Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Helena Ciuraba

1. What is your earliest memory connected to music?
My earliest memories of music are deeply connected to my dad. He used to play guitar for me every night before I fell asleep, which made music feel very safe and emotional from the beginning. Sometimes he would also take me with him on stage during his small concerts, so I got to experience live music really early. I think that’s where my connection to performing started. It never felt forced — it was just a natural part of my life. Music was always present in a very warm and personal way.

2. How did your passion for creating music begin?
Before I started writing actual songs, I used to improvise a lot. I would just sing whatever I felt in the moment without really thinking about structure. When I was 10, I got a ukulele for Christmas, and that changed everything. Once I learned a few basic chords, I started writing my own songs almost naturally. It became a way of expressing things I didn’t always know how to say out loud. From that moment, creating music felt very instinctive to me.

3. What’s the story behind your current music project?
The song I’m about to release next month – SOBĄ – actually has a longer story behind it. It was supposed to come out about a year ago, but along the way the whole concept started to evolve. My dad, who is really into fashion, wanted to create merchendise connected to the song, which influenced its direction. At some point we also released a live version first. All of that made the process longer but also more intentional. Now the final version is coming out in just a few weeks, and it feels more complete than it did before.

4. How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
I would describe my sound as honest, emotional, and a little unexpected. I like when songs feel soft and subtle at first, but then slowly reveal something stronger underneath. There’s always a lot of emotion in what I do, but I try not to make it overly sweet or predictable. I care about creating a certain mood that stays with you after listening. For me, it’s important that the music feels real and personal. I want people to feel something, even if they can’t fully explain it.

5. What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
One thing that really changed my approach is learning to stay open during the creative process. I often start writing on the piano, because it feels the most natural to me. But once I’m in the studio, everything can change — sometimes we switch to guitar or build something entirely from samples. I’ve learned not to hold on too tightly to the original idea. Letting the song evolve usually leads to something more interesting. It made me more flexible and less afraid of change.

6. Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
Right now I’m really into R&B, so I’ve been listening to a lot of artists from that space. I love Olivia Dean, Sasha Keable, H.E.R., Brent Faiyaz, and also Mac Miller. I don’t focus on just one artist — it’s more about the overall feeling and vibe. That kind of music inspires me a lot emotionally and vocally. I think it also influences the direction I’m going in right now. It’s a phase, but a very important one for me.

7. How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
My personal experiences have had a huge impact on my music, especially the ones from when I was younger. There were moments in school that made me feel things very strongly, and I didn’t always know how to deal with them. That’s when I started turning those emotions into songs. It became a way of understanding myself. At the same time, I realized I want my music to help other people feel less alone. That’s why honesty and depth are so important to me.

8. What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
The most important thing for me is honesty and a sense of connection. I want people to feel understood when they listen to my music. Even if the emotion is sad or complicated, I want it to feel real. At the same time, I also like bringing moments of lightness and joy. I don’t want everything to be heavy. It’s more about balance and creating something that feels human.

9. What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
Music has taught me to keep going, even when things get difficult. There are moments when you feel unsure or overwhelmed, especially when you care deeply about what you create. But I’ve learned that growth takes time and patience. Not everything has to happen immediately. Sometimes the harder moments actually push you forward the most. It made me more persistent and more trusting in my own path.

10. What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Right now, even the idea of performing before artists like Black Eyed Peas still feels unreal to me (I am actually doing that during the Warsaw Music Festival in June). I’m still at the beginning, so those kinds of opportunities already feel big. In the future, I would love to play at big festivals, but my biggest dream is definitely a stadium tour. That’s something I’ve dreamed about for a long time.

11. If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
I’ve always wanted to collaborate with a rapper. I listen to a lot of rap, and my brother also creates rap music, so it’s very close to me. I think adding a rap verse would bring a different energy to my songs. I’d also love to work with a male vocalist. I really like the idea of harmonies and contrasting voices in one track. That kind of collaboration feels very natural to me.

12. Where can our listeners follow and support your music?
You can find me pretty much everywhere. I’m active on TikTok, Instagram, and Spotify — all under my name, Helena Ciuraba. I also have my own merch store at helenaciuraba.com. Every stream, every playlist and every bit of support really means a lot to me. I’m still growing, so it makes a big difference. I always appreciate people who take the time to listen.

13. Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
My biggest dream is to go on a stadium tour one day. It’s not just about the scale, but about the feeling of sharing music with so many people at once. I want to build a real connection with my audience. Something that feels emotional, not just big. I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. It’s definitely one of my biggest goals.