Olina is a London-based multidisciplinary artist blending music, jewellery, and a subtle form of rebellion. After founding Drool Jewel — a handmade jewellery label spotlighted by the New York Times, worn by Tyla, and boasting over 100k followers — she earned recognition for her original, nature-inspired pieces that evoke the delicate beauty of raindrops and offer moments of calm amid the bustle. Now, she’s making her way back to music, her first passion.
Born in Greece and shaped by her immigrant journey in the UK, Olina’s music contrasts the serene aesthetic of her jewellery with raw, emotionally charged indie rock. Her lyrics are sharp and evocative, exploring themes of identity, existential unease, and fearless self-reflection. Drawing inspiration from artists like boygenius, Samia, Blondshell, Fiona Apple, and Courtney Barnett, she’s gearing up to release her debut EP, By the Book, later this year, kicking off with the single, “Newspaper Smell.”
With “Newspaper Smell” out now, we took some time to hear from Olina. Read below to learn more about Olina, the story behind “Newspaper Smell,” and what’s to come.
Hi Olina! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?
Olina’s just a shortened version of my full name, Nikolina — which really only gets used on government documents or when it feels like I’m in trouble. It’s what my family and friends have always called me, and it felt unique enough that I didn’t need to overthink an artist name.
What city are you from and where are you based now?
I’m originally from Limnos, a small Greek island that not many people know about—thankfully, it’s still one of the quieter ones, so I love going back for some peace. I moved to North London for a science internship, but also because the music scene here is very strong. Now I’m based here, balancing music, science, and a small jewellery business on the side.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?
I wouldn’t say that I have a music career yet, but I’m diving in with passion and persistence—and as long as I love what I’m doing, I hope it turns into one. My parents signed me up for piano and guitar lessons as a kid—bless them—but I wasn’t having it. It wasn’t until I picked up a guitar on my own to write songs and sing that something clicked. That’s when music stopped feeling like a chore and became my thing, especially the singing and songwriting.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
Definitely. Growing up, my parents played a lot of Greek folk and rock music, which grounded me in storytelling, emotion, and socially conscious themes. But English-language music always felt like a secret space where I could express things that my parents wouldn’t fully catch. I grew up with classics like The Beatles, and through friends, I got into heavier bands like Metallica and Slipknot. Then, I stumbled on my sister’s Evanescence CDs and got hooked—sneaking them around like a guilty pleasure. Over time, I gravitated toward artists like Joni Mitchell, Florence + The Machine, Fleetwood Mac, R.E.M., Bon Iver, Mumford & Sons, and Radiohead—music that blends introspection with strong storytelling, shaping how I write today.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
My sound mixes indie rock, alt-pop, and folk, with lyrics that are vulnerable and honest, but I layer that with sarcasm and punchy guitars and drums. On a first listen, it might come off as a happy, upbeat song — but really, it’s a sad one coated in layers of delusion. I wanted it to sound like you’re dancing while your room’s on fire — kind of how it feels to be living in the world right now.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Aside from music, I run Drool Jewel, my other baby—a small handmade jewellery brand. It blends nature-inspired designs—like raindrops and delicate flowers—with a slightly edgy, dreamy aesthetic. Crafting each piece is a creative escape, a way to channel my artistic energy beyond music and stay grounded and connected to nature. To me, and hopefully to the people who support it, Drool Jewel feels like a little window—a quiet portal to an oasis in the middle of the city—an excuse to pause and take a moment of calm. It’s been really successful, at least in my eyes, having grown to over 100k followers on TikTok and Instagram. Interestingly, while my music tends to be more sarcastic, punchy, and critical, Drool Jewel offers a softer, more delicate side—a contrast that keeps my creativity balanced. It’s another form of storytelling—just through wearable art. So, one way or another, making art takes up most of my time.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I’m really inspired primarily by female artists like boygenius — both as a group and through each boy’s solo work — plus Samia, Sarah Kinsley, Mitski, Lizzy McAlpine, Matilda Mann, Blondshell, and recently Sofia Isella and Paris Paloma, among others. They bring an incredible blend of vulnerability and edge that really resonates with me. I also draw from indie legends like Bon Iver and Fiona Apple for their emotional depth and experimental approach. These artists shape how I write — blending introspection with energy, sarcasm, and emotional complexity.
