Q&A: GEMMA YLANA CREATES A VULNERABLE SONIC SCRAPBOOK IN ‘PRIMAVERA’ EP
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY CHARLOTTE ISIDORE ☆
GEMMA YLANA IS A FORCE TO WATCH—an artist whose music feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. The Chilean/Italian singer-songwriter from Western Sydney blends R&B, pop, and reggaeton with introspective, honest lyricism that encapsulates the whirlwind of young adulthood. Inspired by artists like Kali Uchis, Ariana Grande, and Snoh Aalegra, gemma crafts songs that feel effortlessly cool yet emotionally raw, drawing listeners into her world with hypnotic melodies and storytelling that cuts straight to the heart.
Her big breakthrough came with the release of “Same Shit!”-a track that not only earned her the title of “Independent Artist of the Week” on FBi Radio but also landed a nomination for Best Video at the FBi SMAC Awards. From there, she kept up the momentum, joining two APRA AMCOS SongHubs—one curated by Troye Sivan—and receiving Individual Project funding from Create NSW, which helped bring her debut EP PRIMAVERA to life.
PRIMAVERA offers listeners a vulnerable collection of songs written over nearly a decade, spanning the formative ages of fourteen to twenty-three. Translating to “spring” in both Italian and Spanish, the project is a love letter to a transformative chapter in her life, merging her signature genre-blending sound with an intimate look at her growth as both an artist and a person. Most recently, she was selected for the prestigious Generations Fellowship (Create NSW, POWERHOUSE, Blacktown Arts), standing alongside fellow rising talents FRIDAY* and Yellowline.
With a growing list of accolades and a sound that’s equal parts timeless and fresh, gemma ylana is proving she’s in this for the long run. PRIMAVERA is just the beginning—she’s only getting started.
LUNA: Congratulations on the release of your debut EP, PRIMAVERA. You wrote this EP between the ages of 14 and 23. Describe how it feels to listen to a body of work written through such pivotal years of your life.
GEMMA YLANA: Listening to this EP from start to finish is definitely a journey, and that’s exactly how I wanted it to feel!
I wrote these songs over a few years, and it felt right releasing them with PRIMAVERA - this EP is the foundation of my artist project, and these songs are a crucial part of who I am as an artist. When I listen to this EP, I feel proud and strange simultaneously - it’s my first time working on and releasing a full body of work. I’ve also listened to this EP for an entire year, and have heard its creation in its entirety - which is so exciting & strange. I’ve released it out to the world and it’s no longer my EP of demos.
I’m so excited to pivot and create something new, the next EP I have planned is quite different, so I’m glad my foundation has been laid.
LUNA: Your track “Nonna Y Tata” touches on a theme that resonates with many multicultural people—balancing the cultures of your heritage with the one you were born into. What inspired you to explore this theme in your music?
GEMMA YLANA: This is one of my favorite tracks to listen to on the EP for obvious reasons. I love the tone and texture of my grandparents' voices, and I love the idea that I will always have a piece of art to which they’ve contributed.
I am not fluent in either Spanish or Italian, hopefully that will change over time! I really wanted those languages included in this EP, and so I dug through old interviews I conducted with them!
Exploring my cultural identity is an ongoing journey, and it’s such a special one. Infusing these languages and cultures into my music is something I want to do forever—it makes me feel like I’m doing more than just creating music, I’m preserving and celebrating culture.
LUNA: Describe your ideal session day. In other words, what is your songwriting ritual before, during, and after the studio?
GEMMA YLANA: Wake up. Ideally not rushing to get ready (I’m always late so in this scenario, I got up on time). Makeup, hair, cute outfit, look good, muah. Small breakfast, coffee. Then I’ll get into the car and drive to the studio, while listening to a carefully curated selection of songs I’m loving at the moment and want to emulate. I always like going into sessions with references or at least a lyrical theme; it helps steer the direction of the session.
So far most of the sessions I’ve done have been for my EP, where I’ve known exactly what I’ve wanted and had songs already written.
For my next EP, I’m aiming to create the songs with the producers, in real time rather than writing lyrics and melodies by myself at home. This process is new to me as an artist, but I’m familiar with it because I’ve been toplining for other artists and I’m so excited to experience it in my own project! I’m excited to explore collaboration more.
LUNA: I love the message of the song, “ANNOYING!!!,” which you describe as an anthem for fellow loud, opinionated, and passionate people. Being a passionate, opinionated woman in the music industry comes with its own set of challenges.
How do you stay confident in your creative voice and keep your passion alive in an industry that doesn't always support this level of creative control?
GEMMA YLANA: I’m still navigating this! Mostly, I’m navigating the guilt that follows when I am opinionated and loud - the post anxiety is real.
It’s hard to be confident in your voice when you’re just beginning to make a name for yourself. Whilst I often find myself fearful of being too blunt or honest, I’m also trying to find a way to stay true to myself and to remain authentic in my interactions - as tricky as it can be.
There’s no denying women face a lot of stigma and difficulty in music, and all male dominated industries. We can’t get away with making the same comments they can. But I feel it’s important to remain vocal, to continue to voice our opinions and needs and shake the idea that a woman is a b*tch for being assertive!
LUNA: What is a project, collaboration, or event you are looking forward to in the future
GEMMA YLANA: MY NEXT EP! I don’t want to spoil too much…but it’s going to be equally a sonic AND visual experience, and it might be a little…SCARY!
