{"id":78567,"date":"2020-05-13T20:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-13T19:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nijimagazine.com\/?p=78567"},"modified":"2020-05-14T16:13:06","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T15:13:06","slug":"rising-singer-songwriter-olivia-swann-talks-good-days-bad-days-musical-highlights-music-career-advice-and-her-latest-release-salty-feat-jane-handcock","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nijimagazine.com\/2020\/05\/rising-singer-songwriter-olivia-swann-talks-good-days-bad-days-musical-highlights-music-career-advice-and-her-latest-release-salty-feat-jane-handcock\/","title":{"rendered":"Rising singer-songwriter Olivia Swann talks good days & bad days, musical highlights, music career advice and her latest release ‘Salty’ feat. Jane Handcock"},"content":{"rendered":"

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What inspired you to begin a career in music?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since day dot, music has been my little imaginary friend\/sidekick. Growing up I was obsessed with my Walkman and buying\/collecting Singles\/Albums\/Compilation CD\u2019s, I was literally non- responsive whenever I had my Walkman in, it actually became a running joke. So that love was with me all throughout my childhood.<\/p>\n

I had my first ideas of really taking music seriously when I found out about an audition for Berklee College of Music<\/a> whilst I was working in Paris. One of the Berklee faculty was really impressed with me, and put in a recommendation with my application. In January 2014, they offered me a place, and it was then that I really started to pursue music seriously, as I had previously gotten a place at a really prestigious business program at the University of Exeter, but my gut was shouting at me to take the place at Berklee. So, honestly, from then on I never looked back and moved to Boston, attended Berklee and here we are now!<\/p>\n

What differs you and your sound from other upcoming artists in the music industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n

For me, I think it\u2019s so important to stand out sonically, and to have your own flavour. I feel like the ultimate achievement is when someone can hear a snippet of your music and immediately go \u2018oh yeah, that\u2019s Olivia Swann\u2019. I think this takes time though, like you\u2019re not going to discover \u2018you\u2019 overnight, it\u2019s for sure a process. And that sound is bound to change over time as well, but I think this starts with what you are influenced by. It goes without saying that my musical makeup, from everything I\u2019ve been listening to over the years has shaped my sound today.<\/p>\n

I am definitely being as authentic as possible with my sound, I feel that my voice is very distinct, my tone and feeling in my songs makes my music recognisable and relatable, and I\u2019m not trying to ride anyone else\u2019s waves. I think the coolest thing is exploring yourself, and seeing where your own sound can go and grow. I\u2019ve always been comfortable with exploring me and my sound and staying original in my own way. I\u2019m so attracted to that originality and comfortability of self.<\/p>\n

My musical influences and inspirations are so vast, and encompass so many genres. R&B, Pop and Hip Hop are what I grew up listening to. I skipped the whole Rock\/Emo phase as a kid and was instead obsessed with rappers such as The Game, 50 Cent, 2Pac and Eminem. When I was at college though, I started to really get into Jazz, Gospel, and other genres I\u2019d never even considered I could connect with like Brazilian music. I think it\u2019s a beautiful thing being influenced by so many different genres, I think that it\u2019s one of the best ways to create an authentic sound, something that represents you.<\/p>\n

The harmony in jazz has definitely influenced my writing, artists such as Amy Winehouse really opened my eyes to that bridge of pop\/jazz and how simple jazz chords can be so impactful. The flow and swag\/attitude of hiphop has most definitely influenced my writing style as well as my vocal delivery. The melodies in R&B have had a huge impact on me and my vocal choices, and I think pop music in terms of its form\/structure and melody has for sure influenced me sonically.<\/p>\n

Some of my biggest inspirations have such an amalgamation of sounds that all blend in to creating their own unique sonic footprint that makes them so timeless and identifiable which I love! Artists like Erykah Badu, Chet Baker and Outkast really are the epitome of this for me.<\/p>\n

Your latest release \u2018Salty\u2019 feat. Jane Handcock<\/a> is out now. Can you please describe the creative process and explain the inspiration behind the single?<\/strong><\/p>\n

So ‘Salty’ is unfortunately a true story, created as a result of a shitty housemate experience stealing my sneakers! As a self-diagnosed sneakerhead, I just had to do something with my feelings, as it is honestly one of the worst things she could have done to me. Like, seriously, why not steal someone\u2019s Crocs, sandals, hoodie or anything else?!<\/p>\n

I was sharing a house with a girl who stole my brand new, unworn pair of red & black, Retro, Flu Game Jordan 12\u2019s. Which was bad enough, until she posted selfies wearing her \u2018new shoes\u2019 all over Instagram and was getting so many double taps & comments about \u2018her\u2019 amazing style. I wrote it in California with writers Darcy Callus, Maya Batra plus Jane Handcock, (who features on it) and it was one of the quickest songs I\u2019ve written! I guess when something is so fresh and has happened to you, it\u2019s a very easy creative flow. Then Jane came in & really added some sauce to the track!<\/p>\n

I felt that throwback West Coast\/R&B vibe on Salty, so collaborated with one of my favourite producers, Symphony, who\u2019s also out in LA, who then made my sonic dreams come to life! I had a rough start with this story, but the best things ended up happening from it; I made Salty, I eventually bought another pair of the Jordans & designed my own Salty kicks!<\/p>\n