Women in Pro Audio: Olive Olin Women in Pro Audio: Olive Olin...
For years, the world of women in pro audio has been a small one; however, that’s rapidly changing. As more and more women enter the field, they are breaking down barriers and forging paths for the next generation. One of those women in pro audio is Olive Olin, a live sound engineer and Course Leader for the Event Production course at NTU London. Her story is one of accidental discovery, perseverance, and a deep-seated passion for making music come to life. Originally from a small village in Sweden, Olive now calls London home, where she balances her work as a touring engineer with her dedication to inspiring new talent.
The Unlikely Path to the Soundboard
Olive’s journey into the live sound industry was not a premeditated one. In fact, she admits, “I did not know you could be a live sound engineer, let alone work in the live music industry.” Growing up in a “small village in the middle of nowhere,” her path was less a choice and more a happy accident, driven by a simple truth. She “couldn’t bear living a life without music.”
This passion led her to the UK to pursue a degree in Music Production. It was there, during an optional ‘Live Sound’ module, that she found her calling. “I had a phenomenal teacher and I was hooked,” Olive recalls. “I knew I wanted to work as a live sound engineer rather than a recording engineer!”
The spark was ignited, but getting her foot in the door required a little help. It was her teacher, Pete Webber, who took a chance on her. “He put me forward for live sound gigs and honestly just believed in me and my capabilities.” It’s a kindness Olive has never forgotten.
“Having someone to vouch for you is critical when trying to break into this industry. A recommendation is a powerful act of trust; it puts your own reputation on the line. That’s a responsibility I take seriously, which is why I try to pay it forward to young people. Sometimes, you just have to take a leap of faith—it might pay off in a big way.”
Navigating Challenges as a Woman in Pro Audio
Like many women in a male-dominated field, Olive has faced her share of challenges. She says she has “often not been taken seriously as a young woman,” in part because she looks much younger than she is and people “assume I am not experienced.” But she has learned to let her work speak for itself. “I think I have shown and earned my place now that I am less often questioned,” she says.
When considering why there are not more women in pro audio, Olive’s answer is direct. She believes the industry needs to “promote our industry to young people in general,” and “de-mystify the tech.” She felt overwhelmed years ago when she was first faced with digital and analogue mixing desks, but once she “spent time with them and had people explain to me how to use them, it’s easy!” The equipment, she notes, “is built to be user-friendly, so it just needs to be explained better.”
The Art of Perseverance and Finding Pride in the Work
Olive’s journey has not been without its struggles. She admits to having “moments sat crying in the bathroom for whatever reason (probably mainly from being hungry),” but her strong will has always prevailed. “I am too stubborn to ever give up,” she says. She also knows when to walk away from a bad situation. “I have also left situations and workplaces I did not enjoy working at,” she explains. “You don’t have to give up completely; you can simply move on and create new opportunities for yourself.” For Olive, it’s about valuing her own worth. “I don’t need to prove myself; I am good at what I do, so I find places and people who appreciate me.”
Over the past decade, Olive has built an impressive resume. She has been a house engineer at major UK festivals like Reading and Latitude, and has worked with artists such as Angie McMahon, MICHELLE, and the BBC Concert Orchestra. She even had the opportunity to work with F1 as an audio technician.
Among her favorite projects is the BBC Concert Orchestra, because she “absolutely loves classical music”. She also cherishes her time as a FOH engineer and tour manager with Angie McMahon, an artist she calls “incredible.” One of the craziest and most memorable moments of her career was when she was asked to record “the” Malala Yousafzai for an interview. It was “totally random and unexpected out of nowhere,” and one of the few times she says she was “properly star-struck.”
Looking Forward and the Best Advice
For Olive, the joy of her work comes from a very simple place: collaboration. “I love working with artists and musicians, helping to bring a gig to life. When you’ve poured blood, sweat, and tears into making an incredible show happen, it’s all worth it. Seeing those smiles all around, from the artists to the crew and the audience, is the best feeling in the world.”
When it comes to advice for aspiring professionals, her most valuable tip is also the simplest. The best advice she ever received was to “be nice.” Technical knowledge, she says, “can only get you so far, but if you are nice and fun to work with, that’s why you will be called back!” She emphasizes the importance of kindness and patience, reminding everyone, “Don’t get stressed with people and learn your place in a production.” For career growth, she recommends the L-Acoustics education platform, SoundGirls.org, WomeninLiveMusic.eu, and a number of other resources, but ultimately stresses that you “just need to put yourself out there, go and work in small venues, shadow people, etc. Read the manuals!”
Looking to the future of the industry, Olive hopes to see it become more sustainable, “both environmentally and humanly.” She believes working hours and safety standards are critical issues that need to be addressed, as it is “not OK to work 16+ hours without proper rest and without toilet/food breaks.” She hopes to see a future with fewer 16-hour days and more humanity.
Connect with Olive on LinkedIn.
Read last month’s Women in Pro Audio interview here.