Hailing from San Francisco of Austrian parentage, Olga is among the vanguard of new blues artists combining innovation with a deep sense of roots. Though listening to her soulful voice youd swear no other soil but the Deep Souths could have reared this woman, her hardy carnivorous appetite attests to the Austrian blood coursing through her veins!
Having received classical training in voice, piano, and violin from a young age, her friends guitar and Jimi Hendrix: Blues soon kidnapped her mind and soul. At first she was hesitant. She'd somehow become convinced that a white girl couldnt sing the blues. People still register disbelief when she tells them she's a blues maker." Then they hear me and they really cant believe it!"
Her early mentors, Maria Muldaur and Los Lobos (they showed me how to survive long-term in the business and they write kick-ass tunes!), played pivotal roles in schooling this young talent in blues, jazz, and Latin music. Early inspirers included Bessie Smith, Ella Fitzgerald, Junior Kimbrough (its my dream to play like him), Memphis Minnie (she writes killer songs, was an independent woman, and a hellcat!), and Peggy Lee (the woman has a gorgeous voice and such style!) But theres a living legend currently nourishing Olga's roots.
"Jessie Mae Hemphill is without a doubt a major influence on me", she affirms, "I feel like I've been looking for her my whole life." The two met after Olga, having found her address, contacted Jessie Mae. "I've always liked her records and wondered if she was still around", she explains. Then they began speaking by phone and not long thereafter she went to see her in Senatobia [MS]. "We discovered we had the same birthday", Olga remembers, "and immediately felt a kinship for each other. She told me that first day that she thought Jesus sent me to her." They've since begun a tradition of sharing their birthdays togetherin addition to their beloved tradition of frying a lot of chicken legs!
Olga now calls Memphis and New Orleans homes. In addition to her extensive gigs producing local and nationally syndicated radio shows, she participated in Martin Scorceses documentary on the blues with Jessie Mae, North Mississippi Allstars, T Model Ford, Otha Turner, Corey Harris and John Spencer Blues Explosion. She's shared the stage in recent years with Coco Robicheaux, Robert Randolph, DJ Logic, Chris Isaak, Papa Mali, North Mississippi Allstars, Jimbo Mathus Knockdown Society, Los Lobos, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Jim Dickinson, Johnny Neel (Allman Brothers), and Matt Abts (Govt Mule).
She played the Pepsi Arena as backup for Gene Chandler, Edie Holeman, and Carl Carlton, the Denver Lilith Fair in 1999, and showcased at the 2001 CMJ Music Marathon in NYC. Her new stomping grounds include Tobacco Road and the Living Room in New York, the Young Ave. Deli and Full Moon Club in Memphis, and Dos Jefes Cigar Bar and House of Blues in New Orleans. Additionally, Olga co-engineered on Elvis Costello's Grammy nominated song, "Monkey to Man" in 2005 and founded the Jessie Mae Hemphill Foundation to honor her friend and mentor, Jessie Mae.
Olga and husband Jimbo Mathus (Squirrel Nut Zippers) own Delta Recording Service Studio in Como, MS.Discography:
Blues Babe (2004)
Kiss Your Blues Away (2005)
Now Is The Time (2006)
View Olga's EPK"Olga matches her hypnotic guitar work with sexy alto singing that suggests Janis Joplin had she grown up in Mississippi hill country."
-Bill Ellis
Commercial Appeal, Memphis TN"The simplicity and immediacy of Olga's music, setting herself out with passion and humblenessan 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 MacNeil
AllMusicGuide.com"Olga's soulful pillowy voice can freeze an audience in their seats."-CMJ New Music Report
