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NEW (OLD) SONG & VID: HIGHER
On Dec. 2, 2022 Olenka released a new recording of an old song with an accompanying lyric video. The song “Higher” was written in 2009 for a CBC documentary by David Ridgen that eventually became the basis of his CBC podcast Someone Knows Something. The song explores the experience of unresolved heartbreak and longing. Visit the gallery page where you can watch the video, and visit Bandcamp to buy the song!
NEW SONG & VID: MOOSE JAW
On Sept. 4, 2021 Olenka released a new song & video. The song “Moose Jaw” was written and revised over a decade and explores the darkness, longing, and regret of a forgotten loner. Visit the gallery page where you can watch the new official music video, and visit Bandcamp to buy the song!
NEW SONG & VID: ON THE WING
On Dec. 4, 2020 Olenka released a new song & video after an eight-year hiatus. The song “On The Wing” was written and recorded at the start of the global pandemic, this song explores the stillness of that strange, fleeting time. Visit the gallery page where you can watch the new official music video, and visit Bandcamp to buy the song!
PAST RELEASES
Check out Olenka's 2012/2013 releases on the music page, where you can stream the seven-song EP, Hard Times, and the three-song 7inch, It's Alright. The songs were recorded by Simon Larochette at The Sugar Shack and were mixed and mastered by Dan Weston.
The paintings featured throughout the EP are the work of Trevor Kyle Carter.
The photographs on the front and back covers of the 7inch are by Cory Downing.
CBC features
O&AL performed as Q's live music guests on Friday, March 11th, 2011 with guest-host Jann Arden.
GORDON Lightfoot COVER
Olenka contributed a cover of "Rainy Day People" to a compilation of Gordon Lightfoot songs put together by Herohill. You can download a free copy of the compilation at this link.
AWARDS
O&AL won the 2012 FCMLA (Forest City London Music Award) in the Traditional Folk/Roots category in April 2012.
Olenka won the 2011 FCLMA for Contemporary Singer/Songwriter in April 2011.
O&AL won the 2010 FCLMA in the Traditional Folk/Roots category in April 2010.
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POSITIVE PEOPLE
On Dec. 15, 2023, Jeffrey Moon and I released the first album from our side project, Positive People. The album is full of sometimes poppy, sometimes grungy, distorted, and angular songs that fit alongside Olenka's louder material. Check out our music and lyric videos on YouTube and feel free to purchase some songs at Bandcamp!
Maggie Howie
A song I wrote many years ago, “Maggie Howie”, has recently been featured in a fictional memoir penned by Henry Svec, Life Is Like Canadian Football. I originally recorded the song with former bandmate Sara Froese as a contribution to Svec's compilation Folk Songs of Canada Now. The new book is available through Invisible Publishing.
Folk Songs of Canada Now can be downloaded for free here.
ME on Some backING vocals
My old friend (and former bandmate) Shawn Clarke asked me to sing on his 2017 album, Topaz. Here's a link to a song he wrote about memories of Canadian east coast tours with the band: "Autumn in New Brunswick".
O&AL music in INDIE FILM
"Iron Pump" has been featured in a Canadian, short film called Ironied. It's the brainchild of writer/director/producer Tyler Parr, who fortunately saw room for the song in his thoughtful film. It's a personal reflection on two men's lives and the role that homelessness plays in their distinct yet congruent experiences. The film is featured by Omeleto on their YouTube channel and can be viewed at this link.
O&AL music in London-Based Doc
Our song "East End" was featured in a London-Ontario-produced documentary called 25%, The film investigates women's under-representation in Canadian politics and leadership and the need to challenge and change this status quo. You can stream the documentary online at this link.
Playlist for Vancouver Is Awesome
Back in 2014, the folks at Vancouver Is Awesome asked me to put together a playlist of some local musicians, and I was happy to comply. Here's a link to the playlist, if you're interested in hearing what some Vancouver-and-area folks were up to then: VIA Olenka playlist.
OLENKA SKATEBOARD!
There's a skateboard out there named after the band! It's the handiwork of LMM and was inspired by our music and Trevor Carter's artwork (Trevor is responsible for the bird images that adorn the skateboard; they were originally a part of a tour poster that we had made up for our 2011 Summer Tour).
