Contemporary country artist Olivia Lynn absolutely stole our hearts at Party In The Park. Being fans of Luton natives JW Paris, we have always kept the city and its artists in very high regard, but right now, we have a good reason to believe that Luton has probably one of the best music scenes in the country. We have sat down with Olivia to discuss her incredible career so far, playing big stages, social media influence, plans and dreams. Keep an eye on this lady folks, without management, label, armed just with her voice, talent and ambition – she is proving that working class artists are, and always have been, the founders of British music.
According to the BBC Introducing you are a singer, songwriter, composer, lyricist, content creator and a model – and you are barely 21! Please introduce yourself to the readers of Indieteria. Who is Olivia Lynn, in your own words.
Olivia Lynn: I am a vibrant, sparkly, colourful country pop singer songwriter from Luton. A girl who does A LOT! I like to perform the hell out of my songs no matter how big the crowd. I write all my own songs which are based on real life experiences and I hope they are relatable too! I’m also a single mum to my beautiful baby girl Aria .. this is who I work so hard for!
You come from an incredibly musical family. Both your grandmother and mother Peri are singers, Your mother also acts as your manager. Were you always convinced that music would be your actual job?
Olivia Lynn: Yes, my family is super musical! My mum is my very own version of Kris Jenner, lol! She does my bookings and replies to messages, sorts my costumes, rehearsals etc! She’s amazing! I always knew music was going to be my job. Growing up people told me I needed a backup job but I knew this was what I wanted to do.
Your story could be a great country song. Your relationship with your family is very strong, you describe your parents as your best friends. But you were bullied in your early teens to the point that you had to be homeschooled and considered giving up singing. Yet you overcame all odds and proven that your determination and focus can get you places. We wonder if those who bullied you ever apologized for causing you so much distress?
Olivia Lynn: For someone who’s 21, I feel I have lived so many lives. I’ve never been apologised to for the way I’ve been treated. Those kids that ruined my life in high school, still haven’t taken accountability for their actions. However, a few of them follow me and like my content on social media, but what I will say is: I’ve had people judge me before knowing me. You know, blonde hair Barbie style, ditsy girl. And these people have apologised once they have got to know me & realise I’m actually a nice person.
In 2023, The Teen Magazine wrote about your advocacy for better mental health for teenagers and your support for organisations such as Young Minds. In that article you said and we would like to quote: “The person who bullied you is going to post on Facebook saying that you were friends and you won’t be here to say you weren’t”. You are wise beyond your years and you seem to use your personal experiences to help those in crisis.
Olivia Lynn: Yes, I remember that article! Wow, that feels like it was published ages ago. I do feel I have a wise head on my shoulders. I couldn’t give up knowing that people would pretend we were friends when actually they made my life hell! And if I can use my story, my platform to help just one person be stronger than I was, then I’m winning! In fact, let’s flip this on its head: if I can use my story or my platform to make one bully think twice about being unkind, then I’m winning too! I’m now an ambassador of Chums charity for children who suffer with mental health. I actually used their services when I was at my worst, so I feel lucky to be able to be part of their team and help them now too.
We love your song “Little Miss Nightmare” you co-wrote with Joe Bygraves. Is it true that you composed it while sitting under a Christmas tree? Is there a story behind this little firecracker of a tune?
Olivia Lynn: Yes, Joe Bygraves is amazing!! We did in fact write that under a Christmas tree! The story is quite literal. My now ex, he was my boyfriend at that time, had a girl best friend who was always trying to flirt with him and touch his arm etc. So, I wrote a song about it. The opposite of “Jolene”, because nobody is taking my man! This tune literally gets people dancing, I love it!
You have performed at the Country to Country (C2C) music festival held at London’s O2 Arena at the invitation of legendary broadcaster and country music promoter Bob Harris. He later described you as an international star in the making. That’s one way of being introduced. Tell us about the event. How does it feel to play one of the biggest country music festivals outside of The Grand Ole Opry?
Olivia Lynn: C2C was incredible. When I tell you, hand on heart, it was always my dream to perform there, it’s no lie. I certainly didn’t expect to perform there so soon in my career and I’m so honoured for that. I hope I get to go again next year! To be introduced by Bob Harris this way is quite the statement, so I just hope people are listening! Honestly, C2C was beautiful seeing our country community come together. I was beyond star struck a million times over. I met country superstars backstage at the O2. I mean how crazy is that!!! Next stop, maybe the Grand Ole Opry?
Your stage presence, voice and type of country music you play (country crossover) got you being compared to Dolly Parton and Shania Twain meeting Chappell Roan. Do you agree with classification? If not, how would you describe your own style?
Olivia Lynn: I think that’s quite a good comparison!! I’ve always said I’m like Shania Twain and Dolly Parton for sure! The way I write my music, the storytelling is very much like them. I’d say Chappell Roan is today’s Lady Gaga and Lady Gaga is a big inspiration of mine too. My mum still calls me the Lady Gaga of country music (laughing).
