INTERVIEW: Olivia Reid Discusses The Brand New Single “Runner’s High”!

New York-based indie-pop singer-songwriter Olivia Reid is a charming vocalist who possesses a phenomenally resonating & heartfelt lyrical storytelling gift that guides listeners through a sonically diverse musical experience.

This gifted musician has connected with audiences around the world via collaborations such as “Time is Mine” with Kidswaste, “What You Came Here For” with Jae Luna, & “Above the Clouds” with SŸDE, which has seen Olivia garner over 40 million streams.

Not long ago, Olivia unveiled the self-reflective anthem “Runner’s High”, which serves as a look back over Olivia’s dedication to the musical artistry possessed, no matter the challenges.

Olivia has kindly taken the time to talk with Fierce & Fabulous Revolution regarding the release behind the latest single & the creative journey undertaken. You can find the full interview listed below.

Hey Olivia, thank you for this interview. Can you start by telling readers who might be unfamiliar with your music a little bit about yourself?

Olivia: Sure thing, I’m an independent music artist, writer, and producer based in NYC! I grew up outside of Sacramento in California, and then moved out to New York when I was 17. Started releasing music a few years ago! I truly communicate through music, and am usually trying to unpack complex, arcane, or layered experiences and then extend those feelings into a sonic space. I’m an overthinker I suppose, so I make introspective music, to try and unpack those human experiences via thoughtful lyrics and then communicate the layers of the feeling via instrumentation. Really do believe music is a universal language.

When did you first discover your passion for music?

Olivia: So early I probably don’t even remember the first moment I realized it! I know when I was super little I was always singing along to music in the car. I fell asleep every night to Norah Jones. I woke up and played Earth, Wind & Fire, I danced around to 90s Hip-Hop. It really moved me through life. I vividly remember picking CDs out, and blasting them in our family room, while laying on the floor. I had my CD player then my iPod and phone on me always, just entranced and surrounded by music. I wrote my first song when I was about 6 years old, and my grandparents helped me take guitar lessons when I was about 8. There was no turning back after that!

How would you currently describe your musical style?

Olivia: Indie-pop with influences of folk, alternative, jazz, and electronic. I have a singer-songwriter approach to lyrics and an affinity for folk melodies, but often pair that with inspirations from all kinds of genres.

On March 3rd, you released the new single “Runner’s High.” How did the inspiration for this song come together?

Olivia: The instrumentation of the early version of the track immediately gave me the sensation of running. I’m always chasing that runner’s high feeling when I run… when my legs move so fast and I feel like I’m flying. My mind is so calm at that moment, it truly is a high. That concept translates the same to when the times I chase after things in my career, in my 9 to 5, in my life as an American. The song is my attempt to unpack and describe that sensation.

Did you always plan to release “Runner’s High” as a single?

Olivia: Yes absolutely! I think right away this song just encapsulates the next era of songs. Still very folk or singer-songwriter inspired lyrics, but with more of an affinity for some of the electronic elements that I love in collaborations like “Time is Mine” with Kidswaste or “Above the Clouds” with SŸDE. The combination of organic indie sounds plus electronic pop made it a natural single.

How would you compare the creative process behind this song to your earlier releases?

Olivia: This song is a bit more collaborative in the production than some of my earlier releases that I produced alone. An early iteration of the instrumental track was actually sent to me via Instagram by co-producers Ry Jones and Bastian Testori. Ryan shared the idea with me, highlighting this beautiful luscious saxophone outro they had made, which they said was inspired partially by the first single I had put out back in 2018 called “Organic Bloom.” When I heard the early version of the instrumentation, I was so inspired. The instrumentation really felt like me, and I immediately asked if they wanted to collaborate on it. The lyrical and melodic concept for ‘Runner’s High’ came so quickly to me. I’m so grateful that Ry sent that Instagram message, and it was such an organic creative process to bring the final version of the song together.

What does this song personally mean to you?

Olivia: I have a hard time resting, and I’m always staying in motion, chasing that feeling of accomplishment. On one hand, this song is a motivational speech to myself, cheering myself on in the race of life and celebrating things I’ve overcome. But it also acknowledges how tiring the race can be, and is a reminder to rest and be present. That’s what the outro means to me… it’s the cool down.

If listeners could take something from this song, what would you like it to be?

Olivia: There are going to be moments where the “Runner’s High” feels wonderful, you’re on top of the world, and the chase feels worth it. That said, remember you’re only chasing yourself. The pace of that chase is up to you and what you want in life. You don’t need to be racing anyone else, or racing for anyone else. Live the life you want to live, run the race you wanna run, at the pace you wanna run it. Just doing that, is a win.

What advice would you offer to someone who was looking to pursue a career within the music industry?

Olivia: The biggest thing I remind myself of is that no one musician’s career path is the same. I’ve seen local acts become an important staple of their community, I’ve had friends blow up seemingly overnight on TikTok or Eurovision, I’ve seen amazing artists win “Best New Artist” at the Grammys after they’ve already been in the industry for 10 years, and I’ve seen music teachers change an amazing amount lives. There are so many different paths, but no path looks the same or is the right way. You gotta just figure out what it looks like to do the “career” thing, your way.

Finally, is there a message that you would like to share with the readers of Fierce & Fabulous Revolution?

Olivia: Be kind to yourself. That kindness sinks in. And it spreads to others. I think a lot of beautiful souls out there are moving very fast, trying to be kind to everyone else, before being kind to themselves. You deserve that kindness, you deserve that pure kind of love. And you deserve rest.

You can check out “Runner’s High” on Spotify below or via further platforms here.