The dystopian follow-up to “San Francisco” transforms burnout, shame, and self-destruction into a rebellious alt-rock anthem
Canadian alt-rock artist Harley Olivia is back with “Trouble,” a powerful new single that tears down the hopeful fantasy introduced in her previous release, “San Francisco.” Blending hard-hitting rock energy with deeply personal storytelling, the track explores burnout, self-sabotage, shame, and the struggle to fit into a world that often feels overwhelming.
Accompanied by a dystopian visual narrative, “Trouble” reveals that the bright world of “San Francisco” was merely a simulation, introducing listeners to the fictional “Emotional Compliance Bureau” — an organization built to enforce conformity and suppress emotional honesty. Inspired by Harley’s own experiences before discovering she had ADHD, the song transforms feelings of isolation and frustration into a message of empowerment and self-acceptance.
Completed with JUNO Award-winning producer and co-writer Siegfried Meier, “Trouble” showcases a heavier, darker sound influenced by artists like Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, Dorothy, and Fefe Dobson, while maintaining the vulnerability that has become a hallmark of Harley’s songwriting.
We caught up with Harley Olivia to discuss the story behind “Trouble,” the evolution of its immersive visual world, her personal journey of self-discovery, and what she hopes listeners take away from this bold new chapter.
First off, what have you been up to since our last chat?
Oh man, I’ve been crazy busy! I headlined some shows like Feral Femme Fest in Ottawa and the Road to Revelree competition night in Sarnia, which we won!
I’ve also been working non–stop with Siegfried Meier on the new album. We released the first single in March, and we’ve spent the last few months filming and editing the “Trouble” music video, while also working on recording and mixing for the rest of the album. On top of that, I’ve been developing concepts for the next three singles and their videos. We’ve decided to tie all the music videos together with a connected storyline, which has been a lot of fun to create and plan out.
“Trouble” feels like a complete tonal shift from “San Francisco.” What inspired you to tear down the hopeful illusion you created in that earlier release?
I actually started writing “San Francisco” years ago when we were going through a big Beatles phase, so it’s an older song and definitely sounds a little different from the rest of the album. Siegfried and I tend to go through different creative phases when we’re writing, and over the years our influences and the overall vibe of what we’re creating has changed quite a bit. With these new songs, we’re excited to push things a little heavier.
At first, we weren’t really sure where “San Francisco” fit in with the rest of the album. It felt a bit like the odd one out. But once we decided to connect all of the music videos with an overarching storyline, it suddenly made sense. We found the perfect place for it in the story, and now it feels like the catalyst that takes us to our new dystopian world in the music videos.
The VR headset reveal is such a striking concept. When did the idea of the “simulation” storyline first come together for you?
Siegfried and I were feeling a bit stuck because we loved “San Francisco” but didn’t know how it would fit with our new musical direction. We were sitting on the couch watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer one night and Siegfried suggested we link our music videos with an overarching storyline. I studied Theatre and Scriptwriting in college so that got my brain going and I had a light bulb moment where I thought wouldn’t it be cool if everything that happened in ‘San Francisco’ was all just a simulation? Now with “Trouble”, we take off the VR headset and have to face the darker reality of the world we live in.
You mentioned not knowing you had ADHD at the time you wrote the song. How has that understanding changed the way you view yourself and your creative process today?
Getting diagnosed with ADHD was really helpful for me because it stopped me from constantly wondering what was wrong and allowed me to finally focus on finding solutions. It’s still something I have to work with every day, but talking with other neurodivergent people and learning what works for them has helped me figure out the tools and systems I need to function.
When it comes to my creative process, I’ve learned how important things like sleep and exercise are for my brain. I’m a much better songwriter and creator when I’m actually taking care of myself. I’ve also learned to embrace some of the strengths that come with ADHD. Hyperfocus can be an incredible tool when it’s pointed in the right direction. Whether I’m editing music videos, working on songs, or writing grant applications, there are times when I can lock in for hours and get an amazing amount of work done. These days, I try to work with my brain instead of fighting against it.
Artists like Halestorm, The Pretty Reckless, Dorothy, and Fefe Dobson were mentioned as influences. Were there specific albums or songs that helped shape the direction of “Trouble”?
I love all those artists so much. Lzzy Hale of Halestorm has even been commenting on and sharing some of my Instagram posts lately too which is so awesome.
Those artists are definitely part of my regular listening rotation, but during the making of this album, Siegfried and I were also listening to a lot of Måneskin, Sleep Token, Queen, Silversun Pickups, and Lady Gaga. It wasn’t really one specific album or song that inspired “Trouble.” It was more that all of those influences were kind of floating around while we were writing and recording.
Once we came up with the idea of linking all the music videos together with an overarching story, we started thinking a lot more about the visual side of the project too. We went to see My Chemical Romance’s Black Parade tour and Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball, and the theatricality of those shows really stuck with us. Watching artists build these huge worlds around their music made us want to push things further with our own videos and aesthetics.
If “San Francisco” represents escape and “Trouble” represents reality, where do you see the story going next?
Great question! Our next single is called ‘Try Me On For Size’ and it has us meeting the mysterious “Layla” I mention at the end of the ‘Trouble’ music video. The song is releasing just in time for Pride Month and will be the lesbian/bisexual anthem of the summer! So while the story gets deeper, there’s also a lot more flirting, chaos, and fun ahead.
What excites you most about this current chapter of your artistry and the direction you’re heading next?
What excites me most is that all of my creative passions are finally coming together in one project. Not everyone knows this about me, but I actually went to school for Theatre Performance, so I’ve always been a huge theatre nerd. I love acting, creating characters, building dramatic visuals, and getting completely immersed in a story.
In the past, releasing singles sometimes felt a little disjointed. You’d put out a song, then move on to the next thing. But with this album, we’re creating a whole world. Each song is connected, and each music video feels like a mini movie that’s part of a bigger story. It’s given me the opportunity to combine music, acting, storytelling, costumes, makeup, and visual art in a way I never really have before.