Olivia Prado
Independent artist Olivia Prado is entering a new chapter with Dirty In The Sand, an EP that explores love, intimacy, uncertainty, self-discovery, and the complicated question of whether we are ever truly “enough.” Originally from the Bay Area and now based in Los Angeles, Olivia has spent the past several years building her career independently while navigating the highs and lows of pursuing music on her own terms.
Through honest songwriting, she explores vulnerability, self-doubt, resilience, and the relationship we have with ourselves when external validation gets quiet. From learning to embrace the messy parts of life to recognizing her own worth and giving herself permission to simply live, Dirty In The Sand feels like a deeply personal snapshot of where Olivia is today.
In this interview, Olivia opens up about her creative journey, mental health, grief, self-worth, and the lessons that have shaped both the artist and the person she is becoming.
Photo credit: Jordan Naheesi
Hi Olivia! How are you? What's your story?
Hey! I’m good, just on my grind at the moment, haha. I’m an independent artist originally from the Bay Area, now based in LA, and I’ve been releasing music independently for the past several years. Right now, I’m getting ready to release my new EP, Dirty In The Sand, so that’s pretty much where all my energy is going.
Your new EP, Dirty In The Sand, explores love, intimacy, uncertainty, and self-discovery. What was happening in your life when you realized these were the stories you wanted to tell?
I’ve been really stable in my romantic life for some time, but not necessarily in my career. The last few years have been an uphill battle pursuing music and figuring out what this path looks like for me. When writing this EP, a lot of the uncertainty I was experiencing was actually coming from being an artist. I love music sooo much that sometimes it almost feels like a romantic relationship, haha. There are highs, lows, moments of complete devotion, and moments where you question everything.
The title Dirty In The Sand has a playful meaning, but it also represents embracing the messy parts of life and love. When did you realize this metaphor perfectly captured the EP?
Right after I wrote the hook for “Dirty In The Sand.” I remember thinking, this is totally how life feels to me, lol. Messy, fun, sexy, uncomfortable—all at the same time. Once I started thinking about the phrase beyond its playful meaning, it felt like the perfect title for the project.
The EP takes listeners through different emotional stages, from flirtation and adventure to doubt, heartbreak, and the question “Am I enough?” Which song felt the most vulnerable to write, and why?
“Is It Enough” definitely felt the most vulnerable, but also the most potent. I wrote the whole thing and produced the bones of it in one night—it was just flowing. I had spent months working on the EP, questioning whether I was doing well enough, or whether I was enough in general. Through therapy this year, I realized that feeling “not enough” is a major wound for me. So when I was writing the track, I was tapping into every time I had felt like I wasn’t enough, even when I gave something my all.
Your music explores vulnerability, self-doubt, and emotional uncertainty. How has songwriting helped you process difficult emotions or better understand yourself?
It’s actually challenged me to be real with myself. When you sit down to write, it can feel like you’re facing a mirror, and that’s not always a vulnerable or negative experience. A lot of times I sit down to write and feel energized, imagining people dancing to whatever I’m making, and that’s just as honest. Songwriting makes me face whatever I feel called to embody in that moment, whether it’s joy, confidence, sadness, uncertainty, or something else entirely.
The question “Am I enough?” sits at the heart of Dirty In The Sand. Have you personally struggled with that feeling, and what have you learned about self-worth along the way?
Yeah, I have. Being in music can really make you feel like less than sometimes, as we all know. So much is based on numbers and popularity, and when you put your heart into something and work really hard but don’t necessarily see a reward, it can be defeating. However, I’ve learned not to rely so heavily on outside validation. Holding myself in high regard and cheering myself on even when it’s quiet is one of the biggest gifts I can give myself. I really try to prioritize that relationship with myself.
You’ve described the project as being about opening yourself up to love and taking emotional risks. What have you personally learned about vulnerability through making this EP?
