Acclaimed Ethiopian-Norwegian artist Olana Janfa today announces Chicken On Bike his new EP out April 11, accompanied by a special Record Store Day exclusive vinyl release on April 12. With the news, he also shares the lead single and title track ‘Chicken On Bike’. LISTEN HERE + WATCH HERE.

As an established Naarm/Melbourne-based multidisciplinary creator, Olana has cultivated an instantly recognisable presence locally and internationally for his unique style of self-expression and playful perspective on everything from politics to privilege and pop culture. Since his 2024 songwriting debut ‘Skillful Man’ — the Swick (M.I.A, Diplo, Tkay Maidza) produced tribute to the world’s unsung workers — Olana’s intuitive dexterity as a self-taught creative has been on full display, met with global support from The Line of Best Fit, BBC Radio 6, fbi.radio, 3RRR and PBS FM, among others.

Building on Olana’s signature bold energy, ‘Chicken On Bike’ is another playful cut that captures his nuanced worldview, effortlessly upending cultural assumptions with his signature naive charm. Joining forces with Harvey Sutherland (Disclosure, Khruangbin), the track ties Olana’s reggae-influenced sound with spoken-word verses to offer a joyful ode to chicken that transcends cultural boundaries. Using chicken as a unifying force across continents, Olana’s lyrics bounce between culinary references “Doro wot, KFC… Poulet, s’il vous plaît” and absurdist imagery all while maintaining an infectious rhythmic quality. The result is a disarming and danceable excursion into the mind of a fearlessly original artist.

WATCH: ‘Chicken On Bike’ (Visualiser)

An eccentric continuation of his musical journey, ‘Chicken On Bike’ sees Olana find a new gear via 90’s dancehall and dub, with an energy and defiance more pronounced than ever. Says Olana of the project, “Heading into the studio to lay down these new songs, Harvey gave me the space to experiment and push my creativity in new ways. He pulled from some old ‘90s dancehall influences to create a sound that feels fresh, fun and a little bit wonky, which really fits with the way I like to tell stories. I’ve always loved collecting records and sharing my art with people so seeing this special release come out on vinyl is a dream — everything feels so much more alive.”

With expressive vocals that weave humour and depth into richly layered rhythms, Olana delivers a truly immersive sonic and visual experience. The special Record Store Day 2025 vinyl edition will feature exclusive cover artwork and hand-curated inner notes from the artist, making every copy a unique collector’s piece.

Though best known as a painter, Olana says he has always drawn inspiration from music, with reggae, hip-hop, and afrobeat lyrics often sparking new visual ideas. As a multidisciplinary artist, Olana has built a striking presence both locally and internationally, with work spanning murals, book illustration, fashion collaborations, and creative partnerships with brands including Nike, Nicholas Daley, NGV, and SBS. His work has garnered recognition from outlets including Vogue UK, Vogue Living, It’s Nice That, Hypebeast, ABC TV, SBS Radio, Broadsheet, The Design Files, The Sydney Morning Herald, Australian Design Review and Fashion Journal among others. Now, this creative dialogue comes full circle as Olana translates his distinctive storytelling and incisive cultural observations into anthemic dancefloor grooves, offering audiences a refreshingly authentic perspective on contemporary life.