Erika Olson
I recently discovered Erika Olson on the internet. I think what caught my attention was Erika sound. It’s kind of an Americana with a little be of Pop in it. Almost like an Alt-Americana. If there is such a thing. Erika has a distinctive voice, it is a lower register. Which is very easy to listen to and gives the songs she writes more life. Erika is also an amazing songwriter, her songs aren’t your typical subject matter. But they are very relatable to everyone. Just in a deeper way. I have been listening to Erika music on Spotify, one of my favorite songs is “Momma Ain’t Got No Time” it has such a simple melody, but Erika’s voice is so impressive on this song. It really sets the tone of the story. My other favorite song is “Hungry Little Bird”, this is such a beautiful song about coming of age. I really love the start of this song, with the piano & the birds sounds in the background. Another song I really love is “I Don’t Feel Like Fighting” Erika’s vocals on this song, is so powerful without being strong sounding. I always love to find singers with such unique voices. This definitely describes Erika’s voice. You really can’t put her into any genre. Her sound and songs are hers and hers alone, to me that is a sign of a great singer/musician. So, I can say with a strong certainty that you need to check out Erika Olson. Here are some questions that I was able to ask Erika and also a link to find her music. https://www.erikaolsonmusic.com/ 1. How long have you been playing music? I started playing the flute when I was 8. I played all through High School but eventually put it down. I sang a bit in high school - joining an acapella group. But then life took over - I went to college then law school and thought my making music days were over. But in my early 30’s I had a baby and was overwhelmed by the need to continue creating. I started taking guitar lessons, explored voice lessons, began hanging out at bluegrass jams, was asked to sing in a couple of bands, started writing songs, and the next thing I knew I was totally immersed in music. I keep track of my time making music by the age of my eldest son - who is just about to turn 13! 2. How many bands have you been in? I was in an acapella group in High School, I briefly played with two different bands in Charlotte, and I did some brief duo work. All in all, I have not spent much time in bands, but I am starting to dream of putting a band together - so watch out world! 3. Where were you born? I was born in Albuquerque, NM and I grew up all over the US. My father was a golf course superintendent and we moved around every couple of years, so I grew up in Salt Lake City, UT, Dudley, MA, Southampton, NY, went to high school in Chatham, VA, college in Boston, MA and finally settled in North Carolina for law school and my legal career. That was until we moved to London! 4. Are you self-taught? Yes and No. I’ve had some wonderful teachers, but I am not a traditional student. I’m constantly seeking new knowledge whether it be of an instrument, writing, producing, or performance. I love to work with teachers one on one and then go off for a long while to explore new things and synthesize everything I’ve learned into something that feels authentically my own. So, I’ll be taught new licks, chords, styles and arrangements but I don’t truly learn anything until I take time to put it to use in a new song or performance. I’m just a lifelong learner and music is my topic of choice! 5. Who are your biggest influences? My influences are so varied. Right now, I am really taken with the writing of Donovan Woods and the vocal exploration of Brandi Carlile. I also love Sasha Sloan, Brandy Clark, and Rhiannon Giddens. My OG influences are David Crosby, Paul Simone, Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Raitt, John Prine, Lauren Hill, Tracey Chapman, and Alanis Morissette. 6. What style of music do you consider yours? I am most at home in the corner of the musical world where folk, Americana, and pop all come out to play with one another. 7. What was your first gig? How old were you? My first gig was in my early 30’s with a bunch of lads in Charlotte. We were in a band called Mountain Island Lake Funk or MILF for short. (Side note - I think I broke up the band when I suggested, as the only woman and mother, that we change the name to MILF and Cookies). We played the Neighborhood Theatre with a few other local bands. We had a great time, and I was bitten by the performance bug. 8. What advice do you have for someone starting out in the music business? Take a deep breath and get ready for a wild ride! The music business is in a time of change and transformation - which means it's a time of opportunity. I think the opportunity is that anyone willing to venture with some grit and determination can build something to be proud of. I suggest entering with an entrepreneurial mindset and being willing to be creative in how you go about building your business. First and foremost, work on your craft as a musician - whatever it is that you see as your thing - whether you are a guitarist that writes songs or a lyricist that plays the guitar focus on your particular genius and don’t be sucked in by the story that you have to do it all on your own - because you don’t! The next thing is to get out and find your people - your peers, your mentors, your inspirations. Find out how these folks are making a career and experiment with what they are doing - see if it works for you. Be honest about where you are in your career if you are at the beginning don’t compare yourself to Adele! Find others who are just starting out and find ways to collaborate and help each other. Competition is a fallacy that holds us all back - you will be more successful with a group of fellow travelers for whom you are cheering and who are also cheering for you. Most of all be sure to do that which brings you joy - you will have to do a lot of things you may not have bargained for and that don’t exactly fill you up - but make time to sing the songs that got you started on this journey in the first place and remember that the world needs your voice and your art - you are worth your effort!! 9. Do you write your own songs? Yes I do! 10. What would people be surprised to hear that you have in your personal record collection? Disney! I’ve got all the Disney movie soundtracks. I can’t help but love them. They are my childhood and the very beginning of my love of music. I believe singing along to all those songs growing up taught me how to sing and gave me a versatility with my voice I would not otherwise have. If we are hanging out don’t be surprised if I suddenly burst into an impassioned rendition of “A Whole New World”. 11. What would you be doing if playing music was not an option? I’d probably be writing cheeky stuff about being a woman and a mother on a blog and social media - instead of singing about it all the time! 12. Besides your own songs, what is your favorite song to perform? Ooooh - there are a couple of songs I love to sing, but some recurring favorites are “Burdens Down” by Kyshona Armstrong and “Angels from Montgomery” by John Prine. 13. If you were strictly a songwriter, who would you like to see sing your songs? If I were just a songwriter I might die if Bonnie Raitt were to sing one of my songs.
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AuthorHello, My name is Michael. I am into music, have been for over 48yrs. Big fan of all kinds of music, right now it has been the Blues for the last 10yrs. I do not play any instruments, But I very interested in the recording aspect of the industry. Have messed around with it a little and always learning new things about it. I have met many wonderful people because of Music.. Hope you enjoy my Blogs... In the last two years I have been producing House Concerts. I also in the past 2 years got to produce and engineer an album for a very good friend of mine from Sweden "Magpie". Archives
February 2024
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