yungatita

Career History

2010s: Origins & Bedroom Experiments

Valentina Zapata cultivated a distinctive sound from early musical roots and independent online releases.

“I needed a whole new start. The name 'yungatita' came to mind, so I went on everything... and it ended up sticking.”

Valentina Zapata, the Los Angeles-based artist known as yungatita, began her musical journey early, practicing piano at age five and writing songs by age 13. An East LA native, Zapata was active in the local music scene since the early 2010s, observing various punk rock acts. The moniker ‘yungatita’ was adopted in 2015 while Zapata was studying silversmithing in Mexico, seeking a personal and creative reset.

Operating as a multi-instrumentalist, Zapata started crafting music in her bedroom, utilizing basic recording setups. This period saw the release of early tracks on SoundCloud, including “Bedroom” in 2017, which gained initial attention. These early solo efforts established a lo-fi, retro sound that would characterize her initial public releases.

2020-2022: Lo-Fi Pop Breakthrough

The Over You EP launched yungatita into wider recognition, propelled by a viral hit.

“7 Weeks & 3 Days”

Yungatita’s debut EP, Over You, was released on January 3, 2020, featuring tracks that further defined her introspective bedroom pop style. Among these, the song “7 Weeks & 3 Days,” originally released as a single in 2018, unexpectedly gained significant traction and became a viral hit on TikTok in late 2021. This track, written solely by Zapata in her bedroom, showcased her ability to connect with audiences through melancholic themes and catchy melodies.

During this time, Zapata also began to formalize her live presence. She met future bandmates—keyboardist/guitarist Gil Simo, bassist David Lopez, and drummer Christian Gurrola—while touring as a keyboardist for fellow artist Katzu Oso in 2018. This collaboration laid the groundwork for yungatita to evolve from a solo project into a full band, while continuing to release singles like “Sigh Guy” (2021) and “Hell On Earth // Raindrop” (2022).

2023-Present: Amplified Sound & Debut Album

Yungatita embraced a full-band sound, culminating in their debut album Shoelace & A Knot.

“This is a good starting point to where I want to go in the future, and I can't wait to start working on the next album.”

By 2023, yungatita had solidified its lineup with the addition of childhood friend Ernie Gutierrez on guitar, alongside Simo, Lopez, and Gurrola. This full band configuration allowed for an expansion of their sound, moving towards a more robust alternative rock and pop-punk aesthetic, a natural progression from Zapata’s background in rock bands. They embarked on their first tour as a full band in 2023, releasing singles such as “Reckless” and “Whiplash” that year.

The culmination of this period was the release of their debut full-length album, Shoelace & A Knot, on January 3, 2024. The album showcased a louder, more distorted, and guitar-focused approach compared to earlier works, while retaining Zapata’s strong lyricism and emotional vocal delivery. Themes of escapism, recklessness, and personal reflection, often stemming from childhood experiences, remained central to their songwriting. Following the album’s release, yungatita continued touring nationwide in 2024 with other artists. Recent releases include singles like “Home Appliance” (2025), “Airplane Ears” (2025), and “7 Weeks & 3 Days Alternate Versions or Whatever” (2026).

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