Women Who Rock Columbus: Olivia
The first woman kicking of this series is not only a talented musician, she also works behind the scenes at a Columbus based organization geared towards bringing awareness to the local music community.
Allow me to introduce you to Olivia!
Olivia is a vocalist and the bassist of Big Fat Head as well as a Senior Project Manager at Music Columbus.
Here’s a little bit more about her and her role in the Columbus music community.
1. What got you into music?
“Growing up, I was always surrounded by music. My mom would take us to musicals and blast music in our house, so I feel like she was the person who really instilled a love for music in me at an early age. I've always been drawn to the joy and release that music brings to people's lives, and I wanted to be part of it in any way I could. Most of my relationship with music has been in the background, helping facilitate and plan events, as well as doing video work.
I've always been an avid concert-goer and loved to sing, but I never thought I’d end up being part of a band. It wasn't until my partner Nate convinced me to sing on some songs he had written and taught me bass a few years ago that I immersed myself in performing live.”
Olivia on stage at a Big Fat Head show in March 2025
2. Talk about your role in Big Fat Head.
“I'm a vocalist and bassist in Big Fat Head. This entire project is all thanks to Nate Wilder, who wrote the first album during his senior year at Ohio University and brought us all together to play. We all really got hit hard by the pandemic, as we were attending Ohio University at the time, majoring in creative fields that got completely obliterated, leaving us feeling pretty down in the dumps. This project emerged as a way for us to channel our creative energies into something positive and give us an excuse to do something fun and creative with our friends. Felicity and I both learned our instruments specifically to play in the project, which I think helped bring a unique flavor to the sound of our group. Jordan and Nate had played in many projects together before this, and they're so locked in that anything they do together shines. They really are the special sauce.
In addition to performing, I also assist Nate with communications and booking as needed.”
3. Explain your position/what you do at Music Columbus.
“I am a Senior Project Manager at Music Columbus. I lead The Unheard and Earn As You Learn initiatives and am a key contributor to all of the Music Columbus Pathway to Prosperity programs. I joined the team in October 2021, overseeing all program planning, social media, and community engagement. By the summer of 2022, I was managing the Gift of Music Instrument Drive, The Unheard, and Earn As You Learn, while also supporting the Columbus Live Music Trail. In December 2022, I pitched the Columbus Release Radar monthly playlist to showcase our contemporary artists. I continued leading social media and marketing until the summer of 2023. We finally expanded to a team of four as of last year, but even still, we all have a hand in everything we do!”
4. What has been your favorite gig you've had thus far?
“It's hard to choose a favorite gig because there's been so many that have been so great for many different reasons, but I think our Villain Pop EP release at Ace of Cups might take the cake. We played with our homies Golomb and Son of Dribble and it was really just such a joyful and amazing night. It was still fairly early on in terms of us performing and we almost sold it out. It was just really heartwarming and insane that so many people came out to support us and I'll never forget it... was such a special moment to share with all of my closest friends.”
Olivia of Big Fat Head at Nataile’s Grandview, March 2025
5. What's one local band you think someone should see?
“There's so many great bands to choose from to just pick one. I'll give two groups that are super great and worth catching live: Hi Helen and JOCKS.”
6. What's on your playlist right now? Or a song you can't get enough of?
"Big Ben Beat" - Kim Deal
"Imagination" - BRONCHO
"COW" - JOCKS
"Lucky" - Josh Hodges
7. Words of wisdom for women trying to make it in the music business?
“Keep being your badass self and show them what you've got. You have something unique that you're bringing into everything you do, so let it shine and be unapologetic about what you believe in. Be true to what you love and genuine in what you do, and it will take you to where you want to go. Surround yourself with people who uplift and support your goals because it will make a huge difference.”
If you'd like to check out Big Fat Head, you can do so here:
https://www.instagram.com/big.fat.head.music.band.666/
https://linktr.ee/bigfathead666
Or if you’d like to learn more about Music Columbus and what they do, click the link below:
I want to send a big shoutout and thank you to Olivia for being a part of this series and allowing me highlight her role as a woman in the Columbus music scene!
Until next time,
Peace, Love and Support Your Local Girl Gang!
