Originating in 2015, OLAN is an indie electronic project created by songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Luzana Flores. After years of experimentation spanning genres from R&B to alternative rock, OLAN found solace in returning to her early influences, such as Bonobo, Little Dragon, Maribou State, and SBTRKT, propelling herself into a more introspective domain as a songwriter and producer.

With many months spent in solitude, ‘Contra’ emerged as OLAN’s debut album, a natural form of escape and expression, aiding her in finding peace amidst the uncertainties brought on by the pandemic. She reflects, “‘Contra’ is an album I wrote to find peace with my life lacking a definitive purpose at the time. I often attempt to attach meaning to everything I encounter, forcing myself to relive memories and unpack them to potentially alter my reality if I had been a better person.”

Musically, ‘Contra’ embodies a diverse range of electronic styles, from melodic house, breakbeat, and downtempo to drum & bass, ambient, and hip-hop. Influenced by Maribou State, Little Dragon, T.E.E.D, Bonobo, and the cult video game ‘Outer Wilds’, the sound of ‘Contra’ is fluid and captivatingly elusive. OLAN’s penchant for textural soundscapes is evident in atmospheric tracks like ‘Push’ and ‘Submerge’, as well as the buoyant Balearic vibes of ‘Material’. Conversely, the jungle rhythms and acid basslines on ‘Promise To Keep’ and ‘Reckoning’ showcase her ability to craft raw, energetic dance-inducing compositions effortlessly.

A gifted and classically trained musician who honed her craft through orchestra classes and worship bands, OLAN prominently incorporated her own live instrumentation and vocals while recording the album. Suitably, Flores took ‘Contra’ on tour this year, gracing stages at Beyond Wonderland, Ultra, The Gorge Weekender, and supporting Ben Böhmer on his North American tour.

As of 2023, OLAN has performed at numerous iconic venues, including Red Rocks, Printworks, and Avant Gardner, and has released follow-up tracks on Odesza’s imprint Foreign Family, including the collaborative ‘Control’ EP with Philadelphia-based producer QRTR. This collaboration led to a season-long support spot for Odesza’s ‘The Last Goodbye Tour’, alongside Bonobo, Tokimonsta, and Bob Moses. Additionally, OLAN showcased her remixing talents with a remix of Slow Magic and Laxcity’s song “Connection”, further expanding her creative footprint in the electronic music scene.