Meet Paola Gladys | Singer, Producer, DJ, Visual Artist, Actress

We had the good fortune of connecting with Paola Gladys and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Paola, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk-taking is an integral part of my life and career, shaping my identity as a person, musician and artist. The creative journey is inherently filled with uncertainties and challenges that demand a willingness to take risks. For me, these risks extend beyond the artistic realm and encompass a myriad of aspects, including emotional resilience, career decisions, personal growth, and the pursuit of acceptance. Whether it’s experimenting with new genres, pushing the boundaries of my creativity, or facing the vulnerability of sharing my work with the world, each instance involves an element of risk. Moreover, the decision to live across the world, away from the love of my life, family, and closest friends, is perhaps the most tangible manifestation of my adventurous spirit!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Creating art is an exhilarating and wild ride for me, driven by the anticipation of the unknown. What excites me most is the unpredictability that comes with every creation – whether it’s a composition, a song, an artwork, or even reorganizing my desk. Surrendering to intuition during the creative process evokes an incredible emotion that powers my artistic expression. My professional journey is a whirling rollercoaster loop! There were moments when returning to Italy seemed like a tempting option. However, I persisted, and the decision to move to LA a year ago has been transformative, it turned out to be one of the most significant years of my life. A key lesson I’ve learned is the value of patience. As an artist, my mind is constantly flooded with half-baked abstract ideas popping up every two seconds, and hints for new pieces! It’s a challenge to balance the desire to bring every project to life with the overwhelming reality of making them tangible. I’ve come to understand and accept the natural flow of this process, learning not to be disheartened when certain ideas remain unrealized.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well, my best friends really came to LA last August! We had an absolutely unforgettable time together. Considering we all live in different parts of the world, we’re lucky if we get to see each other twice a year. One of the things I love doing with them is taking them to a classic American diner – it’s something we Italians don’t get to experience often, and for some reason, we really enjoy it. Personally, I’m a huge fan of scrambled eggs! After that, we’d go for a hike; my favorite is the Wisdom Tree trail – it’s a bit tough but totally worth it. We’d then cruise along Mulholland Drive, a nod to my favorite movie. I have a soft spot for Tujunga Ave in Sherman Oaks; it’s just one block filled with weird, artistic, and handcrafted shops – very witchy and bizarre. Los Feliz has another gem, a shop/art gallery called La Luz de Jesus, with incredibly unique items. My other favorites thing to do/spots are: DTLA Art Night on the first Thursday of the month, the speakeasy Good times at Davey’s Wayne, the West Hollywood vibe to celebrate our queerness, Gold Line in Highland Park for a vinyl DJ set, Sam First for some Jazz, Malibu El Matador beach, Topanga Beach, which I absolutely love aaaand the list keeps going!!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My deepest gratitude goes to my family! Steeped in music and art, they’ve been my unwavering pillars of support, nurturing my artistic spirit since day one. Their genuine encouragement and passion have created an environment where artistic expression is not just encouraged but celebrated. They never pressured me into pursuing a conventional job, recognizing and fostering the importance of music and art in our lives. I am also truly grateful to my love partner. Despite occasional tough love, their unwavering support and ability to understand and, in some way, articulate my ideas have been instrumental. They push me to strive for the best version of myself, making my artistic visions tangible and bringing them to life. In their support and constructive criticism, I find the fuel for my creative journey.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paolagladys_/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w-94Hrha80

Other: Art page: https://www.instagram.com/artbypaolaarcieri/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5EAvaLMWNBz8UZnmiVp0zk?si=MTeJMDOlRxmawINVbF__jQ Tidal: https://tidal.com/browse/artist/19665106