INTERVIEW: Olivia Reid Uses Space to Roam For Inspiration
Olivia Reid explores the wilds of the Polish countryside – and New York City – for inspiration in Space to Roam. The EP is a meditation on comfort and letting go of your fears. Reid tells us more about her process.
Olivia Reid explores the wilds of the Polish countryside – and New York City – for inspiration in Space to Roam. The EP, which came out last Friday, is a meditation on comfort and letting go of your fears. As Reid shares below, the EP came to be as Reid traveled with her partner, choreographer Kanon Sapp, and saw more of the world. The pair collaborated on the music video for "Quite Simple," an embodiment of their search for joy by pursuing the obvious – but ever-difficult-to-attain truth – that all we have is now. Reid tells us more about her process for the EP, which we'll review on Wednesday.
Explain the title of your album.
Space to Roam encapsulates the sensation of finding the physical and mental space to just be. To explore, to wander, to feel, even to do things aimlessly. I wrote a lot of the songs during a few weeks I spent in the Polish countryside doing an artist residency with my partner (who’s a wonderful choreographer), and the title track describes this perfect little paradise where we stayed and made art. Though many of the songs try to capture a calmness of how simple life can be, at the same time there are echoes of frustration with the current climate we’re in. I’m always trying to operate at 150% capacity to work towards comfort, towards earning things like a home one day or even just the luxury of more space to roam.
Do you have any songwriting tips you can share?
Some eras of your life will be input for songs, which will serve you as output of actually writing songs later on. Trying something new, exploring a new place, listening to new music – all of that is input. So don’t stress if you’re not writing as many songs or if you feel uninspired, you might need to gather new input, before expecting yourself to pump out song after song as output.
Have you ever been given something remarkable by a fan?
A fan knew how much I loved green and how often I write about nature, so they brought me a succulent plant to a show! Epically thoughtful really.
What's the best way a fan can support you?
Sharing the music! It is so hard out there – and to be honest it’s quite easy to feel invisible due to the amount of music and media out there. Outlets like this really help me get the word out and ultimately when fans share my music with someone they care about, it feels so communal and encouraging to me that it’s becoming a part of someone else’s life.
What words did you need to hear as you explored your identity?
There is nothing inherently immoral, evil, or unnatural about queerness. Many people might try to convince you otherwise, and it’s just simply not true. As long as you’re approaching others – and yourself – with kindness, openness, respect and gentleness – that’s all that matters!
