Olivia Lunny's Passion for Pop Music and LA's Emotional Rollercoaster
interview
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interview ✦
Over the past few years, Canadian-born, LA-based pop sensation Olivia Lunny has been capturing hearts with her infectious melodies and raw lyrics. In fact, with over 80 million streams globally and her breakout EP Heartbreak on Repeat amassing 5 million streams alone, Olivia has morphed into a dynamic artist within the enigmatic pop music scene.
Fresh off the success of chart-topping singles like "Fix This" with Bryce Vine, "City of Angels," and the irresistibly catchy "Timezone," the singer-songwriter now continues to develop her most ambitious project yet: her debut album, Velvet & Denim. A rich combination of sonic textures and personal storytelling, delicately depicting her artistic evolution. And leading the charge is her entrancing new single, "HEAVEN," a dreamy, heartfelt track that invites listeners to bask in its ethereal glow while offering a glimpse into the emotional resonance of the album as a whole.
What would you say was the main reason you connected with pop music—and at what point in life did you know that was the path you wanted to pursue?
Olivia Lunny: Pop music has this magic to it… it’s nostalgic, emotional, and it just feels like home to me. Growing up, I was always that kid obsessing over melodies, harmonies, and lyrics that could make you cry. I picked up a guitar when I was 12 and started writing my own songs, and by high school, I realised that nothing else felt like music did. I worked at a candle store and as a hostess in a restaurant fresh out of high school until music started taking up all of my time.
What were some of the challenges you encountered during your transition to life in Los Angeles that other artists might benefit from knowing?
Olivia Lunny: Ohhh, moving to LA is like jumping into the deep end of the pool except someone forgot to mention there are sharks, and you must parallel park everywhere [laughs]. I’d say the biggest challenge was finding real community. It can feel a little lonely at first, but I learned pretty quickly that you have to actively build your circle and good things take time!
Can you tell us about how your music has changed between Heartbreak on Repeat EP and your first upcoming album, Velvet & Denim?
Olivia Lunny: Night and day. Heartbreak on Repeat was me stepping into the pop world, figuring out my sound, and dealing with some serious heartbreak. Velvet & Denim feels like the next chapter… it’s still emotional, but it’s also rawer, more me. Sonically, there’s more grit, more edge. I’ve experimented a lot, bringing in grunge elements, alt-pop vibes, and moments that feel like they should be playing in a movie montage! It’s a little messy, a little glamorous, and totally where I’m at right now.
What was the concept behind the title Velvet & Denim? In what ways would you say that reflects your current style or musical tone?
Olivia Lunny: When I was 18 years old, I wrote a song called “velvet and denim”. It was a terrible song but fast forward to 2023, when I started brainstorming and diving into the world of album concept building, I stumbled across the title of this old song and saw it in a different light. This album is the definition of duality. Soft and sexy like velvet, and raw/tattered like denim.
Congratulations on the release of your latest single "HEAVEN”—how does the song tie into the theme of Velvet & Denim?
Olivia Lunny: Thank you! “HEAVEN” is like the rebellious little sister of the album. It’s grungier, moodier, and doesn’t really care about fitting in. Sonically, it stands alone… it’s got that dark, obsessive love energy that makes it feel like it’s its own world. But thematically, it fits because it’s real. This album is all about emotion, and “HEAVEN” is pure infatuation.
Songs like "City of Angels" and "Timezone" have become a few fan favourites. That being said, do you have a personal favourite track to perform or even one that’s closest to your heart?
Olivia Lunny: Ahh, that’s like choosing a favourite child. I think “City of Angels” is always special because it’s basically my love/hate letter to LA, and performing it just hits differently. But if I had to pick one that’s closest to my heart… I’d say the title track “Velvet and Denim”. It’s soft, stripped back, and it scares me a little to share it. Which probably means I have to [laughs].
You've previously opened for legends like Ellie Goulding and Eurovision winner Loreen. How has sharing a stage with such icons shaped your approach to live performances?
Olivia Lunny: So much. Watching artists like Ellie and Loreen command a stage is like getting a masterclass in stage presence! They know exactly who they are and own it in every second of their set. That really pushed me to think about my own performance style… how to be more intentional with movement, how to connect deeper with the audience, how to make every song feel like a moment. Also, the stamina? Unreal. I have so much respect for artists who make it look effortless because, trust me, it’s anything but.
