Every summer, we look for songs that transcend us to scenes of warm air amidst comfortable settings, a cool evening breeze with a drink in hand, memorable moments with loved ones, and of course, hitting the open road with the windows down.
This – and quite possibly – the prospect of fearlessly ending one chapter of our lives and beginning the next. Enter Vancouver singer-songwriter Gena Perala, who yesterday released her breezy yet courageous country-flaired single, “I’m Gone.”
“I’m Gone” makes its introduction with a welcoming banjo lick and acoustic guitar that soon gives way into a mellow modern-meets-traditional country groove, equipped with steel guitar and all. Perala’s honeyed vocals swoon from verse to chorus, and create a call to action of simply moving on and looking ahead to brighter horizons. “I don’t like crying / It’s true / I really don’t like crying / Crying over you / I don’t like waiting / It’s true / I sure as hell don’t like waiting / Waiting for you,” she sings, drawing out the “I’s” with impressive vocal precision.
“’I’m Gone’ is about knowing when to walk away,” Perala states. “It’s about refusing to stay where you’re not valued and trusting that something better is waiting—even if you can’t see it yet.” With its raw lyrics, rich harmonies, and driving acoustic instrumentation, the track balances heartbreak and empowerment in equal measure.
“I’m Gone” is the lead single from Perala’s upcoming album, Somewhere New, which is slated for a fall release. and it sets the tone for a story rooted in grit, heartache, and self-discovery.
A Vancouver, British Columbia, native, Perala 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.
Her debut album, Exactly Nowhere (2014), produced by Chris Gestrin, introduced her distinct voice to the world. Now, with her follow-up album, Somewhere New — produced by Erik Nielsen — Perala continues to carve out her place as an artist who speaks to the heart with fearless honesty.
