At 26, Olivia Penalva stands as one of Canada’s most compelling young voices, an artist shaped by years of turning life into melody. Since first falling in love with music and songwriting at 11 years old, Olivia has built a career defined by emotional honesty, cinematic pop production, and deeply resonant storytelling.
Known for blending intimate lyricism with lush, atmospheric soundscapes, Olivia’s music has connected with listeners worldwide, earning over 627 million global streams and more than 17 million YouTube views. Inspired by artists like Maggie Rogers, Gracie Abrams, and Lennon Stella, she crafts emotionally charged songs that balance vulnerability with expansive, polished production.
Olivia’s acclaimed album Spiderwebs further established her as a rising force in pop music, earning media support from ETALK, Billboard Canada, Cashbox Canada, Buzz Music USA, and Canadian Beats. She has also received continued support from Canadian radio throughout her career, including Bell Media’s Future Star recognition for her single Skyline and Top 20 chart success for Love Me.
In 2026, Olivia entered a bold new era with the releases Distance Makes a Love Story and Code Blue, introducing subtle alternative and rock influences while continuing to explore the emotional depth that has become a signature of her artistry.
Name:
Olivia Penalva
Genre:
Pop/Singer-songwriter
Founded:
I started making music when I was 11 and never stopped. I’m 26 now, and it’s still the thing I love most.
# of Albums:
1
Latest Album:
Spiderwebs
Latest Single:
Code Blue
Latest Video:
Favourite musician growing up:
Elton John
Favourite musician now:
The Red Clay Strays
Guilty pleasure song:
This might be a sad answer, but I honestly don’t know if I have one. I’ve never really felt guilty about a song because art is subjective, and if something makes me feel something, I’m gonna listen to it.
Live show ritual:
I don’t have a super weird ritual like brushing my teeth three times or anything, but right before I go onstage I definitely give myself a mental pep talk. It’s like a switch flips in my brain from everyday Olivia to performer Olivia, and once that happens, I’m just there to have fun.
Favourite local musician:
I honestly have a hard time picking one because there’s so much talent in Vancouver, but one person I’m a huge fan of is Luca Fogale. His voice is honestly insane.
EP or LP?
Definitely LP. I’m such an album person. I love world-building, and honestly, for me the more songs the better.
Early bird or night owl?
Definitely a night owl. I wish I was more of a morning person, but I’m still on musician hours, so waking up early is something I definitely haven’t mastered yet.
Road or studio?
Studio. It’s my happy place! I love performing live, but there is no better feeling to me than being in the studio and making something from nothing.
Any shows or albums coming up?
I’m currently focused on finishing a project I’m really excited about. I’ve been spending a lot of time writing, developing the visuals, and building the world around it, so that’s my main focus right now. No live shows announced at the moment, but there’s definitely new music and creative content in the works.
Where can we follow you?
Instagram | TikTok | Website | Spotify | YouTube
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Rapid Fire Local Questions:
What is your favourite local restaurant?
Tacofino – Best Burrito of my life.
What is your favourite street in your city and why?
Definitely Robson. I was born in Vancouver and later moved to Vernon, BC, but every time I come back to the city for work, I end up staying near Robson. In my free time, I love walking around and doing a little shopping when I can. I also tend to drag my mom with me whenever possible so I can turn my work trip into a girls trip.
What is your favourite park in your city and why?
I have to say, Stanley Park. It might be the obvious answer, but I have so many memories of running around there with my siblings as a kid. It’s such a beautiful part of the city, and I still love how one minute you’re in the middle of a forest and the next you’re out on the seawall.
What is your favourite music venue in your city?
Rogers Arena. I know it’s a bit of a big answer, but I’ve seen some incredible shows there over the years, and as an artist, it’s also a dream of mine to play there one day.
What is your favourite music store in your city?
I might lose some musician points for this, but I don’t really have a favourite music store. If I see a guitar in the window, I’m going in. Whether I need another one is a completely different question.
