Meet The Artist: Maddy O.

I find immense joy in hiking, taking the road less traveled, and exploring remote landscapes, and I try to carry those experiences and that sense of wonder into my songwriting.

Growing up with a musical dad definitely planted that seed early on, and I think being surrounded by music made songwriting feel like a natural extension of who I was.

Honestly, my biggest challenge has probably been my own self-confidence and fear of being seen and heard. We're diving into the deep end here lol.

Originally from New Jersey and now based in Nashville, singer/songwriter Maddy O. brings a refreshing blend of heartfelt storytelling, poetic lyricism, and indie-folk influences to her music. Raised in a musical family and inspired by artists ranging from The Beatles and Bob Dylan to Sierra Ferrell and Noah Kahan, Maddy has developed a sound that reflects her love of nature, human connection, and life's quieter moments. Since moving to Nashville in 2018, she has immersed herself in the city's vibrant songwriting community, performing and collaborating with fellow musicians while developing her own musical identity. With her debut EP, Of Ferns and Friends, on the horizon, Maddy is ready to share her stories with a wider audience. We caught up with her to talk about her musical journey, the inspiration behind her songs, and what lies ahead.

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1. For someone discovering Maddy O. for the first time, how would you describe yourself and the music you create?

Answer: I’m a very empathetic and spiritual person, and I find so much value in connecting with nature and learning to listen to your intuition. Those values are deeply woven into the music I create. I find immense joy in hiking, taking the road less traveled, and exploring remote landscapes, and I try to carry those experiences and that sense of wonder into my songwriting.

Musically, I’d describe my sound as a blend of indie-folk, indie-pop, and singer-songwriter, with a big emphasis on intentional, emotionally honest lyrics. Music is such a special tool of connection, coping, and emotional release.  Words hold a lot of power when you put them in the right order, so I’m very intentional about the lyrics I write.  In the fast-paced world we live in, where everyone is scrolling on their phones and technology is becoming an increasingly bigger part of our lives, I think it’s easy to lose touch with ourselves, with nature, and with the people around us. I hope my music serves as a gentle reminder to slow down, get outside, put your feet in the grass, listen to your inner voice, and just be present. More than anything, I want my music to make people feel understood, connected, and a little more in tune with themselves and the world around them.

2. Growing up in a musical family, with your father Wayne Olivieri being part of the Jersey Shore band Oliver Twist, how much of an influence did that have on you? And when did you realize that music was something you wanted to seriously pursue?

Answer: I have always loved singing ever since I can remember. I have a vivid memory of belting out “Bohemian Rhapsody” while jumping on my parents’ bed as a little kid, pretending I was Freddie Mercury himself. I would watch American Idol with my parents and dream of being on that stage.  Growing up with a musical dad definitely planted that seed early on, and I think being surrounded by music made songwriting feel like a natural extension of who I was.

That said, I was actually a highly competitive figure skater for most of my childhood and adolescence, and that took priority for a long time.  I always had this secret desire to be a singer-songwriter, and I loved writing stories and poems as a kid, but I didn’t really have the time or energy to explore music seriously until I retired from skating around age 17 or 18. That’s when I found my father’s twelve string guitar, and started teaching myself how to play basic chords with the help of Youtube and Google. I didn’t write my first full song until I was 20 (shortly after getting my heart broken of course!).

My path to music wasn’t exactly linear. My mom really emphasized the importance of having a financially stable career, so I ended up pursuing a nursing degree instead of studying music. I put songwriting on the backburner once again while I was in school, but after graduating, I moved to Nashville, landed an RN job at Vanderbilt, and started dipping my toes into the local music scene.

It took time to build my confidence as a singer and musician, especially in a city where everyone and their mother seems to ooze talent from their pores. I started taking voice and guitar lessons, connecting with other songwriters, and putting myself out there more. Eventually, that childhood dream I’d carried around for so long started to feel like something I could actually pursue.

Now I’ve released my debut EP and recently played my first headlining show at The East Room, which feels pretty surreal when I think about the little girl jumping on her parents’ bed and dreaming of being onstage. I may have taken the scenic route to get here (which is very on brand for me), but I think that journey has shaped me into the artist I am today. Little me would be beaming.

3. You made the move to Nashville several years ago. What brought you to Music City, and how has living there influenced you as an artist and songwriter?

