Q&A: Olive Louise Crafts Sonic Havens for the Misfits with "Special"
IN HER LATEST SINGLE, “SPECIAL”, Olive Louise extends a soulful invitation to the misfits, the ones navigating the jagged edges of self-assurance. Rooted in personal experiences of feeling out of place, Olive's music becomes a sanctuary for those yearning to embrace their unique selves.
Beyond the auditory experience, Olive emphasizes the importance of visual storytelling. Her desire is to transport listeners into a world where her songs can breathe, a space where authenticity and rawness reign.
As she evolves musically, Olive leans into simplicity, gravitating towards honesty and a more raw sound. Her upcoming releases promise a deeper dive into the realms of vulnerability, offering real storytelling and an invitation to adventure.
In our interview with Olive we delve into the inspiration behind "Special" and her creative process, emphasizing the strength found in vulnerability.
LUNA: Your latest single, "Special," is a dedication to all the misfits and those yearning to feel more self-assured. Can you share the inspiration behind the song and how your personal experiences shaped its creation?
OLIVE LOUISE: I’ve always struggled with feeling nervous to show up places, especially if I'm invited out in a big group setting where I think I may not have someone to talk to and will end up trying to find someone to talk to. I wanted to get to a point where I wasn’t scared to be awkward, or to feel left out for moments. I wanted to feel like I wasn’t weird and that I had to figure out a way to be liked more or fit in better. That’s what Special really is. It’s like, hey, I’m okay, I am enough, I’ve got this.
LUNA: How does your past influence the themes and emotions you explore in your music, and how do you strike a balance between vulnerability and strength in your storytelling?
OLIVE LOUISE: I think that if you’re able to really let your guard down and share your true thoughts, that is such a strength. That is what makes for the best songs, in my opinion. If you’re saying something you’ve thought a thousand times but you’ve always been scared to say, that’s the song.
LUNA: The production in your music is noted for its soaring strings and floating harmonies, aligning with dream pop, indie folk, and Americana genres. How do you approach crafting the sonic landscape of your songs?
OLIVE LOUISE: I worked with Marky Style on a lot of the new music so I really owe a lot of that to him. Without him the songs wouldn’t be what they are today! We spent many hours fiddling with chords, and he created these beautiful transitions in the production around my vocals. The honesty and the communication in the studio is what made everything come together. More to come, that’s for sure.
LUNA: What role does visual storytelling play in conveying your artistic message?
OLIVE LOUISE: Visuals are everything to me. I love creating a strange world where my songs can live and breathe.
LUNA: What kind of atmosphere or emotional space do you aim to create for your listeners?
OLIVE LOUISE: I hope that people listen to my music when they’re alone on a long drive or walking somewhere without any distractions. I want my music to make people feel empowered to let go of whatever they think they have to be and reminds them that they can change their life to be whoever they want. Sometimes the people we are walking around in the world is different from who we actually are, and it shouldn’t be that way.
LUNA: How do you want them to connect with your music on a visceral level?
OLIVE LOUISE: I just want them to be able to feel whatever it is they need to while listening to my music.
LUNA: How do you feel your music has evolved, and what can your audience anticipate in terms of your sound and storytelling in future releases?
OLIVE LOUISE: My music has gotten more honest and more honed in. I’m gravitating more towards simplicity when it comes to my vocals. I don’t want my voice over processed and I want real musicians playing in my songs. I worked with this musician on ‘Moroccan Oranges’ and she brought this deep sadness to it that wouldn’t have come from automated strings. All of my upcoming music is going to feel a little more raw.
LUNA: What are you looking forward to in the coming months?
OLIVE LOUISE: I shot a music video and did the set design for it and my favorite scene is where all of my cats make appearances on screen. I can’t wait for it to come out. I’m looking forward to storyboarding and building out visuals for every song I have, as well as performing all of them live.
