A Quick Chat with Olivia De Melo
Boorloo-based indie pop artist Olivia De Melo has teamed up with Wesley Black on a bubbly, feel-good single ‘SOAK’. Known for her honeyed alt-pop vocals, enriched with harmonies and captivating melodies, De Melo has graced stages alongside Australian favourites like Dulcie and Nick Cunningham. It’s been a busy year for her this year so far and this latest collaboration with alt hip-pop artist Wesley Black, is a sun-soaked anthem exuding positivity and radiating good vibes. The track's infectious energy celebrates making the most of life, even in the face of financial constraints - something we all can relate to at the moment. We caught up with De Melo to find out more about the track, her influences and more.
Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
At face value, SOAK is simply about soaking up the sunshine. It was one of those tunes that just came out in 10 minutes. It came from a much darker place, however.
I wrote it to remind us that, even in tough times (which we are certainly in with the forever rising cost of living etc.), the summer, the sunshine, and good times will always be coming back around. "We're living on a dime, but we're doing it in style".
It's an upbeat, energetic summer anthem, and I hope it makes people feel warm and fuzzy like a summer's day.
Who are some of your influences and why?
Depends on what musical mood I'm in, but I love a bit of old soul in the realms of Etta James and James Brown, and Amy Winehouse's modern take of soul pop. Then I'll have me a cup of 90's RnB as well - Ashanti and Mariah Carey for example. Though, right now I'm really feeling Gracie Abrams for her pop melodies and lyrics, as well as Tyler Childers for a bit of edgy indie folk and blues grit.
What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
It's different for each song - but a popular way of writing for me is feeling a melody whilst driving in the car, coming up with a few lyrical lines and putting the voice note in my phone. If I'm lucky, the song will be written by the time the car ride is over. I'll add basic guitar and then take it to the studio where, depending on the genre-vision I have for the track, I'll start off recording guitar and vocals; or if it's more electronic I might even start with the drums. I really believe that you need to cater to each song and not be too rigid in your approach for a song's uniqueness to shine through.
What do you think makes a great song?
In my opinion, cause music is all about personal taste, I reckon it's a prominent hook melody that moves you and has you remembering it long after it's over, and lyrics that make you go, 'They literally wrote this song about me', or, 'That's never happened to me, but damn I feel their heartache and I'm crying along with them.'
Of course, there are happy timeless songs too, but that idea still stands - there's something about its universal relatability that makes you feel what they (the artist/s) feel.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Do they have to be alive? Amy Winehouse for her rawness, poetic writing ability and roots, pop and soul vibes.
When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
I love photography and do that on the side, and I also love being a radio presenter for RTRfm, where I mostly play Aussie artists. By day, I'm a teacher at both university (teaching marketing and entertainment) and schools (teaching students with special needs).
Who are some local bands we should check out?
This is gonna sound biased for obvious reasons, but hear me out...
My partner, Reuben De Melo, is an absolute freak of a musician. He has a voice that makes butter melt, he's a guitar lord and self-taught (he played classical violin from childhood but now just plays anything he picks up), but mostly, he writes good tunes. If you like indie folk with a bit of blues and roots, sometimes even pop and reggae on the side, then check him out on your preferred listening platform.
Winter or summer and why?
SUMMER. Hands down.
All I know is how it makes me feel and what images come to mind... warm, positive, hopeful, ocean, sand, salty lips, golden skin and nature.
What else do you have planned for 2023?
I've just finished up the last show for our 2023 West Coast Tour, so now my focus is on getting the next few tracks out over coming months and hopefully planning another tour in Europe. I'm gonna enjoy the summer, and hopefully play a bunch of festivals and shows in the meantime!
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