Duality lies at the heart of Audrey Nuna's artistic journey—a dynamic fusion of contrasts that defines her music and creative ethos. As a pioneering voice in contemporary music, Audrey not only embraces the complexities of her Korean-American heritage but also amplifies its significance in mainstream discourse. Rooted in the diverse cultural fabric of New York City, Audrey Nuna draws inspiration from its rich tapestry, finding solace in the city's varied landscape and creative energy. Her music, a blend of ethereal melodies and raw, gritty elements, is a deep exploration of dualities—softness and harshness, vulnerability and strength. As Audrey prepares to unveil her upcoming album, Trench, her artistic journey continues to enthrall, delving into themes of resilience, identity, and societal commentary through collaborations and visual storytelling. Her influence extends beyond music, seamlessly integrating fashion and visual arts into her narrative, with each project serving as a testament to the power of art to provoke thought and inspire change. In a world increasingly shaped by rapid change and technological innovation, Audrey stands out as a champion for cultural integrity and representation. Through her music and creative endeavors, she invites audiences to embark on introspective journeys, challenging norms and celebrating the beauty of human complexity.

David Gargiulo __ Leaving NYU to pursue a music career is a significant decision. What were you studying at NYU, and what prompted the shift towards a career in music? 

Audrey Nuna __ I was studying music at the Tisch School of the Arts under the Clive Davis Institute program, so it wasn’t a drastic shift. The leap was more about deciding to pursue music independently rather than following a structured path. It took some convincing with my parents because, coming from a Korean American immigrant family, there's a strong emphasis on stability and having a clear direction. Fortunately, I was able to gain their support. I'm really glad I made that decision for myself.

DG __ You touched on your parents, and I'd like to delve deeper into the topic. I’ve heard that culturally Korean parents emphasize stability and job security. How did your parents react to your decision to pursue music, and what did you do to convince them it was the right path for you?

AN __ I actually made a PowerPoint presentation to convince them! It ended up working. Koreans are very risk-averse, which comes from a history of hardship and a strong work ethic. Parents want stability for their children, and I completely understand that. However, my parents decided to leave Korea and come to America, so they have that freedom and dreamer mentality. My dad has always been an entrepreneur, and my mom wanted to be in entertainment when she was younger but didn’t have the opportunity or support. My mom grew up in a two-bedroom apartment in the Bronx with nine family members, so she didn’t have the means to express her dreams. When my parents saw how passionate I was about music, I think my mom saw herself in me and wanted to support and nurture that. On the other hand, my dad is definitely more traditional, but he has also always wanted to have his own business and his American dream moment. While my dad's logic might lean towards being traditional, his heart is free-spirited. I'm incredibly grateful that my parents chose to embrace and support that side with me.

DG __ You approached them in a very methodical way if you put together a PowerPoint. 

AN __ You have to speak their language. You gotta know your audience [laughs]

DG __ Exactly! [laughs] New York City has long been regarded as a melting pot of creativity, offering boundless inspiration at every turn. How has the vibrant energy and cultural richness of New York influenced your artistic journey?

AN __ I love this city so much—it just energizes me! Growing up in the suburbs, in a very non-diverse place where everyone dressed the same and listened to the same music, wasn't super inspiring. That boredom pushed me to be more creative, finding ways to combat it. I used to go into the city every weekend because my dad owned a garment factory in Manhattan and those trips were eye-opening. There's so much energy coming from a lot of different directions! When I got into NYU and lived in the city for a year, it was like a creative rebirth for me. I was surrounded by creatives figuring themselves out, and being part of that community was amazing. New York is so rich with life, diversity, and different perspectives all in one place. I think that energy is just so tangible. Every time I come here, I leave with so many new ideas.

DG __ Yet you decided to move to LA …

AN __ Right, I decided to move to LA. Why did I do that? I was looking for a new challenge. LA represents a lot of the opposite things to me compared to New York and I really needed that. That dichotomy has strengthened my appreciation for both cities and made me more aware of how to navigate between those worlds if I choose to.

DG __ Can you elaborate more on the theme of dichotomy between New York and LA?

