Gena Perala

By: Debbie

popYOUlarity: Are you trying to prove anything with “This Ain’t Pretty”?
Gena:No

popYOUlarity: Do you believe that regardless of how blissful or turbulent life can be, that if you have faith, love and devotion, all can be healed, which in turn are precursors for creating a good album?
Gena:That’s a complicated question…If it’s simply about creating a good album –well, I don’t think there are any precursors, or you could also say there are many. They can come out of turbulence, bliss, pain, none and all of the above. Basically, there is no rhyme or reason to a good album…it just works; it’s got life, soul.

popYOUlarity: Nobody is perfect; people often make mistakes. What do you think one of your biggest mistakes has been so far?
Gena:I’m going with Oscar Wilde on this one "Nowadays most people die of a sort of creeping common sense, and discover when it is too late that the only things one never regrets are one's mistakes."

popYOUlarity: What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten from a song?
Gena:This is a really tough question…I can think of songs that have made a difference for me, lyrics that I love but advice from an actual song? I’m not a huge fan of The Tragically Hip (sorry to say) but I’ve said this lyric to myself, a couple times in my life: “No one’s interested in something you didn’t do” – from the song ‘Wheat Kings’

popYOUlarity: How does your creative process work for you? Do you have to sit down in your space to do it, or is it just a matter of when inspiration hits you?
Gena:When it comes to song writing, I think I usually get a lyric or a sort of feeling or theme, and then, I sit at the guitar or piano and work it out a bit. A lot of times it’s something I’m dealing with - an outlet for the thoughts and emotions I’m having and I am so thankful to have that outlet. I think it keeps me a lot saner and balanced than if I didn’t have it.

popYOUlarity: Can you talk a bit about the artist growth that you have had since the start of the recording process?
Gena:Well of course since the songs that are on the album were written I’ve moved into such a different place in my life. My experiences have changed and of course so has my writing. I think I’ve grown lyrically but also I would hope the growth I’ve done as a person also comes through my writing

popYOUlarity: What is your most vivid recording studio moment and do you have a worst moment?
Gena:I have a few vivid moments…One would be when my producer came up with a sound that is on my album by clinking these two porcelain statue thingies together…I think one was this little pig and one was a dog or something – anyway, it sounded cool and we broke the poor piggy but the sound made it onto the album. I don’t have a worst moment, unless you count my producers uncomfortable furniture. I spent a lot of hours in uncomfortable furniture.

popYOUlarity: What is the hardest lesson you have learnt so far in the entertainment industry?
Gena:Mediocrity rules.

popYOUlarity: At this point, what do you fear most?
Gena:Not being happy.

popYOUlarity: In the big picture how would you like people to view your music?
Gena:As good music.

popYOUlarity: What made you feel like the record was done?
Gena:It was just done. We knew.
popYOUlarity: Is song writing a gift or skill?
Gena:For me it feels like a gift but that’s not to discourage anyone from writing songs because they have to work at it. If you want to write a song, write a song, gift, skill, whatever.

popYOUlarity: Is there any music you don’t respect?
Gena:I either like a song or not, I think it’s well written or not, but I don’t respect or disrespect songs. I might, however, lose respect for people who listen to a particular song or music, but I don’t disrespect the song itself.

popYOUlarity: What do you want out of an audience?
Gena:I love an audience who listens and is willing to get into it.

popYOUlarity: What are you looking forward to for the rest of this year?
Gena:Surprises!

popYOUlarity: Do you have anything you would like to say to the readers of popYOUlarity?
Gena:Check out my website at http://www.genaperala.com

+ April 11, 2008
Photo: Official Photo

Links:
Official Site