Every month, BIRD takes a peek into the record bag of a musical soulmate. This time, we dive deep with our programmer Raluca Baicu. From Sunday morning jams in the mountains of Romania to the soundtrack of her first love, we ask Raluca everything.

What song would best describe your world, and why?

Not a single track, but Coltrane's album A Love Supreme. Besides being one of the greatest albums of all time, it represents for me faith, spiritual transition, freedom, and of course love – something the world needs more than ever right now.

What is your ultimate heartbreak song?

There are many songs that move me, depending on my mood at the time. It can be the lyrics that evoke strong feelings. Think of songs like Nina Simone's 'I Put A Spell On You', 'I’d Do It For Your Love' by Herbie Hancock and Paul Simon, or Joni Mitchell’s 'A Case of You'.

What song, or artist, grounds you?

I actually find that I often prefer to float above the earth rather than standing firmly on it. The Coltranes are always a point of reference for me, but in this specific case 'Journey in Satchidananda' by Alice Coltrane. The spiritual, transcendent, and harmonic quality of the title track (as well as the entire album) elevates me to another universe – a more loving one!

Which song could you now sing/rap/play in its entirety from start to finish?

‘Everyday Good’ by Patrice. It's a song I listened to a lot when I was very young, because 'every day is good, because of being alive'.

Which album is suitable for a late-night cry?

These Songs For You, Live! by Donny Hathaway! Why exactly, I can probably never express in words. I would say: play the album yourself. Donny's music, his voice, and the reaction of the audience speak for themselves. Tears of love!

Which song reminds you of your family?

‘Somebody That I Used To Know’ by Gotye. My niece Maria was fascinated by this song and the music video when she was just 2 years old. Every time my brother played it for her, she froze and was completely captivated by it. This song always reminds me of those happy moments.

What is your Sunday-morning jam?

Sunday mornings are reserved for my boyfriend! It usually begins with ‘Sunday Morning’ by Velvet Underground, which always brings back fond memories of the first year we met and lived together as students in a city in the Romanian mountains. While it was snowing outside, my boyfriend made coffee and we danced to this tune. We also often play the Beatles, Tropicália and Spanish pop rock. Sundays are reserved for memories and fresh coffee.

What were your rebellious anthems? Or, if your adolescence wasn't so rebellious, which songs did you lock yourself in your room with?

I had quite a rebellious period as a teenager, haha! During my rebellious teen years, I spent every summer in a small fishing village in Romania that we called ‘the land of freedom’. It was a meeting place for hippies, punks, rockers, hip hop fans, reggae-heads, and bikers. Everyone came here in the summer to camp out. At the beginning of May, when the weather started to get nice, wooden clubs were built on the beach, where a 24/7 party was held. At the end of each summer, these clubs were symbolically burned; the end of a cycle. I made an incredible number of friends during this time and discovered new music. Think of Marvin Gaye, Bob Marley, Erykah Badu, Fatboy Slim, Nina Simone, Skrillex, and Blink-182.

If you could bring one artist from the past and put them in BIRD, who would it be?

Tough question! There are so many artists who have had a gigantic impact… If I really have to choose, I go for John Coltrane. He is a God in my eyes. I always wonder where his music would have gone if he had lived longer.

Last but not least, what song will be played at your funeral?

Sun Ra’s ‘Deep Purple’ with Stuff Smith on the violin. There is an old recording of this song that carries a beautiful kind of sadness and simplicity. After that, I have ‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ by Simon & Garfunkel. The piano, voice, and lyrics – it’s such a powerful song for me. And again: simplicity is strength. It is a “thank you” to those who have been there all my life, a reminder of friendship and love in the toughest moments. A perfect farewell song…