Alternosfera

Alternosfera is an alternative rock band from Chişinău, The Republic of Moldova.

The history of post-Soviet rock in the Republic of Moldova is a concise one. Since 1991, only a few bands (e.g. Zdob şi Zdub), managed to occupy solid positions on the show-business arena of the Republic of Moldova and abroad.

Alternosfera first rehearsed with their full lineup on December 13, 1998. Their first concert took place on November 23, 1999 in Chişinău. In 2001, the band did their first demo recordings in Chişinău, followed by more demo recordings in 2002 in Bucharest, Romania.

Both the lineup and musical direction have changed over time, as the band reached maturity and developed their own approach to alternative rock, with the keyboards "carrying" the entire tune. Their lyrics are most often about love, but also have social and political connotations. Alternosfera's sound is unique on the Moldovan market at the moment, their influences varying from 80's motifs to the Seattle alternative rock of the '90s. Some people claim that the guitar sound in their songs is similar to Nirvana's.

Marcel Bostan's voice is rich in modulation, having a well-developed and thoroughly practised lyric line and also the ability to go very "high". Their specific melodiousness is also partly due to most songs having the classic piano "lead".

Alternosfera have performed on most of Chişinău's stages, taking part in the most important rock festivals in Moldova and were always well received by the public. Recently (2005) they performed in the Tuborg festival in Bucharest.

Like most Moldovans, the band members speak Romanian as their native language, except Vlad Hohlov, who is a native Russian speaker.

Current members

• Marcel Bostan - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboard.

Born September 21, 1982. Founder, main songwriter and leader of Alternosfera.

• Marin Nicoară - Guitar, Keyboard.

Born October 19, 1983. Played accordion and tuba in school, where he was also a member of a rock band. Also played in the school band (tuba). Attended St. Neaga musical college for two years.

• Sergiu Aladin - Guitar, Keyboard.

• Anatolii Pugaci - Drums.

• Victor "Vikosh" Coşparmac - Bass.

Former members

• Andrei Ciobanu - Bass
• Dumitru Costin - Bass
• Olga Vîrlan - Cello
• Vlad Hohlov - Drums
• Max Koporski - Drums
• Mîrza Vitalie - Violin
• Vitalie Chian - Keyboard
• Eugen Berdea - Drums

Discography

1. Oraşul 511 (511 Town) (released 28 May 2005)

Info

• Record label: ART-SFERA
• Mixing & record : September-December 2004, ADM-studio, Chişinău, Moldova
• Sound engineer: Andrei Lifenco
• Mastering: Feb. 2005, Studio МГСУ, Moscow, Russia.
• Sound engineer: Serj Bolishakov
• Music & text : Marcel Bostan
• Arrangement: Alternosfera
• Producer: Artur Muntean

Track Listing

1. Drumuri de Noroi
2. Oriental Monk
3. Shadow
4. Ikar
5. 1500
6. Spune-mi
7. Picaj
8. Astă Vară
9. Wamintirile (version 5.11)
10. Зима
11. Vreau să-mi Dai
12. 511
13. Alternocrazy (Bonus Track)

2. Visatori cu Plumb în Ochi (Dreamers with Lead in Their Eyes)(released 16 June 2007)

Track Listing

1. Drum de Fier
2. Ne Uneşte, Ne Desparte
3. Femeia Nordică
4. Poştaş
5. Ploile Nu Vin
6. Închisoarea Albă
7. Cocori
8. Visători cu Plumb în Ochi
9. Avion
10. Nu E Nimeni Vinovat
11. Columb

The first single released from the album was 'Femeia Nordica' and the second one was 'Ploile nu vin'. The new album's sound is somewhat different from the music Alternosfera were writing earlier. First, because the new songs sound more mild, and, second, because all of them (unlike on Oraşul 511) are in Romanian.

3. Flori din Groapa Marianelor EP (Flowers of Marianas Trench) (released September 2008)

Track Listing

• Mariane Flori
• Flori de Mai
• Mariane Flori (JenyaSOLID Remix)
• Mariane Flori (Remix NMKY)

4. Virgula (The Comma) (released October 2012)

Track Listing

1. Drumuri Vecine (Neighbouring Roads)
2. Lumina Lăcustră (Lacustrine Light)
3. Virgulă (Comma)
4. Aruncă-mi (Throw Me)
5. Mută (Speachless)
6. 2000 de ani (2000 Years)
7. O lume la picioare (A World At Your Feet)
8. Deja Străină (Already Estranged)
9. Două Eve (Two Eves)
10. Prea Departe Te Simt (I Feel You Too Far)
11. Manole
12. Ancoră (The Anchor)
13. Sentință (The Sentence)
14. Final (Ending)

External links

• Official website
• Official Message Board