AN __ For me, the biggest difference is the seasons. I feel closer to something real in New York because you experience the changing seasons. I think we change with the seasons and change is important to me because it reflects growth. LA, on the other hand, feels more synthetic and somewhat segregated. Public transportation isn’t widely used, so there's less communal interaction with people who are different from you. In New York, you constantly interact with diverse people who don't necessarily look like you, worship like you, dress like you, and live like you. This interaction with people who are different from you, I think is what separates LA and New York. In LA, you have to actively seek out your community and people who share your creative enthusiasm. It takes more time, especially for someone like me who isn’t quick to make friends or go out all the time. The transition to LA was slow, but now that I've found my community, I really enjoy LA. Each city offers a different kind of inspiration and challenge, and learning to navigate between these worlds has been a great lesson in personal growth and resilience. 

DG __ As one of the first Korean-American women in your genre to go mainstream in North America, how do you view your role in representing Asian culture and breaking stereotypes in the industry?

AN __ My primary focus has always been to be my most honest and authentic self. I believe that by being true to myself, aspects of my cultural background and identity naturally shine through. Growing up, I didn't have many role models who looked like me, and I hope that seeing someone from a similar background can encourage younger generations to embrace their own identities and truths. For me, it's less about consciously representing a culture and more about representing humanity. Being Korean American is an integral part of who I am. For me, it's not just about representing a culture; it's about showing that we're all human beings with unique backgrounds and stories. Seeing each other's humanity is what's most important to me.

DG __ Staying on the same theme, in your song Comic Sans with Jack Harlow, you refer to yourself as polymath and polyglot, just like NYC is. How do you incorporate your diverse interests and talents into your music, visuals, and overall creative expression?

AN __ I just follow my interests without holding back. I'm honest and true to whatever fascinates me. Growing up, I've been immersed in both Korean and American cultures, which has shaped my perspective. I loved writing songs but I also did well in school, and I have a wide range of interests—from movies to animations and beyond. In today's globalized world, we're all more interconnected and multifaceted than ever before. There are no limits to exploring different cultures and forms of creativity. I see myself as a reflection of this new era, where boundaries are less defined, and we can connect with diverse influences freely. For me, it's about staying true to what I love and sharing that with the world. I hope to inspire others to embrace their passions and be authentic in their creative expression as well.

DG __ That’s a beautiful message; so you like manga!

AN __ Yeah, I really like Miyazaki. I grew up with manga. I'm a big fan of Akira and movies like Paprika. A lot of anime inspired American cinema.

DG __ That’s cool. When I was younger I used to read Rumiko Takahashi, Masakazu Katsura, and so many others. 

AN __ That's so dope. I mean, it's like, you just can't deny it. I think that's the importance of creativity and art—it connects us all, regardless of our backgrounds. That's why supporting music and art education is crucial. Did you know that funding for it got cut in New York? People are like “why should we pay for it?” but I think it's about recognizing the importance of art in fostering understanding and empathy. For instance, a kid from Rome, like yourself, might discover anime and realize that despite cultural differences, we're all fundamentally human. That's where the true value lies.

DG __ Well said! Back to your music, your latest single Jokes On Me has a dreamy and ethereal quality, and it is set in outer space. What was the inspiration behind the song and its visual representation?

AN __ The song came together during a writing camp with my friends in Joshua Tree. It explores themes of nostalgia and processing bitterness from the past. For the video, I worked closely with the director to delve into the origins of villains—we wanted to explore how the character lands in a foreign place and goes through all these new experiences that turn her into a villain.

DG __ Is there a parallel with your move to LA?

AN __ You’re spot on. Moving to LA was a new chapter for me, but it brought its share of embittering experiences. I've had to constantly ask myself, how do I maintain my authenticity and sensitivity through it all? Both visually and sonically, I wanted to delve into that exploration.

DG __ It’s so interesting you say that as I’m going through a similar process. I recently moved from NYC to LA as well. So, how do you manage to stay true to yourself? Given how different the two cities can be and how people behave, I find it challenging. At times, I tend to mirror the behaviors of those around me, and then I catch myself thinking, “Why did I say that? It's not something I'd normally say,” you know?

AN __ That's so real of you to say and it really resonates with me. I've always been deeply passionate about music, driven purely by love but LA's vibrant energy can subtly shift focus towards results. It's a journey that challenges you to stay grounded, to understand yourself better and why you do what you do. Moving here has been a test that’s brought me closer to my core values and identity. I hope you've felt that too—it's a journey towards authenticity that's incredibly important.

DG __ Honestly, I am still working on it. The cover art for Jokes On Me features a captivating design from the Glamour as Armour collection by SYKY Collective member Fanrui Sun. How does the artwork complement the song?

