Olivia Lunny - Heaven
Fresh off the release of her shimmering new single Marilyn, Olivia Lunny is entering a bold new era - one defined by duality, daring pop hooks, and a growing presence on both stage and screen. With her debut album Velvet & Denim on the horizon and festival stages calling her name, we caught up with the Canadian singer-songwriter to talk femme fatales, fashion as storytelling, and finding confidence in the in-between.
© Ivy Tellin
“Marilyn” feels both cinematic and vulnerable - what inspired the track and its title? Was there something specific about Marilyn Monroe’s story that resonated with you?
Totally. Marilyn is more than a name, it’s a feeling! She’s the femme fatale and the soft girl all in one, and that duality really stuck with me. There was always this push and pull in her story between power and pain, and I found that regally inspiring. The song isn’t about her, it’s about what she represents….! Confidence and vulnerability. I wanted to write something that felt like stepping into that energy, owning the room, and embodying that confidence.
You’ve been in LA working on Velvet & Denim - what’s the emotional thread tying this album together? What are you trying to say or share with this body of work?
The thread is duality. It’s the clash between softness and grit, fantasy and reality, who I was and who I’m becoming. Velvet & Denim feels like a diary of my 20s. There were moments of heartbreak, healing, and the ones where I felt on top of the world. It’s about learning to live in the in between and making that space feel like home.
Your visuals have become more refined and fashion-forward with every release - how important is aesthetic to your music? Do you see yourself as part of the pop-fashionscape?
A thousand percent. For me, music has always had a visual component! It’s about creating a whole world you can step into. Fashion lets me turn up the volume on the emotions in a song. I grew up idolising artists who weren’t afraid to be bold with their style like Lana, Rihanna and Stevie Nicks. Curating the visuals is just as much a part of the storytelling as writing the lyrics. I think pop and fashion are soulmates, honestly.
© Ivy Tellin
You’ve opened for Ellie Goulding and Loreen, with Governor’s Ball and LIDO Festival on the horizon—how are you preparing for this next live chapter? What’s changed in your approach to performance?
I’m taking up more space… physically, emotionally, energetically. I used to play it safe, but now I want to embody the music fully. Touring taught me how to connect with a crowd even when I felt small, and now I feel more fearless onstage. Also, I’ve been rehearsing like crazy and building a set that feels like an emotional experience, not just a show.
You’ve had massive support from press, streaming, and radio - does that add pressure or push you creatively? How do you stay grounded while everything’s accelerating?
It’s surreal, but I try not to let the numbers or buzz define my worth. I remind myself that I started writing songs on my bedroom floor in Winnipeg MB Canada. When things get overwhelming, I unplug, call my mom, or go for a drive. Creatively, I try to chase the feeling first not the formula. If I’m obsessed with the song, that’s the win.
What do you think SID stands for?
Oh, this is tough!! Sad in December?? Maybe that’s more of a new song title (Laugh)! OL
