‘Olivia Degen’ is a duo that consists of visual artist/songwriter Olivia Degen (2002) and guitarist/composer Benjamin de Raad (1998), based in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Having studied music at the same school in the past, the duo was formed in 2023 when the two reconnected based on their shared interest in analogue, close-mic recording. Together, they make serene, atmospheric, contemporary folk music. The duo is inspired by influences ranging from folk musicians such as Jessica Pratt and Aldous Harding to the Brazilian musical genre Bossa Nova. During the summer of 2024, the duo started working on recording their debut album. They take an unconventional approach where lyrics and harmony are written simultaneously; not focusing on customary musical theory but rather choosing to be led by ear and experimentation.Typical for their set-up is close-miking and recording on a 4-track cassette recorder. This approach leads to a registration of not only the vocals and guitar, but also of the atmosphere, environment and physicality of the music. This creates a sense of both space and proximity. The duo’s live performances are characterized by a feeling of closeness; allowing the audience to listen in on carefully constructed music. Olivia Degen plans to release their debut album in spring 2025. Until then, the duo has multiple gigs lined up, including support acts for Andrew Combs and Jordan Klassen. Follow on Instagram: @olivia.degen