We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Oliver Who a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Oliver , appreciate you joining us today. Learning the craft is often a unique journey from every creative – we’d love to hear about your journey and if knowing what you know now, you would have done anything differently to speed up the learning process.
Most of what I’ve learned as a singer/songwriter is through reading. I find that novels tend to help you delve into the depths of human emotions. It is a bit dramatized for entertainment purposes, but that’s what makes it fun. The only difference with books is that you have an unlimited amount of words to tell your stories in contrast to a song which averages 200–300 words. People don’t realize how challenging it can be to have to tell your story using only a few hundred words. Artists like Elliott Smith, Kate Bush, and Bon Iver are a few I consider great storytellers.
I wish I had started reading more at an earlier age. Most of my writing during my early 20s I considered redundant and vague. Before, I never understood the planning that goes behind storytelling and the overall flow of the narrative.
The most essential skill you can have as a singer/songwriter is individuality. I believe everything has been said already, so what makes your take on the topic any different? For example, we’ve all been heartbroken before, but what makes your take on heartbreak special? Work on knowing who you are and what makes you special, then apply it to your craft. Also, understanding art is subjective, so not everyone will enjoy it, but that’s okay as long as you’re true to yourself.
This is a bit ironic for me to say, but heartbreak stood in the way of learning more at times. I can sometimes become consumed with the pain that comes with loving someone who doesn’t want me back and losing a sense of self. It’s a strange experience and one where it takes time to really find your footing again.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I fell into the craft by accident. Originally, I wanted to be an actor, but I lacked stage presence and struggled to remember my lines, as you would have noticed if you saw my middle school performance of “Into the Woods.” My parents spent a fortune on my acting lessons, and it never stuck with me. The only thing that I did was the piano and I struggled with it early on. It wasn’t until I wrote a song for my mom when I was 8 or so on Valentine’s Day that I realized how much I enjoyed the process of writing. I realized I never cared about acting, but rather I enjoyed telling a story. Of course, I never expected to make this a career. Music became something I innately did. Even if I switched career paths, I wouldn’t stop writing. That’s just practically impossible for me to do unless someone amputated my hands or something. Then, maybe.
I’m most proud of the single I’m currently working on now called “You don’t owe me anything.” Mostly because of the message behind it. The song delves into the topic of unconditional love. After experiencing a rather brutal breakup, I became curious about love in general. I found it didn’t hurt to love someone if it’s a selfless act. Meaning that I’m okay with loving someone completely and wholeheartedly even if it’s not reciprocated. I’ll never regret giving my all. My goal is to experience all that life has to offer, and the song does a great job of discussing that. There’s a line that says” I know you don’t owe me anything. Your love, your care, it’s free, and you chose not to give it to me and I don’t owe you anything. My love, my care, it’s free, and I choose to give it to you.” I just find that to be a very powerful thing to say, and I hope someone can resonate with that.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
This is a very specific one, but growing up, my favorite album was “Pure Heroine” by Lorde. I remembered where I was and how I felt when I heard it. For me, even to this day, I can’t listen to it without getting goosebumps. This was before music streaming services were as popular as they are now, so I didn’t have many options in terms of music. All I did was listen to that album from start to finish, and I never grew tired of it. To me, that album is one of the greatest albums of all time and I hope to make someone feel the same way I did when I heard it. Every time I’m working on a new track, I try to imagine if my younger self would like it or if people will resonate with it. That’s my goal, to make someone love my music the way I love “Pure Heroine.”
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
Easily seeing people connect with your work. To know someone resonate with your art is surreal.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliverwho_/
- Youtube: @oliverwho2040