My name is Sherren Olivia. I am a singer-songwriter from Chicago, IL. I love music and have been singing since I was a child. I began singing in church at a young age and continued to sing throughout my life in choirs. In college, I was introduced to recording and songwriting where I started to work with other musicians. I released my first two songs in 2015 on Soundcloud. I remember hoping that song would get to 500 plays and never imagined that something I wrote in my dorm room would reach over 100,000 people.

My first album "Oasis" was released this past February 2022. My journey has just begun and I am very excited to continue growing as an artist and make more music. I want to encourage anyone who loves to make music and create art to never stop creating. Create things that you like and do not try to create for others.

Q: What interested you most about the genre of R&B and soul that made you decide, you wanted, to make music, in this genre specifically?

I have always loved R&B since I was young. Growing up, I was surrounded by so many genres. What I remember most is always hearing R&B and Gospel music at home. It is the music I feel most connected to. My older sister was in high school and I would always follow her around and she would have CD cases full of R&B CDs. It is a very nostalgic memory for me and that is always how R&B has felt to me; very familiar and warm. My cousin and I would always borrow her CDs to listen to 90s R&B. Even today, I listen to a variety of music but a large portion of my library is R&B.

Q: What do you want fans to know about the album Oasis?

I want people to know that Oasis is a collection of songs that are meant to sonically feel good and feel timeless. It explores themes of love and heartbreak that I think many people can relate to. I hope that people enjoy the musicality of Oasis and hear the hard work that was put into the project. Lastly, I hope you get some time to go for a long drive and play this out loud with the windows down.

Q: What is your favorite song from the album and what makes it your favorite?

My favorite song changes weekly! Right now, Are You Alone is my favorite. It was one of the singles and since I started performing this album, it is one of my favorites to sing live.

Q: Were there any challenges when making this album? If so what were they?

Getting over self-doubt was probably one of the most challenging parts of finishing this album. I was not always sure that anyone wanted to hear the music I was working on or that I could be an artist. It can feel scary to put yourself out there. I know that by working hard and choosing to show up for myself, I can accomplish my dreams even if they feel scary.

Q: The most popular songs on your album are “Treasure Island” and “Are You Alone”. What, about these songs, do you think made them the most listened to?

Both songs were chosen as singles because they best represented the overall feel and theme of the album and what people could look forward to. They stood out once all the songs were completed and I knew they had to be the singles!

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Q: How do you stay motivated to continue to create, write, and sing?

I do not see myself ever quitting music or no longer wanting to be creative. It feels so innate. I believe my purpose is to create music. I will continue to do so until I am called to do something else. Even then, I will always be singing somewhere.

Q: How did you get the opportunity for These Days? What did this opportunity entail?

These Days reached out to me for an interview and to be one of the artists on their Chicago Artists to Watch Spring/Summer 2022 list and I immediately said yes. I knew about These Days because a few of my close friends had previously been on their list. The entire experience was great. I was able to do my first live show with them and had an interview with the amazing Hannah (@hkaygon)! I'm still so grateful for that opportunity and have nothing but love for These Days!

Q: Why do you like to add different harmonies to your songs? Why is this important to you?

Harmonies help me build the world of the song that I am trying to create. Harmonies are my favorite part of making a song because they allow me to explore all of the melodies that I hear within that song. It is also why I love doing vocal production in general. Over the last few years, I have been working on my skills and becoming a better singer. Every day I feel like I learn something new and get better. I feel blessed to have the ability to express myself through singing.

Q: If you could collaborate with another company or be featured in another issue, what would it be for and why?

This is going to sound funny but I love water haha. I would love to partner with Evian which is so random but I really would love that. Musically I would love to do something with Soulection and eventually a ColorsxStudio. Those are my goals.

Q: Fun Fact: What is your hands down R&B song and artist?

I have too many favorites but one that I have been listening to a lot lately is Angel in Disguise - Brandy

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Enter the World of R&B, with Sherren Olivia.

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