Bending genre and steeping contemporary classical instrumentation in modernity and groove, Seattle's cello-wielding indie folk artist Ollella speaks on political divides with a uniting undertone in her new single, "Optimist."
Serving as the first release for her forthcoming March 2025 album, Antifragile, the fresh track delivers a tasteful glimpse of what's to come.
Released December 6th, 2024, "Optimist" reflects on the unique divisiveness that today's rhetoric brings, as Ollella aka Ellie Barber sings, "It's easy to take a side / When you only know one." After a conversation concerning vastly different world perspectives, the songwriter channels a recognition of echo chambers into a flowing melody that calls for reflection on how we can better consider our own humanity, taking a positive stance to face uncertain times.
Bobbing percussion jives with waves of melodic instrumentation, taking shape as lyricism paves a path of ethos. Electronic supports uplift the key as they arpeggiate in broken patterns, seemingly representing the unpredictability of one's landscape through the song's soundscape.
Through inspirations like Cat Power and Jesca Hoop among others, Ollella's redefinition of musical structure creates an anticipation for Antifragile that recognizes its own unpredictable beauty. With songs written between cello and the electric tenor guitar, the timbre presented is not only rich in tone but in sonic impact.
Since having emerged in 2023 with a stunning debut album, Back Back Back, it made apparent that Ollella isn't the type to conform to conventional music categories. As "Tea Kettle Tea" gained recognition for its simple grandeur, the album as a whole perked ears for its vintage sweetness and melodic flair. The unique artist has also been a two-time finalist for the coveted NPR Tiny Desk Contest.
After a fall tour of the West, December has seen Ollella traveling Washington State one stage at a time, sharing a thought-provoking mix of flavorful melodies and harder discussions on community through chaos. Just as her musical layers keep unfolding, Ollella's prowess in the indie folk scene is sure to turn heads.
Listen on Spotify
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