Olive F: exploration and personal transformation

Olive F is a DJ and producer whose musical journey is both transformative and inspiring. Her evolution from a young music enthusiast to a respected figure in the electronic music scene has been defined by pivotal moments, personal struggles, and a relentless pursuit of a sound that resonates on a global stage. Olive's story is one of passion, connection, and overcoming obstacles, all while creating a space for her audience to feel the power of music in its purest form. From her early influences to her breakthrough moments in Ibiza, this is a deeper exploration of the artist behind the beats.

Music was always a constant presence in Olive F’s life. Growing up in a home filled with diverse genres, she was exposed to everything from the soulful rhythms of Motown to the infectious energy of 90s house music. However, it wasn’t until a family trip to France that Olive discovered the sound that would shape her musical path. It was during this trip that she stumbled upon Daft Punk's Discovery and her entire perspective on music shifted.

“Music was always a constant in my life growing up, but it was during our family holidays to France that I truly discovered the sound that would shape me.”

Olive reflects on the moment she first heard Discovery and how it resonated with her. It wasn’t just the music that caught her attention—it was the way Daft Punk blended funk, disco, and electronic elements in such a unique way.

“I still remember walking into a French supermarket—just a routine stop for groceries—but wandering over to the CD section and spotting Discovery by Daft Punk. I had no idea at the time how much that album would mean to me. I was hooked. It was unlike anything I’d heard before—gritty, robotic, yet somehow full of life.”

This experience marked the beginning of Olive’s love for French house music, a genre that would continue to influence her sound throughout her career. She recalls how this discovery led her to explore other artists in the French house scene, most notably Cassius, whose 1999 album solidified Olive’s love for the fusion of disco, funk, and electronic music. The raw energy and nostalgia in Cassius’ sound captivated her, and she felt a deep connection to their approach.

“There was something about the way those records blended funk, disco, and futuristic sounds that just clicked with me. It felt fresh but also nostalgic, like it had roots in something bigger.”

With this new understanding of the musical landscape, Olive dove deeper into the world of vinyl collecting. Growing up with a family that had a vast collection of records, Olive spent countless hours pouring over the albums, each one a doorway into a new world of sounds and textures. This obsession with vinyl continued throughout her youth and shaped her approach to music production. For Olive, vinyl wasn’t just a medium for playing music—it became a way of understanding the deeper nuances of sound.

“There’s always been a turntable in the house, always been stacks of vinyl lining the shelves. Some of my earliest memories are of watching records spin, hearing the crackle before the music kicked in.”

As she grew older, Olive’s love for vinyl only intensified. She began to build her own collection, scouring record shops and online marketplaces for rare finds. For her, each record was a treasure, one that carried its own story. She wasn’t just searching for music to play—she was searching for music that would resonate with her on a personal level. Her growing collection became a reflection of her evolving taste and her desire to connect with music on a deeper level.

“As I got older, I started building my own collection, searching for records that felt special—ones with a unique groove, an unexpected sample, or a sound that stood out. I didn’t just listen to music; I studied it, breaking down what made certain tracks hit harder or feel more alive.”

The influence of vinyl can still be heard in Olive’s music today. Her productions are filled with warm, analog sounds that evoke the same feeling she had when she first discovered the magic of records. The imperfections inherent in vinyl—its crackles and pops—are often present in her work, adding a layer of authenticity and rawness that connects her sound to her roots.

“The imperfections, the warmth, the little nuances you can’t replicate digitally—all of that feeds into how I shape my own sound.”

As Olive continued to hone her craft, one album remained a constant source of inspiration:‘Intro’ by Alan Braxe and Fred Falke. This groundbreaking record, with its genre-defying sound and emotional depth, became the blueprint for Olive’s approach to electronic music. It wasn’t just about the beats—it was about the emotion behind them. Daft Punk showed her that electronic music could be just as expressive and intimate as any other genre, and this became a guiding principle for Olive’s music.

“That album was a game-changer. It blurred the lines between disco and electronic music, between nostalgia and the future. Tracks like Something About Us and Digital Love had this raw emotion that made me realize electronic music could be just as personal and expressive as any other genre. Even now, it’s a record I go back to for inspiration, a reminder of why I fell in love with music in the first place.”

But it wasn’t until a trip to Ibiza that she fully realized her potential as an artist. While Ibiza is often regarded as the global mecca of electronic music, for Olive, it was more than just a destination—it was a turning point in her career. She recalls the first time she experienced the island’s iconic nightlife scene, which left a lasting impression on her both musically and personally.

“My first trip to Ibiza was completely on a whim, my older cousin was planning a trip there with her friend and I had never been on a holiday without my parents before, so the idea seemed really daunting. I said fuck it and tagged along and I never looked back.”

