“Being able to remember your self worth is so important so I wrote a song about that among other experiences of wanting to feel more self-assured,” shares Olive Louise, a very reflective young artist who expresses her personal journey into her music. Her story is one of resilience and emotional depth. Olive’s experiences, particularly the loss of her parents before she was 15, resonate deeply with those who have faced similar trials. Having also lost a parent before the age of 15, I find a personal connection to her, allowing me a deeper understanding of the emotional landscapes she makes her way in her music. “I open up easily and shut down quickly. It’s all made for some really strange music,” she confides, revealing the complexity of her character and her approach to songwriting.
Olive’s latest release, “Special,” shows her ability to transform pain into something empowering. The song captures her vulnerable, emotional side with a distinctive roughness in her voice, drawing listeners into her universe. Her music is not just a reflection of her struggles but an inspiration for strength and humanity and allows us a glimpse into Olive’s world. One that is as rugged as it is heartfelt, showing us the beauty of turning adversity into art.
In our interview, we discuss Olive’s creative influences, her distinct songwriting process, and her vision for changes she believes are needed in the music industry.
Photography by Alisha Kabir
In your new single ‘Special,’ you express feelings of being out of place and a desire for comfort in your own skin. Can you share a specific moment that inspired this song?
I felt really pretty and my skin was cooperating. I just felt really good this particular night. I went to meet up with a friend at a bar in Manhattan and some guy sat down with his friend at our table and started showering my friend with compliments. He asked her her name, where she was from, said she was really pretty, and continued to stay and chat for a while.
I don’t know how to explain why something like that could so quickly deflate my confidence but it did. I internalized it, of course, as not being worth saying hello to. Which was very irrational. Being able to remember your self worth is so important so I wrote a song about that among other experiences of wanting to feel more self assured.
You mentioned creating a character in ‘Special’ who embodies understanding and escape. I find a profound connection with the theme of escape, something that resonates deeply within me. Often, I find myself yearning to break free from the confines of my surroundings, the place where I was born, and the routine of my daily life. This desire for escape isn’t just a fleeting thought; it’s a recurring sentiment that shapes my perspective and experiences. Could you share a time when you felt a strong desire to escape? And how do you find resolution in these moments of longing?
I really wanted to escape the wilderness program I was sent to. I think that when you want to escape, you find a way to do it even if you can’t really leave. Like, I was really hungry and my friend who I made there who I’ll call E, E and I would sneak and eat our rationed oats and chicken bouillon from our pack and hide it in our shirts during the hikes we had to do and we would pretend they were the snack goldfish and we would ask each-other how the chips were even though we were eating dry oats. I would tell stories and sing at night to the other girls in the program and we would find the small things to be excited about, like if one of us remembered the words to a song so I could sing it properly. Sometimes the moss/algae at the bottom of our drinking spots would look really beautiful and when we filled our bottles it felt like we were disrupting a painting. On days where our water was brown I would cross fingers that the next one would be clear or that it would snow so I could have clear water! The escape is really just trying to find the comedy in the chaos and not focusing on the things you can’t change. Everything changes. Eventually.
“The escape is really just trying to find the comedy in the chaos and not focusing on the things you can’t change. Everything changes. Eventually.”
I understand that you’ve faced significant personal challenges in your life. If you’re comfortable sharing, could you talk about how these experiences have shaped you as an artist and an individual? Please feel free to share only what you’re comfortable with, as I deeply respect your privacy and personal boundaries.
I open up easily and shut down quickly. I will give all the kindness I have in me and do it sincerely but if that is broken or I feel used, I won’t stick around. It’s all made for some really strange music.
Your visual style is described as ‘eerily nostalgic’ with a ‘Victorian-like disheveled “au natural” look.’ “Can you discuss the role of visual imagery in your music videos and stage performances?
If a song doesn’t instantly conjure a short film in my head, It isn’t getting finished. I wrote a song that isn’t out yet called “Charades” and I already know what I want the video to look like because it played in my head while I wrote it. It will be on a skating rink with choreography that should have moments where it looks like malfunctioning animatronics. I always feel a little like I’m searching for the ground. I always hope it will still be there tomorrow. I’m scared of being depressed and falling into a rut. I try to capture this slightly off kilter element that is me, in all of my videos and artwork and most importantly, the music.
What role does self-reflection play in your songwriting process?
I visit the past often to write the songs I write so I would say without self reflection I would hit a wall creatively.
“I would like to see less push on quantity and less pressure on artists to just throw things at the wall until something sticks.”
Do you see the vast amount of new music as a challenge or an opportunity for your own creative process?
If I felt like I had to fit my music into what’s doing well commercially it would be really stifling. Thankfully I don’t want to or have to.
What changes would you like to see in the music industry, especially for independent artists?
I would like to see less push on quantity and less pressure on artists to just throw things at the wall until something sticks. I would like for artists teams to really offer them support and help them to build. I couldn’t imagine Amy Winehouse creating TikToks about why you should listen to her music. If you can do it and it feels natural to you, amazing, but if not, I feel like it’s harder to break through the noise. Artists should be paid more for streams. I think everyone knows this. There’s so much that I feel needs to change.
Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
I grew up not being allowed to listen to anything other than classical music and show-tunes so I fell in love with the music in “The Sound Of Music” by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II. Edelweiss is my favorite. Later on I started watching music videos and found Regina Spektor’s song “Laughing With” and the early Sia song “Breathe Me”. I felt like those two songs spoke directly to me. I was so angry and so sad and I had kept it all inside while being bubbly with everyone around me, and then those songs showed me what music could do and I wanted to write music like that. Corrine Bailey Rae, Norah Jones, Fiona Apple, Judy Garland have also been major inspirations.
“Treat those you love well… Remind them that they matter and that if they want to go for it, they should.”
It seems we both have a soft spot for cats! Do your furry friends play a role in your creative life?
So I have 8 cats now and I would say they play a ginormous role in my life in general. My older Calico cat Maisey always comes over to me when I sing and she’s been there beside me through so many songwriting sessions. I should give her co-writing credit! I also made sure to feature them all in a new music video coming out soon.
The most important thing in life?
Treat those you love well. Those around you only have one life as far as we know so do what you can to lift them up and help them do what they want to in life. Remind them that they matter and that if they want to go for it, they should.
Thank you so much for your time!
