About me

A determined artist with a passion to match, Cumbria-based singer-songwriter Olivia Dacre is already an expert at crafting the kind of songs that imprint on your heart forever – at just the age of 16. After learning to play guitar during the COVID outbreak, the Barrow-in-Furness native began creating her official songs; however, had truly started young as her first ever lyrics were written at the age of nine. In awe of the live music scene in the town she grew up in, Olivia wanted to get out there from a young age, so that is just what she did.

Now on the mission of recording to release her debut album, as a locally signed artist to community label Seahouse Records, Olivia reveals her ability to express emotions with ease, resonating with her listeners on a deeper level. “I create my music intending to not just connect with those around me, but 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 artist has been challenging, but being able to pour my emotions out into lyrics using my love for writing has helped me tremendously through 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, holding memories. “All my family established my love for performing arts since I was little,” she recalls, “and so ever since I got myself involved in the community by joining local performing arts groups, completing all my vocal qualifications, and music tutoring, I knew that creating music was the pathway for me.” It was just before the pandemic when her uncle who previously owned a Barrow-based music store, unearthed an old classical guitar from his leftover collection. Olivia felt overcome with the urge to play with all the spare time on her hands within lockdown. “The guitar was twice my size and I ended up with so many blisters on my fingers, but the challenge didn’t phase me,” she says. “It’s like I had an instant emotional drive to write music with my new instrument, in which every time I picked it up, a new story sparked. Then the rest after that is history.”

As she refined her guitar skills, Olivia began singing at multiple gigs and events around nearby towns. These range from charity events, to pub/restaurants; live performances for the radio and podcasts, to weddings and other private functions. Up to now, at just 16, Olivia has managed to perform alongside The Coral at Coast Roads Festival and supporting Dave Hemingway former member of The Beautiful South with his newfound band Sunbirds. Plenty of experience in a variety of different atmospheres has allowed Olivia to blossom as a young artist, stepping in front of hundreds at other large events such as Pride, Fudstock, and Retro Rendezvous. “Ever since I was little, I always envisioned myself on the big stages – the dream has always been to get my music out to as many people as possible,” she says. “I was always that kid who loved writing in English class and have gone on to take it at A-Level. Because of my music, I have always socialised with the older groups, therefore having adult conversations, so it helped me to become a more mature individual.”

With her family’s full support, Olivia next ventured into releasing her music onto official streaming platforms, joining community label Seahouse Records, and even receiving a scholarship to aid her in her music journey. “I have never really felt intimidated by the fact I was joining such a strong and competitive industry,” she says. “I just felt like these were my people, finding a community that understood me and how my brain works.”
Olivia, since, has gone on to receive training at her local radio station CandoFM to become a weekly radio presenter. She has always received support off a diverse selection of radio stations in promoting her music and achievements, in which she has even reached America. “I’ve always had a love for public speaking, with studying spoken poems and speeches being a favourite of mine to analyse”, Olivia says. Her first interviews happened with BBC Radio Cumbria in which her immediate natural flow showed upmost confidence and relaxation. She went from being on one side of the microphone to the other, and she now presents her own show named ‘Generation Mix’ on CandoFM. “I’ve never been one for nerves due to a lifetime of being used to the stages. Of course when I am coming up to big events and shows I get the butterflies, but once I’m out there and in the spotlight, I relax”, she says. “My mum has always told me that she reckons she gets more nervous than I do for gigs, and to be honest, that’s probably true. I just feel such comfort when showing the people around me my love for music and songwriting, as that’s my passion, and that’s what I’m up there to show. If we make a mistake, we learn, laugh, and move on. That’s the beauty of playing live.”

Olivia has always had a deep passion for the arts but despite this, maintains interests in various other areas. “What a lot of people don’t know is I am rather academic and always enjoyed focusing on my studies. However, I strive to keep my academic pursuits separate from my music, and then my social life and friends wholly separate to both of those yet again”, she states. “I recognise the significance of having a healthy balance of everything in life, and that is how I am sat here speaking to you today.”