Get To Know: Olivia Dolphin Talks Feminine-Fueled Witch Pop Sound, New Single ‘Ghost Story’, Upcoming Album

If you’re on the prowl for a cathartic summer break-up track, look no further than Olivia Dolphin‘s latest single, “Ghost Story.”

In this track, Dolphin (which is her real last name) explores the evolution of emotions that come from the common experience of being ‘ghosted’ and sets it to a backdrop of edgy and atmospheric pop-rock instrumentation. The energy draws both on the spooky nature of the term ‘ghost’ as well as the lasting (or haunting) emotions that a break-up can leave behind.

“Ghost Story” follows “Not Perfect,” the second single off of the upcoming album by the Rhode Island-based singer. Both tracks thus far have portrayed very deep emotional themes, setting this album up to be one that cuts deep for listeners.

The track features Dolphin on vocals and piano, along with Luke Leheny (guitar), Sam Jaksa (drums), Johnny McMahon (bass guitar), and Jeff Kidd (harmonica).

We got to chat with Dolphin about the new single, her upcoming album, and much more.

What are three things people should know about Olivia Dolphin?

In my band and studio recordings, I am playing the piano, but I’m actually more trained in classical flute performance! I am mostly self-taught on piano. And I didn’t start songwriting until around 2016.

I have re-discovered reading. I have always loved reading, books, and stories, but actually sitting down with a book cover to cover had fallen to the wayside through college and early career years. Now I always have a fiction book I’m reading through!

“Dolphin” is my real last name.

I love your new song! Can you tell us more about what inspired it and the backstory behind “Ghost Story?”

Thank you! I love to hear that. So, basically, I was ghosted twice by the same person (I know, I know.) “Ghost Story” was a way to reclaim this story, and make it my own. You get zero closure when you’re ghosted, especially when it’s someone you’ve been seeing for two weeks (and then two months). So you have to find a way to close that chapter and story yourself. So, “You’re just another ghost story” was written.

You’ve described your music and sound as ‘witch pop.’ What does that entail and mean to you?

Witch Pop is a fun way to bring in all the elements of storytelling, feminine energy and magic into one vibe. Witch Pop to me is writing songs that honor my communities and my friendships through the mystical. It’s also about our sound: we’re a little wicked, a little dark, a little spooky. All of those things combined feel like Witch Pop! 

Who might be some of your ‘Witch Pop’ artist inspirations and why?

So many of my inspirations come from female artists that are using a wide range of sounds. Think Florence and the Machine, Ingrid Michaelson, Brandi Carlile, and Tori Amos. They all write songs about the feminine experience while honing in on a slight touch of magic – whether it’s within their families and found families, their relations with others or with nature. There’s always a bit of magic in their storytelling. And who could forget the OG Witch Pop Witch Rock icon, Stevie Nicks. 

The new single deals with what you describe as “feminine rage.” Can you elaborate on that and what you’re going for there?

When I first started writing music, I gravitated towards a lot of sad themes and motifs. The first time I wrote about my experience being ghosted, it was a song called “Faded.” And it dealt with similar themes: I was looking everywhere and anywhere else for explanations on why my heart was broken and I was left wondering what happened where the person in my life left without a trace. It felt like it didn’t even happen, like I couldn’t even prove to my friends that this person in my life was real. It truly felt like a ghost story just happened to me.

So, I wrote about being ghosted from another perspective – the anger I had inside me about it all. THIS version of “Ghost Story” felt more cathartic than sitting in a sadness bubble. Over time, I was able to channel more and more energy into the performance and the arrangements. I think you can hear me working through the anger and confusion in the song itself. Feminine rage. 🙂  

You released “Ghost Story” after “Not Perfect.” Why did you choose those as the singles for the album and in that particular order?

“Not Perfect” as a first single just felt right. It showcases how far I’ve come as a songwriter and also my new sound with a full band (which is a natural development from the first album which had more of a stripped back sound). In terms of lyrical content, “Not Perfect” is so fun and relatable, it also had the group vocals/call and response that I knew friends and fans would eat up. 

