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Congratulations to Derek Olson for having the Mixposure Song of the Week! Derek has a great guitar playing style and some solid vocals. Have a listen and judge for yourself!
Born in rural Wisconsin, Derek Olson always had music on his mind. Every penny he earned went to music or his gas tank. In his mid teens, he picked up the guitar and began teaching himself how to play. We wrote thoughts down – words - words that meant something. This is how it all began for Derek. He also began hosting an open mic in his community and playing his own material. Before he knew it, he became part of a trio (2 guitars and bass). They soon began doing shows outside their state. This entire experience both professional and personal developed into stories that he would eventually tell through his music. His styles of music that he writes are gems - beautiful from concept through delivery.
“King of the Anthill” EP was Derek’s first release. Two particular songs “I’m Tryin’” and “Let’s Melt It Away” gives a clear vision as to Derek’s thought processes, his inner vision and the eloquent way he chose to deliver his story. These two songs give us the true Derek Olson.
“I’m Tryin’” simply means just be who you are. To Derek it is about being an artist “in an over populated sea of funky fish”, as he puts it. To me it separates him from the ordinary and gives him a status of a uniqueness that is hard to describe. The story is that you do not have to look long or far to find that gem. One of many highlights in this particular song is his harmonica playing that carries a voice of its own. It gives this song depth and substance. Sung to perfection with emotion, Derek takes you to a place that most do not travel with wisdom that is realized in the end.
“Let’s Melt It Away” is keeping it simple. This song is about the balance needed in keeping a relationship healthy and sometimes keeping things simple is just what you need. As Derek states, “the song has a diary-like soliloquy that I improvised at the studio. That helps build the song and also gives it a personal context.”
Both songs are beautiful in their simplistic yet impactful way. The entire EP contains seven songs and runs a half-hour. As they say, it is not the length of time that counts but the quality that matters. In Derek’s case, nothing could be truer.
“I have never played music to make money off of it or to be famous. It is just something I love, though I also realize that in a today’s music scene there are opportunities that could take me somewhere as well. I would like to think that my music speaks for itself and to also note that this is my first undertaking as an Indie artist; I am open to any possible avenue to spread my music.”
Derek’s music speaks for us all and it speaks for itself loud and clear. His music is relatable, thought provoking and is a ‘must buy’ in my book.
Derek Olson played a 2-hour acoustic show for over 2,000 people at a summer-time boat bash hosted by Miller Lite on Castle Rock Lake in Wisconsin. He also played live for a set with Robert Randolph and the Family Band at the Barrymore Theatre in Madison, Wisconsin.
Derek will be playing venues in St. Paul and other cities in Minnesota as well as some local clubs. He is travelling around spreading his music and his joy.
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