Meet Olga Munding

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Olga Munding. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Olga below.

Olga, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

For as long as I can remember, I was the only one in the room with the name Olga growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. My parents were from another country and still carried their cultural traditions to the United States. My first language was German, and I had a very distinct and unusual name, which already set me apart.

From an early age, I displayed an incredible aptitude and talent for music. Couple this with a name, language, and different clothing, I very much stuck out. Over later years, I often would try to blend in even wanting to change my name at one point. But when that phase passed by, I embraced my uniqueness and have come to define it as who I am. I am an old soul, and old souls have had many experiences, the most recent for me being that there IS a purpose after all, and it was not what I had initially thought.

With all that in mind, it became relatively simple to feel strength with my differences and be confident even when I stick out. And I usually do!

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

It would be hard to sum me up in just one word or one way, so perhaps the best description is that I am an artist. My career path has meandered through the release of 6 critically acclaimed music albums (with a new EP on the way on October 18, 2024), success as a radio host and DJ, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, skydiver, stunt performer, actor, notary, and for the last ten years, a Reverend. On my birthday, 18 October 2024, my first lyric songbook will be published with a companion EP of demos of never-heard-before songs from old recordings to newer ideas, titled Blues & Musings.

As the saying goes, “The Lord works in mysterious ways,” and I most definitely can testify to that!

My performer name, OLGA, has been trademarked since 2006, though in use as far back as 1998. So, OLGA is technically my brand. The Reverend portion of my life’s work celebrated ten years in June since becoming ordained, officiating over 500 weddings, playing violin for over 900, and memorializing six funerals. Recently, I was asked by a couple I will officiate for next month why I do what I do. There was no hesitation in my answer; I genuinely love it!! It never gets tiresome, and I don’t consider it a job. Frankly, I get a little moved every time and have a sweet, natural, euphoric feeling afterward. If you asked me how I got into this, I’d answer that it came to me as a dream and then naturally progressed into a full-time endeavor that I take very seriously and sincerely.

What was the dream? I dreamed I officiated a wedding in a hot air balloon, and then we all skydived out of it. As I am a C-License holder for skydiving, this is not out of the question and, indeed, an excellent idea. I became ordained the very next day.

My music is available on all platforms, including a dedicated Pandora channel called OLGA Radio. Please visit this URL link to access all my social platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, Tidal, and others.

https://ffm.bio/5nrao7a

The Blues & Musings songbook and companion EP will be released on October 18, 2024, and available online and in conventional bookstores (please ask for it!). Music streaming will be available on the platforms mentioned above.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The most important lesson I have learned is not to care too much about others’ opinions and to trust yourself. It was a hard lesson learned, but one eventually fully embraced and, once so, absolutely life-changing. When you live your life in service and with love, you can’t go wrong. There is such a thing as the adage that “good deeds never go unpunished,” and this is one I can testify to personally. Yet, I don’t do the journey to receive awards or accolades; I do it because I truly enjoy it, and it fills my heart.

One meaningful piece of advice I received from Quentin Tarantino while working on Django Unchained is, “Don’t just be one thing; be everything—that way, you will always be doing something you love.” He also liked to quote the old Chinese proverb, “It’s about the journey, not the destination.”

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

It’s been a longtime wish of mine to collaborate with a DJ or programmer on some electronica-style songs. It doesn’t have to be pop, although I love synth-pop very much. I also really love downtempo, drums and bass, and scratch DJ sounds. My voice and songwriting would be very compatible with this. Since I am a bit technologically challenged (i.e., old-fashioned), I’d like to collaborate where I can co-write, sing the vocals, and play some synth instruments, leaving the recording, mixing, and beats to the collaborator. I have a lot of songs and ideas ready to go!

Check out my Soundcloud.com/laolga or be sure to stream my Spotify and Apple Artist page to hear some songs.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.Olga.one
• Instagram: @olgabluesbabe
• Facebook: @olgabluesbabe
• Twitter: @olgabluesbabe
• Youtube: @219records
• Soundcloud: @laolga
• Other: Click here to reach all my platforms in one space:

  https://ffm.bio/5nrao7a

Image Credits

All photos were taken with Olga’s iPhone.

Book cover painting by Rene Perez– “Olga & Jelly Roll”