Olivia Rodrigo Speaks On New Album And Her Songwriting Process With Linda Perry

In the latter half of 2023, Olivia Rodrigo continues her reign of superstardom with the release of her sophomore album, Guts. Since its release in September, it debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, is one of the most critically acclaimed albums this year and made Rodrigo the first artist to have her first two albums reach number one.

Before her sold-out Guts World Tour that begins in February 2024, Rodrigo held an event at The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, CA where she was interviewed by the iconic singer-songwriter Linda Perry. The event hosted 200 people including fans and friends of Perry’s and Rodrigo’s.

Rodrigo, dressed in a long sleeve purple shirt with checkered pants and some cool metallic loafers while Perry had jeans and a shirt with a top hat like Erykah Badu’s.

Perry noted that she rarely gets out of her house but is so fascinated by Rodrigo’s singing and songwriting capabilities that she did not want to miss this opportunity.

One of Perry’s questions was about the journey that Olivia went on in between Sour and Guts. Rodrigo says that some of the inspiration came from her friends’ relationship stories that they would tell her as well as her own. Following that, Rodrigo also had in the back of her mind of the pressure she had writing this new record because due to how hugely successful Sour was. While it was something that she had consistently thought about, she tried her best to keep It in the back of her mind while making the album.

She then asked about Rodrigo’s process when making music, whether if she writes lyrics first and then make the song or vice versa. Rodrigo says she will sit at her piano and think of lyrics before heading into the studio with her producer Dan.

A song that was brought up from the album was “Pretty isn’t pretty,” which is a song about her not feeling like she fits in or is not the perfect girl society wants evry girl to be. Rodrigo said that it was important for her to include on the record for girls and young women to relate to.

Shortly after the interview being interrupted by Perry’s son, who is also a fan of Rodrigo’s, performed three songs off her latest album. Noting that she was a sick, she performed “Vampire,” “making the bed” on a piano and “Lacy” on an acoustic guitar. She noted that “Lacy” is an original poem she had written when taking a poetry class at USC in Los Angeles, CA.

The hour-long event showcased Rodrigo’s singer-songwriter capabilities. Defeating the Best New Artist Grammy win curse and the “sophomore slump,” Rodrigo is here to stay as a solidified singer-songwriter.