Digging The Beat: Liv Angell’s Journey to Volleyball and Music
6/17/2025 9:45:00 AM | Volleyball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Growing up in a musical family, Olivia Angell has been around music all her life. The Brentwood, Tenn., native was exposed to music through her parents, who met working with the Nashville Symphony and have recorded for artists such as Ariana Grande and Taylor Swift.
"I've been exposed to a bunch of different types of music," said Angell. "My parents were trained classically and now they're in the recording scene and are string players. Listening to all types of music has inspired me to branch out in what I write as well."
While she has been around music from an early age, Angell didn't pick up a volleyball until she was 12. Quickly falling in love, she knew it was something she had to pursue. While playing volleyball, music was set to the side. That was, until the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During the pandemic, we all had more time to ourselves. My parents had done a writing project previously, so we had a very minimal studio in our house. One day, I decided to try it out and see what happens. I caught onto it quickly and started writing pieces.
Not only has she been able to make compositions, but Liv has written songs as well.
"I've been able to just sit down and create songs so fast – the song I'm about to release was done in six hours. I just sat down, and it just flowed."
That song, 'NEW GIRL,' is set to be released June 27 on Spotify and Apple Music.
Since transferring to the College of Charleston, Angell has newfound inspiration that she hadn't experienced before.
"Living in Charleston has been amazing. It's an environment that's rich in culture, arts and music. It's a city where I can walk out the door and be instantly inspired. I can go to smaller venue concerts, which is where I'm most inspired musically."
A member of the 2024 CAA Volleyball Championship team, Angell thrives on the court, in the classroom and in the studio.
"Being a student-athlete, you have to find time to balance everything, especially finding the time to sit down and write music. This summer has also been a blessing with having more availability to create music. The past six months have been a huge transition for me in the music side of my life. I've started collaborating with other people and I'm working on a project with someone in Nashville who writes for syncs, which is for commercials, film and television. That's what I'm getting into now and what my project is for. I'm still able to release my own music on the side, which I'm extremely excited about. I'm planning to keep collaborating with people as an artist, writer and composer and am looking for collaborations in Charleston to continue my journey."
Angell will spend the summer interning in Nashville, working as a royalty intern.
"I'll be dealing with songwriter royalties and song splits. It involves more data collection and organization, which I'll be able to learn a lot about. They're great people and have a great reputation in the music industry so it's exciting to be able to work with them and have a hands-on experience and become more well-rounded in my knowledge."
While she continues to battle on the volleyball court, she feels like music will always be part of her life.
"My dream job is somewhere between a music producer and a songwriter. I want to write and be able to have placements in things such as commercials, TV or film. I think it would be cool to see my stuff paired with a visual."
As she prepares for the upcoming volleyball season, Angell will continue to write and release more music.
"I love the beauty of the city and being in the thick of it; I feel like I'm constantly inspired in Charleston."
For complete coverage of Charleston volleyball, follow us on Facebook (/cofcvolleyball), X (@CofCVolleyball) and Instagram (@cofcvolleyball).
"I've been exposed to a bunch of different types of music," said Angell. "My parents were trained classically and now they're in the recording scene and are string players. Listening to all types of music has inspired me to branch out in what I write as well."
While she has been around music from an early age, Angell didn't pick up a volleyball until she was 12. Quickly falling in love, she knew it was something she had to pursue. While playing volleyball, music was set to the side. That was, until the COVID-19 pandemic.
"During the pandemic, we all had more time to ourselves. My parents had done a writing project previously, so we had a very minimal studio in our house. One day, I decided to try it out and see what happens. I caught onto it quickly and started writing pieces.
Not only has she been able to make compositions, but Liv has written songs as well.
"I've been able to just sit down and create songs so fast – the song I'm about to release was done in six hours. I just sat down, and it just flowed."
That song, 'NEW GIRL,' is set to be released June 27 on Spotify and Apple Music.
Since transferring to the College of Charleston, Angell has newfound inspiration that she hadn't experienced before.
"Living in Charleston has been amazing. It's an environment that's rich in culture, arts and music. It's a city where I can walk out the door and be instantly inspired. I can go to smaller venue concerts, which is where I'm most inspired musically."
A member of the 2024 CAA Volleyball Championship team, Angell thrives on the court, in the classroom and in the studio.
"Being a student-athlete, you have to find time to balance everything, especially finding the time to sit down and write music. This summer has also been a blessing with having more availability to create music. The past six months have been a huge transition for me in the music side of my life. I've started collaborating with other people and I'm working on a project with someone in Nashville who writes for syncs, which is for commercials, film and television. That's what I'm getting into now and what my project is for. I'm still able to release my own music on the side, which I'm extremely excited about. I'm planning to keep collaborating with people as an artist, writer and composer and am looking for collaborations in Charleston to continue my journey."
Angell will spend the summer interning in Nashville, working as a royalty intern.
"I'll be dealing with songwriter royalties and song splits. It involves more data collection and organization, which I'll be able to learn a lot about. They're great people and have a great reputation in the music industry so it's exciting to be able to work with them and have a hands-on experience and become more well-rounded in my knowledge."
While she continues to battle on the volleyball court, she feels like music will always be part of her life.
"My dream job is somewhere between a music producer and a songwriter. I want to write and be able to have placements in things such as commercials, TV or film. I think it would be cool to see my stuff paired with a visual."
As she prepares for the upcoming volleyball season, Angell will continue to write and release more music.
"I love the beauty of the city and being in the thick of it; I feel like I'm constantly inspired in Charleston."
For complete coverage of Charleston volleyball, follow us on Facebook (/cofcvolleyball), X (@CofCVolleyball) and Instagram (@cofcvolleyball).
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