Introducing... Olivia Sebastianelli

This weeks Introducing comes in the fine form of Olivia Sebastianelli. If it’s a name you’re yet to hear, it’s certainly one you’ll be hearing a lot of in the future.

Signed to Sony at the tender age of 17, Sebastianelli expresses a maturity way beyond her years, not just shown throughout her songwriting but her demeanour and overriding sense of a young girl who knows exactly what she wants, so clearly evident in all she does.

Olivia took the decision to leave said major label after just 18 months, because they tried to turn her into Katy Perry, and as she says, “There’s already a Katy Perry, so what’s the point of another one?”

It’s this determination that’s stood Sebastianelli in good stead throughout her rise through the music industry. Far from the usual winsome girl with a guitar, she cites Chrissie Hynde and Debbie Harry as “a couple of women I completely adore”. She grew up on everyone from Alison Krauss to Alice In Chains and was more likely to have a poster of Kurt Cobain than Christina Aguilera on her wall as a kid.

Olivia recently released her debut single, ‘Rose Of Stone’ as a free download via. her facebook profile. Produced by Dan Weller (Enter Shikari, Young Guns), ‘Rose of Stone’ is a haunting, ethereal introduction to Sebastianelli’s talents. Showcasing her rich, huskily emotive voice, the single is the first release to be taken from her upcoming debut album, ‘Pebbles’.

So, without further ado, last week I was lucky enough to catch up with the lovely Olivia. I hope you enjoy.

DaisyDigital: Signed by a major label at the age of 17, what's your progression been like throughout the music industry? When did you start singing?

Olivia Sebastianelli: I started singing at 8/9. It's been a life long thing really. I was never really convinced I could do it properly or professionally. I met my manager when I was 13 and we just went from there really. It's been a while in the making and there's been some twists and turns along the way but we're getting there now :)

DD: Spending your childhood in a single-sex school comes with its challenges, I have been there! Do you find yourself drawing any inspiration for songs from these experiences? You've previously suggested you struggled to be your true self throughout school life?

O: It certainly does!! I think for some reason girls feel this need to bitch and start rumours for no apparent reason. It's hard to find yourself when so many people have an opinion of who you are or should be before you do. I've started writing my second album already and one of the songs I just wrote is kind of about my school life, but it's something that made me stronger as a person so if I can take a positive away from my school life it would be that. I don't take crap from people anymore.

DD: You create a hauntingly-beautiful, emotive sound, addressing all manner of issues displaying talents way beyond your tender years. Both musically and lyrically, who/what do you cite as your main influences?

O: I think reading gave me the vocabulary to be able to express myself. When I needed friends I had books and story's and these fantastical characters that gave me the knowledge to make sure the lyrics I write have depth and mystery. I enjoy mystery. Influence wise, there's a lot of different things that I listen to, everything from 40s/50s torch singers to 70s/80s pop to 80s/90s rock and grunge! I’ll give everything a go, I'm just a music lover through and through :)

DD: What's the first record you ever bought, I hear you're a lover of vinyl?

O: I'm a huge record/vinyl fan. There's nothing like putting on a record, hearing that delicious crackle before the song starts and holding the sleeve, reading the sleeve notes. It's something that belongs to you when you have a record. Almost like you're the only person in the world with that record. I've always had records because my dad has always had records and they're all mine now, but the first record I ever bought with my pocket money was Nocturama by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds. I think I was 11 when I bought it. There used to be this record shop in Croydon called Beanos and me and my dad would go and buy loads of records and have a milkshake every Saturday! He told me it was a great album and I should get it :) it is a great album he was right :)

DD: And, is it true you think Elvis Costello is "the king" and you once performed his track for a school singing competition? (I had his Mum over for Christmas dinner once, he's a lovely chap)

O: It is true haha, it was the first time I had ever sung at school and I chose that song. I think my teacher was a bit shocked when I started. I couldn't be more jealous! I would love to talk with him over a Shepherds pie!!

DD: Your debut album is solely written, what's your songwriting process like? Can you explain the thought behind the title, 'Pebbles'.

O: I always start with lyrics. I think it's from my days as a lonely little grunger writing poetry in my bedroom haha, so it just kind of stuck with me. Lyrics come first, then guitar parts then melody. Pebbles is one of the songs on the album and I chose it for the title because I think it's fascinating that one tiny rock can have such an incredible journey. They can come from one side of the world in a beautiful setting and end up somewhere completely different. I think It relates to the songs; they start out as a little idea and evolve into something unique but still a part of me.

DD: You recently released a video for 'Rose Of stone' taken from your forthcoming debut album, what was the intention behind the video?

O: I wanted the video to reflect the sadness behind the song. I just wanted to get emotion out of people with it so that they could feel what I feel when I sing it.... Deep haha!

DD: What's the response been like so far? Have you played many live shows and are you looking forward to the two in March?

O: The response has been incredible. I can't thank people enough for the kind words. It's just amazing to see how much people love the song and connect with it. I've been a bit quiet on the live scene for a while and I've really missed it. I used to gig all the time anywhere I could. Playing live with my band is just the best part for me I love it so I am so excited to be getting out there again!

DD: And finally, you can count the legendary Ray Davies a fan, how did that come about!

O: I was playing a gig in bush hall a few years back and he happened to be there. He was there to see the headline act but watched my set too. When I had finished I was heading outside and he stopped me and said that he thought my songs were great and my voice was hauntingly beautiful. It was an incredible moment for me. I recently found the picture of the two of us together at bush hall and posted it on my Facebook. He is such a legend in the music world so to have him say that when he really didn't have to was just amazing :)