Onoleigh is a new name for some but not for long! Her music blurs the lines between genres, creating a blend of Americana, rootsy Rock and Roll, and empowered Country. It’s a sound that has led to collaborations with John Oates (Hall & Oates), Nathan Chapman (Taylor Swift), and producer Brand Hood (Sam Hunt, Rascal Flatts). New song ‘Walls’ specifically takes her back to the room where she grew up. Nostalgic and vulnerable, the song delves into memories from her childhood, exploring themes of loneliness, growth, and knowing oneself when no one is watching.
“This song is personal for me. It’s about going through the ups and downs throughout childhood and growing up,” she shared with The Bluegrass Situation.
“There were a lot of tough times in my own life where I felt societal or personal pressure to be someone that I wasn’t, and my childhood bedroom was my safe space. It was the place where I could reflect and think about who I was and who I was supposed to become. So, the idea that the walls could hear what I was thinking and could watch me grow up was something that I wanted to write about. I took this to my co-writers John Oates and Nathan Chapman, and we came up with this beautiful song that tells my own personal journey, and I feel like others will be able to relate.”
As a former guidance counselor before embarking on her music career, Onoleigh brings a remarkable ability to infuse compassion and empathy into her songs, resonating powerfully with listeners. Her music has garnered over 300k+ streams on Spotify, and a viral TikTok video has amassed over 500K+ views.
‘Walls’ follows Onoleigh’s previously released songs, including ‘Tightrope’ co-written with Kenny Foster, ‘Why Can’t We Dance’ (view at the top of the page) and “Make It Hurt,” the latter written by Maren Morris, Rhett Akins, and Chris DeStefano. ‘Why Can’t We Dance,’ with its Telecaster twang and arena-worthy bombast, finds Onoleigh channeling the bluesy influence of Grace Potter and Marcus King. The gorgeously understated ‘Tightrope’ packs a more subtle punch, with vocal harmonies from co-writer Kenny Foster and a moving, melodic performance from Onoleigh herself. “It’s about the struggle to find a balance in life as you’re chasing after your dreams,” she explains of the song that you can see below.
Lauded as “an artist to watch” by Music Connection and “a true musical force making waves in the industry” according to Guitar Girl Magazine, the rising singer-songwriter originally from Mahomet, IL, made the move to Nashville to pursue her music career. She recently shared the stage with John Oates at the CMA Theatre, and her music has been featured by Entertainment Tonight, CMT, Taste Of Country, Music Row, and more. Her song ‘Sunshine & Lemonade,’ co-written with Oates, is currently featured in the movie ‘Gringa,’ released earlier this year.
For more information, visit Onoleigh’s official website.
