Olivia Reid is a soulful vocalist and songwriter whose music blends indie acoustics with electronic pop, creating a sound as steady as a heartbeat. Based in New York City, her introspective lyrics and captivating production have earned her recognition as an artist who connects deeply with listeners.
Reid’s collaborations, including with Kidswaste, Jae Luna, and SŸDE, have garnered global attention, while her live performances alongside acts like Slenderbodies and Giant Rooks further highlight her versatility. Beyond her music, Reid has also made waves as the host of Spotify's Song Start podcast, where she explores creativity and artistry in conversations with industry giants like Sam Smith and Hayley Williams. Following the release of her debut EP Earth Water in 2021 and the evocative TO BE NAMED BY THE PEOPLE in 2023, Reid is now preparing a new project inspired by her time in the Polish countryside. This upcoming EP, with its folk-influenced sound, promises a collection of calming, soul-soothing songs.
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WHAT OR WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO MUSIC?
I was just always listening to music - on the radio, my portable CD player, to my iPod. That constant input of music I think prompted me to pick up patterns of song structure and made me want to write my own music any time there was silence. I learned guitar because the artists I loved played guitar – whether it was Stevie Nicks or John Mayer, Colbie Callait or Tracy Chapman. I started writing (terrible!) songs when I was about 6 years old, and I wasn’t a good singer. But I just kept playing, kept singing, kept writing – and it became such a big part of my life.
WHAT DRIVES YOU TO CREATE, AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS FOR YOURSELF IN MUSIC?
I know I’ll always make music and be inspired to create - whether or not I release what I make. It feels like a necessity to process the world and describe emotions that are otherwise hard to describe. Success is a moving target, but it’s starting to feel like a “flow state”. A fluid cycle of capturing ideas, making things, and sharing them with others, in a way that feels authentic.
PERFORMING ARTIST, SONGWRITER, PRODUCER, SOUND ENGINEER, AND PODCAST HOST -- IF WE DIDN'T KNOW BETTER, WE'D SAY YOUR BLOOD RUNS PURE CREATIVE INTENTIONS! DO YOU BELIEVE IT'S IMPORTANT FOR CREATIVES TO TRY OTHER FORMS OF ART IN ADDITION TO THEIR OWN? HAVE YOU LEARNED OR GAINED ANY NEW SKILLS FROM ONE ART FORM -- SAY AS A PODCAST HOST -- THAT'S INFLUENCED ANOTHER, LIKE YOUR MUSIC?
That’s really kind, thank you – I love imagining my red blood cells as tiny artístes! I absolutely believe in the power of trying different things. The past few years I’ve been working on creative strategy projects from digital projects to museums, to venues, and even started screenwriting. That said sometimes I’m spread too thin and see the value in focusing my energy in one direction. But the variety forces me to be a quick learner, to maintain autonomy in my work, keep me adaptable, and increase my resilience to roadblocks. Everything serves as input or inspiration for the music. The podcast, for example, I know that advice I was able to get from talking to Sam Smith or Hayley Williams, or Victoria Monét has definitely made its way into my view on artistry, and I value that input immensely.
CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR LATEST PROJECT(S) AND WHAT YOU HOPE LISTENERS TAKE AWAY FROM THEM?
They are intended to be soft songs for the soul. I wrote the songs I needed to hear to get myself out of a cycle of anxiety, and create a soft place to land. I hope they feel like a good friend telling you “it’s going to be okay”, and give people the sensation of a deep breath, like you’re sitting outside, solar-charging on a sunny day.
HOW HAS YOUR MUSIC EVOLVED SINCE YOUR DEBUT EP EARTH WATER?
Earth Water was very grounded in learning, I was learning how to engineer in a studio and exploring what my sound was for the first time. The next project TO BE NAMED BY THE PEOPLE felt like abandoning all the rules, making folk music that was also electronic music, to attempt to make something that was easy-listening and also cinematic-weird at the same time. Today – this current project with songs like “Love Don’t Leave”, “Quite Simple” and “All in Time” — feels like a re-grounding. It’s organic and acoustic still, but now it feels like a more grown up version of Earth Water.
ARE THERE ANY SPECIFIC MOMENTS OR ACHIEVEMENTS FROM THE PAST FEW YEARS THAT YOU’RE ESPECIALLY PROUD OF?
After the song “Above the Clouds” with SŸDE went Gold in Australia, hanging that gold record on the wall has been such a nice reminder that I’ve come a long way.
SOMETIMES BEING IN THIS BUSINESS CAN BE OVERWHELMING. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR MAINTAINING PERSPECTIVE AND NOT SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF?
I’m not going to lie – I am overwhelmed often! But having a clear “why” statement helps to recenter on what’s important. I always come back to “why am I doing this?”. Hearing the impact it’s had on my family or friends in good times and bad. When I hear that my grandparents listen to my music to lower their heart rate, or my friends listen to cope with anxiety, or my partner listens to feel close to me - it feels meaningful to share the music even if only for my immediate community. That helps to remember stream counts, or a closed door, or a missed opportunity isn’t the end-all-be-all.
WHAT’S SOMETHING NEW OR UNEXPECTED THAT EXCITES YOU IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY RIGHT NOW?
As scary as it can be, it feels like the music industry is at a turning point. A lot of the old business structures don’t work anymore, streaming is different, marketing is different – but I have hope that means entirely new innovation in the music industry is around the corner.
WHAT HAS BEING WITH A PUBLISHING ADMINISTRATOR, LIKE SONGTRUST, ALLOWED YOU TO DO AS AN ARTIST?
As a self-managed and self-released artist, there are some royalties out there that are just wildly difficult to collect on your own. Songtrust has become an extension of my team, by collecting those royalties that would’ve otherwise never found their way to me. It’s also allowed me to continue to do international work - writing with artists all over the world - and know that Songtrust will help me chase the royalties that come from that work.
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