We had a chat with Oliver Pinder following the release of his excellent new EP too late to tell you
Somebody who has been rising in prominence and reverence over the last few years with a stream of thoughtful, engrossing and resonating indie releases that capture the distinctive appeal and character of his style and emotive writing, Oliver Pinder has been celebrated on this site and far beyond for how resonating and real his work invariably feels.
The release of his second EP too late to tell you finds the artist in stirringly sentimental form, exploring the things that we wished we’d said and the moments we wish we hadn’t let slip away as he continues to develop his powerful artistry and allure as an artist. The collection of tracks feel raw, hopeful, honest and sometimes heart-breaking, while showcasing the most real and vulnerable side to Oliver in compelling fashion. Following the landmark release, we had a chat with the exciting artist to find out a bit more about it, his journey and the influences that have carved such an immersive sound.
Who TF is Oliver Pinder?
I’m Oliver Pinder – a 25-year-old indie songwriter from Wakefield who writes brutally honest songs about growing up, messing up, and trying to figure life out one guitar line at a time. I’m basically just a guy who feels a lot of things and turns them into tunes that hopefully make other people feel less weird about feeling things too.
How long have you been making music?
I started writing songs when I was about 10, and I’ve been doing it properly since my teens. But after taking a bit of an accidental hiatus, I relaunched everything in 2023 – new sound, new energy, and definitely a new haircut.
Why do you make music?
Honestly, it’s the only thing that’s ever made complete sense to me. I’m rubbish at talking about my feelings in real life, but give me a guitar and suddenly I’m Shakespeare with a mild caffeine addiction. Music lets me process life, but it also lets me connect with people who are going through the same stuff. There’s something really comforting about that.
What are your biggest influences?
I grew up on earnest, bedroom-sad lyricism, so artists like Jeremy Zucker and Matilda Mann are huge influences. Sonically, I love the big, driven guitar moments you get from Wunderhorse and Bleachers. My sound kind of sits in the middle – heartfelt storytelling with guitars that aren’t afraid to take up space.
What would you say has been your best moment so far
Headlining the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds this February was huge for me. It was rammed which blew my tiny brain. Standing on that stage with the full band, hearing people scream back songs I wrote alone in my bedroom… yeah, that’s a feeling I won’t forget.
How would you describe your sound to somebody unfamiliar with it?
Guitar-driven, alternative indie with a soft spot for emotional honesty. Imagine if your intrusive thoughts started a band and learned how to harmonise.
What’s your dream “I’ve made it” moment?
Probably hearing a crowd of strangers sing an entire song back to me at a festival like Glastonbury – the kind of thing you see on YouTube at 3am and think, “Yeah, that’s the dream.” Or having my song in a heartbreaking Netflix montage would also do the trick lol.
We love your new EP too late to tell you — what more can you tell us about it?
It’s my most personal work yet. The EP talks a lot about communication – the things we don’t say, the things we say too late, and the things we wish we’d said. haunted, which became BBC Introducing’s Track of the Week, really set the tone for the whole project. It’s also my first release on vinyl, which still feels surreal. I’ve poured everything into these songs, so hearing people connect with them already has meant the world.
What else do you have planned for the near future?
A big one: an 15-date record store & indie venue tour to celebrate the EP. I’m also working on my first long-form mixtape, which is much heavier than the stuff people know me for. It’s a new chapter completely – and I’m buzzing for people to hear just how experimental it gets.
And finally, who is your biggest fan right now?
I’m really lucky to have so many people who’ve been following the music for a while now and there’s so many people I could call out here. There’s a little group who turn up to pretty much every gig they can Lily, Erin, Harry and… another Lily. I even ended up playing a house gig at their parents’ place, Leanne and Dave’s, and their young lad Ollie is also a massive fan. I love that whole family; they’re genuinely lovely and we’ve had some really funny nights together. They actually discovered me literally in their house – I supported Reverend and the Makers there back in 2023, I think? and they’ve been with me ever since. It means the world.
