Meet Oly Irl: Singer-Songwriter, Label Founder Public Works, Let’s Sang

We had the good fortune of connecting with Oly Irl and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Oly, let’s talk legacy – what do you want yours to be?
I want my legacy to be the songs I have written, the label I created, Public Works Records, the artists we work with (Jaiailai, Rick Moon, Juan Ledesma, Rachel Angel, Nick County and Corey Perez) and the work we created together as a family of artists. We’ve made music videos, a mini concert and stripped down acoustic performances.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’m releasing a five song EP titled “Shy Passion” coming out Friday, December 11th, 2020. It will be available as a limited edition cassette via Bandcamp and comes with a couple surprises. I’ve always been interested in non-mainstream music but in the more recent years I’ve been exposed to country music through my partnership with Nick County. His influences have led to a more personal style of songwriting. We’ve collaborated on a folk country duo writing alt-country style songs and covers of classic country duets. This led to a wild mix of influences for this album from my primary childhood love of 80’s pop music like Prince and my forever obsession with 90s R&B. These songs were written during a complicated part of my life that is difficult to discuss but it led to becoming more active creatively. Songwriting helped me cope. These are pop songs but they have a lot of pain in them for me. It’s not the ideal time to release music but I’m hopeful even while we are all struggling to get by. I don’t know anyone who isn’t going through something difficult right now. We need to find ways to enjoy ourselves and make it to the end of the year. My partner at the label, Nick County, had the vision to suggest working with Rick Moon and Corey Perez on Shy Passion. That advice led to this great collaboration and they brought so much to the table. Rick Moon was recently named 2020’s Best Solo Musician by the Miami New Times. Corey Perez will be releasing his first solo record next year on Public Works. Additionally Nick County will also be releasing his third full length album in 2021.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
So if you are visiting Miami and happen to land on a Monday then you are going to have to tag along with me to a night I host at Gramps called “Let’s Sang.” We are super safe, socially distanced, with table service, no contact, song requests are made via QR codes, masks stay on to sing and microphones are sanitized between performances. Gramps is one of the funnest spots in Miami, you have to experience it. Traditionally it’s been a spot to go to where you can let it all hang out. It’s a special spot because Adam Gersten, the owner, is a huge supporter of artists and the local scene in Miami. The drinks are stiff and the pizza is crispy. Gramps is a must see for anyone visiting Miami with it’s old timey, Key West in Wynwood vibes. Not that they need any more fame from me but in all honesty, my all time jam is Joe’s Stone Crab. I love that place, nothing says Miami more than a visit to Joe’s during the stone crab season. The Maitre D is so boss too, he never forgets a face. There’s a new hidden gem called The Cleat, located in Bill Baggs State Park, in Key Biscayne Florida. It’s so tucked away you gotta know where it is to find it. One of my oldest friends, Danny Gonzalez of Jacuzzi Boys, runs the place and if you go out there you will get a spectacular ocean view, delicious cocktails, the best vaca frita from Boater’s Grill. Pro tip: go early and take a swim by the lighthouse. We are blessed in Miami to have two great record shops that you can happily dig through for hours: Sweat Records and Technique’s. They have tons of other fun stuff like shirts, movies, magazines. Technique even has a synth shop located inside their shop, Wish You Were Gear. Nothing beats the Rubell Collection for contemporary art. The curator Juan Valadez gives the best tours if you’re lucky enough to get one. The new space located in Allapatah is beautiful, you could get lost in all their rooms. There’s also a lush garden with native Florida plants. I would bring anyone to Dale Zine to get their zine fix! They have an epic curated selection of regional and national publications and there’s something for everyone. I donated my 90s zine collection to their library and they are wonderful people. 

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve lived most of my life in Miami and I’m surrounded by people whose work inspires me. I just played a drive-in show this past Friday with Dracula and it was really encouraging seeing people socially distanced, being safe and enjoying live music out in the open air. My biggest inspiration are all my fellow artists on Public Works and the record label I started with Nick County and Julian Martin. The label’s support enabled me to put out my new EP “Shy Passion.” Nick handles events, production and A&R, Julian is the creative art director and I handle planning each individual artist campaign, creating timelines, press releases and social media content. Together we are a collective that nurtures songwriting, provides backup band duties, production and even emotional support, we’re really there for one another. The Public Works family includes psych rock band Jaialai, singer-songwriter Rick Moon, alt-country troubadour Nick County, metaphysical outlaw Rachel Angel and indie darling Juan Ledesma. I believe in our artists and working with them is energizing, I’m really excited with what we are building.

Website: https://olyirl.bandcamp.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oly.irl/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oly_irl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oly.url/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm4K_1mn1dk

Image Credits
Christoph Morlinghaus