Answer: I partly touched on this in my previous answer, but there were a few things that drew me to Nashville. One was, of course, the opportunity to pursue music, but I was also excited about the possibility of working at a prestigious hospital like Vanderbilt University Medical Center. And honestly, I had this fear of waking up one day and regretting never having taken the leap of moving out of New Jersey. I love good ol’ Jersey, but the world has so much more to offer, and I knew I needed to get out there and experience it for myself.

If it weren’t for the music scene in Nashville, I’d probably be living in Montana by now. I thrive in that mountain energy! But they call it Music City for a reason. There’s a never-ending influx of artists coming through and a whole charcuterie board of live music to choose from any given night of the week.

Ironically, I’m not the biggest fan of modern pop-country, but Nashville has so much more to offer than people might realize. Getting to connect with other local artists and being surrounded by incredible musicians and songwriters at every turn has been really special. There’s inspiration everywhere, and being in an environment where so many people are creating, experimenting, and putting their art out into the world has encouraged me to do the same. It’s helped me grow not only as a songwriter and musician, but also in my confidence to put myself out there and take my music seriously.

4. Who were some of your biggest musical influences growing up, and who inspires you creatively today?

Answer: As most kids, I listened to a lot of my parents’ favorite artists, including Queen, The Beatles, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, and The Eagles, to name a few. I am an only child, so my music taste as I got older was largely influenced by my friends and their siblings. In high school I began straying away from mainstream pop, and started exploring more underground, indie, and alternative music. I valued poetic and meaningful lyrics over a catchy melody any day (and if the song had both, it was extra special!). I listened to a lot of Cage the Elephant, Band of Horses, The Shins, Brand New, and Deer Tick. My close friends and family know how absolutely in love I was with John McCauley back in the day lol.

Funny enough, I’ve actually had the opportunity to meet John, Deer Tick’s frontman, a couple of times in recent years, and I was absolutely panicking internally. One time, I even had his wife, Vanessa Carlson, take a photo of John and I together. It’s still one of those stories that makes me laugh, as I imagine she’s used to it being the other way around.

These days, a lot of my inspiration comes from the local artists I’ve met through shows, open mics, and writers’ rounds here in Nashville. There’s something really special about being part of a community of musicians who are constantly creating and sharing their work. With how accessible it is to release music independently these days, I think it’s more important than ever to show up for your friends and support the music they’re putting out into the world.

I’ve also drawn a lot of inspiration from artists like Haley Heynderickx, Noah Kahan, and Sierra Ferrell. Truthfully, though, I listen to a little bit of everything. I’ve never really liked the idea of having to commit to creating within just one genre. I’ll hear a song from almost any style of music and think, “How cool would it be to write something like that? I’ll have to try it!” I love the idea of constantly experimenting, learning, and letting my influences evolve. So who knows what I’ll create next? The inspiration is endless!

5. When you sit down to write a song, what usually comes first for you—the lyrics, a melody, a personal experience, or just an idea you want to explore?

Answer: All of my songs are extremely personal to me. I tend to use music and songwriting as a way to process my emotions, so a lot of that comes through in my lyrics. I often write about situations I’m experiencing or feelings I’m trying to make sense of. What comes first really depends on the song, but usually I have a general idea of what I want to write about, and then I’ll pick up my guitar and experiment with different chord progressions until I find something I like. The melody often comes to me pretty naturally, without me having to think too much about it, and then I’ll find the right words to fit. Sometimes the lyrics just flow out of me, and other times they take a little more thought and intention.

I’ve definitely noticed that songwriting comes more easily to me when I’m going through an emotionally challenging time. I think having those feelings to work through gives me a lot to draw from creatively. When I’m happy and content, I tend to write a little less because I have less to process haha.

6. How much of what you write comes from your own life and experiences, and how comfortable are you with putting those personal stories into your music?

Answer: As I mentioned in the previous question, most of what I write comes from my own life experiences. I've always loved poetry, and I'm a sucker for a good metaphor. I often try to visualize a feeling or a situation in my mind and then describe the imagery that comes to me. I find myself personifying emotions or connecting them to things we experience in nature. I like that this allows my lyrics to remain open to interpretation, so listeners can take from them whatever they need or connect them to their own experiences.

That being said, I'm not always so subtle about it haha. Sometimes I'll just say exactly what I mean. I think it really depends on the song and what feels right for the story I'm trying to tell. Either way, I like that I can be honest about how something made me feel without necessarily having to tell the entire story behind it. It allows me to maintain a certain level of privacy for myself and for the people in my life who may or may not have inspired a song.