AN __ The artwork and the song tie into the theme of bitterness. Jokes on Me delves into the defensive reactions we adopt when hurt. We wanted the fashion collection to explore how glamor can serve as a protective shield in the face of vulnerability. LA's glitz and glam inspired me to examine the concept of how glamor can become a defense mechanism. I presented this idea to the designer, and she created this incredible piece. It's a powerful reminder that things are never as they seem. What may appear beautiful to you, could be somebody else’s armor. I thought the concept was deeply fascinating.

DG __ Jokes On Me is part of your upcoming album Trench. Can you tell us about the album’s themes and its inspiration?

AN __ Everything we've discussed so far has heavily influenced what I envisioned for this album. The concept of a trench, traditionally a wartime defense, struck me as a powerful metaphor. Beyond its military connotations, a trench is where human beings navigate through hardship and chaos. It's about grappling with the world's turbulence while maintaining our humanity. I aimed to explore this dichotomy throughout the entire project—blending soft, ethereal melodies with gritty, distorted 808s. It's about embracing my own duality and reflecting the contrasts we all experience in life.

DG __ The theme is very contemporary as we are living in the most chaotic times since the Cold War.

AN __ Yeah, it's a totally different landscape and it's dark in a lot of the same ways and then in a lot of different ways too.

DG __ Like social media, that takes anything and augments it a hundred times?

AN __ I think a lot will change from this point forward and technology will be front and center. Especially with AI and all these advancements, like AI creating a music video—I recently saw this stunning, fully AI-generated music video on Instagram. It was incredible. So, how do we stay connected to our humanity amidst all this rapid change and technological progress? We're all navigating these transformations together in real time. We're figuring out what it all means as we go. This energy and uncertainty have heavily influenced not only many artists but my own work as well.

DG __ I was wondering about that. How do you plan to incorporate AI into your work as an artist?

AN __ That's a question I've been pondering myself, and I'm not entirely sure yet. AI feels like this living, breathing entity, somewhat unpredictable. I'm intrigued to explore how I can coexist with it. You can't halt progress; you have to find your balance and ride the wave. It's bound to revolutionize art and creativity in profound ways. AI reduces the need for certain resources to execute creative ideas. It's this notion that you no longer need $100,000 to realize your vision for a music video. Suddenly, ideas can come to life without all the traditional labor and overhead costs, which is really intriguing. It's a complete paradigm shift, and admittedly, it is intimidating. But I also recognize that you can’t and shouldn’t stop evolution. So, honestly, I'm still figuring it out.

DG __ The theme of duality and navigating through different worlds is prevalent in your music. How do you balance and express these contrasting elements in your artistry?

AN __ I find it happens organically for me. I'm drawn to combining things that don't traditionally go together. So for me, navigating these contrasts is about staying true to what inspires me and exploring a variety of influences. It's not something I overthink; it's more about embracing the natural flow.

DG __ How do you see fashion intersecting with your music and visual storytelling? Do you approach styling as an extension of your artistic expression? Do you first conceptualize the song, then the video, and then the fashion? Or do these elements blend together in a different way?

AN __ I think I used to see it as a sequential process. Nowadays, it's more multidimensional with all facets of the same cohesive picture. My focus is on approaching everything as if it were a film—different departments serving a story. That's where I want to grow—making sure every element serves a unified narrative. It's all simultaneous these days, which might sound confusing, but it's about directing energy toward clarity and intentionality amidst the chaos and creative noise. It's about knowing the story I want to tell and ensuring each project has a clear intention and concept from the outset. 

DG __ Looking ahead, what can fans expect from your upcoming projects, and how do you envision your artistic evolution?

AN __ Expect the same shit; it's hopefully getting better and better every time, it will continue to mutate, develop, and grow. I want to continue sharing things I think are cool and exciting. As for evolution, expect fewer boundaries. It's not just about music anymore; I'm eager to dive into various creative disciplines like film, furniture design, and maybe even making unique ice cream flavors. The possibilities are endless, and I'm grateful for everyone's support as I explore these new avenues.

“AI feels like this living, breathing entity, somewhat unpredictable. I'm intrigued to explore how I can coexist with it.”

Photography Kevin Sinclair, Styling Oretta Corbelli, Stylist Assistant Barbara Marcucci, Interview David Gargiulo, Makeup Ashley Ysabelle, Hair Bryan Gaw (Art Department), Talent Audrey Nuna (The Oriel Co.)