A new artist has never had a launchpad opportunity quite like Naomi Wild’s. As a junior in high school, she snuck into Coachella and witnessed an ODESZA DJ set for the first time. An overwhelming feeling came over her and she had a vision of herself performing on stage with Odesza. Only two years later, disillusioned by college life, Naomi Wild tried her hand at songwriting starting with voice note recordings on her phone. Feeling inspired, her demo for “Higher Ground” was sent to Odesza and the next day, she got the news that they not only loved what she wrote but wanted the song and for her to be featured on it. "Higher Ground'' became the standout track from 2017's Grammy-nominated “A Moment Apart,” receiving 70mm+ streams, and was impacting the radio. After years in the studio, Naomi Wild will be rolling out her long-awaited debut album, with the first single "OBSESSION" dropping on April 6th.
WHAT OR WHO INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO MUSIC?
My parents were artists, but the pivotal moment for me was my friend group at the time. I was in high school and met someone who would become one of my best friends, Ian. He really showed me how music brings people together, not even in a cliche way. We bonded so deeply through it. We snuck into shows together and became absolutely obsessed with digging for new artists and producers. I fell in love with it and inevitably ended up songwriting by accident because of it. I decided to be an artist and Ian was right there cheering me on. He passed recently, and up until then, we would be in his room, the same one we grew up in, making music together. He’s the reason I haven't quit.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE OF MUSIC AND PERFORMANCE? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR PHILOSOPHY AND STYLE AS AN ARTIST?
I feel like I’ve said this before but I really just push myself to be fearless in the studio and on stage. The biggest part of that for me is letting go. When you let go in your craft, everything comes. It’s gotta be fun, I’ve got to be growing, otherwise, what am I doing?
WHAT DRIVES YOU TO CREATE, AND HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS FOR YOURSELF IN MUSIC?
Making music helps me understand things about myself and others. Sometimes I really feel like my ideas that come are entirely subconscious and it’s really profound to realize what I was thinking maybe a month after making something. Success for me in this industry is impressing myself, seeing my friends get excited, and having breakthroughs in the writing process.
THROUGHOUT YOUR CAREER, WHO HAS HELPED YOU THE MOST WITH DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT?
One of my best friends, Tempest. We met at our mutual friend's house and we were both on shrooms. Neither of us had any idea we both made music and then somehow, boom. Joint at the hip for real. That’s my musical soulmate and she has pushed me so much. I feel like she’s half of my brain sometimes like it’s crazy how in sync we are. I can't explain it. That’s my dog forever.
SOMETIMES BEING IN THIS BUSINESS CAN BE OVERWHELMING. DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS FOR MAINTAINING PERSPECTIVE AND NOT SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF?
You will never be able to control what people do and do not like so make shit that makes you feel good, that YOU believe in. The second half of this is how you define success.
HOW DO YOU THINK THE MUSIC INDUSTRY CAN DEVELOP INTO A MORE EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT FOR WOMEN MUSIC CREATORS?
Talk about female artists, songwriters, producers, engineers. Some of the coldest women in this industry are behind the scenes and should be celebrated and highlighted just as much as the artist they’re behind, male or female.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNG WOMEN MUSICIANS JUST STARTING THEIR CAREERS, BASED ON WHAT YOU’VE EXPERIENCED?
Talk your shit, own your space in these rooms, especially when you’re the only woman. Your ideas are just as important as anyone else’s.
WOMEN ARE BECOMING MORE EMPOWERED, NOT ONLY IN KNOWING THEIR VALUE BUT ALSO IN SETTING BOUNDARIES, GOING AFTER WHAT THEY WANT AND DESERVE, AND LIFTING UP OTHER WOMEN IN THE PROCESS. WHAT MOTTO, AFFIRMATION, OR QUOTE EMPOWERS YOU?
For me, a huge part of any fear of failure or doubt comes in the obvious form of overthinking about “pressure.” These days I just replace any of those thoughts of “what if I can’t” with “what if I can?” I think especially today where sometimes the bar can feel like it’s set so high, reminding myself that I’m fully capable of doing this shit is key.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE COMING UP IN 2022?
I’m dropping a single on April 6th and a few more after that. Then finally my first album, "ATTACHED TO NOTHING CONNECTED TO EVERYTHING."
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