Olivia Chaney

Born in Florence to a writer and painter-turned-academic, <a href="spotify:artist:0IRzm0TuehkXRBVKNzSX7e" data-name="Olivia Chaney">Olivia Chaney</a> grew up listening to everything from <a href="spotify:artist:5a2EaR3hamoenG9rDuVn8j" data-name="Prince">Prince</a> to <a href="spotify:artist:3tMLo1k3iUo82coMLWXzxq" data-name="Henry Purcell">Henry Purcell</a>. This eclectic mix of influences sparked a passion for songwriting that she nurtured at Chetham&#39;s School of Music and The Royal Academy. After showcasing at SXSW and a stint as lead singer for electronica outfit <a href="spotify:artist:14H7ag1wpQOsPPQJOD6Dqr" data-name="Zero 7">Zero 7</a>, Olivia signed with Nonesuch, leading to collaborations with <a href="spotify:artist:0M6xcJTswOl2qvExCJhiS3" data-name="Kronos Quartet">Kronos Quartet</a> and a Grammy nomination for <a href="spotify:artist:5HFXZpQl9mIwUFLKoxBiCJ" data-name="Offa Rex">Offa Rex</a>, a collection of <a href="spotify:artist:2LIdnZDzySb04oH40be1fR" data-name="Fairport Convention">Fairport Convention</a>-era classics made with <a href="spotify:artist:7ITd48RbLVpUfheE7B86o2" data-name="The Decemberists">The Decemberists</a>.

Olivia’s first solo album (<a href="spotify:album:6CgxYYA2OwadCGvCu0qi0D" data-name="The Longest River">The Longest River</a>), produced by <a href="spotify:artist:6g4q7DPLaVqWGnfMpAb2Yd" data-name="Leo Abrahams">Leo Abrahams</a>, received rave reviews (‘Chaney is a major talent’ – Pop Matters; ‘In her quiet way, she’s radical’ – NY Times). Following this she recorded <a href="spotify:album:6LLJ8sHSiPlTXBNcNTiKOC" data-name="Shelter">Shelter</a> in NYC with genius producer-pianist <a href="spotify:artist:1fMujthy4KyGgUJnOeehH1" data-name="Thomas Bartlett">Thomas Bartlett</a>. These records made Olivia’s name as the author of an unmistakable brand of luscious and sophisticated music that explores inherited trauma, the clash of tradition and modernity, and the darkness and light of love.

Olivia has lots of new music up her sleeve. Six French Songs brings together ballads from medieval crusader dirge to 60s pop classic Tous les garçons. Later in the year, Olivia releases Circus of Desire, her first album since she fled the capital, married her dream boy, birthed two children, and entered into the deeper mystery of things. Featuring <a href="spotify:artist:6TTJ0xLPPNDyv4bXyukzU4" data-name="Sam Amidon">Sam Amidon</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2vObsQCPsbVfkqHlQOu2zc" data-name="Nico Muhly">Nico Muhly</a> and remixes by <a href="spotify:artist:3a34v9rZzoFZ7K19NszX9F" data-name="Dave Okumu">Dave Okumu</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:2jToqK8MU3rtt0DYrgCIXM" data-name="Oliver Coates">Oliver Coates</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:3CVP7vT9JUFGLj8MgiVKjY" data-name="Vessel">Vessel</a>, Circus of Desire is Olivia set free.