From a small Peruvian town to the main stage. The Journey of Carolina (Gasolina) De La Pierda
May 2, 2024
In the vibrant world of music and culture, it's not often you meet someone as dynamic and authentic as Carolina De La Pierda. Born in the small town of Peru, and raised in Sydney, Carolina's journey is nothing short of inspiring. I had the pleasure of chatting with her about her life, her music, and career trajectory.
Arriving in Australia at just a year and a half old, she grew up in Lalor Park near Blacktown, a melting pot of immigrants and hard-working families, much like her own. "We had a working-class, immigrant upbringing," Carolina shared, reflecting on her childhood filled with vibrant Latin American experiences with her familia, church and local community in Western Sydney.
Despite the challenges of assimilating into a new culture, Carolina's family retained a strong connection to their roots. "My mum worked in a nursing home and my dad was in construction. They both worked incredibly hard to provide for us," Carolina noted, her voice filled with gratitude. The De La Pierda familia’s story is a resonant reminder of the immigrant experience many Latin Australians share—a narrative of resilience. An example being her father a respected community leader supporting fellow Latin migrants with their migration paperwork.
Picture of Carolina at a young age with her papa
Carolina’s unique blend of cultural identities has profoundly influenced her music career, known in the entertainment world as Carolina Gasolina. The nickname "Gasolina" not only encapsulates the energy of the Daddy Yankee anthem but also helps others pronounce her name correctly. "Everyone knew the Daddy Yankees song Gasolina. So it was just like when you gave them a reference, it was almost all of a sudden so much easier for people to call me Carolina.” she laughed.
Carolina first made waves in the community radio scene at FBI Radio, a community-based radio in Sydney where her talent quickly turned heads. "I kept being asked to DJ at parties, and I thought, why not learn? It was the best decision I ever made," she explained. After FBI radio, she landed a role as a radio presenter at CADA, a mainstream Sydney radio station hosting segment called Footwerk. At this point, Carolina Gasolina became a household name, DJ’ing at events and house parties mixing up reggaeton, hip-hop, and more recently, Latin techno. "My sound has evolved, but it always celebrates global club music, with a spotlight on Latin beats," she stated proudly.
But Carolina's impact extends beyond Radio and DJ’ing. She's passionately created, alongside 3 other people, an initiative called One Off Traks, a name she proudly came up with. "We all kind of had these ideas separately to create a writing camp and we all just decided like we should just join forces to create this writing camp because we can do it bigger and better if we work together," she stated. It aims to support women and gender-fluid individuals in the music industry, providing them with a safe space and platform to shine. "It's about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome and valued," she emphasized.
Pictures are Carolina and co-creators of One Off Traks
Another one of Carolina's exciting projects is Altura, an event series that highlights Latin club music while incorporating a variety of global sounds. "Altura means 'height' or 'high,' in Spanish and it's all about reaching the peak of enjoyment at any part of your life," she explained. The success of Altura showcases Carolina's drive for bringing people together through music, highlighting the powerful role of cultural expressions in building communities.
Reflecting on her journey, Carolina offered some words of wisdom for the younger generation, particularly those grappling with their cultural identities. "Don't be afraid to embrace who you are and where you come from. There's immense strength in our stories and backgrounds," “Sin Miedo” she advised. Her message is powerful for many young Australians, especially those from immigrant families, encouraging them to explore and express their dual identities confidently.
As our chat wrapped up, Carolina's thoughts turned to the future, bright with possibilities. "I'm excited about what's next. There are so many more stories to tell, more beats to play, and more barriers to break," she said.
Carolina De La Pierda's story is not just about personal success but about how she uses her platform to inspire and uplift others—a true testament to the ever-evolving culture of Australian Music Industry and Latin Australian community.
Excited to follow Carolina Gasolina’s journey! Listen to the Spanglish Talks episode to hear more.