You’ll notice the singles get progressively dark as they release. “Ghost Story” has that witchy pop, witchy rock sound with a minor key, wild ascending lines and a lot of vocal growls.

The NEXT single we’re releasing is even darker… in both sound style and lyrical content. I hope you’ll come along for the ride. 

“Not Perfect” is about your own imperfections in a relationship, and “Ghost Story” is about a breakup. Are these themes that we can expect you to draw on more in your upcoming album? What other themes and ideas can we expect to hear about in the rest of the songs?

I cannot resist a break up song. And I can’t resist a song that reclaims or re-narrates a memory or experience I’ve had. You can absolutely expect more of those themes and I hope they lend a hand-at-the-shore for people that might have similar experiences. The upcoming album really digs into self growth, self reflection and self improvement. There’s a sweetness, both in tonal sounds and lyrics, that the singles don’t quite touch on. You’ll have to listen to the full album to hear a bit of the musical ebbs and flows we are playing with as a band. 

Can you give us any other insight about what’s to come on the album and plans for after?

I cannot resist a good party. We’ll definitely be throwing a big album release show in Providence, RI. It’s really important for me to reflect and be present for achievements. I couldn’t have done this without my band or my producer Emma Newton from Big Nice Studio. I want to really take pause and honor everyone that had a hand in making this art. 

After? More music. More shows. More merch. More writing. This has been an incredible journey and I’m falling in love with the magic of music making all over again. 

What’s the Rhode Island music scene like these days, specifically in the pop sphere, and how does that affect your own inspiration?

The Rhode Island music scene is one of the most welcoming and loving communities I have had the privilege of being part of. We have a budding hip hop, heavy metal, folk and R&B scene, but less of a true “pop” scene. (If you are in RI and consider yourself ‘pop’ – please reach out!). It feels really cool to be exploring the pop-world with a lot of 90s alt rock inspo. There’s so many incredible bands in the RI space right now that inspire me – Nova One, Lady Pills, How’s About Charlie, Wyn & The White Light, Julie Rhodes, Yonks, and Molly O’Leary are a few womxn, non-binary, and/or queer-led groups that I cannot get enough of. 

There is such an incredible scene in Providence right now, and we have incredible restaurants and food. We got a lil shoutout in Vogue recently that we are the “charming east coast creative capital to visit right now”, but our music venues didn’t really get a big call out. It’s a miss if I say so myself. Our music venues are doing incredible work and you should come check out a show! 

If you could pick three modern artists you look up to for each of the following, who would they be and why? Producing a record with, going on tour with, and going on vacation with. 

Going on vacation with?! Wow, what a dream. I think first up, I would have Sammy Rae give me a masterclass on vocal riffs, learning my scales, and how to arrange with a large band (with horns! A dream!). Sammy Rae is doing such incredible work at building an entire WORLD around their work that really draws in a crowd and makes everyone in the audience feel seen and heard. I admire that tremendously and seek to create the same environment at my shows.

Second, I would have The Lone Bellow take my up to Long Pond Studios and produce my next album with me (what a dreaaaamm). The Lone Bellow has been an inspiration band for me from the moment I heard “Green Light and a Heart of Gold.” They have that stomp and holler, folk-banging windows-down-sing-along nature of songs that I am always chasing. But they also have a way of softening things up with really simple, lush, instrumentation and vocal harmonies. It would be a dream to work with them.

Last, I am a huge fan of the band JOSEPH. These three sisters captured my heart with their vocal layering, the way their melodies all intertwine with acoustic instrumentation. When you see them live, it’s all about the songwriting and the energy exchange of making music together. What an honor it would be to tour with them and share the stage. Maybe one day! What a fun way to think about where music can take us if we keep going.

Thank you for listening and supporting new artists on the scene.