Larsen Colonna is a new name in music, but not a new voice. The New York-based artist, previously known as killdyl, recently rebranded to honour his family's heritage and a new chapter in his musical career. After the loss of two beloved grandmothers, Colonna found a way to work through his grief: writing. His latest releases, ‘Garofani’ and ‘Messina’, are deeply personal love letters to his family and a heartfelt tribute to the strength and resilience of his ancestors. He also explores themes of identity and the immigrant experience.
Through this music, Larsen invites us to explore our roots, recognise the sacrifices of those who came before us, and connect with who we are. We recently sat down with Larsen to discuss his latest releases, what's next, and the importance of looking back to move forward.
Great to chat with you again, Larsen, especially at a time of artistic change like this! You have two new singles out; can you give us a bit more detail about them?
“In July, I released a song called ‘Messina’, and just a week ago, I put out ‘Garofani’. Both songs are super important to me. Last year, I lost my maternal great-grandmother and my paternal grandmother. It hit me really hard that I never got to ask them so many questions I had. My time to do that was gone, and losing my connection to the elders in my family left me scared and, honestly, pretty depressed. Writing these two songs helped me feel closer to my grandmothers and the ancestors before them.”
“’Messina’ is named after the city in Sicily where my great-grandmother’s family came from. She used to tell me stories about how tough life was growing up—sharing a bedroom with eleven siblings and getting oranges for Christmas. After she passed, I realized It was my turn to tell these stories. I wrote Messina to cope with my grief and to carry on her family’s history. It’s really a love letter to the land that supported generations of my family. I’m from New York but definitely grew up surrounded by Italian-American culture—Sunday dinners, golden cornicellos... Writing ‘Messina’ reminded me how proud I am of my heritage, and that led me to create ‘Garofani’.”
“’Garofani’ means ‘carnations’ in Italian. Carnations are traditionally left at loved ones’ graves. It’s also my first-ever song in Italian, and I was nervous to release it—especially as someone living in the U.S. who doesn’t feel 100% confident in the language. But I decided if it wasn’t perfect, that’s part of my story. I come from the same Italian diaspora as so many others in America. ‘Garofani’ is not just for my grandparents—it’s for all the immigrants who crossed oceans looking for a better life. It talks about the loss that comes with leaving your homeland and the pain of holding onto your culture. It’s about the deep longing to stay connected to who you are, even when everything around you changes.”
“Through these songs, I hope to inspire others to reconnect with their lost heritage. This whole experience has brought me closer to my great-grandmother in ways I never imagined. I also hope people in Sicily can hear ‘Garofani’ and feel the love behind it. Visiting Sicily has been my dream since I was a kid, and in October, my mom and I will finally be going. We’ll be the first in our family to return since my grandparents left, which still feels surreal to say. I’m so grateful for this chance to connect with my roots.”
You’ve spoke deeply about the personal ties you have to the song, but are there any artists or releases that helped shape them?
“Most definitely! Rosa Balistreri was my biggest inspiration. I even included her haunting ‘I pirati a Palermu’ in the music video of ‘Messina’. Her voice gives me goosebumps in literally every one of her songs. My other most listened to artists lately are Pete Seeger, Raffaella Carrà, Renato Carosone and AURORA.”
“As far as inspiration for both music videos, I actually used family photos for my mood board! The Coppola hat was a classic for my grandfather. My grandmother loved leopard print and wore it every single chance she got. My mom's mother used to show up to baptisms in a fur coat like she was ready for the runway. All of them always had a cigarette in hand. I really just tried to channel every member of my mother's family in one video. The church scenes were heavily inspired by traditional mourning wear and catholic imagery. The candles throughout the video are to represent the patron saints of my family's cities in Sicily.”
How would you describe the sound on the new singles? Has there been a change or evolution in style since you first began?
“There has been a huge change in style since I first began! I used to often get caught up in what was popular. I found myself making music that not only didn't fit my voice, but didn't come from my heart. I find a serious passion in combining my hobbies with my music. I was eighteen when I released my first song and could absolutely say I was still forming my identity. Today I know who I am, and what I want to say as an artist. My next project is mainly composed of fun Italian music and traditional-esque folk songs. I think I am still finding my sound, but the music I've been making is for sure helping with that.”
Along with that personal connection, is there a central message or theme you were trying to convey within the new single?
“My latest releases are a call to all Sicilian Americans to remember where they come from. The world today feels really scary for a lot of people, especially immigrants. It bothers me to see so many Americans with Italian roots siding against the very values our elders stood for. We wouldn’t be here without their courage and sacrifice. Our elders share a lot in common with the people fleeing their countries today. That’s something we should never forget. Instead of turning away, we should be fighting to make sure their stories are heard, and their resilience is celebrated. I promise, the more you dig into your family’s history, the more you’ll understand about the world—and why it’s so important to stand with those seeking safety and hope.”
“When I feel lost, I remember how strong my grandparents had to be for them to travel to a new land by boat where they didn't speak the language nor understand the "customs". If I'm not doing it for me, I'm doing it for them. I think the ‘Garofani’ music video conveys this message exceptionally. I wanted the viewer to feel uncomfortable as I walk down a dark and narrow hallway carrying a candlestick and rosary. My goal was to instil the fear and anxiety of those fleeing danger. The candle being the only light until it's blown out at the end when I sing that as long as I'm alive, my family's heritage won't die. It's my turn to carry the flame.”
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations as an artist? Where do you see yourself in the next few years, both musically and personally?
“My aspirations are to continue growing as a person. When I grow, my music grows. I am really loving recording in Italian so I would for sure expect a lot more of that! My biggest goal right now is also to someday soon record a tribute for my father's mom. After creating ‘Messina’ and ‘Garofani’ it hit me that there were still many stories to tell. She was born into a family of Norwegian immigrants. I didn't see her much because she lived in North Carolina. I do often feel extremely disconnected with that side of my roots, and I definitely plan to restore that connection through music. Before she passed away, she told my father that her family was Sámi. When he told me that, I burst into tears. This was a turning point for my aspirations. I spend a lot of time wishing that I was closer with her and even more time figuring out how to fix that! I think that's my next endeavour for sure.”
What sort of reception have you had to your latest release? Are there any memorable moments that stand out?
“The online reception has been great, but more importantly, my family loves it! My mom even played it for her mother, and she was moved to tears. That truly touched me. Many people seem to be loving the music video, which makes me very happy. It was my first time doing choreography in a music video, and I’m so proud of how it turned out.”
Is there anything you would like to say to our audience? How can they connect with you and help support you?
“I hope my latest releases can move you—that’s always been my goal when writing. I want these songs to reach those who need them most. I invite you all to celebrate your roots and keep the spirit of your ancestors alive. Please take a moment to watch my music videos, share them with a friend, and stream the songs on any platform! This music means so much to my family and me, and I hope it can be special to you, too.”
Larsen Colonna's music is a powerful reminder that our past isn't just a story—it's a living part of who we are. His journey of grief and discovery has resulted in a beautiful and meaningful body of work that not only honours his grandmothers but also inspires us to embrace our own identities.
By channelling the spirit of his ancestors, Larsen is forging a path forward, proving that the most profound art is often born from the deepest personal truths. For anyone looking for a more meaningful connection to their roots, or simply a dose of hope in a chaotic world, his music is a powerful starting point.
For more, you can follow Larsen today on Instagram.
