your musical chocolate pairing:

OLLELLA

X

SEA SALT

The Song We Picked

Lava

  • MEET OLLELLA

    Ellie Barber a.k.a. Ollella’s career as a musician started early, when she sang before she could talk. Trained as a classical cellist since the age of nine, the Seattle indie-folk musician merges her technical string background with authoritative vocals and live-looping. Described as “really outstanding” by NPR Music’s Bob Boilen and “so tastefully done” by Michelle Zauner (Japanese Breakfast), Ollella’s sound is organic with a side of edge, pulling on influences such as Feist, Jesca Hoop, and Sylvan Esso. She is a two-time finalist in the NPR Tiny Desk Contest (2024, 2022), has had music featured in film and TV, and is a frequent collaborator with others. She finds herself drawn to music because it unlocks a particular side of humanity – one that fits the type of world she believes in.

  • WHY WE LOVE THEM

    I mean, there’s the obvious reasoning for this pairing: our Sea Salt bar has a cello for its album cover, and Ollella’s primary instrument is the cello. But it’s deeper than that. Whenever we listen to Ollella’s music, we feel like I’m sitting on the beach, looking out at the ocean. Her music is sweet, calming, and comforting. That feeling is what we hope you also get from indulging in our Sea Salt bar.

The Music:

We know, we know—you want to dive into the chocolate first. But we suggest starting with the music.

  • First, scroll back up and click the Spotify link we provided. The song is also available on Apple Music.

  • Treat yourself! Put on some headphones. Don’t listen to the song through your phone’s speakers. Artists put so much work into the mix—the sound of the cello, the placement of the drums, how the vocals dance with the harmonies. With headphones, you’ll be able to hear all those beautiful subtleties. And trust us—Ollella has packed her music with endless details that elevate every note.

  • Her voice is amazing, isn’t it?! Okay, now for your chocolate…

The Chocolate:

  • Just like you took your time with the music, take your time with the chocolate.

  • Start by breaking off a small piece from the corner and chewing it. This is just to familiarize your palate with the flavor. It’s okay to swallow this part quickly—think of it like tuning your instrument.

  • Now take another small bite, but this time, let it melt. Slow down. Let the chocolate move around your palate.

  • Adding salt to chocolate is like buying the remastered edition of your favorite album. You think you know every part of that record—but suddenly, the remaster reveals notes you never noticed before. Salt does the same thing for chocolate. It enhances flavors that might’ve been buried in the mix. It brings out the sweetness!

  • That’s why we’ve added flaky sea salt to our Colombian chocolate. It unlocks a whole new level of flavor you didn’t even know was there.

  • All of these reasons are why we think it pairs perfectly with Ollella’s music—especially the song Lava.

  • The true mark of a great song is when it feels familiar, but you can’t quite put your finger on why. Lava feels like it’s been your favorite song for years. It’s catchy, sweet, calming—and most of all, comforting. Just like our chocolate.

  • Now go explore more of Ollella’s music, and keep indulging in the rest of your chocolate bar.

How to pair

More Ways To Support Ollella:

We know you’ll fall in love with Ollella once you hear her music. Check out the links below to their website, social media, and more —give them a follow and show your support!

Artists deserve more than ‘exposure.’ While it’s true that social media is a great way to help local musicians gain recognition, consider buying their merchandise, too. Direct support like this goes a long way in helping artists continue creating music! Plus, she just released her new album on vinyl!!

Share your experience! Spread the word about this amazing artist and our amazing chocolate! Share your experience by tagging us on Instagram at @cocoalegato and the artist at @ollella.