Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Label: 219 Records, Jazz & Blues TV
Management: Michael P Clark, Sound Advice Corporate Collection
Website: www.laolga.com
Sounds Like: Dusty Springfield ∆ Dusty In Memphis, Adele, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Bobbie Gentry
Genre: Blues
While Olga’s been likened to greats such as Bonnie Raitt, Janis Joplin, and Sheryl Crow, the truth is she’s carved out a sound that’s entirely her own. Her current album, Whatever You Want, has an upbeat pop flavor, with bluesy undertones.
“The songs on this album are rooted in the truth as I know it in my life, rooted in the blues,” Olga explains, “but we changed the sound, so a broader audience can experience them—hopefully in a positive way.”
The drums were a key component in shaping the sound of Whatever You Want—a record about leaving the past behind and starting over. Olga asked her friend Cody Dickinson, drummer for the Grammy-nominated North Mississippi Allstars, to lay down the drums for her. Dickinson, also an accomplished guitar and bass player, songwriter, and producer, agreed—and soon took over the lion’s share of the instrumentation, which he paired with Olga’s melodies and lyrics. Producer and engineer Winn McElroy “took everything and made it sound good!” Olga laughs. Whatever You Want was recorded at Black Wings Studio in Water Valley, Mississippi.
“This record has been a process of finding my soul again, and reminding myself of what I need to do with my life,” she says. “It really took on a life of its own, quite naturally and unexpectedly, and I’m thrilled with where it has led me.”
Olga has three previous albums under her belt: Now Is The Time, Kiss Your Blues Away, and Blues Babe. All three albums elicited overwhelmingly positive reviews.
“Eine Sammlung von Popsongs, die einem ganz glatt ins Ohr gehen und da bleiben. Die einen glauben lassen, alles wäre einfach und schön. Und die einem mehr als einmal beim zweiten Hören verblüffen mit kritischen Texten…ein wirklich schönes Popalbum des laufenden Jahres entgangen.
”
Nathan Norgel - Wasser-Prawda, Germany
“Olga and bands like North Mississippi Allstars are not some type of revival; they are living blues legends now. I am fascinated to watch how they integrate their experience into contemporary music writing.”
Bluebird Reviews
“Olga’s deep, soulful voice takes command of the blues, then twists into an 80s-infused upbeat musical dynamic – all during the same day.”
Marianne Todd - Mississippi Legends Magazine
“Olga’s distinctive styling is at once familiar and completely refreshing.
This one is a must listen. Highly recommended.
”
Kevin O'Hare - Masslive.com
“…a set that slots in neatly with the best contemporary work of Sheryl Crow and Bonnie Raitt, an easy going glide that leaves one humming by the end of their first listen.
“ …a departure for both Olga and Dickinson, revealing different aspects of both artists and showing that even down ‘n’ dirty blues kids can wash up and play in the pop realm with aplomb.
”
Dennis Cook - Jambase
“I came in expecting blues grit, something kind of dangerous -- after all, New Orleans singer Olga Wilhelmine Munding has been doing that for a while. She's also a founding member of the Jessie Mae Hemphill Foundation. And Whatever You Want features Cody Dickinson of the North Mississippi Allstars.
Forget all of that. I came out with a new-found appreciation for Olga's darkly intriguing popcraft, and for Dickinson's ability to put aside the deep-fried Southern rock licks he's long favored on the guitar for something more in keeping with the popular music of their youth in the 1980s.
”
Nick DeRiso - No Depression
"Olga's soulful pillowy voice can freeze an audience in their seats."
CMJ New Music Report
“
With her dark and sultry voice leading the way, Olga Wilhelmine Munding is continuing her journey through music on her fourth album, Whatever You Want. Written with North Mississippi Allstars drummer Cody Dickinson, the album is far-removed from her trademark blues offerings, instead laid in pop rock fashion with nuanced blues lurking just beneath the song surface. Ever the multi-instrumentalist, Dickinson supplies the bulk of the musicality but without a doubt this is a vocally driven album and Olga may just be the heir apparent to pop rock pipes the likes of Stevie Nicks, Melissa Etheridge and Bonnie Raitt.
”
Chris West - Skope Magazine
"...the simplicity and immediacy of Olga's music, setting herself out with passion and humbleness...an artist that has developed her own way to move and captivate us with her bittersweet blues."
Matteo Bossi - Il Blues Magazine, Italy
"Here the singer shines without question, nailing the tune the way few others could. It's a voice that doesn't need multiple octaves or one hand reaching to the sky to hit the listener's gut!"
Jason McNeil - AllMusicGuide.com