Fresh on the indie-pop scene, singer-songwriter Beren Olivia has a lot to say. With a remarkably distinct voice and a clever perspective on love, growing up, and the inexplicable mysteries of each, Beren brings a remarkable youthful sensibility to her brand of alternative/electro-pop, with intricate, tastefully layered production helmed by producer extraordinaire Dylan Bauld of Flor. In her songwriting, as well as her bright personality on TikTok and Instagram, Beren lets you in on the thoughts and emotions of a young person still finding herself in the world, approaching the complexities of relationships and maturation as only she can.
The release of her latest single, “Hurt Again,” sees the young artist wrestling with that frustrated feeling of falling in deep with the wrong person over and over again. “Close enough to keep mе, yet cold enough to leave me, but I bet, you’re worth me getting hurt again,” she reflects in the song’s irresistible chorus. Brutally self-aware and infectiously catchy, this fresh pop jam is definitely a fun one to check out this summer. We caught up with Beren recently to talk about the single, her beginnings as a musician, her favorite artists, and so much more.
Play Too Much: Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us Beren! For all those who might not be familiar with your work, could you talk a bit about yourself as an artist and your overall aesthetic?
Beren Olivia: Aesthetic!! Haha this is an ongoing joke, I’m constantly driving my manager mental because I’m always going on about the visuals and overall aesthetic. My name is Beren Olivia and I’m a singer/songwriter from London. I share stories, thought processes and experiences all in the form of music that (hopefully) connects and speaks to people on a deeper level. You know when you talk to someone or see a video of someone talking about themselves and then you have a moment of ‘oh my gosh I do that too’ or ‘oh so I’m not the only one who thinks this’…that’s what I try to create with every song I write.
PTM: This new single “Hurt Again” is a total standout. What inspired this single? What was the writing process like?
BO: Thank you! “Hurt Again” was actually written over Zoom during the thick of the 3rd lockdown London had earlier this year. It was just my friend, Tony Esterly and I. The first lyric I had going into the session was ‘people say I have a type, this time it’s you’ and this immediately set the tone for the entire song. I find it interesting how people say they have a ‘type’ because that would mean they’ve dated multiple people that are kind of similar and each time it’s never worked out. Like, if that’s the case then maybe you should find someone different right? But I feel like we naïvely hope for the best and hope to be ‘proven wrong’ instead. That’s the mindset behind “Hurt Again.”
PTM: You’ve been working with Dylan Bauld from Flor on a lot of your latest music including “Hurt Again,” “History” and “Read My Mind.” How did this collaborative process come about? How has he helped you grow as an artist?
BO: Dylan is a musical genius and we work so well together. It’s funny because we’ve never actually met in person. I knew of him as he produces and vocal produces a lot of Halsey’s songs like “Without Me” and some of her early stuff from the first EP and Badlands album (one of my fave albums). So to be completely honest, I reached out initially as a fan. We ended up FaceTiming and geeking out over music for a couple of hours and I just flat out asked ‘please please please can you produce my next single [“History”].’ He said ‘hell yes’ and that’s when it all started. We have such a similar taste in music and we compliment each other’s talents really well. I feel so lucky to have found someone so early on in my artist career who just gets me.
PTM: Upon breaking out into the music scene you’ve carved out a pretty unique space for yourself in the alternative/electro-pop lane. What have been some of the biggest influences on your sound and as a songwriter? Is there anyone that you are dying to collab with?
BO: I LOVE collaborations. The creative process when you’re by yourself with your own thoughts and ideas is such an adventure but then combine that with another brain that’s entirely different that sees/hears things in completely different ways…my level of excitement sky rockets. I’d love to collab with so many people but just to name a few, Shawn Mendes, Yungblud, JP Saxe, Taylor Swift, Finneas… the list goes on!! I’m also influenced by so many, from Taylor Swift and her lyrics, the way she tells stories and creates so much emotion that people can relate to on every level… all the way to Coldplay and their musicality. Their music is anthemic and fills stadiums. It unites people. These are all things that I strive for when I create music.
