MUSICAL NOTES

FEATURING OLIVIA WEBBER

PHOTOS BY AMELIA J. MOORE

Q and A

Q: Tell us a little about yourself.

A: I am a senior at Brentwood High School, and I love music and performing. I have recorded a few songs now, lead worship at my church and FCA, and am also part of an acapella group at my music studio, Franklin Brentwood Arts Academy. I have been involved with the acapella group all through high school. Last year we sang at the Pumpkin Fest in downtown Franklin and at Christmas tree lightings in the area. We also do showcases at the studio for Christmas and a show in the spring. I did a songwriters’ night last fall at the Commodore and really loved it! My goal is to try to perform out and about a little bit more at open mic nights or at auditions. When I graduate high school, I will be going to Samford to study songwriting.

Q: How did you get involved with music?

A: I have always loved music; it's been my favorite thing to do. My uncle is a phenomenal piano player and as a child, I would play with him and that's how I started. I can play by ear so in a few minutes I am able to figure a song out and play it. As I got older I realized how much I loved music, and I started singing and playing. Songwriting came into my life a lot more throughout middle and high school. Along with the piano, I also play the guitar. I started playing the piano at 4 years old and around 6th grade is when I picked up the guitar.

Q: Since you started songwriting, what has been some of your inspiration?

A: A lot of people think songwriting is all based on their life and sometimes I do think the emotion is, but not necessarily all the time. I have a running list in my phone of random lyric ideas or a song idea from a line out of a movie, a topic of conversation with one of my friends, or from random places I keep tabs on. My list of ideas is really long, and I'll typically write songs from that collection of ideas.

PHOTOS BY AMELIA J. MOORE

Q: Tells us about a few of the songs you have written and recorded.

A: The most recent song “Therapist,” I recorded in November 2022 and was released on April 14, 2023. It is a witty song and the punch line at the end of the chorus is “you don't know my therapist, but you're the reason she knows me.” It’s about all the things a person doesn't know that they would typically talk through with a therapist. Such as compromising your own strength and yourself for the benefit of somebody else. As I wrote the song, it branched from that, and I was thinking about processing all the unhealthy habits and breaking them so one can realize their true value. This is my favorite song so far.

I also recorded “Extremes,” which came out in July 2022. This song is about a relationship where there is no middle ground, it's all or nothing. It was one of those songs I wrote when I was up at 2:00 AM because I couldn't sleep. I had this idea in my head and typically, songs take longer to write, but that one just came all out at once. I was actually planning on recording a different song, but I liked it so much that I felt that was the one I had to do at that time.

Another song titled “Headfirst” came out in February 2022. The premise was it's a play on words with the hook at the end of the chorus “you've got me jumping in headfirst, maybe I should use my headfirst.” The idea had come while I was writing a different song with one of my friends, but she felt I should save the song for myself. Then I built the idea around a love story that shouldn't really happen, but you want to go all in and you do headfirst.

Q: What is recording a song like?

A: My producer is Daniel Dennis and he's amazing. He lives in Nashville and has a studio at the back of his house. I'll walk in with a song that I've written, play it for him, and I'll give him the lyrics. We then come up with a vision for the song and what vibe we want it to have. We then play all the instruments, meaning I'll play piano, and he plays everything else. I'll sing and the recording sessions usually last a day and half and then the song is ready to go.

Q: What would your aspirations be for when you graduate?

A: I would really love to be a writer. I cannot fathom life without music. It's just in my wheelhouse.

PHOTOS BY AMELIA J. MOORE

Q: Who are your biggest supporters?

A: My mom and dad of course! They have always been my biggest fans and they are my biggest supporters. They have always loved and supported me and I am so unbelievably grateful for them.

PHOTOS BY AMELIA J. MOORE

Follow Olivia Webber @oliviawebberand download her song from all your favorite streaming platforms.

PHOTOS BY AMELIA J. MOORE