We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Olivia Perez a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Olivia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

This will be a three part answer.

Electronic music definitely has a stigma about it. I write produce and perform all of my music myself with the exception of a few collaborations with friends. There is often the misconception when I perform that I am just ‘singing to a recording’ or singing to a beat that someone else produced for me. To be honest, I find that really irritating. I’m not a DJ. I’m not spinning someone else’s beat, I write everything, every note meticulously. I often tailor all my songs, change up the mixes for each live performance so that each show is different or special. Sometimes I use keys and other live tools- other times, not. Hundreds if not thousands of hours have gone into writing each song. It is sometimes thought that electronic musicians are not actually musicians. This isn’t true. I play each melody and each beat. Though I may use samples on occasion- the samples become unrecognizable as they are fitted tweaked and turned into something new. Maybe someday I will play with a band again which is wonderful in it’s own right but, the work I put into this project will be recognized.

On a different note because I, and many others who try to make their art their life have had to supplement by working in the service industry- I often get asked “what did you want to do with your life?” If you did not pursue school or a career you are seen as a failure. I find this question cloying and disrespectful. Being an artist on your own terms is not easy. It’s lonely and you are looked down upon often, but art should be a tool for growth and spiritual connection to be a healing force not necessarily for fame or for money or recognition. If being ‘famous’ was the goal my methods would be VERY different. There really is no in between at this time unfortunately but, times are definitely changing. You’re either on your knees, paying your dues, looking up at the ‘Man’ or you’re playing in warehouses and basements. There are some artists I admire that are sustaining themselves through their art on their own terms. Aisha Devi for example is someone I’ve been listening to lately, among others. The underground is comfortable to me though because above ground can be dangerous or filled with disillusionment and betrayal of ideals. When you chose to ask the hard questions and look at the underbelly of life- you just won’t get very far. In the end I answer to no one but my own higher power.

And finally to finish this question, growing up as a mestiza, a person of mixed race- i very often felt misplaced or misunderstood. Growing up with less means in a mostly affluent community had its own challenges. I didn’t feel Mexican enough to speak for or on behalf of Mexican indigenous peoples but I also didn’t understand or relate to the day to day life of my European peers.

I am the product of multiple races, cultures and ideologies. I now begin to see that as an asset instead of a reason to feel ‘misplaced’ or mischaracterized. To observe, to be a bridge a window or an ambassador. To be a testament of love without borders, this makes most sense to me now. I am at home now, living in the San Luis desert with my family writing music on my own terms.

Olivia, 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?

Pearls and Perils is the solo experimental sound and performance art project of O. Perez. Writing music provided the structure and meaning in life I needed to remain positive and work towards healing and taking care those who are in need. Without the arts and music I could have definitely gone a different, more destructive path in life.

My music tackles difficult subject matter in the guise of a beautiful or mystical ruse. It is meant to be listened to over and over. It is meant to be a bridge for those who are passing over troubled waters. It is meant to induce a trance-like state that will invoke a sense of reconciliation between seemingly diametric opposing forces. It is meant to be the soundtrack for a contemplative drive through nature or a musing cruise through city streets. It is meant to be a transformative mechanism that shifts and changes depending on the who and how.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to bring in different ways of being and seeing into the world through sound, vibration and performance art. There are many who live in a fractured state of existence, I believe music has the power to heal, I believe it can help to call back lost memories and pieces of psyche. When integrated, i believe this can improve the quality of life for all beings.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Unlearning the deficit and poverty mentality. No matter your upbringing you can create abundance and wealth through hard work, using your brains and through perseverance. It’s about shifting your perspective and keeping a clear, unimpaired state of mind with thoughts that are not splintered or divided. When you put your whole attention and heart on something you can make beautiful things happen,

Contact Info:

• Website: https://pearlsandperils.bandcamp.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pearls_and_perils/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PearlsandPerilz
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrkKTgtfpf1ucbFuN5cDLyQ

Image Credits
All photos by Pearls and Perils