By now, almost everyone in the music world has heard the iconic Italian-sounding “La Luna” sample, whether on TikTok, Instagram, or in countless songs it’s been flipped into. But not everyone knows the man behind it: Era, better known as Jamie van der Velden.
Early Life and First Steps into Music
Jamie van der Velden’s passion for music started early. As an 8-year-old boy, he dreamed of becoming a rock star, spending his days practicing guitar and imagining himself on stage. That passion never faded. At 15 years old, he shifted his creative energy into making beats, working out of his attic room in the Netherlands.
Armed with nothing but a laptop, a deep curiosity, and endless YouTube tutorials, Jamie began his journey into the world of digital music production. He connected with other musicians online, sold beats and samples, and slowly built his skills and reputation. It was a slow, learning-driven process, but one that laid the foundation for everything that was about to come.
The Rise of “La Luna”
In 2024, everything changed when Jamie, under the name Era, released the now-iconic “La Luna” sample. Featuring a mesmerizing, Italian-sounding melody, combined with modern UK sound, the sample quickly caught fire across social media. Producers, beatmakers, and artists worldwide jumped on it, helping it spread across TikTok, Instagram, and streaming platforms almost overnight.
The success was massive: “La Luna” became the best-selling sample ever on WAVS.com, setting a new standard for viral success in the sample industry. But while the sample was everywhere, most people still had no idea that it all came from the creative mind of Jamie van der Velden.
The Move to Kraków and Professional Growth
Recognizing that music was more than a passion, it was his future, Jamie made another major decision. In 2023, he attended ArtEZ Conservatory in the Netherlands, not to get a degree, but to expand his musical knowledge beyond what he could learn online.
After two transformative years, he decided, along with his best friend and current manager Giomero Brand, to move to Kraków, Poland. The goal: to take music seriously as a full-time business. No school. No distractions. Just focus. Since then, Era’s career has skyrocketed. He’s now credited with over 25 million streams across different platforms, and his influence in the industry continues to grow.
Future Plans: Staying Ahead of the Game
Today, Jamie van der Velden (Era) is considered one of the most dominant sample makers in the industry, alongside names like Cubeatz and Nico Baran. His inbox is constantly filled with requests from some of the most leading beatmakers and artists who want to tap into his sound.
But he’s not just resting on the success of “La Luna.” Era has already teased that “some even better things are on the drive,” hinting at new samples and sounds that could redefine his career even further.
While he plans to keep growing his artist profile on Spotify to let supporters find and follow him more easily, his main focus for the near future remains on creating timeless samples and elevating the sounds producers are building their careers on.
With his growing experience and instinct for knowing what the industry needs before it even asks, Jamie van der Velden continues to sharpen his craft behind the scenes. His approach isn’t just about quantity, it’s about timeless quality that resonates with both upcoming producers and chart-topping names. He treats each sample like a building block for someone else’s success story, understanding that real influence in music often starts where most listeners never look. As he continues to evolve, Era’s commitment to staying authentic, innovative, and ahead of the curve makes it clear: this is only the beginning.