Canadian singer/songwriter Olivia Lunny delivers a dynamic breed of alt-pop, instantly infectious but full of emotional depth. 2021 & 2022 were massive years for Olivia, where she inked her own label imprint distribution deal w/ Universal Music Canada & globally through Virgin Music, received the Young Canadian Songwriter Award from the SOCAN Foundation, and released her self-titled full-length debut.
On Olivia's recent release, VIBE CHECK (featuring Bhad Bhabie,) Olivia brings seductive beats and lyricism, emanating a confident and infectious energy that is dancefloor-ready. The song is one of empowerment and a natural progression for Olivia as she continues to explore and embrace a more mature and confident era of her artistry.
Now, her recent single “WONDERLAND” is about a romantic scenario between two people where everything around them is forgotten. It’s another melodic, pop-infused track from Olivia paired with dreamy, light-hearted lyrics co-written with her frequent collaborator AJ Healey. Living in the moment is the song's focus, taking the listener into a dreamy state of imagination where “WONDERLAND” resides, making you think of the person you want to just exist with the most.
This week we sit down with Olivia Lunny to talk about her journey pursuing a career in music, touring, and plans for 2023!
LEG: Thanks for taking a couple of minutes, Olivia. Let’s start from the beginning. Growing up, when did you first realize you had musical talent? What inspired you to take the leap and pursue music as a career?
Growing up, Music was always playing in my household. My dad would pick up the guitar and play songs on Sunday mornings which infatuated me. By the age of 12, my dad had taught me a few chords on guitar and that led to me writing some of my very first songs! By grade 11, I had played my fair share of open mic nights and gigged locally around the city. Music was starting take up a huge portion of my free time beyond school, so by graduation, I knew I wanted to take the leap and pursue music as a career. Writing music feels habitual for me, I wouldn’t have it any other way!
LEG: You’re from Winnipeg, Canada. There’s been a huge explosion of big Canadian artists in the past decade (The Weeknd, Drake, Shawn Mendes, Justin Bieber, etc). What do you think is the driving force behind that success? What have you learned from those success stories?
It’s truly so inspiring to have so many incredible success stories coming out of Canada. I think the cold winters force us all to hibernate in the studio and create. The music scene in Toronto specifically is so incredible and collaborative, I think for this reason so many icons have built their career from the ground up here!
LEG: You were on “The Launch” in Canada and scored a win! What kind of impact did that TV show have on your career? What’s the best and worst part of performing in a TV Studio?
Being on "The Launch" was truly a huge stepping stone for my career. It connected me with so many incredible industry people and allowed me the opportunity to collaborate with very established musicians. I'm forever grateful for this experience as it really did "Launch" my career into the Canadian music scene. Performing in a TV Studio setting was a very new environment for me. As a brand new artist it was very daunting to have cameras in a live studio audience, however in retrospect, I am thankful for the show as it challenged me to become the confident performer I am today.
LEG: What has been one of your biggest challenges either personally or professionally? How have you overcome those challenges?
As an up and coming artist the biggest challenge has been to remain authentic in a competitive industry. I am blessed to have a growing team, but with that comes many opinions within and surrounding my circle. For me the authenticity has always lied within the music, so remaining honest while songwriting is the grounding factor for me as an artist!
LEG: What are a few places in the US that you haven’t been to or toured in yet that you’re dying to visit?
I've had lots of fun playing in many US cities so far. However, growing up in Winnipeg, Canada, Minneapolis was always the closest hotspot for concerts so that is high up on my list.
LEG: What are you most proud of so far in your music career?
A couple summers ago I got a last minute call to open for Lionel Richie at Budweiser Stage in Toronto, Canada. Lionel Richie was on heavy rotation in my household, and having my dad in the audience made for a full-circle, surreal, moment for me.
LEG: What’s your ultimate goal as an artist? Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years, and 20 years from now?
For me, having my music heard by as many people as possible has always been the largest goal. That being said, a huge goal in the near future would be to be able to sell out large shows in every major city around the world.
photos courtesy of @olivialunny
LEG: Congrats on “Wonderland”! (Stream it everywhere btw!). Take us through the process in making and developing that track? What’s one thing you hope the audience takes away from the song when they take a listen?
Prior to a writing session I had nearly a year ago, I had re-watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Following the movie I re-fell in love with the whimsical nature and dream world of the movie. When I headed into the session to write, I loved the idea of starting with the theme "wonderland" and letting that be the guiding force. A few hours later this song "wonderland" was born! It's about being in a state of awe and chasing your dreams/being with people who make you feel like you're dreaming!
photos courtesy of @olivialunny
LEG: We love the “Wonderland” video! What was your favorite part of filming it? Any stories from the set that you think your fans might appreciate?
For the "Wonderland" music video I combined forces with the amazing Sam Leviton in NYC. We shot this video in a studio setting, and the set change overs were so cool to see. The design team truly captured the essence of "Wonderland" in a visual sense. It was also hilarious to watch crew members dress up in teddy bear outfits and dance around!