We’re just glad if people choose to come to our shows and have any experience at all.

Your music is often described as cinematic and introspective. What does that mean for you in the creative process?

Fuzzy synths sound like a movie, fortunately. We all like rich textural soundscapes, also we use vintage style synths which were used all over movies and tv shows that many would consider classics today. So I guess that’s why people think of cinema when they listen to our music.

How does a Rotko song usually begin: with a sound, an atmosphere, or a lyrical idea? What role does improvisation play in your music?

It really depends on what we feel like writing, or the mood we’re in, it’s usually either a guitar part, or a melody or even a drum sequence, so I guess that it’s more mood oriented, we’re moody gloomy people. There’s not as much improvisation as I’d like but its still a process that feels very raw and creative even though most of it is meticulously thought out, sometimes annoyingly so, that’s the downside of being in a band with musicians.

How do you manage to combine modular synths and drum machines with distorted guitar without losing the energy of rock?

We try to give into each idea we have for the songs, so if it calls for something more energetic we make room for something like that, but it’s definitely not something we’re thinking about or yearning for while writing, the energy of rock isn’t really a conscious goal for us.

What artists or bands have influenced your sound the most? For example, when I listen to your music I sometimes get hints of Radiohead in certain moments. Are there influences like that behind Rotko’s sound? Are there also any artists outside the rock sphere who have influenced your sound?

Radiohead definitely influenced our sound, both directly and indirectly, but there are many other artists that influence us, and more intensely so. We all have really different music tastes, a lot of jazz, punk, soul, electronica. Miles Davis, Björk, Herbie Hancock, Philip Glass, Brian Eno, Daft Punk, LCD Soundsystem, Massive Attack, Portishead, Aphex Twin, D’Angelo, Fiona Apple. I guess most of our influences come from outside the rock sphere.

Are there any films, visual artists, or other art forms that have influenced your aesthetic? If Rotko’s music were a film, what would it look like?

I can’t think of any films in particular, but Wong Kar-Wai really inspires me, Mark Rothko, Nan Goldin, Bruce Gilden, Harmony Korine, too many to list. I don’t really feel like there’s a set aesthetic yet. The rotko movie coming in theatres this Thursday.

Your music seems to create a mood rather than deliver a direct message. What emotion would you like listeners to be left with after hearing Rotko?

Any emotion really, we’re not really aiming to tell our audience how to about feel about our music, we’re not big fans of direct messaging. I feel like the more direct you are with your message the more you take away from what you’re supposed to say.

How do your songs transform when you play them live, and how much room do you leave for spontaneity during a concert?

They’re pretty much the same, playing with a modular synth and drum machines doesn’t really leave any room for improvisation. But there’s always room for improvement and more annoying bleep bloop parts.

What has been the most memorable moment for you on stage so far?

We’ve only played three concerts so far, like mentioned before, but Control was pretty cool and memorable and fun and Bucharest-like.

Photos by Andrei Mușat

You’re part of the Stray Lights community. What does this platform and the collaboration between bands mean to you and how does this help you develop as a band?

Collaboration is key. We’re really lucky to be part of this community, it really kickstarted the project and it really helped us. Friendly, kind, encouraging, supportive people. Also a great opportunity to sell your old gear.

How do you see the alternative music scene in Cluj right now? Are there any new bands you’d recommend to the readers?

There are a lot of nice shows at a.casa, where I really enjoyed acts like Dosar Penal and BENT. My gentle new angel is doing some great self produced stuff, also can’t forget to mention Mock Surprise and Musspell who are amazing and hard not to envy.

What’s next for Rotko in the near future? Any new songs, an EP, an album, or more live shows? What about long term plans?

Long term plans are scary, but an album should be on the way and out soon, if soon means like somewhere in May, maybe. Also May 5th sounds like a fun day to go out to Control Club and dance a little.

Do you have any messages for your fans? And for the people who will read this interview?

I don’t feel entitled to give out any messages but do wash your rice thoroughly, at least 3 times, or until the water runs clear, thank you!

Rotko are still at the beginning of their journey, but even in this early stage, they already feel like a band that is shaping a very specific sonic and emotional space somewhere between controlled chaos, analog texture, and a shared sense of curiosity.

If you want to catch that energy in its most immediate form, Rotko will be launching their debut album on May 5 at Club Control, alongside Coridor, Apt., as part of the Stray Lights Showcase series. Consider this your invitation: see you there.

Interview by Ionela Pleșan