We Are Army - Olivia Jones interview
A Quick Chat With One Of Our Favourites - Olivia Jones
Interview By
Marsha Night
With comeback a matter of days away and our focus ever clearer on getting Radio Play of BTS in the UK, I had an epiphany and thought 'Why don't I speak to one of the first people who helped introduce BTS to UK radio'.
So I did...
We know that you are a member of Army, can you tell me your own personal BTS journey?
My BTS journey started when I saw DNA. I remember I was on air at my radio station and a song was playing (which I’d probably already played 100 times) so I turned on YouTube and saw the aesthetics and immediately was like ‘woah’ and then I listened and I was like ‘woah’ all over again.
I did some research and saw what was happening for them in the US and then I was like ‘why is this not happening for them in the UK?' I think it was there and then that I sent the YouTube link to my boss and was like ‘how awesome is this, can we play it?’ and he was like ‘yeah, let’s go for it’. It was so exciting. I remember telling everyone in a staff meeting what we were planning to do and everyone was a bit reserved. I remember thinking ‘you’ll see’ and after that it just became an awesome flag I got to wave.
Have they changed your life in any way?
I have connected with particular members of ARMY and I’d say they’ve changed my life. They have kept me up when I’ve felt low. After I lost my job I was listening to Mic Drop in the gym a lot. It motivated me to stay focused. I feel like a lot of people have underestimated me, and BTS are proof that if you work hard and ignore the haters you can achieve incredible things. I’m looking forward to doing that.
RM is your bias, how did you feel when talking to him?
I was so clammy. I remember just praying that nothing would get lost in translation (his English was so good I really didn’t need to worry) and I remember thinking ‘don’t mess this up’. There was no one I could talk to in my life that TRUELY understood what I was doing either so I had to have a lot of faith that it was going to get noticed. I wanted to show my boss I’d made the right call.
Do you feel like you understand them better as a group now that you have had the chance to talk to RM and feel what they stand for?
I think so, it’s always tough because I know how many interviews BTS have had and it must be exhausting to explain themselves when their music does it so perfectly for them already.
I think RM responded really well to my questions and the fact he kept using my name definitely showed me how respectful he is. It meant a lot for him to do that. I heard from the PR team that he really enjoyed the interview as well. I wish I could have more time with them, face to face. I want to show them the respect I have for them and I think that is better done face to face.
You can watch Olivia's interview with RM here:
Why do you think BTS has been able to touch people not only from Korea but internationally?
You cannot deny the chemistry the boys have, that’s palpable in the RUN BTS episodes and I think people really want to see other people having fun and living their dreams.
In radio, my job is to be the upbeat friend to my listeners and I think BTS have taken that one step further. They are not only there for the good times, but for the bad too; and that’s what a lot of people are going through right now. In a world which feels incredibly unjust, BTS give a solidarity that feels so genuine.
You've worked in radio, and though you were one of the 1st bigger stations that played BTS, as an insider can you say what is the reluctance in the major stations playing them. What is holding them back?
Audiences are difficult to gauge in radio as 99% of them never get in touch; radio stations often have to guess what they want. I think as BTS continue to succeed, radio stations will feel more confident about playing them and knowing that a large part of their audience want to hear it.
You have had a pretty good run over the past year, interviewing RM, moving forward in your career and getting married - looking back at it all, how are you feeling for the future?
I think that’s what came across on social media but if I’m honest, I lost my grandad and my job just before my wedding and I’d hate to mislead people into thinking I haven’t had periods of struggle too because I think that makes their struggle even harder. Everyone struggles and that’s okay.
I love that you phrased it as ‘moving forward’ and I do think it’s incredibly important to look at how you phrase things in life. I have moved forward, I am proud of what I am currently doing and obviously getting married to my best friend was PHENOMENAL. The one thing I’m more confident about is that life is a journey not a destination. It’s not about working at a certain place or getting a certain amount of likes. If you can find a way to accept the challenge and enjoy working hard, life will unlock itself for you.
Tell us about your new venture at PopBuzz and what you will be talking about?
OH MY GOD every time I get to talk about this I get giddy! I’ve only filmed one episode and it was so much fun. For a while I felt forgotten about on the radio and now I get to work with people who actively encourage me to use my talent and want more. It’s so exciting.
Watch an episode at this link:
The show is going to have a variety of guests and we get to play silly games that revolve around pop music. What’s most exciting for me is that presenting on TV is something I can get better at, it’s a new skill and I’m still finding my feet but what an opportunity to learn.
