Canadian singer-songwriter Olivia Wik is excited to share her new single “Let’s Dance” – which is now available on all digital platforms.

Written by Wik and produced by ‘Towers’ (Brad Simons and Brandon Unis), “Let’s Dance” taps into the Edmonton-based artist’s established foundation as a singer-songwriter but adds a timeless retro-pop production as a fresh twist. The artist’s sultry vocals blended with deep bass and strong horns add modern sensibilities to the track’s romantic energy.

She says, “This was a rare moment where the song came to me fully-formed in my head. I knew what it had to sound like, what I wanted to say, and how it had to be said. ‘Let’s Dance’ is all about having a connection so intense that when you’re finally allowed to have an intimate moment with someone, it feels like full electricity. This song lives in the heat of that moment with someone.” 

As her first new music of 2022, “Let’s Dance” builds on her past single releases as a solo artist (“Over and Over” and “When I Was Drunk”) and comes just as her recognition as a songwriter is reaching new heights. 

With a catalogue of over 250 original songs, Wik’s writing has already led to sync placements on the likes of CBC, PBS, Hockey Night in Canada, Lifetime, and YTV, and releases from Canadian artists like Krissy Feniak, Rebecca Lappa, Steven Sware, Connor James, Lisa Nicole, and Olivia Rose. 

Having also written with songwriters as far away as Sweden, Finland, Japan, England, and Barbados, Wik gained international awareness just a few weeks ago for co-writing “See You Again”, which was recorded by Ovi Jacobsen and Paula Seling, and selected as the Romanian submission to the New European Songbook, a co-production of the European Broadcast Union and Eurovision.    

With “Let’s Dance”, Olivia Wik is continuing to follow her dual path as an artist and songwriter and is using this single to showcase the best of both of her passions. 

Another single, “Write Me In It”, is also in the works for release later this year. In the meantime, she hopes that audiences will be inspired by the hot and heavy vibes of “Let’s Dance” to let the sparks fly with someone special.

“I want people to sing it, dance to it, and use it as a not-so-subtle way to nudge their crushes and say, ‘I want you.’”

ell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?

“Let’s Dance” is a project that has been many years in the making! Mostly because I was waiting for the right time to release it. 

I have been a songwriter and singer for a number of years but have been working in the music industry, mainly as a songwriter, for almost a decade. I began a career in country music and was lucky enough to find people in the industry that took me under their wing, connected me with other artists and writers, and taught me how to write a song and tell a story.

I then met my publisher, Vince DeGiorgio, when I was 18, and have been working with him ever since. Being a songwriter with him and Cymba Music has opened so many doors for me by introducing me to writers and producers from all over the world.

I realized soon after working with Cymba Music that my style of music doesn’t just live within the country music realm, but more pop and singer/songwriter. Exploring and writing in different genres gave me the foundation and experience that I needed to write “Let’s Dance” all on my own.

Writing this song by myself, holding onto it for so long, and now sharing it with the world feels so good! I’m so happy that I’ve had such a great reaction to the song too. It lets me know that I’ve made the right decision to release it.

What should a song or piece of art communicate in your opinion? 

I think that anything can be in a song as long as it isn’t derogatory, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or perpetuate violence against a certain group of people. 

I’ve written songs about love, grief, greed, perseverance, mental illness… you name it. Anything can become inspiration. 

Who were your top 3 artists last year?

ABBA, Cher, and Taylor Swift. I love the classics.

What do you do when you’re feeling uninspired?

I keep writing. I also have a 9-5 job where I write all day, every day. So, it can be hard sometimes to feel inspired when words are both my job and my passion. But at the end of the day, I just have to keep writing no matter what. Eventually inspiration comes back.

What are your 2022 projects and goals?

I have another single planned for release later this year. It’s a dance-pop song called “Write Me In It” and I’m excited to share it because it’s a genre I’ve never released music in before.

Favorite movie or TV show?

My fiancé and I base our weekly schedule around “RuPaul’s Drag Race”. No joke. We love getting to “meet” the Queens and follow their journeys both on and off the show. We particularly love “Canada’s Drag Race” because, well, it’s Canadian and we can’t get enough of Brook-Lynne Hytes.

I am also a HUGE fan of “Fleabag”. I think it’s one of the best TV shows ever written or created. Phoebe Waller-Bridges is a genius and deserves all of the awards for everything, ever. I’ve never watched a show that was so beautifully chaotic, relatable, and heart wrenching in the best ways.

Tell us about your latest release and how it came about

Like I said, “Let’s Dance” has been in the back of my mind and the back of my musical catalogue for so long. I wanted to save it for the day I could release it properly with a good campaign behind it because I wanted to give it the life and foundation it deserved.

My publicist approached me and offered to help me apply for a grant from FACTOR (The Foundation Assisting Canadian Talent on Recordings), which is available for artists here in Canada. I had never been successful with grants in the past, so I jumped at the chance to hopefully receive one (which I am grateful I did) and finally release “Let’s Dance”. Now, here we are!

What is something you would want to change in the music and entertainment industry?

I would want to change how expensive it is to be in this business if you aren’t signed to a label. Not many people have the money to purchase gear, pay for quality recordings, afford promotion, and cover the cost of assets like music videos. It can be hard to bring a dream to life when you don’t have the means to do so. I feel like we’re missing out on discovering talented people who are infinitely talented, but can’t afford to share their genius.

Can you outline your creative process?

My creative process is different each time I write. When I first started writing songs, I learned to accommodate others’ writing styles and processes. I think that was a really valuable lesson because it allows me to write songs in a number of different ways when inspiration strikes. Sometimes I have a title that I work backwards from, sometimes I have a melody that I really like, a track to topline, or a lyric that I think could take off. Other times, it’s all of those at once!

Who inspires your style and aesthetics?

I have a big place in my heart for Ingrid Michaelson’s “Lights Out” album. I think that has been a big inspiration for me, consciously or subconsciously, since it came out in 2014. I also will forever and always admire Taylor Swift’s lyricism and ability to write across multiple genres and styles. She has been an inspiration of mine since I was 15 (she’s the reason I even picked up a guitar) and her musical flexibility over the years keeps me motivated to do the same.

What is the achievement or moment in your career you are the most proud of and why?

At the beginning of January, a song I co-wrote with Ovi Jacobsen was the Romanian submission to the New European Songbook – a collaboration between the European Broadcasting Union and Eurovision. Ovi and Paula Seling performed the song, and I will be forever grateful for that opportunity. Growing up in Canada, I wasn’t aware of Eurovision until Conchita Wurst performed and won, and ever since then, it has been a goal of mine to have a song of mine on Eurovision. That has been a dream come true and something I will treasure always.

What do you think an artist should sing about nowadays?

It depends. Like I mentioned before, as long as it isn’t derogatory, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or perpetuates violence against a certain group of people, you can sing about anything. I also think that it depends on the artist’s age and their desire to sing age-appropriate songs.

Do you have any regrets?

Yes. I regret not getting more tattoos. I need to fill up my arm. It looks a bit bare.

What is some piece of advice you would give to yourself right now?

You have time. Stop thinking about the future. Stop rushing things. Work on yourself, care for yourself, and slow down. You’ll be ok.