Finding Velvet In Denim: Pop Star Olivia Lunny Talks About Her New Album, Gov Ball Debut, and Entering A New Era

Rami Mansi poses with Olivia Lunny for Press Photograph./ Courtesy of Lunny’s Press Team

By Rami Mansi

   Through the weekend of June 6 to 8, The Vanguard was allowed to attend the 14th annual Governors Ball (Gov Ball) in Queens, New York. On the 8th, our publication was given the chance to interview rising pop star Olivia Lunny.   

   Olivia Lunny is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles but born and raised in Manitoba, Canada. A versatile singer, Lunny made her musical start as a winner of the competitive television show “The Launch” and has since released multiple projects. Such as her self-titled debut album, three eps, and most recently, her second full-length project “VELVET & DENIM”. 

   The sophomore album spoke on Lunny’s relationship with love, the complications that come with opening yourself up, unrequited heartbreak, and exploring oneself within the heaven that is another’s eyes. The lyrical elements of “VELVET & DENIM” were romantically nostalgic and complemented with stunning vocals. Sonic elements of rock and indie, with that pop music flair, were heard throughout the entirety of the project.   

 Lunny spoke with the Vanguard about her new album, the start of her latest tour, and her debut experience at Gov Ball. 

   Read the interview below:

 

Vanguard: How did it feel making your Gov Ball debut with these new songs?

Lunny: Honestly, very surreal. I just feel like it was a big day, marking the start of this new era, this new chapter. It felt bigger than just one show; it was the portal to a new chapter.

Vanguard: It’s so clear that you are a performer. You put a lot into your rehearsals and practicing your craft. How was the rehearsal process for you? Were there changes as time went on?

Lunny: For me, it always starts with picking the song order, and now that I have this new project, it’s like finding the marriage of the older stuff and also incorporating the new songs. It starts with that, then I dive into movement with a really great movement coach and choreographer, and then the band kind of comes last, and that’s like the thing that makes everything blend together.

Vanguard: Talking about the set list, one song [from your discography] I was hoping you were gonna play is “Timezone”. It’s one of my favorite songs!

Lunny: It’s so funny, you never know what people’s favorite songs are[…] If I had known you were there, I could’ve played that. 

Vanguard: You previously mentioned this about your style, like this black lace moment you wore on stage was so beautiful […] How do you choose your outfits for each concert? 

Lunny: I work with a really amazing stylist named Lynn Allison, and for a few of the tour looks we had custom looks made from a cool [Los Angeles-based] designer called “LSD”. It’s been really amazing to develop custom looks that are very specific to me and the theme of the album. Vanguard: Out of curiosity, who were your inspirations for this album? 

Lunny: Sonically, I’ve definitely been a Lana Del Ray fan for as long as time. To throwback in time, I love Stevie Nicks, Fleetwood Mac, and of course, Miley Cyrus is iconic and legendary. So those are some powerhouse female artists that inspire me. 

Vanguard: What’s your favorite song off the album that you created? It must be so hard to choose.

Lunny: Yeah, it is hard to choose. I would definitely have to say either “Green Eyes” or “Velvet and Denim” are favorites as of recently, but it changes on the day.

Vanguard: This new project is very different from what you’ve released in the past. “Timezone” and the “Heartbreak On Repeat” EPs were more electronic-based, and now you’re moving into more heartfelt, melancholic lyrics. How has this album really helped push your creative limits? 

Lunny: [The album] has done exactly that. I think [the album] has forced me to be more intentional, and I went into this album with a very clear theme of what I wanted to write. In the past, I just wanted to write upbeat, fun pop stuff, which I still love, and I will always feel like a pop girl at heart. But for this album, there was just so much I wanted to say and I approached it with so much intention […] it’s so much more of a cohesive vibe. 

Vanguard: Talking about [Velvet & Denim]; During your set, you started explaining the title of “Velvet and Denim” as almost these negative and positive experiences. So a big question I have is, how do you balance the velvets and denims of being a popstar? Being that person in the public eye, those inevitable denims, those inescapable, beautiful velvets?

Lunny: I think it’s just really finding how to live in those moments fully, because in the moment of denim, you will always have velvet and vice versa. It’s all about finding the duality is really important. 

Vanguard: Thank you so much!

 

For more information about Olivia Lunny’s music, tour stops, and other information, check out her official Instagram, @olivialunny.

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