BIO
GENA PERALA
(Pronounced Jenna)
Gena Perala can make you laugh and break your heart all in the same verse. Witty, heartfelt, and deeply human, her songs find beauty in everyday life, blending sharp storytelling with humour and raw emotional depth.
Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Gena spent much of her childhood traveling with her family on the carnival circuit. This unconventional upbringing shaped her singular artistic voice—one that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.
She has performed for the United Nations and toured extensively across North America, from Vancouver to San Diego and New York to Ottawa, playing festivals, theaters, and intimate venues alike. She even made an appearance as herself in the feature film Love Happens, starring Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart.
Beyond music, Gena is a compelling spoken word artist and a published poet with three collections to her name. Her poem on civic engagement won Rock the Vote’s audio contest, earning her the top prize. She also shares her love of language by facilitating poetry workshops in high schools, inspiring the next generation of writers.
Her debut album, Exactly Nowhere (2014), produced by Chris Gestrin, introduced her distinct voice to the world. Now, with her highly anticipated follow-up album, Somewhere New—produced by Erik Nielsen at Afterlife Studios—set to begin releasing in Spring 2025, Gena continues to carve out her place as an artist who speaks to the heart with fearless honesty.