I’ve realized that I can be a little scared of intimacy and have a tendency to process things alone, which I didn’t fully recognize before, lol. I tend to reach a lot of emotional depth when I’m by myself, rather than necessarily getting there with other people. I don’t think that’s inherently a bad thing, but recognizing it has encouraged me to open up more and allow myself to reach that same kind of depth in the relationships I have in my life.
Mental health and creativity can sometimes be deeply connected. How do you take care of your mental health while navigating the emotional demands of being an artist?
Exercise, sleep, eating well, and having a routine help a lot. But I’ve also learned to recognize that there are seasons to being an artist. I cherish the quieter seasons when I’m just writing, crafting in my room, and experiencing life. Then there are seasons like right now, when I’m sharing and promoting the work I’ve done in private. I try to honor both and make the most of whichever one I’m in.
As an independent artist, you’re involved in almost every aspect of your career, from songwriting and creative direction to marketing and release strategy. How do you protect yourself from pressure and burnout while building something entirely your own?
Well, I’m not sure I have a great answer to that question, haha. This year, though, I’ve really allowed myself to enjoy things completely unrelated to music, whether that’s traveling, spending time with friends, or just living my life. In the past, I would feel guilty if I wasn’t being productive all the time, and that just makes you miserable. Now I try to catch myself when I fall into that mindset and let myself enjoy life without always thinking about the pursuit.
Has there been a moment in your career when you realized you needed to slow down, set boundaries, or take better care of yourself?
What did that experience teach you? Around a release, I really get sensitive and have a tendency to crash out. BUT, now that I’ve realized that about myself, I prepare more and I am more proactive about pacing myself during release seasons. It’s taught me how much I care and how passionate I am about my work, but it’s also taught me to practice caring less, haha.
You grew up in the Bay Area surrounded by music, dance, acting, and musical theater. How do those early experiences still show up in the artist you are today?
Those experiences are what inspire me to do this for a living. I absolutely loved being immersed in music, dance, and performance as a child—it was the happiest time of my life. I carry that with me in everything I do. My inner child is still very present in my artistry, just more mature and evolved now.
Your time living in Sydney, alongside the loss of your father, seems to have been a major turning point in your life. How did that chapter change the way you saw yourself and your future?
Phew, well. It taught me how short life is. I know that sounds cliché, but I really don’t think a lot of us really understand that until something forces us to. When my dad passed, I felt that in my bones. I realized I didn’t want to spend my life hiding from what I truly wanted or from pursuing my dream life. At the same time, when I was living in Sydney, I was in a band and my school was super international. People from completely different countries and walks of life kept encouraging me to pursue music seriously. I didn’t expect that, but it made me see my talent more clearly and helped me stop hiding from it.
Looking back at the different chapters of your life, which experience has taught you the most about resilience?
The loss of my dad, for sure. My mom and my brother have inspired me so much over the years. The three of us went through so much together, and yet we all actively chose to keep moving forward, stay positive, and live our lives to the fullest after such a tragic loss. Watching them do that taught me a lot about resilience.
You released your debut album, Liv Laugh Love, in 2024. Looking back, how do you feel you’ve evolved as a songwriter, artist, and person between that album and Dirty In The Sand?
I think I’m owning who I am a lot more. I was very unsure of myself back then, and don’t get me wrong, I still struggle with that sometimes. But making this EP has helped me stand my ground in who I am and the path I’ve chosen. As I’ve gotten older, I also feel more rooted in thinking about my art as part of a larger life—how I want to continue developing creatively while also, one day, having kids and building a family. I’m starting to think more about what I want all of those things to look and feel like together.
What is one thing you used to believe about yourself that you no longer believe today?
That I’m an imposter, haha. Through the wonderful friendships and relationships I have in my life, I’ve realized that I’m not crazy for doing this artist thing. I belong here just as much as anyone else does.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about self-worth, mental health, or navigating life’s uncertainties, what would you tell her?
You have to respect your life. That means having boundaries and not allowing other people to mistreat you, but it also means acknowledging your own potential and the miracle that your life is. Respecting your life means taking seriously what you’re capable of and giving yourself the chance to pursue it.
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