It airs on twitter every Thursday at 5pm and then you can watch it back as well.
Perhaps we can expect some games like this?
You have a fantastic relationship with Army, why do you think that is?
The most frustrating thing in this world is having a passion for something and for it to be dismissed. When I was at school I remember having a meeting with my careers adviser and saying ‘I really want to be a presenter’ and her response was ‘only special people get to be presenters’ and then started talking about other subjects. That held me back for 5 years until I got to University and was encouraged to join student radio. I have the upmost respect for passionate people and I only want to encourage them. Who knows, you might discover your passion for fashion by watching a BTS MV or your BTS fan art might inspire you to go to fine art school. Nobody’s passion should be discouraged.
You have something that you would like to create with Army's in mind, can you tell us all about your collaboration with Unbound?
It was presented to me by a fellow ARMY as an insane opportunity to document this history that we are currently part of. To capture the passion, talent and gratitude of this fan group into something tangible. That can be held and loved and admired. A book. Why wouldn’t I want to be a part of that? The role I’m playing is being the voice that puts this together, that edits it and puts the love and attention into it that will make it turn from an idea into reality. The star of the book is ARMY. If you want to get involved, which I really hope you do, there’s more info right here:
Has there been any negativity around the project (we know there have been a couple of comments); what can you say to put their minds at rest?
I appreciate that most comments have been entirely respectful and whilst there has been a lot of positivity there have been concerns. I think thats been made worse by other products that have come out that have totally missed the mark about BTS and ARMY. They have been aimed at people who aren’t a part of this.
This book is written by and for people who DO. This is a genuine idea from an authentic ARMY, put together by a passionate music fan who supports everything BTS and ARMY want to achieve. In my heart of hearts, I know I only want to make something that fans can cherish.
There’s more explanation in Olivia's video here: We Are ARMY Book - Explained
Have you had lots of international submissions?
Unbound are currently looking after the submissions and I was sent some literally this afternoon which I plan to read just before I go to bed. I hope so but I know we could always do with more. The beautiful thing about ARMY is diversity and I so want to represent that in the book.
You are so passionate about Army and the representation of them, why are you doing this for them?
When I was a teenager, a misfit, the odd one out, the uncool person I treated myself terribly and I really regret that. I was hard on myself and doubted my ability and I’ve done it through periods in my adult life too. I see that BTS help make sense of the world for a lot of people and out of the darkness of the unknown and fear and pain has come something beautiful, in pastel colours. If life isn’t about turning towards self love and turning away from hate, then I don’t know what it’s about. That’s BTS’s mission and it’s mine too.
What can we (Army) do to help you with the book?
This book won’t get made unless it’s pre-ordered. So if you are able to and want to create something with me and other members of ARMY let’s do it.
You can pre-order here:
If you don’t have money, that’s okay too. I’d love to hear your stories, see your fan art and celebrate how BTS have helped you.
Here are the guidelines for submitting:
As this is comeback week, do you have a theory about LY:Answer?
The concept photos really got me. The glass bubbles took me aback because it made me feel guilty for looking. Like I was watching a beautiful tragedy unfold. I think there is some beautiful tragedy to be found with success, like it’s great to achieve so much but there are shortcomings of it too and the media is a whirlwind at times.
There’s all sorts of other clues like wind up keys, 1984 and puppet strings which indicates manipulation. I’m so excited to hear ‘I’m Fine’. I’ve been waiting for a song which encapsulates the emotion of not feeling great but not feeling rock bottom and I hope it’s about that weird middle ground which no one really acknowledges in life.
Are you going to the concert in London?
No, they came out at a time that I couldn’t afford them but I want to do something for everyone online whilst they’re happening so that people don’t go through mental anguish alone.
Finally, what else can we expect and look forward to from you in the future?
No idea, life is a journey. I can’t promise that I’m not going to run away with my wife and live in a camper van. Recently I woke up one day and decided to climb a mountain by myself just to get out of my own head a bit. I’d love to live in a country that I could do that every day. Now you know why RM is my bias.
Lots of love. Can't wait to speak soon and hopefully that tooth heals in good time
Thank you to Olivia for sharing her story, insights and aspirations with us and for checking that I was ok after my wisdom tooth removal today. It hurt. A lot.
You can find Olivia on:
Twitter:@ThatOliviaJones
YouTube:Olivia Jones
Pop Buzz:@popbuzz
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