Olivia O’Brien is no stranger to turning raw emotion into compelling music, and her latest EP, everywhere i go, there i am is no exception. Delving deeply into themes of mental health, self-reflection, and vulnerability, the EP serves as a warm hug and a reminder we aren't alone in our feelings. Anchored by poignant singles like “lower” and “all the time,” the EP showcases Olivia’s ability to transform her personal experiences into profoundly relatable music. Through this deeply personal body of work, Olivia offers listeners not just music but a sense of understanding and connection. We had a short but sweet chat with Olivia about the project.
This EP seems to be one of your most personal works to date. What inspired you to dive so deeply into these themes of mental health and vulnerability right now?
These songs were written over the past two years, so they are not something I am necessarily choosing to talk about “right now”… they are something that is a constant part of my life.
You released “lower” during National Suicide Prevention Month and “all the time” around World Mental Health Day. How did timing these releases with such important dates influence the way you connected with your audience?
I honestly didn’t think about those things when I first conceptualized this project. It was serendipitous that those dates coincided. Maybe it was meant to be.
In “all the time,” you discuss how harmful habits can start small and build into something more serious. Could you share more about how you crafted the lyrics and the message you hope listeners take away?
I wrote it originally as a poem and had the idea to do “glass of wine” to “bottle of wine” to “case of wine.” I don’t write songs with the hope that they will teach someone something important or that they will have some magical takeaway. I write about my own life and my own experiences/thoughts in the hopes that other people will relate and maybe feel less alone. Most of our problems in life do not have a tangible solution, but it helps to know that we all experience the same feelings.
With everywhere i go, there i am, you emphasize the importance of honest self-reflection. What was the process like for you in transforming these personal journeys into music?
It was the same as it has always been… music is just a form of therapy and catharsis for me. I just wrote how I was feeling, and this was it! It’s not something that I put too much thought into or pressure on.
How do you hope this EP resonates with fans, particularly those who might be experiencing similar struggles? Do you have any advice for those facing mental health challenges?
I just hope that maybe they feel less alone, and at the very least, I can provide a soundtrack to sad nights. I wish that I was able to give advice, but I still struggle every single day and honestly have gotten even worse since writing these songs… which is, I guess, what “lower” is about.
Your music has been a voice for your generation. How do you view your role as an artist addressing complex topics like mental health, and how has this evolved over time?
I have never considered myself a voice for my generation, and it’s hard for me to think about my work on a grander scale like that. I don’t think about my “role” very often either… I started writing music for myself, and the fact that people enjoy and relate to my music is a bonus! I think the biggest evolution in my role is simply the fact that I have grown up a lot as a person and, in turn, in my music.
How do you feel your music and themes have evolved through your career so far?
My music has matured along with me. I started when I was sixteen, and my music was very much from a teenage perspective. I don’t necessarily relate to a lot of my older music, but it still represents who I was at the time. I think that my work reflects what I am going through at any stage of my life.
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