Project Description

Interview with
OLIVIA ROX

Interviewer – Vicky Hebbs

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When did you decide that a music career was what you wanted to do with your life?
From as early as I can remember, I always knew that I wanted to have music in my life, in some way. I found myself literally singing everywhere I went as a kid – I would be in Target softly singing a song to myself, and when I’d finish, people from the surrounding aisles would break out in applause – I had no idea anyone was even listening! If I was on an airplane, I would hum in the galley and next thing I knew, the flight attendant would ask if I would sing over the loudspeaker for the whole plane! At some point, it dawned on me, no matter where I went in the world or what I did, I always had music in me – and I never wanted that to stop. From then, when I was 9 years old, I was lucky enough to land the role of “Annie” for 75+ shows, whilst simultaneously starring in a kid’s movie. It was about that time in my life that I realized my dedication and absolute love for being an entertainer and actually doing music for a living! 

Have you always been interested in writing your own music? When did that passion begin and how has it changed over time? 
Definitely. I wrote my first song when I was 4 (it was terrible, I’ll be honest haha) from then, I really started to hone my skills as a writer at a pretty young age. Being around a lot of great artists who imparted their musical wisdom on me along the way, whilst growing up on the road, instilled an ease in me to write songs. Nowadays, most labels want artists to work with other people and do co-writes (or even just sing someone else’s song) when you record an album. However, when I was 15, I was signed to Warner Brothers Records by the CEO, Rob Cavallo (Green Day, Goo Goo Dolls, etc) and one of the best parts of the deal was that they wanted me to write the entire album, myself. Unfortunately, I lost that deal with Warner Bros. due to a big company shake up where Rob lost his CEO position… but it all worked out in the end, as I was able to sign with the incredible Songbird Records! When the time came to choose the 12 songs for my debut album, PopRox, the conversation arose about whether I should do co-writes on this album. We proceeded to do 50+ demos of my original songs and my entire team decided unanimously that I should write the entire album myself. It was a pretty cool feeling to know that everyone on my team and label, Songbird Records, believed in and loved the music that I had written. Now, looking back, I honestly couldn’t imagine my first album any differently, as it truly encapsulates my soul in the deepest sense, because each song has such emotional sensitivity for me. 

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An obvious couple of questions. What was the American Idol experience like as an initial “WOW” experience, and then as a “hard work” challenge of preparing and performing each week?
Oh goodness! I would have to say the first live round was truly the most exhilarating for me. It’s amazing to think how all of the pieces of the show have to be perfectly aligned down to the second for the magic to happen! I remember those last 10 seconds counting down to being live, I was so pumped that I genuinely couldn’t stop smiling and thinking to myself, “I can’t even believe I’m standing here onstage, not just watching this on my couch like I’ve done for 14 years”! 
I’m definitely a perfectionist, (which I say in the proudest sense of the word) so, I took each and every performance as seriously as I could, but the most challenging week was probably Hollywood week because of the absolute lack of sleep for 7 days straight (I know – so obvious!).

I would think that what you learned would be invaluable, but also that after the event the “back to normal life” process must have been a challenge. Can you share how you found the experience, and how easy or hard it has been since?
I definitely did learn a lot of life lessons from my year on the show, and I’m glad I did it, as I gained so many incredible fans from it! The actual performances were never really stressful for me, because I grew up touring with my parents, already performing in amphitheater’s and theaters around the world with my dad, Jazz recording artist Warren Hill. I even did a show on MBC Korea airing to 50 million people when I was 15. But the show in itself was very cool because I feel that I learned a lot about being in front of the camera, and realizing who I wanted to be as an artist. It was quite wild coming off of it because I didn’t really stop, I found myself hitting the ground running. I toured on my own for about a year or two straight (everywhere from the across the US to South Korea, China, Spain, London, etc – I still really want to tour Australia!) and then, with about a week or two off, I was in the studio recording my first album. I haven’t really slowed down since, if anything I just keep accelerating! I guess I just love what I do so much, that it’s impossible for me to stop! Even when I take small vacations, I find myself writing songs and coming up with new ideas the whole time! 

Now, back to your music, how would you describe your sound and why do you think your fans resonate so well with your music?
Great question! I have a unique background to my music, as I’m primarily a Pop-Rock artist (hence why I named my album PopRox), however I grew up with parents who are both accomplished musicians. My dad is a jazz artist and my mom was an alternative rock artist, now a music producer. So, as you can imagine, I was influenced by almost every type of music growing up, and find that I use little hints of jazz, R&B and even some ska/reggae in my music. I think my fans resonate with my music because my songs are very honest. I don’t filter my feelings when I’m writing – So you’ll hear songs like Outcast, Be Happy, and even my girl power anthem, It Girl, speaking from the heart as truly as if I’m having a conversation with you.

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You have been entertaining your fans on Facebook with The Olivia Rox Show “Live From My Living Room – The QuaranTUNE Sessions”! What have these live QuaranTune Sessions been like? 
YES! The QuaranTUNE Sessions came about organically, as I was supposed to be in Europe for a few months (and then touring the US after that) starting in March, so I found myself under quarantine, feeling a bit deflated about having to cancel my first big tour, and thinking how I could turn lemons into lemonade. So, I launched my show. But, I had no idea that I would get the reception that I did from it! The  last episode just passed 200k people watching it along with me. Now I’m in talks with my team about how we can continue the show after this pandemic, which I’m really looking forward to. So, we are creating “The Olivia Rox Show”, which will feature interviews, live performances, food and more. I like to think of it as a female version of a cross between Jimmy Fallon, Anthony Bourdain and Saturday Night Live. 

