About
A determined artist with a matching passion, Cumbria-based and Barrow-in-Furness-born singer-songwriter Olivia Dacre is already an expert at crafting songs that imprint on your heart forever. She first found the stage at the age of 5, singing solo in front of hundreds, supported by an upbringing in dance and performing arts. It was during the pandemic in 2020, at age 12, after learning to play guitar, that she began creating her very own original music. In awe of the live music scene in her hometown, Olivia was eager to get out there from a young age, and that’s exactly what she did. As soon as she turned 14, she was booked for her first gig, with many more following. This sparked demand from listeners wanting to stream her music, leading to the release of her debut single, ‘Stomach Knots’ (2022), a powerful track about embracing your true self. Her subsequent release, ‘Man on the Moon,’ offers a dreamy, retro-pop celebration of confidence and self-acceptance. Each of Olivia’s songs feels like a conversation with a friend who just gets it, and she has consistently made her music a talking point among like-minded peers.
Now, Olivia balances her A-levels with writing her debut album and preparing to move to a music-filled city to take her career to the next level while at university. With three singles already out and a new track, ‘If you wanna be mine,’ dropping on 10th January 2025, Olivia shows that sometimes, the best way to make sense of life is to sing about it. She reveals her ability to express emotions with ease, resonating with her listeners on a deeper level. “I create my music intending to not only connect with those around me but to share my stories and allow people to use my music as inspiration. A song could be written in a matter of hours or minutes; it really depends on the day, as each rise of the sun is different. Being a young female artist is challenging, but the ability to pour my emotions into lyrics using my love for writing has helped me tremendously in my life so far, and I hope it has helped others too.”
An incredibly detail-oriented musician who holds her own home studio, Olivia first cultivated her music from the comfort of her personal space, creating lasting memories. Just before the pandemic, her great-uncle, who previously owned a Barrow-based music store (Music & Mystic), unearthed an old classical guitar from his leftover collection. With plenty of spare time during lockdown, Olivia felt an overwhelming urge to play. “The guitar was twice my size, and I ended up with so many blisters on my fingers, but the challenge didn’t faze me,” she says. “It’s like I had an instant emotional drive to write music with my new instrument; every time I picked it up, a new story sparked. The rest, as they say, is history.”
As she refined her guitar skills, Olivia began singing at gigs and events around nearby towns. These ranged from charity events to pubs and restaurants, live performances for the radio and podcasts, as well as weddings and other private functions. At just 16, Olivia managed to perform alongside big-name artists such as The Coral at Coast Roads Festival and later supported Dave Hemingway, a former member of The Beautiful South, with his band Sunbirds at the time. Her songwriting captivates audiences in settings like Barrow Library, where she performed for the organisation Loud In Libraries, where well-known artists such as Adele began their careers. It is the perfect setting to experience Olivia’s storytelling through her music. Sam Fender, one of Olivia’s favourite artists, also played for Loud In Libraries in the same library just seven years earlier! “Ever since I was little, I envisioned myself on the big stages—my dream has always been to get my music out to as many people as possible,” she says. “What a lot of people don’t know is that I am also quite academic and have always enjoyed focusing on my studies. I was that kid who loved writing in English class and have continued to take it at A-Level.”
Alongside her studies, Olivia received training at her local radio station, CandoFM, to become a weekly radio presenter. “I’ve always had a love for public speaking, with studying spoken poems and speeches being among my favourite things to analyse,” Olivia says. Her first radio interviews happened with BBC Radio Cumbria, where her natural flow reflected confidence and relaxation. She transitioned from one side of the microphone to the other and began presenting her own show named ‘Generation Mix’ on her town’s radio station, CandoFM.
Olivia’s musical influences began with her dad, who introduced her to classic Indie favourites during road trips. She also spent countless hours singing for her mum in their living room, who would never miss an opportunity to listen. “I recognise the significance of having a healthy balance in life, and that is how I am sitting here speaking to you today. My parents have been my biggest supporters, and I love them with my whole heart. They have truly made me who I am today, and I couldn’t be more grateful for their support.”
Always one to embrace the next challenge, Olivia has plans to travel in America after completing her A-levels, where she’ll work as a music counsellor for ten weeks in Maine. Following that, she intends to travel across the state, before returning home to settle on the next adventure… whatever it may be!