Start Listening To: Olga Myko

Following the release of How dare you tryna love me?, Olga Myko reflects on self-worth, viral success and finding freedom in being playful.

Over the past year, Olga Myko has gone from sought-after songwriter to one of pop's most intriguing new voices. Fresh from releasing her EP How dare you tryna love me?, the Swedish-Ukrainian artist caught up with us to discuss learning to accept love, balancing vulnerability with humour, and navigating a whirlwind period that has included millions of streams, support from the likes of Elton John and Marina Diamandis, and headline shows of her own. Along the way, she explains why making people feel something, whether that's joy, heartbreak or simply feeling cool, remains the most important thing of all.

For those unfamiliar with your music, can you tell us who you are, where you're from and about the music you make?

I'm half Swedish, half Ukrainian. I grew up in Sweden in the classical music scene as my parents are professional violinists. I've always had music around me, whether it's my older brother playing the drums or my grandma singing. I started playing classical violin and piano as a kid but then I realised I wanted to sing instead. My music is a reflection of everything I'm going through. I love mixing different elements of all of the music genres I love.

How dare you tryna love me? is a pretty confrontational title. At what point did you realise that question summed up what this EP was about?

I was actually talking to my best friend about the title. "How Dare You Tryna Love Me?" Is a line in my song "Gecko". It's a line that I related to a lot in the beginning of my relationship. When you've been treated badly in past relationships you start to wonder if you deserve a healthy love, and that's where that came from.

You've described the record as a journey from self-conflict to accepting that you're worthy of being loved. Was writing these songs part of that process for you, or did the understanding come afterwards?

It was a part of the process. As soon as I feel something, I have to write about it so I can move forward easier.

'Who's That Calling?' became a huge hit, racking up millions of streams and Tik Tok views. Did the scale of the response surprise you, or were you starting to get used to your music finding audiences online in unexpected ways?

You never know what blows up and what doesn't. I'm just happy my music resonates with people.

The success of 'use me!!!!!!!' seemed to change a lot for you. Looking back now, what impact did that moment have on your confidence as an artist?

Since my first song "Shiba" I feel really confident in my music because it's so true to me and what I like, so when the success of "use me!!!!!!!" happened, it just made it possible for me to reach out to people and I think that was the most beautiful part. To get messages from people saying the music helped them in some way.

There are moments on the EP that feel vulnerable and introspective, but tracks like 'Hot2Trot' have a much more playful and carefree energy. Was it important for you to show those different sides of yourself?

Yes of course! I'm a very playful person and have always been. The EP is about a new love and I felt like I wanted to write about all the different sides to it.

You've had success both as a songwriter and as a solo artist. How different does it feel writing for yourself compared to writing for somebody else?

Writing for yourself is more complex in a way. I have to feel like I wanna perform the song and that it's 100% me. Writing for others often removes creative blockages for me as I can explore someone else's world which is very inspiring. I love both very much but there's a special itch that I can scratch in myself with my own music. That's when I feel the most fulfilled.

Before many listeners discovered Olga Myko the artist, you were already writing songs for major artists and chart hits. Did working behind the scenes teach you anything that's helped you navigate your own career?

Yes! I had no idea what kind of music I wanted to make for myself, so exploring the songwriting world really helped me collect a lot of cool stuff for myself. It also helped me to not take music that seriously and to be more playful. It taught me the art and craft behind writing and I'm very grateful for that.

You've received support from people like Elton John, Marina Diamandis and V from BTS. Have there been any moments over the past year where you've had to stop and remind yourself that all of this is actually happening?

It's so crazy because one part of me thinks everything is a simulation and nothing is impossible. Another part of me has imposter syndrome, so things like these can often take a long time for me to process and I'm not even sure I know how to process it yet. But yes, I have to stop and think about it. I've found myself doing that a lot recently and sometimes I'm like "what have I gotten myself into?" But I'm truly so happy doing this and I wouldn't change anything.

The production across the EP feels spacious and bold, while the lyrics often deal with insecurity and self-doubt. Were you consciously trying to create that contrast?

I'm a big fan of mixing different vibes so I think I just like the sound of the production and the feeling of the vocals but it's not something that I think about in the process.

You're about to play your first headline shows in London and Amsterdam. How are you feeling about stepping onto those stages as the main artist on the bill?

It's a little scary to be honest cause I've only been doing the artist thing for a little over a year. Of course you worry about if there's gonna be people there but as long as I can play for 10 people I'm happy. It also feels so cool to have a headline show. It's a milestone!

You've also got a run of dates supporting Ashnikko this summer. What excites you most about introducing your music to those audiences?

I know her fans are amazing and extremely supportive and I'm very honored to get that opportunity to play for them.

Sweden has a long history of producing huge pop songwriters and artists. Do you feel connected to that tradition at all, or do you see yourself operating in a different lane?

I do feel very connected to the tradition because a lot of the people I work with are amazing songwriters and producers in Sweden.

Between the viral success, award nominations and growing international audience, the last year has been huge. What does success look like for Olga Myko from here?

Success for me is to continue doing what I love doing. I already feel like I have everything I need to be honest and as long as I'm having fun and loving music and life, I feel successful.

What do you love right now?

I love the people around me. I love that the Swedish summer is around the corner, and I love the forest.

What do you hate right now?

I hate world conflicts.

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s still important to you?

Anti by Rihanna. I remember walking home from school at 16 years old in my neighborhood where I grew up listening through the whole album. It was spring and the first sunny day in months. I always go back to that feeling of home and being 16 when I listen to it. It's also like one of the best albums that exists.

When someone hears your music for the first time, what do you hope sticks with them?

I hope they feel a release of emotions. Whether you wanna cry, dance, be angry or fall in love. I just want people to feel something. I also want people to feel really cool.

Olga Myko is playing tonight (11/06/2026) at Bermondsey Social Club. Grab your ticket here.