Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Gena Perala. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Gena, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

I mean all my projects are meaningful to me in their own way and for different reasons but if I had to choose, I’d say two are especially so. My first full-length album, Exactly Nowhere (available on all streaming sites btw), was such a special experience. The title track was written in some of my darkest days and really completed the album. I love that out of the depths of despair came something beautiful. And the entire process of recording and touring that album was just magic and a huge learning experience. I’m still extremely proud of that album. The second project I want to mention is something I’m currently working on. Little fun fact about me, I grew up on a carnival. My parents were carnies and my dad’s life and the characters and mentors and experiences he had were just fascinating. When I was a teenager (I’m so proud of teen-age me for this) I encouraged my dad to tell his story and he ended up recording his entire early life on the road by dictaphone. I’ve been transcribing the tapes for a couple years now and I’m almost done. The stories, his wisdom, candor, the way he talks, it’s all just so amazing. I mean totally incredible. I will be using some selected lines from the recordings in my next album, sort of weaving between songs, but other than that I’m not quite sure what I will be doing with his story. A movie? A book? A series? I don’t know but I really think there’s something there.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Well, my name is Gena Perala (pronounced Jenna). I am a singer-songwriter. I play guitar and piano. I always loved to sing and when I started writing poetry I just knew there was a song in me. My dad bought me a guitar and I never really looked back. I think I have a unique way of writing and that’s what sets me apart. My style is sad and hilarious and a little cheeky, just like me I guess. That and the fact that I don’t write songs to be famous or successful, although that would be nice. It’s kinda like if I don’t write songs I’ll metaphorically die. Sounds dramatic but it’s just the way it is for me. The songs come through me. I don’t fully understand it yet and I hope some day it will all make sense.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Whenever I release a new project or am working on a new project, some people will say “oh that’s so much fun.” Or “that’s so exciting.” And it’s like yeah.. I guess it’s fun. I mean it’s fun because it’s something I love, but it’s a lot of work. Mostly it’s hard work. Fulfilling but very challenging for so many reasons from financial to introspective to organizational etc. And then the vulnerability of it all. Like putting something you made, putting yourself out there like that, is terrifying. I don’t know how much that is taken into consideration.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

First I’m just going to define “society” so we’re all on the same page. so·ci·e·ty. noun. 1. the aggregate of people living together in a more or less ordered community
This is a pretty complicated question. We live in a white supremacist capitalist patriarchy, so that into itself makes it difficult for a society to thrive, let alone artists and creatives. Currently society is a cog in that machine. For example, streaming services, algorithms, radio, they are all gate-keepers answering to this capitalist system. We as society have to really fight against that system to support independent and under-represented voices, which is a very difficult thing to fight against. Especially if you can’t see your “enemy.” So basically short answer: “Fight the Power” and eff this system. The plus side is we get so much amazing art that is inspired by struggle, but imagine what kind of art we could have if people weren’t fighting for basic human rights? Just as a side note and something more accessible, I think individuality within that society adds to a thriving creative ecosystem as well. Like here in Vancouver, I feel like most people are afraid to think for themselves or like what they like. They wait for something to be cool or popular first, then they get on the band-wagon, where in other cities, I don’t experience that as much. People are less self-conscious and apologetic for their likes and artistic preferences. Just my experience. Vancouver don’t @ me! ha.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://genaperala.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/genaperala/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/genaperala
• Other: https://songwhip.com/gena-perala https://www.tiktok.com/@genaperala

Image Credits
The main image series Black hat/ leather jacket is by: Monika Wiatrowska The rooftop rainbow image is by Eric Cairns