Pop artist Oli Fox isn’t playing any games. The dedicated singer-songwriter is embarking on an exciting new chapter in his career, which he’s kicked off with the pop anthem of the summer, “Player 2.” No stranger to success, having been hand-selected by Sigrid as the supporting act for her European tour, Oli chatted with us about his career, filming the music video for “Player 2” in quarantine, and the road ahead.
PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Oli: I used to want to perform as a kid all the time. We’ve got a ton of home videos of me doing magic, acting, dressing up, and finally singing! So I guess the passion started as a desire to perform, and then throughout my childhood, I started to learn to write songs, which now feeds the career I’m in!
PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Oli: I guess my family has had a big influence on my career. They’re all naturally hardworking people, so I’ve always known not to settle for second best and always to work my butt off if I want to achieve something.
PC: You’ve had a lot of success already in your young career. When you look back, is there a particular moment that stands out?
Oli: Brixton Academy. Hands down the best moment of my life so far! I was on tour with Sigrid and we played my dream venue together, which was an unreal feeling. I wanna go back as a headliner one day!
PC: That’s the perfect segue. Sigrid hand-selected you to be her supporting act on tour. What did you learn from that experience that you’ve been able to apply to your career moving forward?
Oli: I learned a lot from Sigrid actually. She’s just such a professional off the stage and really knows how to prepare for a great live show by taking some time to herself to really concentrate and warm up, which is something I’ve started doing before live shows.
PC: Of all the singles that you’ve released, if you had to pick one that best encompasses who you are as an artist, what would it be and why?
Oli: I think the best is yet to come in terms of a single that encompasses me as an artist! But out of the ones released, I love playing “Young” live. It’s a huge production and is probably the most out-there pop I would go!
PC: You have a new single out now. Tell us about “Player 2” and the inspiration behind the song.
Oli: “Player 2” is the start of a new chapter for me as an artist. It’s the first single of a collection of songs that I’m super excited about. It’s a song about dropping the facade in the early stages of love rather than doing what the rest of my generation do, which is to play mind games.
PC: Like the rest of the world, you’ve had to adapt during this COVID-19 reality. How did you come up with the music video for the single and how did it come to fruition?
Oli: I wanted to make a video that had a lockdown-esque vibe to it! So I had the idea of shooting a video through all the platforms that have been keeping us together through lockdown, like Zoom and Houseparty. We shot it on my little laptop webcam round my girlfriend’s in Scotland—as that’s where I was isolating—and then sent it to mastermind Laura Manning in London to edit the madness together!
PC: As we look ahead to the rest of 2020, what does the year hold for you?
Oli: I want to release a few more songs this year and really start this new era of Oli Fox as best I can!
PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Oli: Kim Petra
PC: First album you bought?
Oli: Orson’s Bright Idea
PC: First concert you attended?
Oli: I think it was S Club 7!
PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Oli: Bleachers’ Gone Now. Firstly, it was made completely by my favorite writer, a guy called Jack Antonoff. Secondly, it’s just a celebration of his personal life in the most honest and heartbreaking way possible. The production is also mad!
PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Oli: I’d really love to play KOKO in London. I’ve had some amazing times there watching other acts, and the venue is so cool!
PC: A must-have on the road?
Oli: Headphones. I love my bandmates, but tour buses are small at my level, so it’s nice to switch off now and then. [laughs]
To keep up with Oli, follow him on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream “Player 2” today.
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