Artist Of The Week #231 - néomí
This week’s Artist of the Week is folk-pop singer-songwriter néomí - who has just released her captivating second EP ‘After’.
Moving on from the release of her highly-impactful debut EP ‘before’ in 2022, ‘after’ sees her continue to develop that warm and effervescent direction she has been building since she first emerged. Keeping production light and the songwriting powerfully moving throughout, she delivers another rousing display of her heartfelt guise once again.
She took a moment to talk to us about the EP came together.
Hey there néomí - how are you? So your EP is out now - how does it feel to have it out there in the world?
Hi guys, thanks for asking. I am doing pretty well actually. It feels lovely to have the EP out. Partly because I can't wait for people to hear it of course. And partly because I am so excited for what the future holds, because I am already working on a lot of other stuff. But this EP needs to be heard first because it is an important piece of the néomí puzzle.
It is called ‘after’ - what is the meaning behind that?
So, you might have noticed but my first EP is called ‘before’. In between me writing that and the next EP a lot has happened. Personal stuff, a lot of personal growth. Because of these events something shifted within me. So ‘after’ is basically after this moment in time happened, these were my answers to these life events that changed a lot of things for me.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories from the creative process you are happy to share with us?
I recorded both my EPs at my friend’s place. My friend Will Knox and I write a lot together. You can almost see him as my creative mentor. It was winter and I felt quite heavy and depressed. But us 2 in that environment were my salvation to almost anything. A good behind the scenes story might be the first day I walked away to the train station from Will's place. It was quite chilly and it snowed. As I walked in the snow I listened back to a demo of ‘i could never leave’ and somehow felt lighter because the heaviness of that story fell of my shoulders. Back in the train I wrote the beginning of ‘lies made out of love’ because I was inspired about the feeling that gave me.
What are the key themes and influences on the EP?
Key themes are heartbreak and the deeper understanding of life. Influences very much myself and Will actually. Of course my heroes like Bob Dylan, Bon Iver and Phoebe Bridgers will always be with me haha.
If the EP could be the soundtrack to any film - which one would it be and why?
I think: The Perks Of Being a Wallflower. Because I think this might be a perfect EP to feel like a misfit but be fine with that for a bit.
Do you have a favorite lyric on the EP - if so, which one and why?
"Now the wind keeps howling out your name. And resonates in my heart everyday". That one hits me every time when I sing it onstage again and again, and I don't know why per se. It hurts but in a good way.
Now the EP is out there - what next?
Next up, more songs, more shows, more recordings, more....album?? What can I say…I have a lot of stories that have to be told. An endless process I suppose, and hope for :)
