After releasing a critically acclaimed book in 2023, Olivia Hahn is gearing up to drop her debut single as the Saanich teen attempts to make her mark in the music world.
On March 7, Hahn's newest creative endeavour, called Lust Over Love, will hit streaming services following the official launch party for the music video on Feb. 24.
"I started writing it because I wanted to show that grief doesn't just show up in death and loss, it shows up in relationships and betrayal and heartbreak and even losing parts of yourself as well," she said in a phone interview.
In 2023, she released her book 'Healing Our Wounded Hearts: A real-life story about loss in the voice of a teenager' to help her move through the grief of losing her mother when she was a 15-year-old student at Reynolds Secondary.
"That's why I moved to songwriting because music gives grief a different voice and so it's basically about the pain, and the strength that comes after it," she said.
"I think [music] helps to feel and connect with each other," she added, reflecting on a moment when her mom was in the hospital and they played her favourite song – Don't Stop Believing – while she was unconscious the day before she died.
"The doctor said that she could still feel and hear, so we played it and I could see a little smile on her face and so that kind of inspired me to go to music because music really connects you and brings memories like joy and I think it's a powerful way to express emotions."
In addition to the song, Hahn spent a few weekends filming a music video, which will also be made public on March 7. On Monday, Feb. 24, she will hold a release party where attendees will get a first look at the music video followed by a Q&A session.
"I think it should be really fun and I'm really excited to talk about the song and the process and all that kind of stuff before it's out," she said.
The release party will be held at Little Fernwood Gallery, 1923 Fernwood Rd., at 6:30 p.m.
