Aritist Interview: Naomi Dawes
Naomi Dawes, is a rising star in the Avant-Garde Hip Hop scene. Naomi is not only a captivating vocalist but also a masterful producer, completely self-contained in her artistic endeavors. Join us as she shares insights into her unique creative process, her influences, and what it truly means to forge your own path in the ever-evolving world of music.
Tori: How did you first discover your voice as both a vocalist and a producer within the Avant-Garde Hip Hop space?
Naomi: It definitely took a while for me to find my voice; a lot of experimenting, vocally and production-wise. I think just writing songs and making beats, learning more about how to mix, really helped me understand who I am as an artist and what kind of music I want to make.
Tori: Your music is strikingly unique—how do you approach blending experimental sounds with strong lyrical storytelling?
Naomi: I always say that I’m a bit of a magpie when it comes to making beats. I take sounds from different genres and blend them together to create something that feels like me. I’ve never really known what genre I wanted to sit in because I love them all. So I just decided to always go with my gut and do what sounds right, never putting any restrictions on myself whilst I’m creating.
Tori: What does being a self-contained artist mean to you, and how does it shape your creative process?
Naomi: It gives me the freedom to create anything I want to. I don’t put boundaries on myself and always try to keep things experimental. Staying true to myself and my sound is so important to me, so being an independent artist gives me the space to do that.
Tori: Do you start with the lyrics, the production, or the melody when building a new track?
Naomi: I mostly start with production, making a beat and writing to it. I write lyrics or ideas every day, so sometimes, when I’m looking for lyrics to sit on a beat, I’ll read through them and see what sparks something in me.
Tori: What themes or emotions do you find yourself returning to most often in your music?
Naomi: I think I’m always pulled towards heartbreak and lust. The drama of both is really fun to write about, tapping into the pain of heartbreak and allowing me to exorcise the emotions that might still be stored inside me. Writing about lust is always fun, making the lyrics a bit tongue-in-cheek and weaving through subtle innuendos. It allows me to flex my muscles and not be lazy or generic when writing.
Tori: How do your live performances differ from your studio recordings, and what do you hope audiences take away from each?
Naomi: I think in a studio setup I’m more centered and controlled; I’m really focused on what I’m creating. It’s the place where the melodies and lyrics are born, so I’m working out how I want the sound to be. Performing live gives me the freedom to play around with my vocals, change the melodies slightly. It allows me to add a visual element to the music too, expressing the lyrics through my movement and facial expressions. I really get to let loose and let myself be swept up by the performance.
Tori: Who are some artists or genres that have influenced your sound, even unexpectedly?
Naomi: I’d say that I'm influenced more by sounds than artists, but I’m inspired by artists all the time, almost daily, so each phase of my music was inspired by different artists or sounds. For production, Kanye and Timbaland are my biggest influences. I grew up obsessing over Roy Orbison, Lady Gaga, Annie Lennox, Florence and The Machine, The 1975—the list goes on. But right now I’m loving KWN, Pulp, Wunderhorse, and Berlioz.
Tori: Can you walk us through your favorite piece of gear or software in your studio setup?
Naomi: I won’t lie, it’s currently very basic. I’m a DIY artist on a very low budget. I have a MacBook Pro and use GarageBand to produce my beats and songs on. The microphone I use is an SE X1; all the vocals you hear on any of my songs were recorded through that microphone! Sometimes I’ll even just use the microphone on my laptop to record vocals. I have a basic M-Audio interface too. Simple and easy, nothing fancy—just how I like it.
Tori: As someone who oversees every aspect of your music, how do you stay inspired and avoid creative burnout?
Naomi: I allow myself time to rest. It really is a lot of work having to oversee everything about my music, from making it to promoting it. So I make sure to have decompression time, where my ideas can boil away in the back of my head while I live life. I work very hard, especially when I have a goal I’ve set or a deadline to meet, but I always set time aside afterwards to relax, even if it’s just for a day. As creatives, we need to actually live life to have something of substance to write about; it’s all about balance.
Tori: What role does vulnerability play in your music and performances?
Naomi: I think vulnerability is everything I am as an artist. I’m always honest about my feelings; in my lyrics, I let go of any expectations or social norms and just write from the heart. On stage, I make eye contact with the audience; I don’t shy away from really conveying the meaning of my lyrics directly to them. On stage is a space where I’m most vulnerable. I can hide in a vocal booth in my bedroom or behind a band. It's just me up there, so I treat the stage like an altar where I’m opening myself up as a sacrifice to the music. How dramatic!
Tori: Are there any specific cultural, visual, or literary inspirations behind your artistic aesthetic?
Naomi: I just like to be myself as much as I can; I don’t really have a persona. Me on stage is the same as me off stage. I do love dressing up for the stage though; it’s like putting on warpaint and getting into the spirit of the performance.
Tori: How do you see the Avant-Garde Hip Hop genre evolving, and where do you see yourself within that movement?
Naomi: I think that Hip Hop has had a massive impact on music. Sampling is just weaving its way into all kinds of music. I don’t really have any predictions for that space. I hope that creatives keep expressing themselves and experimenting with sounds. That's what I plan on doing. I’d like my skills to get more refined and learn more about producing. The main thing is having fun and expressing yourself, so that’s what I hope this genre continues to do.
Tori: What's been the most surprising or fulfilling part of performing your music live?
Naomi: The connection I have with people. At first I didn’t really realize it, and just wanted to run and hide after performing. But now, when I chat to people after the show, everyone is so excited by it and wants to break my set down with me, that it excites me. It’s really beautiful to see people get invested in the music and decide that they want to come along on my musical journey with me!
Tori: How do you measure growth as an artist when you're in full control of your creative output?
Naomi: For me, it’s all about the goals I set. I look back at myself a year ago and am so proud of the growth I’ve had and the goals I’ve hit. I see it as climbing a ladder; the next few rungs are a set of goals that will get me closer towards my end goal. When I hit them and climb up a few places, I look back and see all the amazing things I’ve done. It’s important to process and realize what you’ve achieved, as creatives we can run after the next thing then the next, just to get the dopamine hit. But we have to sit in the moments after and look at how far we’ve come.
Tori: What can fans expect from your upcoming projects, both sonically and visually?
Naomi: My next project is vampire-themed, so expect to enjoy some moody gothic visuals. Sonically, this project is a little darker and more eerie but still very upbeat. My sound is always taking slight twists and turns, and I plan for the music after this project to change once again. I’d just say strap in and enjoy the ride.
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