You recently scored almost 2 million likes on TikTok. How important is social media for an emerging artist? Some musicians feel they are forced to constantly create content instead of making music, others credit going viral with increased opportunities and better visibility for their art. What are your thoughts?
Olivia Lynn: Unfortunately, social media is extremely important to everything nowadays! It’s frustrating at times, don’t get me wrong, but it’s also amazing how much you can get yourself out there. Like everything, it has its pros and cons.
I constantly feel like I need to post in order to keep people’s attention. And sometimes that’s draining, especially when the views aren’t sometimes the best! Plus, I know for a fact, powerful people in the music industry like you to have a lot of followers and engagement. Some people buy that, but I like to grow my reach organically and steadily, which unfortunately means a lot more slowly! But for me, I’m just grateful for the followers I have! I know that those 7k people on Instagram are interested in my music and they care. I love that.
Let’s talk about Party in The Park – Luton’s recent celebration of 150 years as a borough. You played on the big stage to a huge crowd. Tell us how you become involved with them? And what’s most important, did you have fun?
Olivia Lynn: I was contacted by the Luton council to perform at Party In The Park. My mum received the email and when she read it out saying I was asked to be the main headline support act, I couldn’t believe it! What was funny, was that people were tagging me in Party In the Park posts saying “You need Olivia Lynn on the line up”. Little did they know, I’d already been asked to perform in my hometown! What an event it was too!! The day was everything I’d hoped for from start to finish. The guys at the council really looked after me & the band and everyone working there was super nice. I’d say, it was definitely one of the best gigs I’ve ever done and certainly the LARGEST! The most I’ve played before was around 5k, this was double and it was so much fun. I had the crowd chanting my name back at me saying she’s one of our own! There was a moment I honestly couldn’t believe how lucky I was to be up there SO SURREAL.
You performed with a full backing band – tell us who supported you on stage.
Olivia Lynn: Yes, I had all my boys with me – my two insanely talented guitarists: Seb Jolly and David Newman, my wonderful bassist Joshua Alger-King and my crazy drummer Ewan Broom! And I would usually have my keys played by Abiel Contreras, but unfortunately he had his brother’s wedding, so we had the brilliant Elijah Watson step in! My boys honestly are the best and I’m so proud of them.
Before your show, you have been invited to BBC 2 for an interview and you went to see a mayor! What did you discuss with the mayor of Luton? More grants for local artists? Or maybe something else?
Olivia Lynn: I discussed lots of positive reinforcements for artists in Luton, but also for the people of Luton in general! Our town is amazing and people are yet to see that.
Your costume was the talk of the town! Who designed and made it for you?
Olivia Lynn: Ha ha, yep my costumes do tend to get a moment for themselves, I must say! My costumes are my pride and joy! They represent me exactly as I am as a performer! The hat I wore for Party In The Park was personalised from a Cowgirl’s closet and my mum created the orange tulle on my hat for me to represent Luton town! The leotard itself was from AliExpress and my mum did her thing by making it more me by sewing the orange tulle around the sides.
I like to try to wear colours and outfits that suit the occasion.
Tell us about your plans for the future? Any new singles coming out? Upcoming tour? Where can we see you play live?
Olivia Lynn: I’m hoping my next single is hopefully out within the next 3 or 4 weeks that’s called “Sleepless Nights”. There is a sad background to the song but an uptempo feel to it. Maybe another release after that, just before Christmas will be a song called “Watching Paint Dry”!
My next headline show is at The Castle in Luton and I’m doing an Olivia Lynn takeover weekend on the 6th and the 7th of November! Friday night will be my support acts and myself with my full band, full fun. Saturday is a family friendly, more chilled and laid back acoustic set and I will be mingling with families to enjoy the day. I will be playing EXCLUSIVE never heard before music both nights too which I can’t wait to showcase off!
I would love to do a tour next year. I hope I get the chance!
Last questions are always fun – imagine you are invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Are you singing a country classic or your own composition? And who is with you on stage? Hollywood celebrities, rock and roll stars or family members?
Olivia Lynn: If I was at the Grand Ole Opry, I’d probably pass out first! After coming round, I’d like to see Megan Moroney next to me on stage. She’s my American twin sister! Literally we could be related! I’d also like to have actress Sarah Paulson, there as well. Purely because I adore her! And of course my mum and dad would need to be there too. Couldn’t do it without them although I think they would probably pass out too!
Olivia Lynn online:
https://olivialynnofficial.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/olivia.christine.940
https://www.instagram.com/olivia_lynnofficial
https://www.tiktok.com/@olivialynnofficials
https://x.com/livlynnofficial
https://www.youtube.com/@OliviaLynnofficial
https://www.snapchat.com/@livlynnofficial
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ePzrrfah4w8QLNSPByZZ5
Rita and Malicia Dabrowicz
