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Hi Oliver! How did you decide on the sound of Halfway to Paradise? Was there a lot of experimenting?
It was a lot of experimenting. I just love music of all genres, and a lot of this EP came from all around the world. I made songs in Germany, songs in LA, songs in Australia. So I had a lot of different influences go into it, and I think it's a collection of just where my head's at, which is ballads and some hip-hop stuff β itβs kind of everything.
Who inspires you musically?
Justin Bieber is a big, big inspiration for me. You can probably tell. I'm a massive Noah Kahn fan as well. I love folk music. I've been listening to him for a while now. Chase Atlantic are my favourite band. And then I like emo stuff too, like Blackbear I'm a big fan of. Just everything musical inspires me, art, I love it.
So the EP is called Halfway to Paradise. What is your idea of Paradise?
Oh man, this changes all the time. It started by going on tour and traveling the world, and now Iβve done that. The next goal is... I donβt even know. But honestly, Iβve come to terms with Paradise as being happy, being confident and comfortable in your surroundings, being around people that make you happy, and being free and carefree. That, I think, is Paradise.
Nice! Are there any paradise locations that youβd like to travel to?
I really want to go to the Netherlands. Iβve been to Europe a lot, but Iβve never been to the Netherlands, to Amsterdam β thatβs on the bucket list. And I really want to go to South America. Mexico β thatβs a big bucket list.
You've toured the world a lot in 2024. What are three Aussie things that you take with you when you go overseas?
Thatβs a good one. I donβt really take anything with me, but I probably should. I love Vegemite. Itβs always good being overseas and showing people Vegemite. That's always fun. I should start taking Vegemite everywhere I go when I go overseas. Tim Tams are great obviously and everyone is always in awe when they try a Tim Tam for the first time. I always take my merch, my jewellery β I guess theyβre Australian because itβs my stuff.Β
What advice would you give to TGs who dream of becoming musicians or singers?
Follow those dreams. Donβt give up, and donβt let anybody tell you that you canβt do it. Because you can do anything.
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Check out our interview with Oliver in our newΒ January 2025 issue, out nowΒ and find even MORE bonus content on the Total Girl website:
Click here to see Oliver's special shout out to TGs
Click here to watch Oliver play Yay or Nay: 2002 Edition with Team TG.
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