A Quick Chat With Olivia De Melo & Keeley Connolly:

Olivia De Melo and Keeley Connolly have crafted the perfect late-night lullaby with their new single ‘Coffee’. A smooth, contemplative blend of lo-fi alt-pop and dreamy indie melodies, the track brings together their signature styles with the laid-back rap flow of Tanzanian artist Muranji and the soulful R&B vocals of Melbourne-based Michael Kay. Known fixtures of the Western Australian music scene, Olivia and Keeley’s effortless chemistry shines through, delivering a song that feels like a quiet moment of reflection after the chaos of the night. With lyrics that explore life’s little stumbles and the comfort of knowing you’ll always find your way, ‘Coffee’ is a hazy, heartfelt ode to the beauty in life’s imperfections. We caught up with Olivia and Keeley to talk about the track, their creative process, and what’s next.

Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
For us, this track is about those in-between moments — when you’re sipping your coffee, replaying last night’s decisions, maybe cringing at a drunk text or two, but also having a quiet laugh at yourself. It’s a little cheeky, but underneath it’s about learning to let go of the overthinking and trusting that you’ll figure things out. We want people to feel that ease — like, yeah, life gets messy, but you’re exactly where you need to be.

Who are some of your influences, and why?
We’re both drawn to artists who make you feel something without trying too hard. Think Julia Jacklin, Clairo, and Phoebe Bridgers for their honest, stripped-back storytelling. There’s something about the way they make the quiet moments hit hardest. We also vibe with the rawness of artists like Anderson .Paak and the smooth grooves of Hiatus Kaiyote — they remind us not to take ourselves too seriously and to leave space for play. Those influences definitely shaped how this track came together — laid-back but intentional. Remember Kid Cudi? We actually pay ode to his track "Pursuit of Happiness" - we felt like the lazy Sunday beat really reflected that old school vibe.

What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
We set the intention to meet in Keeley's bus studio (an old-school bus converted into a music studio) set in the beautiful Perth hills amoungst trees and nature. We laid down the electronic drum beat first, added the guitar riff and liked where it was going. The chilled nature of the song practically wrote the lyrics itself, along with the influence of our deep chat about life and mental health we had an hour earlier. From there, we built organically, layering harmonies, chasing the vibe, and letting the song shape itself. It happened so quickly. We finished the demo that same afternoon. This track came together like that — natural, unforced, just the right mix of chaos and clarity.

What do you think makes a great song?
A great song makes you feel something, even if you’re not sure what at first. It’s honest, a little imperfect, and sticks with you in that quiet, lingering way — like a conversation you keep thinking about hours later. Simplicity over polish, always. Nostalgic is the word that comes to mind.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
Do they have to be alive? Avicii! Does it need an explanation? Imagine lush indie folk melodies and harmonies over an Avicii number - he'd take it somewhere magical.

When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
Keeley is the co-director of a not-for-profit organisation called Desert Waves, which focuses on providing music opportunities, management, touring and recording for Aboriginal artists and bands in the Pilbara. Olivia is a special needs teacher, mum of three tiny people, and has just taken on management duties of her husband, Reuben De Melo, who won The Voice Australia.

Who are some local bands we should check out?
WA’s music scene is seriously thriving right now. Sophian has this dreamy, nostalgic sound we can’t get enough of. Hey Hannah is absolutely smashing it on Australian Idol. Reuben De Melo, fresh off his win on The Voice, brings this raw, soulful energy that’s even better live. And Sash Seabourne — his songwriting just stops you in your tracks. We’re lucky to be surrounded by so much talent over here.

Winter or summer and why?

Olivia:
Definitely summer. Give me long days, ocean swims, and late-night jams in the backyard any day. There’s something about the warmth and freedom of summer that just makes everything feel lighter.

Keeley:
I’m all about winter. Big jumpers, slow mornings, and writing music while it’s raining outside — it’s my kind of vibe. There’s a calmness in winter that makes it easier to go inward and get creative.

What do you have planned for 2025?
For 2025, we’re all about pushing boundaries and exploring new sounds. We’ve got some exciting collaborations lined up, including a few surprise features that we’re keeping under wraps for now. We’ll also be dropping more singles and working on a full project that feels like a true reflection of where we’re at creatively. Beyond that, we’re hitting the road for some live shows — can’t wait to connect with everyone in person and share the new music!

Interviewsaustralianmusicscene21 March 2025