text: Irina Voiculescu

"Never stop believing in yourself and your dream. If you don't do it, how will others?"

One of the most important missions of the Her Time Romania association is to inspire and help the community to develop in all areas of interest. Not long ago, together with Women in Music Romania, we managed to launch a giveaway, through which tickets were offered to the Mastering the Music Business music conference.

Among the winners is soloist Monica Costin, an artist who caught our attention with the passion, determination and perseverance she shows throughout her musical career. 

Thus, I have prepared for you an outcome of the project, with a rendering of the way in which the event unfolded and was perceived, through Monica's eyes.

 

Q: First off, tell us one thing about yourself that you'd like the world to know.

A: Hello! I'm Monica and I love music, which is why I'm active in 2 bands – The Strizzers and The Omnis Band. I've been singing since I was a kid and I can't imagine my life without music. 

 

Q: When did you realize you really wanted to start a career in the music industry? 

A: The desire was always there, but I started to take it seriously only in 2018, after I moved to Bucharest. First I took part in the creation of the Omnis Band, a folk and folk-rock project, and after some time the alternative rock band The Strizzers appeared in my world, my "child" of the soul who just turns one year old this Saturday on the first appearance on stage. As the two projects took shape, everything became very clear. 

 

Q: How is the industry for women?

A: Although it is a male-dominated industry, I have recently met a lot of women who are active in this field and they are doing it in an extraordinary way. Now, from my position as an artist but also a music consumer, I had a moment of mental click a year and a bit ago, when at an alternative rock festival, being in the audience, I realized with surprise that in the line-up there is not even one band that has women in it. That's when the reality of the fact hit me there are very few bands in the alternative rock scene that have female members. Which I think will change in the future.

 

Q: What prompted you to participate in our giveaway?

A: I really wanted to go to Mastering the Music Business and had been following the event for a while. The fact that I came across your giveaway was great. I was also at last year's edition, but only on the first day, the workshop day. Now I really wanted the full experience.

 

Q: Can you "give us an insight" into the atmosphere of the event? (What was the first impression, how did you perceive the setting, the people there?)  

A: I kind of knew what to expect from last year, but now, going to all 3 days, it was also an exercise in endurance, being so much information condensed into a relatively short time. I found the general atmosphere very pleasant and friendly. Workshops and panels were intertwined with long networking breaks and mini thematic events. People were very open and willing to answer all the questions and curiosities of the participants. I would really say so the event itself is a good example of "so yes". 

 

Q: What topic covered at the conference caught your attention the most and why?

A: There were many interesting topics: effective single release, festival booking, press etc., but I think that I remember the most the social media workshop made by Cosmin Sipoș. It was a presentation with a lot of practical information, which I am now working to implement. I do a lot of the social media side of things for my bands and I had a special interest in the topic.

 

Q: Can you tell us about a conversation you had at the event that stuck in your mind?

A: I don't have a one-on-one conversation in mind, but I've realized from conversations with multiple people that music, although I personally do it out of passion, in this context it is a business like any other and must be treated as such if you want to be successful. 

 

Q: As a result of participating, has anything changed about the way you perceive the music industry?

A: I think I have a better idea now of the size of the whole machine. From the perspective of an underground artist, it's quite hard to realize how many facets this industry has. But now that I've dipped my toes into it, I'm especially interested in learning more. I could see myself working full-time in the music industry, not just as an artist. 

 

Q: Have you applied anything you've learned so far? Was it helpful for your band?

A: It was definitely helpful, especially through the networking done. With The Strizzers we are going to release our first album this fall on November 11th. And being an early stage project, it was a great opportunity to tell people about it that I probably wouldn't have reached under other circumstances. We are now shaping the album release taking into account everything we learned at MMB. 

 

Q: What expectations did you have going into the event? Do you think they have been met?

A: I went to the event with the desire to meet new people in the music industry, with whom I can share ideas and from whom I can ask for advice. What happened in the tenth. 

 

Q: Do we need more events like this?

A: I think one conference a year is enough. If you really get involved in the event, it's very intense. Instead, maybe there would be a need for more adjacent events, maybe even specialized courses on different topics related to the music industry. We don't really have anything like that here.

 

Q: What advice would you have for someone starting out in music?

A: Work hard for your dream and don't be discouraged by the obstacles you will encounter along the way. It is a continuous process of experimentation and learning. Music being essentially art, it has no exact formula for success. Surround yourself with supportive people, stay curious and never stop believing in yourself and your dream. If you don't, how will others?