Words by: Megan George, Anna Malotova, and Andrea Naess

With his latest video, ‘Saviour’, out on the world, LDN writers pull up a pew with London-based songwriter Oliver Anderson who opens up about reaching for platinum, performing alongside Scouting for Girls, and why social media is making reality unstable.

We can tell that you have been following your dreams since your childhood. Tell us about the story of how you entered the music industry? 

I entered the industry when I started busking when I was 17 but that actually turned into more like, ‘I’m enjoying this!’ and I dropped out of school. I then did busking full time and it went from there, you know?

How would you describe your music in one sentence?

That’s a hard one… Authentic experiences and a bit of heartbreak. 

What are your inspirations? 

Originally, my dad was my main inspiration because he had a guitar, and he’s a singer. He was in a few bands when he was my age and he bought me my first guitar. As I progressed in music, Paulo Nutini was quite a big inspiration for me. But nowadays, I’d say Casey Lowry, he’s a pretty good musician and Hozier.

What’s your favourite venue you have played?

My favourite venue I played was a festival called Priory Live Orpington in 2022. Scouting for Girls were there as well. It was really cool to meet them!

What would you say is your greatest strength as an artist? 

Energy, I think because I’ve not got the voice like Adele or Louis Capaldi. But I feel like my personality comes through my voice and I use energy to make it one. 

I wanted to ask you about the social media addiction you sing about in ‘Saviour’. What are your thoughts about social media addiction? I think it’s an interesting topic that isn’t discussed enough.

It is a big problem, especially right now in my life. I’ve just upgraded to an iPhone, I used to have a Samsung, and I felt like the iPhones were designed better to make me want to be on it. It’s an issue because you lose yourself in that virtual world, and it becomes more important than the real one. I have a video that went viral, but I was on the train and it was a lovely moment. But that viral moment was more important to me than the actual real moment. I got 4 million views for singing on the train and OMG, I did not expect that. Social media is turning reality a bit more unstable.

If you had to pick a genre that isn’t your specialty, what would you choose and why?

So my specialty is alternative pop/rock but if I had to choose one that wasn’t that, I’d say it would probably be neo-soul because I used to make neo-soul music. I did a whole EP with my sister’s ex-boyfriend, who was a producer (who went to BIMM) and we did a whole year of a neo-soul project and I really enjoyed it, but I just didn’t feel like it was okay, capturing my soul. 

Where do you see yourself in 10 years as a musician?

Well, if all goes to plan I’d like to be touring and have hopefully performed at some dream venues like Koko Camden, the O2, and Omera. I like Omera, it’s quite an intimate venue. I’d like to have gone platinum at some point and of had a couple of charting albums.

What interests and hobbies do you have outside of music? 

Skateboarding here and there. When I feel like when I feel like everything has kind of been thrown off, I don’t want to hurt myself too much. I don’t know what my direction I’m just gonna skateboard. I also love playing Warhammer, which is a bit nerdy, but I enjoy that. And like I don’t know what I was cooking. I love cooking! I really enjoy making jerk chicken and sausage casserole.

What are your tips for other aspiring artists who want to make a living from music?

Don’t be afraid to get yourself out there. If you are afraid to get yourself out there, then do it step by step. You know, if you want to go busking, then go play in the park. If you want to play a pub gig then play for a couple of your mates and gain that experience.

But also networking is so important and learning about the business side of the industry so you don’t get shafted. I know a few people who have signed contracts that they’re still in and they don’t make music anymore.

Follow Oliver Anderson on Instagram to find out more on his latest live shows and releases.