When she still lived in New Jersey, Olivia avoided becoming a full-time musician at all costs. "I did everything else I could think of," she explains, with stints as a stylist, a production assistant, and a casting director. "I think it was just because I wasn't that confident in my musical abilities. I don't read music and I'm self-taught, so I always felt a bit inadequate. When you do other creative things, you can hide. With music, all eyes are on you."

Still, she started dreaming about attending concerts, and would scribble down ideas before turning them into fully-fledged songs. "For ages, it felt like I was copying someone else's songs because I didn't really understand where they were coming from." She eventually hit a groove of melancholy, sweet, catchy melodies and edgy production. A move to London helped her further crystalise what Hornet was and coincided with her first live shows playing her own music. "I moved to this new city, and I didn't know anyone. What else was I going to do with my free time," she laughs. "It just helped me understand what I really wanted to do with music."

What also helped was being chosen for the Converse All Star Program, which provides opportunities for All Star creatives to gain access to a global network of like-minded talent, the opportunity to collaborate and create with Converse, and a platform to have their work seen by the world.

The most important thing Olivia has got from the program is a sense of community, with local photographers, stylists and fellow musicians all involved in the project. "Converse knows how to pick people who just understand each other. A lot of us are not originally from London, but we're all paving our own path at the same pace. I think it's nice to know that other people are going through what you're going through," she says. There are similar projects in cities around the world. "It just helps you feel more sure about what you're doing."

As part of the All Stars program, Olivia recently performed at SXSW London, with her mother and brother flying in especially for the gig. "As much as I love hiding away at home and making music, I'm getting more confident onstage," she says. "I tend to just treat the crowd like they're my friends, and it makes everything feel a lot more comfortable. There's no better feeling than seeing people jam to a beat you've made, especially when they can feel it with their whole body."

"I still get worried about people understanding what I'm trying to do with my music or if it's too niche, but hearing it live just reminds me how good it is," she adds.

Later this month, Hornet will officially announce her next release, which is the first taste of her next EP. "If [2024's] 'Feline' was my inner child crying, this next project sees my inner child taking the mic. It's very bratty and anthem-based. The vibe is intense," she grins. She's taken inspiration from TV shows that speak to her on a personal level for the record, and the music is inspired by what she was listening to as a teenager. "I don't want to say too much, but I'm really proud of it."

Beyond that, Hornet wants a career like Bjork's. "She has her finger in so many pies. I want to score films and curate fashion shows. This might sound pretentious, but I want to be a tastemaker. 50 years down the line, if we're even still here, I want to be inspiring others with my music," she explains.