Olivia Penalva – Ex’s

By starrymag | October 13, 2021

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

Q) How would you describe your sound?

 

A) Every time I see this question, I find it hard to answer because my music is so diverse. There are songs that are similar in sound and there are songs that aren’t but still are crucial pieces to the stories I tell. I’ve always been told I am like female Ed Sheeran and it’s a huge compliment because I admire his work so much.

 

Q) Who are some of your musical influences?

 

A) My top two would be Elton John and Ed Sheeran. Both are so talented and amazing storytellers. That was something I always wanted to bring into my music, a story that someone could relate to or feel connected to. I am a huge fan of them both and the accents don’t hurt either.

 

Q) Talk about the story behind your new song “Ex’s.”

 

A) The reason I love “Ex’s” so much is because it’s a lot different than most of the songs on my record. Not only is it a fun song but it was a way for me to step into someone else’s shoes and share the message that every human makes mistakes. It reminded me of being in high school and how at that time emotions were always stronger than logic and, in that process, people get hurt. It’s something I feel like most of us have been through.

 

Q) How did you come to connect with cowriters Ryan Stewart and Tavish Crowe?

 

A) Tavish and Ryan are two of my favorite human beings. I met Ryan when I was fourteen years old and Tavish last year when the pandemic started. We all connect so well both as friends and creators and I feel like that played a huge role in why this song came out so amazing.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the song that fans connect to?

 

A) For starters, I think this song is super cheeky and everyone loves a cheeky song. But I think the main reason is because it’s relatable. Most songs you hear are about the person getting hurt, rarely about the person causing the hurt and living in this world where nobody is perfect. I think a lot of people could relate to that idea of being young and falling for someone while hurting someone they cared about in the process.

 

Q) How does the video for the track play into the message behind it?

 

A) I am so excited for this video. It was so much fun to shoot. There is a lot of stealing people away from each other. We based it out of a house party to kind of showcase that age range where emotions and feelings are super heightened. Friends breaking up, couples breaking up, that whole high school drama experience. I can’t wait for everyone to see this project and hope they love it as much as I do.

 

Q) What is your song writing process? Do you need music before you can create lyrics?

 

A) My process is always changing for every song. I’m always writing lyrics/concepts in my phone and recording melodies on the voice memo app. So, some days I’ll bring those to the sessions and other days my co-writers and producers will bring tracks and ideas for me to choose from. I’m really lucky to work with such amazing people who support my ideas and help me bring them to life but also bring new ideas when I don’t seem to have any.

 

Q) You’ve worked with a number of incredible producers in the past! How much of hand do you have in the production of your music?

 

A) I like to be super involved to make sure each song feels original and authentic to who I am. I record a lot of my own vocals for my demos, so I play a hand in that part of the production process. When it comes to finalizing tracks, I am very lucky to work with producers who value my opinion and input which is great because it is my music, and they want it to feel like me. But I also have such a huge trust in the people I work with to bring my art to life. I feel like we all connect and communicate so well about the specifics and sounds and love that they let me be as involved as I want to.

 

Q) Will there be a full album or EP coming in the near future?

 

A) There will be an album coming. The songs are all finished and in the final stages of mixing and mastering. We don’t have a finalized release date yet but hopefully sometime soon because I cannot wait to share these songs.

 

Q) You’ve been in the music business since the age of fourteen! What advice would you give to up and coming musicians?

 

A) I think the best advice I could give is to keep going even when it feels tough and to really surround yourself with people who you trust. From a young age I’ve had the unpleasant experience of learning that there are people who are going to come into your life who want to change you and don’t have the best intentions for you. Don’t let someone else come into your life and tell you what your identity should be. Being authentic is always going to take you further that pretending to be someone you aren’t and the people who want you to succeed won’t want to change you. You know yourself best and your supporters will always fall in love with the real authentic you.

 

Q) Who would you most like to collaborate with on a song in the future?

 

A) If I could collaborate with anyone it would be Elton John. I’ve said this a lot, but I admire how he works with a lot of young, not as well-known artists. I think he understands that everyone starts from somewhere and just because someone is not as well-known doesn’t mean they aren’t gonna make it. He’s the dream collab and there isn’t one song of his that I don’t like.

 

Q) What album/band are you currently listening to and why do you dig them? 

 

A) Right now, I’m obsessively listening to Olivia Rodrigo. I think everyone is. I love her sound, but I also love how well she knows herself for her age. She is such a creative human being and I really respect her craft and her vision.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Why is that such an important way for you to connect with your fans?

 

A) It’s so important because it really allows your fans to connect with all sides of you. They see and support your music, but they also want to see the personal sides of you. That’s why I love social media because I feel like I can get to know my fans on a way more personal level where they feel like friends more so than a face on a screen.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your work?

 

A) The biggest thing I want my fans and supporters to know is that I couldn’t be doing this without them. I am always appreciative of every comment, every post and every person. It’s really hard and intimating to put yourself out there but when people you’ve never met support and encourage you not just for your music but as a person too, it makes it feel less scary and makes me want to do more. I love them all!

 

 

Watch The Video For “Ex’s”