Daily Inspiration: Meet Molly Oran

Today we’d like to introduce you to Molly Oran.

Hi Molly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I always knew I wanted to be a writer, but I didn’t know I’d be a songwriter. I was in film school when lockdown hit, and singing has been my favorite thing to do my whole life, so music really became the way for me to get through that time. I found myself songwriting much more than I was screenwriting. I applied to be Artist of the Year at my school’s student-run record label, and I was selected to record an EP with the music production class. I got to step into a studio for the first time, and have a group of people help me see my creative visions through. Up until that time I had only ever demoed songs with my dad on Logic. I learned a lot through that experience, have taken many songwriting and production classes since, and I decided to record my own album myself last year. I work in film, but my heart and soul are forever entwined with music, and I feel so lucky to have it as a constant in my life.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have struggled with anxiety for most of my life, but it was pretty debilitating for me for a few years, which bled into the time I was pursuing music in college. I was finding my voice and my comfortability as a director/producer, which you need to fulfill a distinct creative vision, so there were definitely times I may have compromised or deferred to other people’s interpretations of my songs because I lacked the language or confidence to assert my own, but having put myself out there so much since then, and continuing to be a student of the craft, has really allowed me to find my voice in music.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I work at a film lab, but when I’m not working I’m a singer-songwriter. I recorded my debut album last year called Sink or Swim, self-producing 10 of the 12 songs. I also produced a music video for my song Lady Bug with my very talented friend Sophia Wolfe (who I met in film school – I highly recommend looking up her work). I am really proud of those two projects. Because I accessed songwriting at a time when I needed it most, I have always embraced it with all of me, and don’t shy away from any ugly, complicated or messy parts of myself or the characters I sing about. That’s what I look for in the songs I listen to as well. Cello is also a constant character in my music because my boyfriend David Landau is an incredible cellist and songwriting partner. We also have a duo called Sycamore & Ash that I’m really proud of. I’d never co-written music before working with him, but have found writing together not only easy, but so inspiring. Another collaboration that has been very inspiring lately is recording my next record with Grace Freeman. Her artist name is Gal Musette, and she’s not only a talented singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, but a really talented producer. I can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve been working on.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
In March 2025, I decided to take Phil Weinrobe’s School of Song Home Recording class with the intention of self-producing a record that I would release in August for my 25th birthday…This was absolutely a risk, because I had never recorded a whole album ever, and my partner David had just lost his home in the Altadena fire, so it was a really difficult time. I just knew I needed to do it, especially as a woman in music, because honestly I didn’t have the money to pay anyone to do it for me and we need more female producers. I had produced my songs before on Logic, but didn’t consider myself a producer. I’m so glad I took this risk on myself, because producing came so instinctively to me. I would drive to work hearing trumpet, strings, mandolin – all kinds of instruments I’d never considered would be in the world of my music. It revealed a talent I didn’t know I had. There will always be mistakes or things I could’ve done differently with these songs, but the risk of releasing them into the universe as they were was worth it because they feel like mine, and without compromise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/mollyoran
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mollyoranmusic
• Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@Mollyoranmusic
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/YIo9P5ywZtoiDnpDWZ

Image Credits
Photo 1 – Biata Shem-Tov