Introducing: Josie Oliver

At just 22, Josie Oliver is proving that slow-burning artistry still has a place in a fast-moving industry. With her evocative storytelling and emotionally rich indie-pop sound, she’s steadily built a loyal audience—no viral gimmicks needed. Now, as she unveils her latest single Standstill and announces her debut EP Listen To This When We Buy A House, she’s ready to cement her place as one of the UK’s most compelling new voices. We caught up with Josie to talk songwriting, live performances, and the journey so far.

Your music is deeply personal and emotionally rich. How do you approach songwriting—do you start with lyrics, a melody, or a particular feeling you want to capture?

My songs always start with the lyrics. I’m always jotting down concepts for songs, or random words/lines that come into my head, which I feel helps me capture specific moments and emotions. I usually begin piecing these ideas together in my bedroom- which is the most comforting, safe space for me where I can fully dive into my thoughts. I feel like if I didn’t put things into a song, and all my thoughts and feelings were just left in my head I’d probably lose my mind! It’s definitely my way to make sense of and deal with my own emotions. Most of my songs start stripped down on an acoustic guitar, and then I’ll experiment with the sonics and built it out from there. 

Your new single, "Standstill," explores the bittersweet nature of fleeting moments in relationships. How has your personal connection to this song evolved since you first wrote it?

Standstill is about moments that you wish could last for ever & the bittersweetness of knowing they can't. Originally I viewed standstill as this shy love song, it had more of a sweet tone, but over time, as things in my life have changed, the song feels more painful - it has more of a sad tone now. It feels like loving someone you know you have to let go of which is such a painful mix of emotions. I think it’s cool a song can carry different layers; Standstill feels like one of those songs where it’s up to the listener to interpret it in their own way.

You’ve built your audience through authenticity rather than chasing viral moments. In an era of fast-paced music consumption, how do you stay true to your artistic vision while navigating the industry?

It does really help having a team to support me, who believe in my songs & allow me to find an audience in an organic way and songwriting is essentially just my way of journaling and so I never really think about how people will react to a song whilst I’m writing it. When I share my songs, I’m really sharing a big part of my self to others and although I’m writing about specific moments in my life, everyone experiences similar emotions, it’s just part of life, and so I just have to trust and hope that staying true to my self and making something that feels real will resonate with others.

Your songwriting and music has earned you recognition from industry icons like Paul McCartney and support slots with established artists. What’s been the most defining moment for you on stage so far?

The last gig I played before I graduated in Liverpool was such a special one, I’ll remember that night for a long time. I remember getting so in my head about it before and I convinced my self no one was going to turn up but when I got on stage it was packed out, and the audience was full with so many of my friends and family. I also met 2 girls who travelled from Wales to see me too which blew my mind - I think thats the first time I’ve been of aware of people traveling to one of my gigs. And it was with a band which is always so fun. Hearing people singing along to my songs, loudly too! Was like the best feeling ever and it really solidified that this is what I want to do. It was such a nice way to end my LIPA chapter.

Your debut EP, Listen to This When You Buy a House, drops in March. What story does this collection of songs tell, and what do you hope listeners take away from it?

The EP is all about navigating love for the first time, especially during your late teens/ early 20’s. I think it’s such an intense time - there’s so much change, growth, love, heartache. The highs are really high, and lows - low, they hit really hard! And I think you hear this in the Ep. It’s bit of a rollercoaster, starting with “wake up (I love you)” which is more of a sweet love song, to “do you really have to go?” Which I think is gut-wrenching!. All of the songs feel like such a time capsule of the last few years of my life. I feel like I’m writing songs for someone like my younger self, who’s experiencing those ups and downs and I hope my music can be a reminder that you’re not going through it alone. My friends always say they wish they had my songs when they were 16, I guess it’s that older sister vibe!