WORDS & INTERVIEW BY PETAR PETROV

Natural born music talent can usually take many different forms within a single album that breaks free from the confinements of fixed genres, all while marking each song with its distinctive touch. That’s the case with Expectations, an album that traverses the neo-noir, jazz, soul, and pop spectrum, drawing comparisons with some of the most influential jazz and soul singers, in search of the perfect musical expression of Olivia Henry’s emotions, experiences, and expectations.

We sit down to talk to her about what those expectations are exactly, love in all its forms, how her personal life powers her musical one, and more.

How would you define your style in terms of genre, and in terms of feel?

I usually identify it broadly as Cinematic Pop. I have a background in theatre, and I know that part of my life is reflected in my music a great deal. My songs are focused heavily on story. I want to create a world for the listener to live in with each song. I think that’s part of the reason my songs seem to stray from one genre as I try to stay true to the story and what I’m trying to convey with that. The genre is an afterthought. I’ve been labeled under some pretty cool one’s though— neo-noir, alterna-pop and sophisti-pop.

Expectations is quite a diverse album musically, blending different styles, with pretty much every song being a genre of its own, at least in my opinion. How do you decide on the genre and style of a song? Do you decide the next song you're going to do will be a certain style, or let a feeling/idea/experience determine it? Which one comes first, the idea or the genre and style?

I really appreciate that you feel that way. It’s a testament to the many different and amazing artists that have had influence on me. I never really felt comfortable defining myself in one genre. I just write what I hear, what speaks to my heart and I don’t worry about the rest. Usually a phrase and a melody come to me first. I hear a line and I sing it, and then record it on my phone to be referred to later. Otherwise, the beginnings of a song start when I’m writing furiously in my journal. I’ll hear some melody behind what I’m writing, then I’ll go to the piano and plunk that out until I have something. Somehow it’s almost always verse first. I wish it was chorus first, that would make life easier. So genre and style really aren’t on the brain.

What kind of expectations are you singing about?

Expectations of myself, where I am and why, of the person I was with, of the people around me, my career, my many jobs, my future… it’s one of my biggest challenges in life to go into something with no expectations. It would be so freeing. Those songs, those experiences I wrote about, the love the loss–– so much of it was built on having an often unreasonable expectation, undoubtedly creating tremendous pressure for myself and perceived pressure on those closest to me. It’s held me back in the past, and gotten in my way. Writing this album was a big part of moving through those old patterns. I can’t say I’m free of them, but it’s a lot better than it uses to be.

Love seems to be a driving force in the album. When it comes to such a personal theme, how much of it has to be based on personal life, and how much of it can be fiction? How about in general, regardless of the specific theme - how much of your personal life is reflected in your music?

I think love is the driving force of humanity. It’s a need. I don’t ever seem to tire of the theme, and I definitely write about it almost exclusively. I’ve had the fear of “if I stay in this happy place am I ever going to write another song?!” So yeah, these songs are straight out of my journals and personal life. For every writer it’s different. I was challenged once by an old boyfriend to write one song a week about a topic that he’d give me. It helped me get out of a writing rut, and I realized I could write a song that had nothing to do with me, but they didn’t to have the same passion and intention behind them. At least mine didn’t. The music that I most relate to, and the artists that I have the most admiration for are always singing truth from their experience. When someone has lived it, it resonates and leaves an impact unlike any other. To me that’s when you cut to someone’s core the most— when it’s relatable because you went through it. So I stick to writing what I’ve gone through.

Expectations seems to be permeated by a sense of empowerment, self-acceptance and assurance, perhaps even boldness and panache - is that fair to say? In that regard, combined with the jazzy/soul musical style, it reminds me a little of Stepping Stone in particular by Duffy, and Amy Winehouse and Kovacs in general. What do you think of those comparisons, and do you think those vibes I just mentioned are somewhat characteristic of those genres, and if so, why?

I think that’s very fair to say and I love those comparisons. Anytime I can use the word “panache” to describe something I will, so thanks for that too. If I’m honest, I’m not very familiar with the Kovacs (so I will definitely be taking a dive down their discography,) but I love Duffy and Amy. I feel honored to be compared to them in any way. Jazz and soul are deeply connected to a sense of self, as you can’t really play that type of music unless you reach deep down into your core and sing from that pulse you find. I want to say in every genre you can find an artist who is achieving that kind of truth, but you just can’t fake it with soul; it’s in the name. So I think it makes sense to assume that empowerment, boldness and self acceptance is innately characteristic of jazz and soul music.

What are your musical influences?

Too many to list. My parents had a record player and the first record I remember listening to was Beethoven’s Nine Symphonies. I think I listened to it until it broke, and then told my Mom I wanted to play piano but didn’t understand I wasn’t going to be playing Beethoven right off the bat at 5 years old. So I had a couple lessons and then opted for dance. I got into Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and other jazz greats on my own, I don’t exactly remember how. My Dad listened exclusively to 60’s and 70’s music, so I fell in love with the Beatles, Bob Dylan, Zeppelin, Stones, CCR from him. I found Motown and went on a Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell spiral, followed by Aretha, Stevie Wonder and Otis Redding. Then I found people like Fiona Apple, Tori Amos, Joni Mitchell…Lauryn Hill’s Miseducation was a revelation, and one of the best albums ever written to this day. I could write a dissertation on all of the inspiring musicians that have been and continue to be my muses. I just love music.

Your album is a testament to your musical versatility. Would you like to do some collaborations, and if so, what kind, along the lines of which genres or styles?

I would love to collaborate with other artists. I have always wanted to put together some kind of folk band, and in the complete inverse, write something very dream pop. I also want to work with hip-hop artists. I’m down for all of it.

What does the future hold, as far as you can tell, of course?

Small European tour, more LA gigging, festival circuit, management, US tour, label, world tour and then all the way to the top. Something like that.

Anything else you'd like to share?

Thank you for taking the time to listen to my album and asking me questions that I really enjoyed answering. It was a pleasure, and I’m so very grateful for the opportunity to be featured on A Book Of. Everybody go stream it!