Olivia Marsh is a Korean-Australian singer whose effortless ability to transition between pop and R'n'B has positioned her for stardom. Her journey into the limelight has been guided by the idea that family is home. From navigating cultural exchanges to the intricacies of the music industry, every step of Marsh's journey has been rooted in the confidence that she belongs.
On October 16, Marsh debuted her deeply personal single '42'. The dreamy track sees Marsh reflect on the fleeting nature of memories. The song is a glimpse into Marsh's relationship with being raised between two cultures. The number 42 is lifted from her childhood home address in the beachside city of Newcastle, far from the streets of Seoul she currently calls home. The accompanying music video exemplifies this as Marsh haunts the halls of a house reminiscent of the one she grew up in. Through a taut two-and-a-half minutes, we see her singing throughout empty halls and rooms, reminiscing on the girl she once was.
Recently, Marsh was announced as the first signing of Warner Music Korea's new label, MPLIFY. The label is dedicated to supporting Korean artists with international connections. Marsh's intercultural upbringing and raw talent make her the perfect bridge between Korean and international music scenes.
Below is our interview with Olivia Marsh about her multifaceted childhood and journey to ‘42’.
Eastern Standard Times:
Olivia, how are you today?
Olivia Marsh:
I'm doing well. How are you?
Eastern Standard Times:
I'm good.
Olivia Marsh:
That's good (laughs).
Eastern Standard Times:
What were your first memories associated with music?
Olivia Marsh:
My very first music memories are of when I was a baby. My mom used to sing me to sleep every night. She would sing for me, and I'd slowly drift off. Sometimes, I would wake up and touch her on the shoulder just to wake her up and sing so I could go back to sleep.
Eastern Standard Times:
Who've been your biggest inspirations? In the past you've mentioned that one was ABBA, which I also love (laughs).
Olivia Marsh:
I grew up listening to ABBA. I can't remember how old I was, I think I was very young. My grandma kept telling me, "You need to watch Mamma Mia". I kept saying, "No!" I wanted to watch all those Barbie movies I loved at the time (laughs). I watched it and had it on repeat, eventually falling in love with ABBA. They're a big inspiration.
There are so many artists who have inspired me. However, my biggest inspirations are probably my mom and my dad.
Eastern Standard Times
When did you realize you wanted to have a career in music and enter the industry?
Olivia Marsh:
It crossed my mind at a young age, but I didn't think about it realistically. I didn't know how to get there.
I love music, but it was a hobby. I wanted to do film scoring, so I went to uni and studied sound design; I had no idea what I was doing.
When I graduated from uni, I moved to Korea. When I arrived, I started songwriting for other people. I'd been doing it for around two years when I had a session where I met my future CEO. We talked, which made me realize I wanted to sing and create my own songs.
Eastern Standard Times:
When you were songwriting for other artists, did that help you find your voice?
Olivia Marsh
Well, I did songwriting for fun when I was younger. I genuinely feel that's where it all started.
But I feel like my confidence grew when I wrote my first song.
In music production, we do the top line, which sits on top of a producer's beat. I remember I was so embarrassed by that. I thought, "My gosh, people will hear this?" But it happened, and they sent it off for a pitch (laughs). I gradually did it more and more and had more sessions with artists and producers. Eventually, I realized who I was and what my style was. I was making my way through that process, which I think helped me find my voice.
Eastern Standard Times:
Well, you've done it with the debut single '42'. The song is about childhood memories of your family living in Australia. What is it like to share this journey with your family?
Olivia Marsh:
I have a few songs on my EP, and they've all kind of come from the two years that I've been songwriting. But '42' feels particularly personal because it is about my family, the house I grew up in, and what that all means to me.
My family has been so supportive, and I support everything they do.
When my dad listened to '42', he began to remember moments that happened at our family home. We ended up conversing one night about all the memories we associate with that house. Still, to this day, if I go to Newcastle, I ask to drive past our old house. I'm so glad that we're going through this process together.
Eastern Standard Times:
The track has an enchanting and nostalgic vibe. How did you decide on the sound of '42'?
Olivia Marsh:
It's funny; what you're hearing now isn't what the original demo sounded like. When we wrote it, we played with some melodies, and it just came out. The original track was just a stripped-back, folky guitar. We ended up talking about the song after I'd written the lyrics. I wondered what kind of vibe would suit the lyrics better. What you're hearing today is a redeveloped version.
Eastern Standard Times:
Why did you choose to base yourself out of Korea instead of Australia or anywhere else you could make music?
Olivia Marsh:
Coming out of university, I just moved to Korea because of my family. My mum and my sister were there when I was in lockdown. For those two years in Melbourne, I missed them so much. I didn't even go to my graduation; I just went straight to Korea to see them. I ended up working and then gradually finding my way through songwriting. I guess that was the core decision.
I also have a big passion for K-pop music and love Korean culture. After living for so long in Australia, I wanted to revisit what I had experienced as a kid.
Eastern Standard Times:
What does the idea of home mean to you?
Olivia Marsh:
Well, I was just touching on how I ended up moving to Korea. I just say that home is where my family is at the time. Unfortunately, my dad's still living in Australia while we're in Korea. I wish he were there with us. But because my mom and sister had been living there for a while and I hadn't seen them, I wanted to go there because they felt like home. Wherever my family is, that's home.
However, I have so many memories of my childhood home. I still have a connection to that house. When we were going to sell the house, I just cried and cried because I didn't want anything to change. I thought, "What if they knock it down?" What if you know this happens?" I feel like part of me still lingers there. But yeah, it's definitely where my family is.
Eastern Standard Times:
Your story will resonate with many Asian Australians, mainly third-culture kids. How do you navigate between two cultures?
Olivia Marsh:
The way I see it now is that I feel different when I'm in Australia and Korea.
I would consider myself fully Australian and fully Korean. I don't think that I'm in between. When I'm in Australia, it's just home; when I'm in Korea, I'm at home.
They're both such beautiful countries. I love going back and forth between them because I miss Australia when I'm in Korea and Korea when I'm in Australia.
Eastern Standard Times:
Do you feel pressure with your debut single to have already defined yourself as an artist?
Olivia Marsh:
I think I'm still in the process of figuring it out. Even just as a person, I'm always asking myself, "Is this me?" and "Is this what I want to do?"
I'm learning a lot throughout this process, which I'm still so new to. The team's been amazing, helping me through it all.
Eastern Standard Times:
When you imagine someone listening to '42' or one of your songs in the future, who do you imagine will be most comforted by it?
Olivia Marsh:
Hopefully, everyone will take what they want from the song. I mean, I have a story that I want to express throughout the song, but not everybody will necessarily get the same feeling from it. I want everybody to take away what they want.
Eastern Standard Times:
Do you have anything you want to say to your fans?
Olivia Marsh:
Thanks for coming, and thanks for listening.