I am a music producer & general manager at Cirkular, a boutique record label and music production studio based in Cluj. On stage, I play percussion, synthesizers and guitars with the art-rock band Zimbru.
Q: How does the music industry look like to you in 2024?
A: Very fragmented and more commodifying with music & artists than it has ever been.
Q: What are the main challenges that a young person faces when starting out in the current music industry (in Romania)?
A: I try to keep away from such generalizations, but one challenge I am sure holds true for everyone is finding places to play live. We have very few venues throughout the country that constantly curate a diverse program that includes emerging artists.
Q: What is the professional achievement of which you are most proud?
A: I am most proud to have started Cirkular and for it to still be here after all this time. We are turning 6 this year, which seems a bit surreal, and it feels like such a privilege and a lucky draw to be in this position where this small and incredibly niche studio & label keeps on going, making music, and helping people put together the pieces of the things they desire to create.
Q: How does the future of the music industry (in Romania) look like to you?
A: I certainly hope to see more grassroots & artist development projects that lean in on socio-economic problems around music and I want to be a part of that.
Q: How did you break into the music industry?
A: I started playing in a band when I was 12 and pretty much kept going. I was very lucky to have the support of my family & friends to keep doing that, to get an education in music and, finally, to be on the receiving end of a funding scheme that enabled me to build Cirkular.
Q: What piece of advice would you give to a young person dreaming of working in the music industry?
A: Lean into whatever makes you truly excited about music, however obscure or niche it is.