Ibiza’s vibrant energy and its culture of freedom and self-expression captured Olive in a way no other place had before. She felt an immediate connection to the island, both in its music and its people. The sense of unity she felt on the dancefloor was unlike anything she had experienced, and it was this experience that pushed her to pursue DJing more seriously.

“It’s hard to describe the feeling you get when you land in Ibiza, an instant attraction, a sense of overwhelming pleasure and excitement. I spent a couple of days there and experienced some of the best nights of my life, so much so that after a few days of being home and not being able to stop thinking about the island I booked a one-way flight and returned the following week.”

The power of music to connect people on such a deep level inspired Olive to begin her journey into DJing and production. She wanted to create that same sense of community and energy for others. Music wasn’t just about the sound—it was about bringing people together in a shared experience. It was in this moment that Olive fully embraced her calling as a DJ.

One of the most significant turning points in Olive’s journey came when she was at her lowest point. Like many artists, she faced struggles of self-doubt and burnout. But instead of letting these challenges stop her, she used them as fuel for her growth. A pivotal moment came when a close friend, Darius, encouraged her to start DJing after hearing her play music at a casual gathering.

“One Christmas Day, I was staying with my friends Lauren and Darius, we were having a drink and I took control of the music. Darius was surprised by my very varied and wide-ranging track choice. He said ‘why aren’t you DJing?’ He has been incredibly supportive, the first set I ever did was for his label Moxy.”

That encouragement was the catalyst that Olive needed. It helped her regain confidence in her abilities and realize that she had something unique to offer the world. The support she received from Darius and her friends reminded her that music wasn’t just a dream—it was her destiny.

“Looking back, I realise that period was one of the most important turning points in my journey and without it I don’t think I would be doing what I’m doing now. It forced me to find myself and what I really wanted from life, and the answer was music because now I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. Music wasn’t just a dream—it was a necessity.”

The Ibiza journey continued to be a source of inspiration for Olive. The island wasn’t just a physical place—it was a state of mind. It represented freedom, expression, and the transformative power of music. For Olive, each performance in Ibiza felt like coming full circle. She was now the artist she once dreamed of becoming, sharing her music with the same crowds that had once captivated her.

“Ibiza has always been more than just a destination for me—it’s a feeling, an energy, a place where everything seems to make sense. The first time I experienced a sunrise set, surrounded by people from all over the world, completely lost in the moment, I realized the true power of music.”

As Olive continues to grow as an artist, she remains grounded in the experiences that shaped her. The journey she’s been on has shown her that music isn’t just about sound—it’s about connection. It’s about the way it can change lives, bring people together, and create moments of pure joy. Through her music, Olive F has become a symbol of that power, and she’s only just beginning to explore the depths of what’s possible.

“What I’ve come to realise is that this transformation isn’t just about the music—it’s about the sense of community, of connection. They’ve taught me that music is more than just sound—it’s the glue that brings people together. It’s a language.”

Olive F strikes me as an artist whose journey reflects both passion and evolution. Her deep dive into electronic music and vinyl culture, sparked by her discovery of Daft Punk, sets the stage for a story that blends personal growth with musical exploration. It's evident that her love for music isn’t just a passing interest but a lifelong relationship that has continuously shaped her as an artist. Her story resonates with anyone who has had to confront their own insecurities and self-doubt, as she found the strength to push through those moments and grow, both personally and professionally.

What I find particularly compelling about Olive F is her ability to translate her life experiences into her music. From her early days of finding herself in the world of electronic beats to her transformative time on the island of Ibiza, it’s clear that her music is more than just performance; it’s a form of expression and connection. The way she talks about her time in Ibiza suggests that the island itself became a backdrop for her own personal and artistic evolution, helping her move from an uncertain newcomer to a confident artist in her own right.

Her ability to weave narrative into her work speaks to a deeper understanding of music’s role in society. Olive F’s journey is not just about creating tracks; it's about connecting people, about crafting moments where listeners can lose themselves in sound, much like she did when she first fell in love with Daft Punk. She recognizes the power of music to bring people together and unite them in shared experience, a theme that runs through her work. That ability to see music as a collective experience, something that bridges the gap between artist and audience, is what makes her stand out.

Ultimately, Olive F strikes me as an artist who is constantly evolving, both in her sound and in her personal journey. Her resilience in the face of self-doubt, her connection to the power of place like Ibiza, and her understanding of music as a means of collective emotional experience, all come together to create an artist who is not only talented but deeply authentic. She has the kind of presence and artistry that makes her not just someone to listen to, but someone to connect with.