behind the music
I Take a Picture (With My Whole Being) is a collection of songs exploring self-undoing, transformation, and celebration of life. Artist Olivia Roumel channels different aspects, or splits, of her personality, ranging from dreamy, tender characters in “Dream Up” and “Wildflowers”, and a curious, childlike spirit in “Windows” and “Nothin’ Comes Close”. The Colorado landscape seeps through the lyrical story in each song, painted the most vividly in – “Western Sky” a tune inspired by a road trip through the San Luis Valley.
The album title was born during a solo hike in the Indian Peaks Wilderness - aiming to describe a feeling of utmost presence and appreciation of beauty among high peaks, alpine lakes, and a majestic sky. How can I savor and feel this life fully? The meaning also pertains to how we can accept where we and the music are in this moment of life, taking a picture with not just our cameras, but our entire being.
Each song finds their footing in solitude, but is brought to life by the amazing collaborators in her Denver community. Liv’s process is to give each song what is needed, which can be anything from simple bass and ambient guitars on “Dream Up”, to a full band on “Windows” and “Western Sky”. Liv’s intricate vocal arrangements, sometimes consisting of 20 layers simultaneously, are in full color on this debut EP, especially featured on songs like “Wildflowers” and “Nothin’ Comes Close”. Production and guitar magic from Harrison Tucker, longtime friend and collaborator, bring these tunes together with sparkle and finesse. Other friends and colleagues that contributed include Eric Luba (keyboard), Parker Murphy (bass), Braxton Kahn (drums), Gabriel Gravagno (drums), Wyatt Walker Wear (bass), and Daphne Hardy (vocals on Wildflowers).
