Artist Spotlight: Olivia Dean - Family Memories, Meeting Messy Olivia & The Art of Loving

How does a guest vocal appearance on Loyle Carner’s Hugo evolve into a special place in a family's heart? This week on a special Artist Spotlight episode of The Friday Vinyl Club Podcast, Jamie is joined by his wife Emma and son Ollie to "Dive" into their shared memories attached to UK soul-pop star Olivia Dean. Together, the family reflects on watching Olivia's remarkable rise, chance encounters with her and her band at intimate venues like Leeds Wardrobe and Manchester Academy, and why Jamie feels so "paternal" about her journey. Plus, this episode features an exclusive clip from a 2025 Leeds album launch where Jamie, Emma, and Ollie ask Olivia directly: how does she keep her feet on the ground amidst the crazy rise to fame? Her answer—involving best friends, yoga, and knitting—is as warm and authentic as her music. EPISODE ROADMAP The First Spark: Discovering Olivia's stunning vocals on Loyle Carner’s 2022 album Hugo and following her journey from day one. From Intimate Clubs to Arenas: Reminiscing over early live shows at Manchester Academy and Leeds Wardrobe to watching her conquer global stages. The Paternal Connection: Why Jamie feels a deep, paternal warmth toward Olivia's growth as an artist and performer. Exclusive 2025 Leeds Launch Clip: Asking Olivia how she stays grounded amidst stardom—and her hilarious, heartfelt answer about friends, yoga, and knitting. Album Deep-Dive: Exploring her landmark releases, including her acclaimed debut Messy and 2025's The Art of Loving. The Vinyl Induction: By unanimous family decision, one of Olivia’s incredible records is officially welcomed into the Friday Vinyl Club! FEATURED ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Featured Artist: Olivia Dean Standout Albums & Tracks Discussed: Messy, The Art of Loving, "Dive," "The Hardest Part," and "Nice To Each Other". The Vibe: Effortless, warm UK soul and pop filled with conversational lyrics, rich live instrumentation, and irresistible star quality. CONNECT WITH THE CLUB! Playlist: Listen along to key tracks from Olivia Dean on our curated Spotify Companion Playlist. Instagram: Say hello and see our latest spins @jamieb1NINE73 Email: Got a music memory or a record story to share? Email us at [email protected] Did you catch Olivia Dean at a small acoustic show or on a major tour stage? Send us a message—we’d love to feature your stories in a future episode!