The 22-year-old Australian singer-songwriter tells Rappler about his upcoming EP and his experience working with Filipino musicians
MANILA, Philippines – 22-year-old musician, Oliver Cronin, made a name for himself through his song covers, remixes, and eventually, his original creations.
It was in October 2020 when the Australian got his breakout moment, following the release of his debut single “POPPIN” – allowing him to showcase his talent as both a singer and a producer.
In July this year, Oliver then released his latest single, “In the End,” which he describes as a “healing anthem” that offers messages of resilience and hope.
“I wrote it for anyone going through a hard time to let them know that nothing bad ever lasts forever. It always gets better in the end,” he shared.
In an exclusive interview with Rappler, Oliver revealed that his upcoming EP Halfway to Paradise, set for release on October 3, previews his long-awaited full-length album, a project he’s been crafting for years. He views the EP as a prelude to the larger body of work.
Through highs and lows
Oliver talked about the challenges he encountered in putting the album together during the part where he discussed the difficulties of selecting songs for the record. He explains that his indecisiveness made it tough to choose the right tracks to make the EP, as he often overanalyzes and repeatedly listens to his songs “until [he’s] completely sick of them.”
He shared how his constant drive to create new music made it challenging to finalize the tracklist, as he wanted to include newly written songs. Despite these obstacles, he’s relieved and excited to have finally pulled the project together after a long journey.
The 22-year-old also reflected on his “exciting” collaborations with Filipino artists such as Felip from SB19, Jason Dhakal, PLAYERTWO, and Lola Amour – his Warner Music labelmates.
Oliver highlighted how each collaboration resulted in distinctly different songs, allowing him to blend his style with the Filipino artists he worked with.
“No matter what differences we have, we can all come together and have a common goal, and that is creating great music,” Oliver said, reflecting on the cross-cultural nature of these collaborations.
This has made him eager to explore the vibrant Filipino music scene further, expressing a strong desire to continue working with Filipino musicians and discovering more local talent.
Looking ahead
As fans anticipate the release of his EP, Oliver remains focused on how it will resonate with his audience. Despite the pressure to replicate the success of his viral hit “1, 2, 3,” he stays grounded by concentrating on his love for making music rather than getting caught up in numbers.
Oliver reflected on his artistic journey, describing it as a continuous process of discovery and growth. He was able to delve into unexplored aspects of his creativity, uncovering genres he hadn’t previously realized he could master.
“The biggest thing throughout creating this EP and as I progress as an artist is learning,” he said, emphasizing that success comes from staying adaptable and evolving in his craft.
As Oliver reflects on the challenges of sustaining success in the music industry, he admitted that he feels the weight of the expectations accompanying each release.
“There’s definitely a pressure for every song to do really well,” he said, acknowledging both the excitement of seeing his music succeed and the opportunities it brings.
Despite this, Oliver remains cautious about dwelling too much on these expectations.
“I try not to get too caught up in that,” he added, aware that fixating on success can lead to a negative spiral. Instead, he focuses on staying grounded and not allowing the pressure to disrupt his creative process.
Throughout his musical journey, Oliver has embraced the philosophy of always remaining a student. This mindset has kept him open to new ideas, genres, and sounds, allowing him to continuously evolve as both an artist and a learner. – Rappler.com