Who would be a dream to collaborate with?
Matilda Mann.
What’s one of the proudest moments of your music career so far?
This upcoming EP — both the sound and the meaning behind each song. It was a long time coming; I had to pull myself out of a five-year burnout to make it happen. As an independent artist, I handle everything myself — from promotion to shooting videos to chasing opportunities — so getting this far feels like a big deal. I’m really proud of the response it’s been getting so far.
What would you say are the greatest lessons that you’ve learned so far?
That if you make music that you truly love, it’s easier to promote it shamelessly—because as an independent artist, you really have to.
Now onto your release, ‘Newspaper Smell.’ What inspired this song? What is ‘Newspaper Smell’ about?
‘Newspaper Smell’ was inspired by my first summer in the UK, working 13-hour shifts at a mac ‘n’ cheese stall at Royal Ascot. I dealt with drunk, flirty men in top hats boasting about their wealth — then trying to haggle a £7 portion down to £5. It was a striking, contradictory experience. The next day, I cried while pressure-hosing vomit off bins, realizing I’d hit rock bottom.
I’d just finished a biology degree and an internship, but felt lost — like my qualifications weren’t enough to break into a science career. Coming from a less developed country, imposter syndrome took over. This experience stuck with me and sparked the song years later, probably after I had some time to process everything. I’ve gained massive respect for people working in hospitality, who are often disrespected, and I think everyone should try it at least once.
The song captures first-generation immigrant confusion, existential dread, and the daily grind of feeling out of place. It’s raw and punchy, mixing sarcasm with vulnerability — about those overwhelming moments when you just have to keep pushing through.
What was the creative process like when making ‘Newspaper Smell?’ How long did it take to complete ‘Newspaper Smell?’
I wrote ‘Newspaper Smell’ in just a few hours. The melody came to me on the bus, so I frantically hummed it to myself the whole way from Farringdon to North London so I wouldn’t forget. As soon as I got home, I picked up my guitar and wrote the whole song in one go.
After that, I recorded a demo and took it to my friend, bandmate, and producer Christos Chatzispyrou. Producing it felt really natural and smooth—I think I knew from the start what I wanted this song to be, and Christos totally got the vision. We did spend some time trying to nail the string and trumpet sounds on the bridge, which meant buying a few different plugins, but we figured it out in the end. This was definitely the easiest one to record from the upcoming EP.
What is your favorite lyric in ‘Newspaper Smell’ and why?
Definitely the line: ‘I got a degree like a good daughter, but spent my summer hosing down rich guys’ vomit.’ I don’t think most people will know what the hell I’m talking about without the backstory — and I find this very funny. It’s so specific it almost feels like an inside joke with myself. Also, I love the rhyme of the words ‘daughter’ and ‘vomit’, which is not really there, but for some reason it works.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from ‘Newspaper Smell?’
I want ‘Newspaper Smell’ to be like a first-generation immigrant imposter syndrome anthem. Something I haven’t really heard anyone say out loud before is that if you struggle with imposter syndrome, moving to a new country can make it ten times worse. You end up feeling like you’re moving slower than everyone else, like you’re always playing catch-up. It takes time to adjust and find your place. So, for me, this song became a kind of delusional escape — a way to ease those worries about being ‘too late’ for your dreams or running out of time. Maybe that’s just my experience, but I hope it speaks to anyone who’s felt that same pressure and confusion.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects, or do you have any upcoming shows that we should be on the lookout for?
‘Newspaper Smell’ is accompanied by a music video that I shot with my boyfriend. I might be biased, but I think it’s really cool! It has this absurd and dreamy DIY ‘90s vibe that perfectly complements the song’s mood — that’s why I released them together. So, please go watch and listen, and let me know your thoughts. Then, I have another single coming mid-September, and I’m planning to release my full EP, By The Book, towards the end of the year. Lots of exciting music on the way!
Where can we follow you on social media?
You can follow me on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube — my accounts for this project are new since I wanted to start fresh for this music journey and build everything from the ground up. Here are the links:
Music:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olina.music
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@olina.music
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@olina_music
If you also want to follow my jewellery endeavours, feel free to follow these:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drool_jewel
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@drool_jewel
Before you go, let’s ask you something off topic. What is your favorite food?
Fries.
Thank you for the great interview; wish you much continued success!
