By Koli Meadows

I first met Olivia Mainville as the violinist for Watching For Foxes. I soon found out she had released an EP of her own and I knew I had to check it out, and I was happy that I did. Full Steam Ahead is her first independent release, which is quite an accomplishment for anyone, especially an eighteen year old. I am extremely honored to get to write about such a talented, well rounded, and unique female artist during a time everyone seems to be caught up in the mediocre bar set by a lot of popular female artists. Her EP features other Michigan natives The Appleseed Collective, and The Accidentals.

The title track is the first song you get to here on the EP and it’s an amazing welcome to her music. The violin, bass line, and guitar dance back and forth throughout the song. It is an upbeat song and has a gypsy-styled beat pulling you along making you (well me at least) want to dance around the room. I had the opportunity to talk to Olivia about this song and she mentioned to me that it was recorded at Third Man Records which is owned by Jack White; who came out to meet her when he over heard them recording the song.

Another track that I was really into was “Thorn Of A Rose,” which is actually the first song that Olivia ever wrote. Her vocals are exquisite on this song. There is a quality to her voice that in a way reminds me of both Regina Spektor and Fiona Apple.  The lyrics are full of content and so easy to listen too.

Full Steam Ahead is such a strong start for Olivia I look forward to seeing whatever it is she puts out next! I am fully confident she has a very bright and beautiful music career ahead of her. I am just thrilled I got to hear her at the beginning of it all.

[soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/165464425″ /]

Olivia Mainville: Official website