7. You’ve been working on recording your own music. What have you learned about yourself as an artist through the writing and recording process?

Answer: One thing I've learned is just how vulnerable it feels to have your songs heard by other people, even during the recording process. Songwriting is such a personal thing that it almost feels like handing someone your journal and letting them read it at their own discretion.

Having my boyfriend produce my music has made that side of things a little easier, since we obviously have such a close connection. Even so, sometimes I'll be recording a song about our relationship and catch myself worrying that he'll interpret something in a way I didn't intend. I think that just speaks to how personal songwriting can be, and how differently people can interpret something you've written based on their own perspective.

I think it's also taken me some time to believe that I deserve to be heard. I've always had a fear of being judged by others, which I think a lot of people can relate to. There's something kind of ironic about having that fear while simultaneously putting such personal songs out into the world, knowing that people are going to listen to them and form their own opinions. I think I'm learning to accept that vulnerability as part of being an artist, and to put my music out there anyway.

8. How would you say your sound has evolved since you first started writing and performing?

Answer: I think my sound has evolved quite a bit, both musically and in terms of my identity as an artist. I think back to the young girl sitting in her bedroom writing two- or three-chord songs, and compare that to where I am now, after over a year of guitar lessons, writing more intricate fingerpicking patterns and experimenting more with my sound. Voice lessons have also helped strengthen my vocals and taught me how to belt without straining, and I've learned a lot more about writing hooks and creating melodies that stick with people.

I think a big part of that evolution has also been discovering more of who I am as a person. I've always loved writing metaphorical lyrics and leaving room for interpretation, but I didn’t fully know who I was as an artist when I first started. As I've gotten to know myself better, I feel like I've developed a clearer identity and a better understanding of the things I want my music to represent. Nature, spirituality, human connection, love, and relationships are all things that are really important to me, and I think those themes naturally find their way into my music.

Something else that's become increasingly important to me is the idea of healing through music. Songwriting has always been a way for me to process my own emotions and experiences, and I love the idea that my music might offer that same sense of comfort or connection to someone else. I think music has a beautiful way of making us feel less alone in what we're going through, and I'd love for my music to be something people can turn to when they need that.

I'm also constantly discovering new music and artists who inspire me. I think there's something really beautiful about how we all influence one another and continue to grow through the art we put into the world. I feel like I've found a sound and an artistic identity that really reflect who I am, but I also think we're constantly evolving as people. I look back at who I was five years ago and realize how much I've learned and how differently I see the world now. I think music is the same way. The foundation of who you are might remain, but as you grow and experience more of life, your perspective changes, and that naturally finds its way into your art. I think that's one of the most beautiful parts of being an artist: you get to grow as a person and watch that growth unfold through your music.

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9. Nashville is filled with talented singers and songwriters. What do you hope sets Maddy O. apart and gives your music its own identity?

Answer: I think a lot of what makes an artist unique comes from their experiences and the way they see the world. I've grown so much as a person over the last few years, both spiritually and emotionally, and I try to reflect that growth in my music.  I love finding a balance between catchy, memorable melodies and poetic lyrics that make people think or see something from a different perspective.

I think what gives my music its identity is how personal it is and how much intention I put into the things I write about. A lot of my songs are rooted in lessons I've learned through my own experiences, whether that's learning to trust my intuition, reconnecting with nature and my higher self, navigating grief or heartbreak, or coming to terms with the fact that life doesn't always go according to plan. I'm a big believer that we're always learning and growing through the things we experience, even when they don't make sense at the time, and songwriting has become a way for me to process those lessons and make meaning out of them.

Ultimately, I hope my music can do for other people what songwriting has done for me. Whether a song helps someone feel less alone in their grief, find comfort after a breakup, trust the direction their life is taking, or simply slow down and reconnect with themselves, I'd love for my music to offer something meaningful to whoever needs to hear it. Honestly, I feel like every lesson I've learned in life could probably become a song at this point lol. I think that's what makes songwriting so special to me: there's always something new to learn, experience, and turn into music.

10. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced so far in pursuing music, and what keeps you motivated when things get difficult?

Answer: Honestly, my biggest challenge has probably been my own self-confidence and fear of being seen and heard. We're diving into the deep end here lol.

