GETTING TO KNOW THE BOND BETWEEN THE OLAYAN SIBLINGS

They better get accustomed to blowing minds wherever they go. Brother and Sister duo Ammon and Liahona Olayan became viral sensations after their American Idol auditions, where they drew huge praise from the judges and earned the admiration of millions across social media platforms. These Hawaiian siblings stunned listeners with their soul-pop banger "Boom", not only for their harmonious and beautiful singing, but also for their unconventional and astounding composition, where beats and melodies flow to and fro in a sinuous display of dexterity, maturity, and vision that guarantees a whole slew of innovative sounds in what we know will be long and fruitful careers both together and by themselves.

As the siblings look into the future, we look into their past and present to get to know them a little better and get closer to what makes them tick as artists. Check it out.

You seem to have pretty similar taste in music, but do you listen to stuff that the other can't stand?

Ammon: Yeah we do have a pretty similar taste in music, but I think Lia hates country and I think a few of them are actually pretty good. 

Liahona: Sometimes and it’s hilarious. I really like to listen to the theme music from different movies and my brother really doesn’t like it but I love the sound of it.

How has your family's reception been to your developing careers? From what I can see, the family seems to be all-important to you two.

Ammon: Family is very important to me. I think especially because of the way I was raised and how close we have gotten to each other it helps me to write music that I would like my family to listen to and gives a good vibe or message. 

Liahona: It is without a doubt and it always will be. My family is my biggest support with my dream and career and they want me to do my best. They support us 100%. 

You both received great praise when you auditioned for American Idol, I mean the video went pretty viral and all! was that the moment when you decided that this was definitely what you were meant to be doing or were you sure of it beforehand?

Ammon: If I’m being honest I never thought I’d really get into music because I didn’t think I was good enough.  I don’t read music on a scale and I don’t know music theory like my sister. But when I realized on American Idol how many people liked our songs and the reaction we got from the judges, it made me think that I could actually have a career in music and do something that I really love for a living.

Liahona: I always knew I loved to make music. It wasn’t until that moment that I realized that my music could be so inspirational to others. I knew I wanted to do music but I didn’t know how far I could get. It definitely gave me hope to keep pushing forward.

I've seen Liahona at the piano and Ammon at the Guitar, what other instruments are the both of you comfortable with or learning right now?

Ammon: I also play the ukulele and the piano.

Liahona: I love to play the ukulele and I’ve played a little bit of guitar but I would love to learn to play the cello like my mom.

When it comes to writing and composition, who handles what? do you each stick to a particular area or is it something you alternate and work out together?

Ammon: Lia is really good and fast at coming up with words. And when we write together I come up with the tunes we use. Once we have a base to work off of we switch off and take turns between the two. 

Liahona: My brother and I work in very opposite ways. I need to have a set organized way and my brother just goes with the flow. He’s all over the place so I call his stuff creative trash that I have to sift thru and organize. It may seem crazy but when we write together, it just comes together in the end and works out.

You both have a very distinctive singing style that I can't quite place, especially noticeable with you, Liahona. Where do you feel like that sort of syncopated flow-y style comes from?

Ammon: I think it comes from the music we like and listen to. We like beats that you can dance to, but we also switch things up between a slow vibe and a dance beat.

Liahona: Well, since I was a child, I’ve always loved to make just some random beats with my feet and hands. I found it to be so much fun. Even when my family and I are driving in the car, we just use our hands and feet to make a beat when we sing. My mom used to own a children’s music school and that’s where the beginning of my love for music started and my style of music. Bruno Mars and Meghan Trainor are huge influences of that for me as well.

When people think of Hawaiian music, of course, the Ukulele comes to mind, but I know there's more to it than that- Have you explored including folkloric sounds and lyrics to your music?

Ammon: Yes, we have an uncle who can play anything and when he sings Hawaiian music, especially with his guitar, he incorporates so perfectly the culture and aloha of the Hawaiian people. I try to instill the same feeling in my music especially when I do a ballad. 

Liahona:  There’s always more to music than we think. I love my culture because it shows the love people have for each other and the land. The message of it shows a deeper love than many people care to understand. That is why we dance hula because we want people to see the words in every way. I’ve also explored some folkloric sounds and it fascinates me. I haven’t put it in my songs yet but I plan to!

Music aside, what do you usually occupy your free time with?

Ammon: I occupy my time with sports and competing with my family, learning dances, playing with my dog and friends, and dancing in this dance group called Living Legends. 

Liahona: I love to play sports. Volleyball, pickle ball and much more. I also love to cook and bake. I also enjoy learning martial arts and boxing. And of course, I’m a total bookworm. I love reading all kinds of books.

I'm curious, have any of your other siblings show artistic inclinations as well?

Ammon: Yes most of them can sing well and I have 2 sisters that play the violin and another sister that plays the viola.  And we all like to dance! 

Liahona:  My sister Cumorah, is actually very talented in art. Her drawing and painting skills make me so jealous. And my little brother CJ, loves to make all kinds of crazy DIY crafts that just leave me amazed. All of my siblings have amazing talents artistically but these are just a few.

So you lived in a Tent for a while with all your family as a way to both reconnect with your culture, the land and also bond with each other. What were the best and the worst parts of that period?

Ammon: The best was probably picking fresh papaya from the farm and going to the beach. The worst was probably washing clothes in a bucket and being all crammed in a tent 

Liahona: The best parts were when we would go to the beaches late at night and look at the stars. The sky was absolutely gorgeous compared to Utah and you can see all the stars. Every little detail is possible to see. Sunsets on the beach as well were the best and getting close to the Lord. The worst parts were when we had to spend time with each other 24/7. Don’t get me wrong, I love my siblings but when we’re around each other all the time, it can really get on your nerves lol. And also having to adapt. Can you imagine? Living a normal, spoiled life, and the next week you’re having to wash dishes in a tote, and take a shower with the water hose?! Yeah, it sucked. But when I finally realized why I was there, change was just the thing I needed.

Whatever happened to Stripey, the goat that y'all raised back then?

Ammon: It was so sad when we left stripey, but we gave her to a good family that had a lot of land where she could grow and have fun. 

Liahona: Before we moved back to Utah, we were able to sell her with her mother to a wonderful farm. And before we left, we were able to visit her one last time. She was growing and very healthy and I still miss her to this day.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Samuel Aponte is Venezuelan-born raised and based. 

I joined Rival Magazine after a few years of doing PR work for independent musicians of all stripes; understanding their struggles to be heard in a sea of constant  ADHD noise and paywalled access to platforms, I now bring a willingness to always appreciate and encourage the effort and creativity that artists put into their work . Can also find some of my writings on LADYGUNN and We Found New Music.