Samorastnik, Yet Another New Band – But One Even the Skeptics Should Pay Attention To (2026)

Every now and then a band pops up on the Slovenian hard rock scene that doesn’t start from zero, but from experience.

Samorastnik is exactly that kind of story. A new lineup made up of musicians who have already left their mark in other projects and bands, with plenty of miles behind them on stages and in studios.

This time, though, it’s not a continuation of the past but a fresh start. A new band, a new sound, and a debut single that raises the question: what happens when the experience of different paths collides in one shared vision?

I invite you to read my interview with the mastermind behind Samorastnik – Rok Tomšič. 

Who is Samorastnik – how would you introduce the band to someone hearing you for the first time, and how would you describe your sound? 

Samorastnik is a musical collective made up of seasoned Slovenian musicians, with a pretty extensive body of work and a lot of live mileage behind us. The project is designed for the Slovenian market, meaning Slovenian lyrics and punchy, melodic music. While the music and lyrics are exclusively my work, I should stress that during the recording process every member contributes arrangements in their own way, and thanks to the knowledge and experience of the musicians involved, that results in a high-quality musical picture. 

You all already have your own bands and stories – so why Samorastnik? Is it perhaps an upgrade on your previous projects? What can you do here that you couldn’t elsewhere?

We feel this side trip is necessary. For our souls, and for an audience that, sadly, doesn’t often get served this kind of music in Slovenia’s media and live scene. So we want to widen the audience a bit, but without selling out – by representing powerful music with quality lyrics, the kind the Slovenian audience needs and misses. A wider team of collaborators is slowly being built around Samorastnik to help us musicians reach our goal, so the project is being shaped strategically and in a professional way. 

How did the band come about – a spontaneous idea or a long process?

It was a longer process, since the idea had been smoldering in me for quite a while. I wanted to create in Slovenian and put together a solo project that would include keyboards and bring in a variety of musicians. As I was writing the songs, a bigger picture slowly took shape, and it pointed more and more toward the solo project growing into a so-called “supergroup,” because truly excellent musicians answered the invitation. 

Where does the band name come from – does it have a special meaning or story for you?

With a project like this, the name matters a lot. I wanted it to carry Slovenian cultural and literary heritage, while also honoring nature – a “samorastnik” is a tree that grows on its own – and at the same time signaling an independent musical path. Once the team of musicians came together, we realized that in music, too, we’re kind of self-made: we earned our own place on the music scene through years of consistent, continuous work, which really takes a lot of effort, sacrifice, and sincere love and devotion to music. 

Was the band’s lineup planned in advance, or did it come together purely by chance?

The lineup was planned in advance, based on my past collaborations with various musicians, the experience I’ve gathered on the music scene, and the overall picture of the project – both the sonic and the visual side. 

How do your songs come about – how do you develop an idea, inspiration?

Songs come spontaneously, in moments of inspiration, when a flash hits your brain and the idea gets turned into music. Usually the lyrics come first, then the music.

You’re announcing a new single. Is a new album possibly on the cards soon too?

The first single, titled Prvi maj, will come out on May 1, 2026 at 6 p.m. on our YouTube channel. It’ll be released as a music video directed by Matej Sušnik. Matej has an incredible gift, talent, and know-how, and I’m truly grateful from the bottom of my heart that, together with a great crew of foreign filmmakers from a European Solidarity Corps project, he made such a phenomenal piece of work.

The album is planned for next year.
A new single – the audience’s first verdict. Does that scare you, or can you not wait?

We can’t wait. We know the product is good, so we’ll gladly and confidently present it to the audience. 

What are your wishes and goals going forward?

The goal is to release three singles this year, with the album and the start of live activity planned for next year. We’ll approach the latter strategically too – we know what our ambition for playing live is, and we’ll strive to make that goal a reality. 

Did you have to consciously unlearn anything from your previous bands for this project?

Right from the start, the project works completely differently from, say, how things run and what goes on in our 

home bands, which are a kind of family.

Is this your maximum, or do you still have something in reserve?

Music isn’t a sport. It’s art, and it’s based on flashes of momentary inspiration, so there are no maximums and reserves. There’s only creating, recording, performing, and playing live. In every one of those processes, you always give everything you’ve got.

Does experience set you free or hold you back?

It sets you free, because you already know what to avoid, who you can turn to, who you can trust, and so on.

What can the audience expect from you? What do you expect from the audience?

The audience can expect a fresh dose of quality music. We don’t expect or demand anything from the audience, but we do hope people will take the time to listen to music, go to gigs, respond to the impulse the music gives, and be constructively critical. We’d like people to make time for music and not treat it as just something humming in the background. 

Where will we be able to see and hear you live?

On stages ☺ But not until next year.

And finally…

What annoys you the most about the Slovenian music scene? Is it even still possible to break through in Slovenia with a “rock” band?

Personally, I’m at peace with myself and I try to look at life as positively as I can. I work on that every day and distance myself from people and factors that stir up negative emotions.

Are you more “we make music for ourselves” or “we want an audience” – honestly?

The basic idea of artistic creation comes from the human being, and if it’s artificially geared only toward instant, hyper-production and consumption, then that’s not good art. 

What matters more: a good riff or a good chorus?

Both. The upcoming single Prvi maj will be the proof ☺ .

Compromise or stubbornness?

Again, I’m speaking for myself. Definitely compromise.

What motivates you more: creating or the audience’s reaction?

For me, creating.

Rok, thanks for taking part, and I wish you and the band a successful run with the new project – and of course, may as many listeners as possible gather who’ll dig your music. Rock on!

Interview conducted and edited by: Silvija Makovec

THE BAND:
Rok Tomšič (mastermind) – guitar
Jan Leščanec – vocals
Tilen Hudrap – bass
Klemen Markelj – drums
Matic Leščanec – keyboards

First single (release May 1, 2026, at 6:00 p.m.): https://samorastnik.lnk.to/prvimaj
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Samorastnik-band 
Instagram: @samorastnik.official
Facebook: facebook.com/samorastnikband