Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Olivia Lunny

Pop artist Olivia Lunny is one to watch in 2020. Off to a commanding start, Olivia dropped her first single of the year titled “Think of Me,” which premiered on Billboard and received placement across several streaming platforms, including Spotify, Tidal, and Amazon Music. She continued that momentum with the release of “Bedsheets,” which she states is her most honest song to date. Pop Culturalist caught up with this rising talent to chat about “Bedsheets” and the importance of navigating your career on your own terms.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Olivia: I grew up with music playing around the house. From a young age, I loved to sing. I got my first solo in a Christmas pageant at seven. Music truly feels ingrained in me, so I can’t pinpoint an exact moment in time as to when it became my passion. It’s always been there within me!

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Olivia: My dad was the one who got me into playing and learning music at a young age. He taught me three simple chords on guitar when I was around twelve years old. Learning guitar led to me writing short songs that evolved into full ones as I got older. My dad has always been my biggest fan, so I’m forever grateful to him for encouraging me from a very young age to pursue music!

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?
Olivia: Being on The Launch really challenged me and forced me to evolve as an artist overnight essentially. I really had to dig deep and came to many positive realizations about being authentic throughout my time on the show! That experience is one hundred percent something that will stay with me as I begin to grow as an artist.

PC: What was the biggest takeaway from that experience that you’ve been able to apply to your career moving forward?
Olivia: Authenticity as an artist is so incredibly important. If you let others navigate your career for you, you may end up at a strange destination. I think navigating it yourself and being the captain of your own ship allows you to experiment with different things and ultimately allows you to live and feel the entire journey!

PC: Tell us about your new single, “Bedsheets.” What inspired the track?
Olivia: “Bedsheets” came to life very spontaneously at 1 a.m. one of the nights AJ Healey and I were in the studio. I shared an initial voice memo with AJ that sparked the concept for this song. The lyric was “cigarette inside your hand; wish you would hold me like that.” After diving into themes and chatting about past “situationships,” we stumbled on the idea of feeling closeness with somebody while also feeling so emotionally far from them. “Bedsheets” is about longing for connection and the tough but necessary decision to let something go.

PC: If you had to pick one song that best encompasses you as an artist, what would it be and why?
Olivia: I would have to say my song “Bedsheets.” I’ve never felt more honest and excited about a track. The vibe feels so accurate to me. I’m really proud of the lyrics too.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Olivia: Eric Clapton. He’s incredible. I love his Unplugged album.

PC: First album you bought?
Olivia: Hilary Duff’s Metamorphosis. [laughs] It’s so good.

PC: First concert you attended?
Olivia: Hilary Duff

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Olivia: Coldplay’s A Rush of Blood to the Head! I remember learning “The Scientist” on piano when I was thirteen. That song changed the way I wrote and led me to write songs with more depth and obscurities.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Olivia: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario

PC: A must-have on the road?
Olivia: Throat Coat! It’s the best tea.

To keep up with Olivia, follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and Spotify. Pick up or stream “Bedsheets” today.