PTM: As a teenager, you explored a pretty eclectic span of different passions, such as competitive swimming and acting. What ultimately pushed you towards a career as a musician?
BO: There were a series of things that happened that lead to me choosing music. Ultimately, I just love music. I live with my headphones on. If I could glue them to my head, I would. My parents sometimes get annoyed because they talk to me and I just never hear them. I was always writing, constantly collecting words and phrases and trying to find deeper meanings to things. My brother got a guitar for his 11th birthday [I was 13] and I remember that Christmas, I locked myself away in my room and taught myself how to play. I’m super hard on myself but also super determined once I set my mind to something. The singing came a little later. To be honest, that was just a confidence thing. But once I chose to stop swimming at 14/15, I auditioned and got into an acting school. That summer I got a lead role in the showcase that required me to sing. When I sang, I was just as shocked as everyone else haha I didn’t know I had it in me.
PTM: As an independent artist without a record label you’ve already done an incredible job of building your fanbase and coming into your own as an artist. Do you have any advice or words of wisdom for budding musicians looking to follow the path of an independent artist?
BO: Thank you that means a lot! I’m definitely still learning, but what I’ve gathered so far is that this is a competitive industry. It’s also an industry that is based on rejection and people’s opinions. From label executives, publishers, A&Rs to even the listeners, it’s all just opinions at the end of the day so don’t take feedback personally. You can’t please everybody. You have to be careful with who you choose to surround yourself with and just keep pushing through. Especially at the start, there will be a lot more losses than wins. But you have to remember, It’s a marathon, not a sprint [I have to remind myself of this every day].
PTM: With some amazing singles under your belt you’ve amassed a pretty solid following over the last year. What has been the fans’ overall reaction? Do you have a particular favorite fan moment?
BO: The fans are incredible. I know everyone says this, but I swear I have the nicest group of people surrounding me. Their warmth and support is infinite and I’m so grateful for them. My favourite moment has to be making the “Hurts So Good” music video [my 3rd single]. It came out June 2020, so right in the middle of the first lockdown. Artists were trying all these new crazy things for music videos as we weren’t able to actually go out and film anything. I had this mental idea and I remember being on the phone to my manager discussing it and also a backup option as we really didn’t think it was going to work haha. But I got people to signup through a newsletter and we emailed everybody one line/lyric of the song each. Their job was to write out the line in the most creative way they could possibly think of. We had people spray-painting walls, drawing on guitars and skateboards, doing collages. The TALENT! They really came through and the lyric video is still one of my favourite things ever.
PTM: Since the music industry is once again in full swing — we’ve gotta know are there plans to get out on tour this year? What can fans expect from one of your live shows?
BO: YES! Actual live shows…what a novelty! I can’t wait to get out there, meet all of these beautiful people who have been aggressively supporting me from the start and scream/sing these songs at full volume all together. I just got my in-ears moulded so this show is about to hit the road!! [literally haha] Its going to be an amazing feeling watching these songs come to life.
PTM: Growing up on artists as diverse as Christina Aguilera to Tim McGraw you’ve certainly got a pretty broad musical pallet. Are there any current summer jams that have made your Spotify playlist?
BO: I have the widest range of music taste possible, I literally listen to everything. Never give me the aux, you’ll get scared haha. That being said, I refined it and I have actually just made a playlist, you can find it on my Spotify page [Beren Olivia]. It’s called Long Summer Nights. I picked out all of my fave summer jams and created one big playlist featuring artists like H.E.R, 6LACK, Summer Walker, Drake, Frank Ocean, Tate McRae and loads more. Check it out and let me know if I did good.
PTM: We totally appreciate you hanging with us Beren! Is there anything you want to leave the readers with before we go?
BO: A little bit of cheeky self promo never hurt anyone right? “Hurt Again” is the second single off of my up-and-coming EP that’s dropping this summer. Take a listen, find me on socials (@BerenOlivia on every platform) and send me a message. Let’s chat, I’d love to know what you think!
