Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Oliver Horton. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Oliver thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

During my first year at Knox College I discovered my love for music in the choir, with friends, and in jazz combos. My bass teacher, Andy Crawford, asked me if I wanted to play the school’s upright bass. I immediately fell in love with the sound; so rich, low, and deep. I devoured scales, etudes, and songs. Although most of my time was spent playing upright bass, I also explored guitar, piano, singing, and songwriting. I discovered I had an endless drive to learn more about music.

I stayed on campus over the summer to practice with a friend, Zach Lawrence, who became my accountability partner. We set out to practice eight hours per day, five days a week. On one of my off days, I was writing a song with my girlfriend, Lydia Lane Stout. Collaborating on the lyrics, chords, and harmonies showed me that through music and collaboration I could find lifelong fulfillment. I dedicated my life to music.

Oliver, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My wife–also an independent musician–and I have built a life in Chicago around music making and community. Together we operate our own music studio where we teach lessons to students of all ages and stages. I teach bass, guitar, piano, music production and songwriting. My teaching philosophy is centered around encouraging my students’ authentic interests.

I write, record, and produce my original music. My debut solo record, Still Mountain, was released last year, which reflects my journey to heal from a band breakup and find acceptance in the part I played in our downfall. From my home studio in Logan Square, I wrote, performed, and recorded all layers except for the drums, which were done by Reuben Garza and Tim Bennett. All six songs were demoed through my Patreon, starting in October 2018, which has kept me accountable to my artistic goals. The album is available for purchase on Bandcamp, on my Patreon, and available on all streaming platforms.

I am fortunate to have found three supportive communities where I can collaborate with brilliant musicians and good friends. I play upright bass in Bowmanville, which consists of violin, harmonica, singing, guitar, bass, and drums. We released our self-titled record last year. We are rooted in swing music with flavors of funk, blues, metal, and pop. A live band with high energy and exciting soloists, Bowmanville is not to be missed!

Gone Valley is an instrumental space-twang folk band centered around beautiful melodies, grooves, and ambience. I play bass, synthesizer, and effects alongside two guitars, harmonica and drums. We recently released our first single, Cereus, from our upcoming album. The single is available for purchase on Bandcamp.

I am a founding member of common pulse, a program of Chicago Artists for Action. We started as a professional vocal ensemble in 2014 and we have grown to become a multimedia collaborative community of musicians and artists dedicated to innovation. In this group, I get to exercise all of my creative talents and make mission-driven music. It’s also a chance for me to take a masterclass in compassionate leadership from our visionary founding artistic director, Lydia Lane Stout. We weave together original music and poetry. You can listen to a common pulse collaborative project called Letters from Heaven featuring Chicago poet Catlin Watts and guitar player and producer Nick Odizor on all streaming platforms.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a musician is expressing myself alongside close friends. I would not be the person I am today without the people with whom I collaborate. My wife, my friends, and my audience all help me grow.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

Joy and curiosity both drive my creative journey. I find joy when I play for an intimate audience, when I learn a new piece, when I get to experience a student’s joy through their growing confidence and discovery, and when I gather with community to play. One of the reasons why I chose music is that I knew it could keep me engaged for the rest of my life. Music is endlessly fascinating. Through practice routines, rehearsal rituals, and collaborative exploration, I continue to learn more about myself and the world around me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.oliverhortonmusic.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohm_oliverhortonmusic/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliverhortonmusic/
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ohm_hortonmusic
• Other: Patreon link: https://www.patreon.com/oliverhortonmusic Spotify link: https://www.open.spotify.com/artist/5bRraxyfJhQ7UmEco2fUDf?si=3dPsfYcNTw2L8uknWwMDXA buy my record, still mountain, on bandcamp https://www.oliverhortonmusic.bandcamp.com/album/still-mountain common pulse https://www.commonpulse.net/ bowmanville http://bowmanvilleswing.com/ gone valley https://gonevalley.bandcamp.com/

Image Credits
Dorey Kronick Greg Bell Elena Wroten Cory Dewald Manju Chakkappan