It’s been two years since Olivia Dean debuted, immediately putting her vulnerability on display. She asserted her state of being with her first album’s title: Messy. The pop-leaning, piano-heavy record introduced us to the London-born neo-soulstress and all of her emotions, with tracks like “Ladies Room” drawing us in with pulsing percussion against Dean’s signature relaxed vocals.
Between then and now, she’s toured the world, bringing live versions of Messy to fans everywhere. She played tentpole events across the globe including Glastonbury and Lollapalooza, falling in love with the art of live performance and the ability to share her music face to face with fans.
During the chaos of touring, though, Dean managed to quietly make a return to the studio, which is when she recorded her latest single “Nice to Each Other.” The guitar-heavy track is accompanied by a video starring Dean living in the casual, creative world she built with the song’s lyrics. This world is a new one for the singer: light, airy and carefree. It’s a hard separation from everything Messy.
Even with these new ideas and releases, Dean has no plans to slow down touring. She recently joined Sam Fender on stage during his massive stadium tour in London to due “Rein Me In.” On June 16, she’s slated to perform a “One Night Only” show in Paris. After that, she’s headlining her Across the Atlantic tour in the US and in the fall, she’s opening for Sabrina Carpenter’s extended Short N’ Sweet Tour in X. Her new album, The Art of Loving, is set for release on September 26. “Im ready to come and sing for everybody, and hopefully be received with open arms and kindness,” she tells PAPER. “It’s quite a vulnerable thing to do. I like to be vulnerable, so hopefully everyone receives it with love.”
Dean sat down with PAPER to discuss it all: her comeback after Messy, her love for live performance and the fashion featured everywhere from her Instagram to the new video for “Nice to Each Other.”
What was the inspiration for “Nice to Each Other”? How did you come up with the idea for the video?
Naturally, they’re linked. That’s always the way it is for me. As soon as something’s realized sonically, I often get the idea for the video straight away. I was listening to a lot of Fleetwood Mac. I’ve really been enjoying guitar recently, so I was listening to a lot of stuff like that. I really wanted to write something fun for the tour. Even though a lot of my music is quite emotional, I’m actually a really silly person. It’s a song about dating and navigating that space. I’m somebody that tends to be in quite long-term relationships. It’s about things not feeling so long-term, but still allowing them to be meaningful. I’m really proud of it.
I thought it was really sweet. I loved the guitar. Tell me about the idea for the video!
The initial concept for the video, once I finished the song, was this idea of a black-and-white world. It was a metaphor for the way I’ve looked at love and relationships in a very black-and-white sense. It’s either “this” or it’s “that.” We’re together or you’re dead to me. But there’s so much in between. Then it would end up being in color. That’s the point that you get to. And I wanted the video to feel, especially with the choreography, that the world was reacting to me, that I was in control of myself in this situation with this other person. I’m not helpless, I’m in control. I wanted it to be fun and cheeky and just move through the space and have the space move around me.
What are you feeling going into the one-night only show? Why Paris?
Why Paris? I love Paris. I’m just obsessed with it as a place. As I said, I’m quite a romantic and it’s probably the most romantic place in the world. This next batch of music is all talking about love. So it felt like the right place to just get back into it. It’s a special show and I’m really excited. There’s something so chic about Paris. It’s just got magic to it.
We get you in the US for a bit after that. You’re headlining your Across the Atlantic tour. How are you feeling?
I’ve never been to so many of the places on this upcoming tour. It’s really exciting for me. Like, I’ve never been to Atlanta. I don’t know what to expect. Touring is my favorite part of what I get to do. I love to sing for people and I love to put on fabulous dresses. I love to play with my band and it’s just such a privilege.
You’re opening for Sabrina Carpenter on her Short N’ Sweet Tour after that. How does that feel?
The Sabrina stuff is just mental. The idea that I’m going to be supporting her at Madison Square Garden? I don’t even know how to wrap my head around it. I don’t even know what that’s gonna feel like. I’ve done a lot of support slots before, but never really on this scale. So in some ways I’m prepared, but in some ways I don’t really know what it’s gonna be like. It’s just a great opportunity to watch her show. I’ve seen it a couple times. I saw it in London and I saw it in LA but to watch and learn how you put on a big, amazing show like that. I also really like the idea of winning people over. That’s why I like playing festivals.
You get a whole new crowd.
I get a chance to bring more people in. And one of the shows is around Halloween, so I’m like “What am I gonna wear?”
That’s so fun. I want to ask about your taste in clothes. Where do you get your inspiration?
I have a stylist I’ve been working with for maybe four or five years now, and she’s incredible. We met by chance on a shoot for a magazine and we just fell in love, fashion-wise. And as friends. she’s got such a great eye for what works and what will make me feel comfortable and pushes me. We’re just so aligned. We’re always talking about or sending references. But, yeah, I love fashion. It’s just fun. I love glamor. When I’m on stage, I want to put on a show for people. Like, if you’ve paid your money, let me give you the whole thing.
I love that. How does it feel stepping into this new era? How are you different from when you wrote Messy?
Honestly, I’m a different person. I’m a completely different person in some ways. I’ve grown up a lot. I feel a lot more confident in what I have to say and how I want to say it. I feel braver and I feel happier. I think I’ve enjoyed making music the most I ever have in my life. I found making Messy quite stressful.
A little messy, even?
Yeah. But I love that album. This time, I was like, “Olivia, can you just try and have fun? Let’s have fun this time. Can I just have a bit of fun? Please?”
Well if “Nice to Each Other” is any indication, it’s going to be a lot of fun. You have so much excitement coming. What do you want everyone to know before you start on this new journey?
Get ready. I’ve been working really hard. I’ve really taken a break, but I’m ready to come and sing for everybody, and hopefully be received with open arms and kindness. It’s quite a vulnerable thing to do. I like to be vulnerable, so hopefully everyone receives it with love.
Photography: Jack Davison
