Naomi Rush, an upcoming singer-songwriter from the UK, has released her exceptional debut single "Anima", which showcases her talent both musically and lyrically. We had the opportunity to find out more about this amazing work and Naomi's plans through an all-inclusive interview that you can read below.
Anima is your debut single. What was the inspiration behind it?
Anima is essentially a conversation between an emotionally fatigued adult and their child self who had been neglected by the adult version for years by people-pleasing, self-destructive behaviours and generally being worn down by the world. We wanted the sound to encapsulate the darkness and heaviness of human emotions through the heavy guitars and drums, but also the lightness and magic of the human experience highlighted in the softer guitars, synth sounds and lo-fi beats.
Apart from being a talented singer-songwriter, you are also a music therapist. How does this aspect influence your songwriting process?
The human experience and therapeutic processes found in therapy naturally influence my songwriting process, I think it did even before my music therapy training! For example, I started writing Anima after I’d been practising inner child work with my own therapist and I think it’s a really powerful tool both in therapy and songwriting.
What message do you hope your listeners will take from your music?
Listen to your inner child! Don’t ever stop being playful, do the things you enjoy, and always look after yourself.
What motivated you to pursue a solo career?
For a long time I didn't have the guts to go solo, I really loved being in a band and when it ended I felt completely lost. The competitive nature of the industry was quite draining, but I really missed making music with friends. It wasn't until I joined Choir Noir and started my masters' degree in music therapy that my relationship with music completely changed. As a member of Choir Noir I was able to sing on some amazing projects, working with Gunship and Bring Me The Horizon. I found the courage to release music under my name because these experiences lifted me up and helped me realise my worth.
How challenging is it for an artist to stand out, particularly in the UK? What current struggles are you facing as a solo artist?
It's really great that we have new ways of getting our music out there now, which also means there are more people releasing music than ever. I think that probably makes it easier to reach fans and collaborate with other artists & producers online, but maybe harder to get people to your live shows, since there’s a cost of living crisis in the UK.
Anima was produced by Matt the Vessel. How did this collaboration come about?
Matt and I have known each other for years, we went to college together. During the global pandemic we started collaborating on ideas remotely for this song, as we both had access to recording equipment from home. Then, once we’d settled on our sound, Anima was born!
What can fans expect from Naomi Rush in 2024?
More emotionally-charged, magical music!
Follow Naomi:
Facebook: http://facebook.com/itsnaomirush
Instagram: https://Instagram.com/itsnaomirush
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/itsnaomirush
Interview by Stella Goulinoudi