Interview & Article by Brittany Ormiston

Olive Klug is a queer singer-songwriter and contemporary folk artist who effortlessly brings their music to life with fearless storytelling. Their delicate tone is accompanied by lyrics filled with self-reflection and growth, the confusion that comes along with adulthood, and the importance of advocating for yourself and others. Olive recently released ‘Coming of Age’ in January, which illustrates the frustration associated with growing up while wondering if any of it is worth it in the end. Their next single, ‘Parched,’ peers into a relationship that takes every ounce of yourself, but yet is somehow still not enough. Following the release date of ‘Parched’ in February, Olive is set to deliver their debut album later this year. This body of work will be anthemic and a vital crutch for those who need the courage to jump in the driver’s seat, and take control of their own lives in every way possible.

‘Parched’ illustrates themes of loneliness and discontent, and also includes that moment you gather up the courage to leave the relationship. Therefore, you come out the other side stronger. What are some ways you pick up the pieces, and put yourself back together after a hard day, end of a friendship etc.?

Olive: “I know I’m supposed to be talking about my own song, but this question makes me think of a line from a Lorde song: in “Hard Feelings/Loveless” she says “I light all the candles, get flowers for all my rooms. I care for myself the way I used to care about you”. I think this really exemplifies how to pick up the pieces after the end of something. The best thing you can do is put the time, energy, and care into your own wellbeing that you used to put towards the other person.”

One-sided relationships tend to leave us desolate and alone. ‘Parched’ includes a variety of “empty glass metaphors.” What was the creative process for including those metaphors in the track?

Olive: “I always struggle to describe my creative process, because as cliche as it sounds, oftentimes lyrics truly do just pop into my head, and this one came to me when I was driving. I remember exactly which intersection I was at in Portland when I started singing the chorus to myself. I am someone who has always struggled with sleep, and I tend to get super dehydrated at night. I think we can all relate to grasping at the glass by your bedside table in the middle of the night. When I am in a relationship that’s having any type of problems, I tend to stay up late and perseverate about my feelings, spiraling until I work myself up too much to fall asleep, when the person I’m with is sound asleep next to me. This lyric compares that feeling to the feeling of looking beside you and seeing a glass of water within reach, but realizing that it’s empty and won’t help you feel fulfilled and at peace enough to fall asleep.”

Describe your collaboration and experience with Shannon Kelly (dancer), and Marie Spieldenner (choreographer) on the partnered lyrical dance representation of ‘Parched.’

Olive: “This was such a fun experience for me. I used to do lyrical dance in middle and high school and actually connected more deeply with some of my favorite songs through dance. Doing this music video was honestly just a fun excuse for me to get back into the world of lyrical dance. Marie and Shannon are both so kind and talented, and I felt so comfortable and inspired working with them! I think I was also able to more deeply connect with my own song through learning and performing the dance. It’s really inspired me to seek out more spaces to move my body freely as a means to connect with music, whether it’s alone in my room or in a dance class.”

You pull inspiration from artists, such as Lizzy McAlpine, to create your own musical style. Producer Ehren Ebbage played a huge role in several of Lizzy’s albums, and also helped produce your single ‘Parched.’ What was it like working alongside Ehren, and how did his expertise influence the track?

Olive: “I feel so lucky to work with Ehren because he really inspires me to find my own unique sound, rather than just recycling methods he used on Lizzy’s album/ other previous albums. I have never considered my strengths to be in production, but he has been instrumental (no pun intended) in encouraging me to play most of the instruments (even ones I don’t necessarily know how to play) on my album and find repeating motifs throughout the album. He’s incredibly creative and dedicated to thinking outside the box of classic production paradigms. For example, early on in the production process we found that we really loved the flute sound on this old 90’s casio keyboard. If you listen closely, you can hear this on at least 4 of the songs on the album, including Parched. I also wanted to provoke an underlying sense of nostalgia somehow, and we discovered this beautiful spinning sound that came out of a vintage Leslie speaker. We’ve incorporated this sound on the majority of the album and although it’s very subtle, it makes a huge contribution to that cozy nostalgia I’m going for with my music.”

Your highly anticipated debut album will be released this year. What are a few details you can share about this body of work?

Olive: “Ooooh it’s highly anticipated? I had no idea!!! What I can share about this body of work is that it’s a better representation of my mental/emotional state in 2021, which is when I wrote a majority of the songs. During this time, I was deconstructing a lot of the expectations and models for adulthood I’d created in my head in high school and college. The pandemic forced many of us to re-imagine our lives in this way, especially all of the young people “Coming of Age” in a very confusing landscape. I think the album is about attempting to make sense of the current world, rebelling against the ways that it holds people back, and finding the beauty and magic in it in the face of all its flaws. I also view the album as both an ode to one’s inner child and an encouragement to bring your inner child to the surface rather than lock them inside.”

What are two things you learned since being immersed in the world of social media the past few years, specifically TikTok?

Olive: “Well, the biggest thing I’ve learned is that I’m addicted to the validation that comes from social media and I’m working hard on my relationship with it. Tiktok and Instagram have become a part of the job description of musicians in today’s landscape. I am working on being able to post to social media as a part of my job description without letting the reaction/lack thereof define how I feel about my career and my art. The algorithm is fickle, impersonal, and ever-changing, and I am learning to find intrinsic value in my art rather than looking to the internet for validation.

On the more positive side, I’ve learned that TikTok is an incredible tool for community-building. Most of the people I’m closest to today are people I’ve met through tiktok, including my partner, musical collaborators, and some of my closest friends. It also has helped me connect in a direct and vulnerable way with thousands of fans. I’m really grateful for this aspect of social media, and I nerd out all the time about meeting my internet friends in person because how cool is it that someone who was just a face on a screen two years ago is now my best friend!!! Woah.”

You greatly treasure all of your supporters, and work hard to create a safe space for them. How would you say your upbringing in the Pacific Northwest has inspired the building of this community?

Olive: “Thank you so much! I’m not sure my upbringing in the Pacific Northwest specifically has inspired this community building in any specific way, but I think the biggest thing that has impacted this intentional community-building is my experience as a camp counselor in the pacific northwest. That’s probably been my favorite job I’ve ever had (other than this one) and I want to create a safe community where people can access their feelings, find themselves, and connect with each other in a similar way with my fans that I did with my campers a couple years ago.”

You are going on tour in just a few weeks. What are you most looking forward to?

Olive: “Meeting fans, hearing their stories, and singing my songs with them. Best feeling in the world!”

Olive Klug

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