She is 14 years old, has a sharp pen and a vocal maturity that surprises at every listen. Gemma Schito, an Italian-English singer-songwriter based in London, has just released « Mask », an introspective pop-rock track exploring identity, appearance, and self-liberation. A semi-finalist at the International Songwriting Competition 2025, she opens the doors of her universe with disarming honesty.
How did you start making music? What was the trigger?
GS : I found my passion for music at a very young age. The real trigger for writing original material was the Covid pandemic in Italy; during that time, music became my refuge, and I began composing both lyrics and melodies to express my deepest emotions.
What inspired you to write « Mask »? What was the starting point?
GS : I wrote « Mask » the moment I realized I was playing a role and changing my nature depending on who I was with. The starting point was the fear of not being ‘enough’ as I am, and the need to feel accepted by others, which led me to feel like « a villain in my own symphony » for betraying my true self. This feeling became stronger after moving to the UK. The initial language barriers and cultural differences between peers sometimes felt isolating, increasing my need for integration. Today, I feel perfectly integrated, but I want to value my differences as part of who I am, not hide them behind a ‘Mask’.
What is your way of composing? Do the lyrics come first, or the music?
GS : My process is instinctive and deeply emotional, guided by melody rather than a rigid structure. It often starts with a « strong contraction in the stomach » — a deep pull that makes me rush to the piano or a sketchbook to capture the moment before it fades. Sometimes the words arrive first, other times a melody comes out prepotently. « Mask » was written in just two hours; I needed to let it flow out of me to free myself from that intense feeling.
What place does the stage hold in your project and in your heart?
GS : The stage takes up a huge place in my heart and is the foundation of my project. It is where I share messages of authenticity, strength, and hope directly with my audience. On stage, I can share my inner world, my pains, and my strengths. When people stream my songs, I can’t feel their reaction, but on stage, I can look into their eyes and feel their excitement when they recognize themselves in my experiences. They are behind the ‘Mask’ with me, and together, we put it away. « È uno scambio di energie, io do tutta me stessa, ma loro mi restituiscono il doppio dell’energia ».
What is your greatest quality as an artist? And your biggest flaw?
GS : My greatest quality is my sincerity and at the same time my inner complexity that comes through my voice, allowing me to transform personal experiences into stories others can connect with. As for flaws, I am still learning to balance the discipline and sacrifices of the creative world with the reality of being a student. Moreover, I love creativity and don’t like repetition, but to give your best on stage, you need to practice and repeat as much as possible. If I could, I would write new songs every single day!
One object you can’t live without in your daily life?
GS : My song notebook. I use it to capture every instinctive emotion and melody the moment they arrive. I bring one with me everywhere, even when I travel.
The last three songs you listened to today?
GS : « Come As You Are » by Nirvana, « November Rain » by Guns N’ Roses, « Time Is Running Out » by Muse. They are in one of my playlists together with artists like Muse, Arctic Monkeys, and Adele, that I love.
Your favorite social network? Why?
GS : Instagram (@gemmas_official). It allows me to share my style and performances directly with my audience. I’ve even become ‘social-media pen pals’ with some of my super-followers and fans there.
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