How else are you engaging with fans at the moment?
I’m doing a lot of things to engage with my fans, and so many exciting projects are coming out just around the bend. One of which, is my new surprise acoustic album which I put together for my fans wanting a more in depth look into my songwriting, called, “Just a Girl And Her Guitar”. It’s a completely acoustic album, of literally just Me and (you guessed it) my guitar, a world apart from my PopRox cd, which features full on productions and lots of ear candy. Speaking of guitars, I am also preparing to launch my new electric guitar for sale, coming soon! 

You just released the latest single “Shooting Star” off your debut album ‘POPROX’. Can you share the inspiration behind the single?
“Shooting Star” is a song I wrote about going for your dreams against all odds. I wrote it during a time when it felt like the entire world was against me, and I had some soul searching to do about my career, which ultimately made me take matters into my own hands and just be myself, not what other people wanted me to be. Writing this song truly helped me to push through my defeat and say to myself that nothing can stop me or sway me in my path, because I already know who I am  – and who I am is a musician. Which can be felt in my lyrics, “Even if you try and slow me down, you know that it won’t stop me now, cuz I already know just who I am”. It’s truly an anthem for anyone needing that little boost of inspiration to get them through the day. I hope you will sing it loud, “You can’t stop me, I’m a Shooting Star!”.

About POPROX, what was the recording process like for you? What are the signature tracks off the album, and what is your favorite?
I never knew how much fun recording an album would be!! I was so lucky to work with such epic producers and musicians, so they all truly made the experience priceless and elevated every track. I wanted to create an album that took you on a journey, and could be listened to again and again, each time discovering something new in the songs; whether it be a lyric, a guitar lick, or an overall vibe that you discover on the 3rd listen. I wish I could say that all of my songs are my favorite, because choosing between them feels like choosing your favorite child. BUT I really had a blast recording “I Will Be” and “Go For It” because I pushed my limits as a singer and sang the longest full voice, continuous note ever recorded in a pop song – so that was pretty amazing! I wasn’t sure if I would even be able to do it, and it made me discover a whole new power to my voice when I realized I could actually hold a note for 33 seconds (which feels like an eternity when you’re singing). My other favorites are “Miss Positivity”, “Galileo” and of course my new single, “Shooting Star”! 

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When live gigs are possible again, will you tour with the album? 
Absolutely! I was actually in rehearsals for my tour this summer when all of this went down and quarantine started, so I am SO ready to get back to it!! I am currently working with Music Getaways to create my new music festival/destination event coming soon, so I will also be performing at that. My PopRox Tour features a slamming band that are musically epic, and the entire show takes you on a definite journey. I had a lot of fun designing it with my team and coming up with the video wall content, pyrotechnics and even costumes for the show. I knew I wanted it to be unforgettable, and that is what I hope to bring to you soon! 

If you could perform at any venue in the world, where would you choose? And why?
I have a list of so many places! I dream big, so I would love to perform at Madison Square Garden (New York) and the Staples Center (Los Angeles). Ever since I was little I’ve absolutely loved the feeling of being on a huge stage surrounded by a sea of people, that feeling is tangible and gives me goose bumps just thinking about it. In Australia I would love to perform at the Sydney Opera House because it is so iconic and I’d love to be a part of that history! ;-)

Where do you see yourself in your music career in a year’s time, and what are your longer term aspirations?
In one year, I hope to be officially back to touring for my PopRox album, and have my fans leaving the show feeling like they’ve just experienced something that they will always remember and love. Long term, the sky’s the limit! I will continue to release more albums, touring the world, perhaps even open an animal sanctuary (that is my personal long term goal), but overall I just want to do good things for the world and be a good person. I hope that in the long term I can be a positive inspiration for someone, and that one day they come up to me and say, “You’re the reason I pursued my dreams”. That’s the power of music. So I hope to be able to share that positivity with as many people as possible. 

What is the best thing about performing to a live audience? 
Everything about it is amazing! Haha! No, but seriously, the best part about it is the electricity in the air when you’re in front of a crowd. Everyone is united, sharing that moment in time, and the energy is palpable, like you’ve just tapped into something magical. It’s the coolest feeling in the world for a singer/songwriter when the audience starts singing along to your song, because as an artist you’ve seen the evolution of the song since the moment it was first thought up, to recording it, to the final stage of other people creating new memories to it. 

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What’s been the career highlight so far?
One of my favorite career highlights was when I was featured on CCTV 2 China and I learned a song in Mandarin! It aired to 500 million people for the Chinese Lunar New Year, and that was the one and only performance so far in my career that I was genuinely nervous for – since I literally had to sing each character perfectly in Chinese, and I DON’T SPEAK MANDARIN AT ALL! Against all odds, I did it and the feedback was incredible – I even had people coming up to me after that speaking Mandarin, and I had to explain to them that I don’t actually speak their language! 

Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Album – Bruno Mars, “Doo-Wops and Hooligans”
Artist – Billie Holiday, P!nk, Plain White T’s, The Rolling Stones and the Beatles (ahhh there are too many great ones to list just one!!) 
Movie – Doctor Strange, Men In Black, Avatar or Harry Potter. If it’s sci-fi / magical – I love it! 
Place to visit – Mallorca, Spain (or more precisely the little town there called Valldemosa) 
Venue to play – Woodstock stage at the Cancun Jazz Festival in Cancun (the ocean is right behind the stage and it is just gorgeous!) 
Food –  Sushi!!
Drink – Mango Lassi
Person in History –  Galileo Galilei ;-)
Tattoo – (If you don’t have one, what would you get?) I don’t have one, but if I did ever get one, it would most likely be a bird, since birds have always held a special meaning in my heart. 

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Buy/Stream “Galileo” HERE

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Check out OLIVIA ROX below
Website | Facebook  | Instagram  | Twitter 

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AMNPLIFY – DB