OLI Connects with Us to Reveal the Emotion Behind Her Latest Release "Can't Do It Right"
- STAFF
- Oct 6
- 6 min read
By: Staff
“Can’t Do It Right” is a breathtaking, cinematic exploration of vulnerability, resilience, and raw emotion.
OLI’s latest single, “Can’t Do It Right,” is a breathless ride through the raw terrain of emotional complexity. The London-based alt-pop artist has crafted a track that pulses with urgency and vulnerability, a late-night anthem where personal reckoning collides with a restless desire to move forward. With its haunting, cinematic quality and an energy that feels both intimate and expansive, this song marks a striking moment in OLI’s evolving sound.
We spoke with OLI to dive deeper into the heart of the track, exploring the emotional journey behind its creation. From the tension between being stuck and finding the strength to keep moving forward, to the delicate balance of vulnerability and defiance, OLI’s insights reveal a candid and reflective artist at the peak of her creative evolution. What does it mean to “do it right,” and how does one find peace with imperfection? OLI opens up about the tension in her music, the personal stories that fuel her lyrics, and the ongoing dance between self-expression and the judgments of the outside world.
In this interview, OLI takes us on a journey through the delicate balance of vulnerability and resilience, reflecting on her experiences with collaboration, her unique artistic perspective shaped by her transatlantic upbringing, and her evolving relationship with performance. There’s an undeniable honesty in her words, making it clear that each new step in her career is a reflection of both her growth as an artist and her willingness to embrace the imperfections that make her work so compelling.
“Can’t Do It Right” is just the beginning, and as OLI continues to push her boundaries, one thing is clear: her story is just unfolding.
Read on for more insight into the mind behind this captivating new single.
Here’s how it went:
Begin Interview:
Hello OLI, we’re thrilled to have you here for this interview! We've had an amazing time exploring your music and diving into your creative journey. Now, we’re even more intrigued to get a deeper look into both your brand and your personal and professional inspirations.
Q. “Can’t Do It Right” has this haunting, cinematic quality, and the title itself feels like it says so much with so little. What’s the emotional journey behind the track, and how did that specific phrase come to life for you? What personal story or feeling made you gravitate toward it?
A - The song and phrase honestly just came from the constant sense of messing up and never feeling like you make the right choices. It’s that cycle of frustration that’s hard to escape. It wasn’t about one specific story, more about trying to capture that universal feeling! I think that’s where the cinematic edge comes from.
Q. Is this particular musical genre or style something you’ve always embraced from the beginning of your journey, or has it evolved over time from different influences or genres you experimented with earlier?
A - It’s always evolving, but mixing sad/indie pop with cinematic soundscapes is the theme I keep coming back to. They just work so well together.
Q. This track is a bit more upbeat than your usual sound. Was it a conscious shift, or did it evolve naturally in the studio? How does the energy of this song reflect where you’re at creatively right now?
A - It was definitely conscious. I actually wrote the song quite a few years ago when I was still figuring out how I wanted to sound. The older version is even more upbeat and sparkly. When we came back to it, it felt like the perfect proper release after When It All Goes Quiet. I love writing moodier songs, but it’s nice to create something lighter sometimes.
Q. There’s a palpable tension in “Can’t Do It Right” between being stuck and moving forward. Have you ever been in a place where you had to push yourself to keep going, even when you didn’t know if you were getting it “right”?
A - Honestly my whole music career is an example of that. I had years of stage fright in my early 20’s which kept me from enjoying performing. I was also truly terrified to release music, so I didn’t properly start until 2020. But wow, I’m so glad I did.
Q. Since “Can’t Do It Right” speaks to such emotional complexity, does it ever feel difficult to reveal so much of yourself in a comment-and-judgment-driven world? Or do you find it liberating to express that level of vulnerability through your music?
A - I don’t really write directly about myself. It’s more about a sensation or theme, then I’ll take bits from different ideas or experiences. I usually don’t write songs with just one meaning about one person. Like ‘When It All Goes Quiet’ was based on a feeling, but it’s not literally about me. So that is really liberating because the songs become open for people to connect in their own way.
Q. Collaborating with artists like Zara Hudson-Kozdoj and Dave Gahan is a powerful move. How did those partnerships challenge or shift your creative process? Did you leave the studio feeling like your sound had evolved in ways you didn’t foresee?
A - Yes, It really did. Zara and I worked on 2 songs together for the album. She came to my session and because we’re friends, it was so fun and natural. She jammed out for a few hours and we picked the best bits. Zara’s polish and I’m Czech, and I think there is a natural melancholy in both cultures that we really get. You can really hear it in Zara’s Song. I wish I could work with her all the time! Having Dave on Does That Hurt? Was crazy. His voice just has such weight and character, it made the song what it is.
Q. You’ve lived in both the US and the UK, how do you think that mix of influences plays out in your music? Do you ever find yourself caught between two identities, or does that duality make your sound more unique and fluid?
A - Oh I don’t feel caught at all. London has influenced the moodier side of my music with cool synths and dark melodies. But the US side means I’ll always been drawn to natural instruments. Acoustic guitar, strings and horn.
Q. After hearing about your live performances at the Isle of Wight Festival, we wanted to know, how do they differ from your studio recordings? What can fans expect from your stage shows?
A - The main thing I care about is making sure the sound feels right. If it does, it can really take over the space. I want every song to shine through like it does on the recording, or even bigger! But some songs do get stripped back.
Q. Outside of music, who or what has had the biggest influence on your personal growth or artistic perspective?
A - For sure my parents. They’re both American and our house has always been full of life. Every night there’s music playing, my dad on guitar and just a really warm atmosphere. It’s the whole environment, that creativity with no pressure, that really influenced me.
Q. Success means different things to different artists. What does it look like for you? Is it more about creating something that truly moves people, or is it about achieving personal goals?
A - For me, it’s both. I would still be writing music even if no one was listening, because I truly love it. But when I get a message from someone saying that Cry really helped them or that a lyric made them feel less shit in the moment, that’s when I actually feel like a success.
Q. What do you want people to remember most about you after hearing your music and reading this interview?
A - I’d want people to know I put so much of myself into my music, I care deeply about how it makes you feel. The truth is I just want people to listen, escape for a while and feel less alone.
Q. OLI, we can't thank you enough for sharing these intimate details! So, what's next? Can you give us the inside scoop on your upcoming projects and what fans should be excited about? We'd love the readers to hear the news directly from you!
A - I’ve been working on new songs and have 3 music videos on the way! I going to keep writing, creating and there are many more collaborations to come…
OLI, thank you so much, we appreciate you taking the time to talk to us!
End Interview
