Modern Liv Shares Debut EP ‘Boy Band’

by | Nov 6, 2024

24-year-old east London artist Olivia Miller – AKA Modern Liv – puts her own distinct slant on the indie rock sad girl scene, bringing elements of jazz, soul and chanteuse elegance into the mix. It’s a style which makes her independently released debut EP Boy Band such an engaging listen – and one that demonstrates that she has everything in place to rise to bigger things in the near future.

Modern Liv

Modern Liv (Lola Dubas)
Modern Liv (Lola Dubas)

The EP’s opening track and lead single Together Tonight provides a compelling introduction to Modern Liv’s world. Her voice confidently darts between styles – breezy soaring highs, rhythmic cadences and barely enunciated whispers – while the music toys somewhere between the candid authenticity of the bedroom pop scene with a little slacker rock ruggedness for good measure. As strong as her vocal is, her words are full of unguarded me-versus-me self-doubt that comes with being a new artist stepping out to share her songs with the world.

Modern Liv says: “Together Tonight is about getting in your own way and asking yourself to stop doing that. I wrote it before playing at a big concert, when I had to ask myself if I was going to keep fighting my desire to perform and cave to the fear, or if I was going to back myself and take the leap.”

The Boy Band EP maintains that consistency throughout, moving from the driving energy of the indie-pop melodies of Betting On Illusions through to the soul-flavoured intimacy and beautiful guitar tones of Shake The Feeling (a track already supported by BBC Introducing), and the title track which very naturally blends all of the EP’s varied influences together with some throwback classic rock motifs into one empowered, high drama finale.

As for that title – a Boy Band from a solo female artist? It’s a reference to the power of friendships: if someone makes you feel like you’re the star of a boy band, you really know you have someone you can always rely on.

Liv adds: “Boy Band is a coming of age EP about the different journeys we take with love – self love, childhood friendships, unconditional romantic support, and platonic breakups. I wanted to create songs about growing up and navigating my twenties while referencing the music that shaped me and my relationships as a child and teenager, like ‘70s and 2000s rock, French electronic music, and a sprinkle of jazz.” Check out the EP here.

Modern Liv wrote all four songs on the EP, and co-produced the set with Russell Harris on Together Tonight and Fionn Connolly on the other three tracks.

Miller was born in Paris to a French mother and a Canadian father, and moved to England to attend university six years ago. Her early years took her through a variety of formative musical experiences, from childhood dance classes to singing with a jazz orchestra and a rock band. But writing her own music really shaped her musical identity, her talents further honed as a regular on London’s grassroots music scene. Her gig highlights so far include supporting Yoa at La Maroquinerie in Paris and playing showcase events at the O2 Academy Islington and Camden Assembly.

Whether she’s on stage or on record, Modern Liv has the power to charm, which leads us onto the next point: her artist name is a tribute to her favourite song lyrics, David Bowie’s Modern Love. The Thin White Duke is one of her biggest influences, alongside Joni Mitchell and Leonard Cohen, but she’s also enamoured with the contemporary scene, as demonstrated by her covers of songs by Chappell Roan, Frank Ocean and Phoenix on socials.

The singer’s next London show is at The Old Blue Last on November 23rd as support to Pocket Jam.

Wallice Uses MOTH Club As Her Punching Bag

Liang Lawrence (Ana Chen)

Liang Lawrence Unveils Reflective New Single ‘A Day Off In Margaritaville’ Ahead Of Autumn UK Tour

Rising alt-pop storyteller Liang Lawrence has shared her shimmering new single A Day Off In Margaritaville, a vibrant, emotionally layered track that marks the first offering from her upcoming EP It’s A Funny Thing, due later this year via The Other Songs.

Mae Stephens (Hannah Burton)

Mae Stephens Returns With Infectious New Single ‘Tiny Voice’

Breakout pop star Mae Stephens is back with a bang as she drops her irresistibly offbeat new single, Tiny Voice — a track as addictive as it is relatable. Following the runaway global success of her hit If We Ever Broke Up, which racked up over 500 million streams, landed her a Top 15 UK single, and earned Gold certifications in both the UK and US, Stephens continues to show why she’s one of the most exciting new voices in pop.

Maya Lane (Press)

Maya Lane Announces New Single ‘I Don’t Know You Yet’ And Debut London Headline Show Ahead Of New EP

Rising UK pop-country star Maya Lane continues her impressive 2025 trajectory with the release of a stunning new single, I Don’t Know You Yet, out now. The introspective, stripped-back track offers a poignant taste of her forthcoming EP, The Hurt And The Healing, due out on 4th September, and precedes her debut headline show at London’s The Grace on 3rd September.

Perera Elsewhere (Hugo Holger Schneider x Gene Glover)

Perera Elsewhere Returns With Electrifying Double Single Ft. Andy S & Announces New Album

Berlin-based, UK-raised experimental artist Perera Elsewhere (aka Sasha Perera) is back with a high-voltage double single, F*ck Le System / Time Will Tell, out now on Friends Of Friends – both featuring viral Ivorian rapper Andy S. The release serves as a bold statement on feminine strength, social rebellion, and sonic experimentation.

Don McLean @ The Long Road Festival (Press)

The Long Road Festival 2025 Assembles Its Biggest Line-Up Yet For August Bank Holiday Weekend

Now entering its sixth and most ambitious year to date, The Long Road Festival 2025 is set to deliver its boldest celebration of country, Americana, and roots music yet, taking over the scenic Stanford Hall in Leicestershire from 22nd–24th August. With more than 80 artists across six stages, the weekend promises an immersive blend of genre-spanning music, authentic Americana culture, and inclusive community spirit — and has already become the festival’s fastest-selling edition to date.

Stevie Wonder @ BST Hyde Park 2025 (Bethan Miller-Carey)

A Night In Wonderland: Stevie Wonder And Guests Delight At BST Hyde Park 2025

“Awwwwight!” drawls Stevie Wonder, arms flung wide, grinning like a teenager trying on cockney charm for the first...
Neil Young @ BST Hyde Park (Trudi Knight)

Dance, Shadow And Harvest Under The Full Moon: Van Morrison, Yusuf Islam And Neil Young And The Chrome Hearts At BST Hyde Park 2025

Gone are the sparkled cowgirls and pop princesses of previous BST gigs. It’s the turn of the Baby Boomer generation to make up the core crowd of Hyde Park – a sea of grey hair, straw hats, and sensible shoes. They reapply sun cream religiously, have brought picnic blankets, and can be forgiven for taking their time getting up and down from the ground between acts. This is the generation that invented outdoor rock and folk festivals – and they’re here to show the rest of us how it’s done.

Poptones (Rune Gro-Nielsen)

Poptones Play Their Wild Card With New Single ‘Say Something Now’ Ahead of Forthcoming Album ‘Pure’

Danish experimental rock trio Poptones have unveiled their new single Say Something Now, offering a taste of the unpredictability and emotional depth that defines their upcoming sophomore album Pure, out 26th September via Happy Metal Records. Where lead single Skin Of Sea teased a shift toward expansive and instinctive composition, Say Something Now dives headlong into that experimental impulse—guided, intriguingly, by the rules of UNO. Yes, the beloved card game.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing