While Olivia Ooms may only be eighteen, her vocals and skills as a songwriter hints at someone much more wiser than her years. With a mature approach to her craft, Olivia has already made an impact with her debut single “Thoughts of You,” which caught the attention of CMA, CMT and Radio Disney. The Huntington Beach, CA native’s last two singles “Baggage” and “California Country” were produced by GRAMMY winner Jamie O’Neal, and the pair are back on Olivia’s new single “Hideaway” available today.
We caught up with Olivia to talk about the story behind the single, working with Jamie and more.
CN: For our readers who may not be familiar with you, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
OO: Sure! Music has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can recall. When I look at the world, I see it through a musical lens. Growing up in a California beach town, I heard music in the ocean waves and throughout my life, I have heard music through the noise! I am currently a freshman at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and although I am studying remotely, I look forward to entrenching myself in the quaint west coast country college town very soon.
CN: With everything that’s going on in the world in regards to COVID-19, we hope everyone in your circle is safe and healthy. How are you holding up?
OO: Thank you! We are doing well! My mom and brother had mild cases of covid-19 but thankfully my grandparents are staying healthy! It has been a difficult time, to say the least, but we are all adapting to the changes and taking safety precautions seriously. I was in the graduating class of 2020, and everything came at us so quickly. We had to be very resilient and patient. I have hope that we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel now.
CN: With 2020 in the rearview mirror, you are set to kick off your new year with your new single “Hideaway” available today, January 29th. What can you tell us about the track?
OO: “Hideaway” boils down to “Letting go and letting God.” It’s a bluesy song that reminds us to not be someone who we aren’t, but to embrace who we are meant to be in this world. Don’t hide away but go and be your best self every day! That’s where you’ll find peace and serenity.
CN: You co-wrote this song with Gabby Neeley. Was it an easy, quick song to write or did it take a few sessions?
OO: Gabby and I volunteer with an organization called Community Outreach Alliance (COA) whose mission is to keep teens from drug and alcohol abuse as well as teen suicide prevention by offering healthy fun activities such as music and sports. We think along the same lines when it comes to music so writing a song with Gabby was fun! We put it together on the piano in my room in one day and hope it helps inspire others!
CN: Can you share what the background story is to the song? What was the inspiration?
OO: We wrote “Hideaway” just before the pandemic hit hard. I was in my last semester of high school and knew that big changes were about to come. I loved high school and leaving the safe life for an entirely new one was exciting but also a bit scary. “Hideaway” was written to help each of us realize and act on our true hidden potential when we just take time to listen.
CN: ACM Award winner Jamie O’Neal not only joins you on the track but she also produced it. What was it like to work with Jamie first as a fellow artist, but then as a producer?
OO: Jamie O’Neal is just amazing and such an inspiration to me. We have a lot in common, and I learned so much from her. She leads by example and empowers me constantly. I can’t wait for you to hear her background vocals on “Hideaway”. She has the voice of an angel.
CN: What is one thing you learned from your time with Jamie?
OO: Jamie taught me so much, but I especially appreciate her teaching me the inner workings of Nashville just by being herself! She arranged for me to use her musicians when I needed a band for a show at the Wildhorse Saloon in downtown Nashville, she came and supported me when I had a live performance on WSMV “Today in Nashville,” and she was there for me when I had butterflies before my first performance at the historic Ryman Auditorium! Nashville is all about family and supporting one another, and Jamie exemplifies this!
CN: We’re just about to enter the second month of 2021. What do you have on the horizon for this upcoming year?
OO: Well, I have one more big song coming out at the end of March! I plan to continue working as a barista at Philz coffee shop, writing music, studying, training my husky puppy, Aspen, and hopefully live performances will return so I can get back out there where I most love to be, making music and connecting with people!
CN: Do you have any performances scheduled – either in person or online – that fans can check out?
OO: Yes! I have a local show March 6th in Dana Point, CA. Details for this and other upcoming events can be found on my website www.OliviaOoms.com. Some concerts are in the works, but it all depends on regulations being lifted, so nothing else is confirmed quite yet. But stay tuned, I’ll have some online appearances to announce soon, and some exciting things are about to unfold!!!
Download/stream “Hideaway” here.
For more information on Olivia Ooms, visit her website www.oliviaooms.com, and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.