Playing Dress Up in New Orleans with Olivia Barnes
- Sarah Silbert
- Nov 9
- 4 min read
In a city where music spills from every corner, Olivia Barnes still manages to make it feel personal. The 24-year-old singer-songwriter has built her world around authenticity and true connection. Between recording her latest single "Oyster Song" on tape and hosting intimate backyard shows with her roommates, Barnes embodies the honesty and warmth that make New Orleans’ music scene so magnetic. Her sound blends folk and indie influences with a touch of Southern charm: warm vocals, honest lyrics, and an easy intimacy that feels like a conversation with an old friend. For Barnes, music isn’t just something you listen to, it’s something you gather around.
I had the chance to chat with Olivia in her cozy New Orleans home, where she lives with musicians: Hans Williams, Lyla George, and Phin Choukas. I spent the morning hearing what it’s like to be an up-and-coming young artist living in New Orleans while taking portraits of her in her gorgeous sunlit bedroom, where many of her songs have come to life!
Sarah Silbert: Thank you so much for doing this interview with us! It’s great to finally meet you and I’m so happy we get to feature you on our site.
Olivia Barnes: Of course, thank you for having me! I’m so happy y’all reached out. The magazine is sick and I’m so excited y’all thought of me!
SS: Yes! I’ve been a fan of your music since I heard you play for the first time a few years ago. It’s been so amazing to watch you progress, I’d love to talk about that more. I’m curious what’s been the biggest change in your music since moving from Atlanta to New Orleans?
OB: I began writing music at age 8 but I didn’t put it out or share it much until I went to college at Tulane. That’s when I began writing with friends, which eventually led to performing. Of course, I did recitals with my guitar teacher when I was younger but college was the first time I started putting my original music out there. So I’d say the biggest change for me was starting to perform and getting involved in the music scene here.
SS: New Orleans is known for its music scene, how do you think living in a “music city” has influenced you and your music? What new opportunities has moving here brought you?
OB: One of my favorite things to do here is go to shows, especially my friends’ shows. My social life is pretty intertwined with music now, which I love. The local scene here is so special and I’m always discovering new artists at bars/venues around the city. Living here is so inspiring, I love being surrounded by a community of artists and friends who are constantly creating and performing
SS: Who inspires you from the New Orleans music scene?
OB: I’m really inspired by all of my roommates (Lyla George, Hans Williams, and Phin Choukas). They’re all so talented and constantly creating, which really pushes me. I also think Sari Jordan is awesome and I love their music. A lot of women in the scene also influence me, like Anna Moss and Maggie Kerner. Anna Moss is in a band called Handmade Moments which is another huge inspiration.
SS: You’ve performed at some cool venues in New Orleans like Tipitina’s and Gasa Gasa, what has been the most memorable moment for you on stage?
OB: Some of the most fun and memorable shows I’ve done have been our backyard shows. I love playing at venues, but the backyard sets specifically stand out to me because of how intimate they are. It’s more than a show, it’s a community gathering. Our neighbors come, college students, families, and other community members.
Also, people tend to really listen and engage at these shows which I love. These shows feel the most wholesome and fulfilling for me. I care about them a lot and look forward to them so much. All these little fabric decorations around my room right now are not normally here, I made them specifically for our next backyard show.
SS: You released "Lillith’s Smile" in 2021 and you recently released "Oyster Song." How has your process of recording and releasing music evolved over time?
OB: "Lillith’s Smile" was my first time recording anything and I literally had no idea what I was doing. My high school guitar teacher had a studio in his house and he produced the song for me. We recorded it digitally with live instruments, which was super fun. Another song of mine, "Marry Mississippi," was recorded in a similar digital way with live instrumentation except it was in a bedroom.
For "Oyster Song," I decided to go a little more old-school and record on tape, which was a first for me. I really liked this process because it felt more raw and real.
When you record on tape, you can’t make many mistakes, comp things out, or use autotune. It feels very human and gritty in the best way.
Lyla produced it with Ajaï, and it was such a smooth experience since the song isn’t too complex. I definitely know more about recording now, but I’m still learning as I go. I’m really glad I tried something different with this one and I’m sure I’ll record on tape again soon.
SS: What do you hope people who listen to your music will get out of it?
OB: It’s nice to have people who can relate to your experiences, it’s one of the reasons why I love music so much. Growing up, I found a lot of comfort and solace listening to songs and realizing that someone was going through the same exact thing I was.
Music was a way for me to narrate what was going on in my life. It would be incredible if my songs could be a soundtrack for someone else’s experiences, even for a certain period of their life.
SS: Who are your all-time favorite artists?
OB: Growing up, I loved classic rock, so Stevie Nicks and Tedeschi Trucks Band, and Bonnie Raitt were always really inspiring. However, I’d say my all-time favorite artists would have to be Sheryl Crow and Maggie Rogers. I’ve also been listening to a lot of Billie Marten recently. She’s an English artist and I’ve had her album Dog Eared on repeat!