I lived in Nashville for a good four years before I really started putting myself out there. COVID became an obvious excuse, but deep down, I knew it was my own fear holding me back. When I first moved here, I was so intimidated by the talent around me. I felt behind, even in my early to mid-20s, because so many people I met had been playing in bands and writing songs since high school or college, while I had spent that time pursuing an elite figure skating career, and then studying nursing. It was hard not to compare my journey to everyone else's.

Things started to shift when I went to a Greta Van Fleet concert in 2021. I remember sitting in the audience and feeling this unexpected sadness. I was watching a band I loved perform live, something I should have been excited about, but I couldn't shake this feeling. I eventually realized it was because I wanted what they had. I wanted to be up there on stage. That little girl who used to dream of being on American Idol was practically screaming at me, asking why I'd stopped trying. It was a pretty powerful realization, and shortly afterward, I started singing in a band and found my vocal coach, who I still work with today, five years later.

I have to give her a lot of credit because she's been so much more than a vocal coach to me. She also offers spiritual life coaching sessions, which have helped me build confidence not only in my music but in myself as a person. She's played a huge role in my personal and spiritual growth over the years, and I'm incredibly grateful to have had her guidance throughout this journey.

Now when I notice feelings of self-doubt come up, I try to ground myself with deep breathing and remind myself that I'm worthy of being seen and heard. I’ve come a long way with my confidence over the past few years, and while I think those nerves are a normal part of putting yourself out there, I’ve learned how to work through them rather than let them hold me back. I also remind myself that if I feel this deeply called to pursue music, there’s a reason for that. I don’t know exactly where this path will lead, but I know I’d regret not giving it a real chance. And for me, that’s enough to keep going.

11. What is something about Maddy O. away from music that fans might be surprised to learn?

Answer: Outside of music, I’m definitely a woman of many passions! As I mentioned earlier, I was a competitive figure skater growing up and I am also a registered nurse. I used to work in the surgical ICU at Vanderbilt, so I’ve seen just about everything you can imagine. These days, I work in plastic surgery, primarily with breast cancer patients going through breast reconstruction, which is incredibly meaningful work.

Another big passion of mine is wildlife rehabilitation. I’ve been volunteering with Harmony Wildlife Rehabilitation Center here in Nashville for about five years now, and it’s been such a rewarding experience. I’ve learned so much about animal behavior, wildlife habitats, environmental conservation, and the impact humans have on the natural world. My nursing background actually comes in handy when caring for sick and injured animals too! It’s physically demanding work, but I absolutely love being able to help these animals and support the organization. I could honestly talk about wildlife rehabilitation for hours lol.

I’m also a huge hiking and travel enthusiast. Every year, I try to plan a hiking trip where I can spend my days exploring remote landscapes and getting immersed in nature, often hiking 10–15 miles a day or more. Last year, I completed the 50-mile Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu in Peru, which was a huge accomplishment for me. I’ve also explored the Canadian Rockies, gone glacial mountaineering in Alaska, and visited Sequoia National Park to see General Sherman, the largest tree in the world by volume. I am planning to travel to Iceland next month, and I’m really hoping to catch a view of the Northern Lights!

I think all of these interests reflect different parts of who I am, but they’re also connected by a common thread: I love caring for living things, learning about the world around me, and putting myself in places that remind me just how big and beautiful the world is.

12. Looking ahead, what would you like to accomplish over the next year, and what can people expect next from Maddy O.?

Answer: Over the next year, I really want to focus on continuing to put myself out there, playing more shows, connecting with other artists, and building a community around my music. Of course, I'd love to grow my fan base and reach more people who connect with what I'm creating. It's definitely a challenge as an independent artist, especially with how unpredictable social media algorithms can be, so I'm hoping to find more intentional ways to stay connected with people who genuinely want to follow my journey. I'm actually working on building an email list so I can share updates, new releases, and upcoming shows directly with people who want to be part of this journey!

Creatively, I want to keep writing, experimenting with my sound, and discovering new ways to express myself through music. I feel like I'm still growing so much as an artist, and I want to give myself the freedom to explore and see where that takes me. I'm excited to see what comes out of the next chapter, whether that's new music, more live performances, or opportunities to collaborate with other artists.

More than anything, I want to keep building something that feels genuine to me and meaningful to the people who connect with my music. This journey has already pushed me outside my comfort zone in so many ways, and I'm excited to keep growing, learning, and seeing where it leads. If you've been following along so far, thank you for being here. And if you're just discovering Maddy O., welcome! I'm really happy you're here, and there's a lot more to come.

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