Bristol-based artist Naomi Rush has recently embarked on a solo career, with Anima being one of her first ever releases! Despite her youth, it’s a perfectly crafted track, showing the true strength of Naomi’s songwriting and singing skills. Find out more about Naomi below!
By Jane Howkins
You recently released a new track called Anima. What can you tell us about the song?
I started working on this track with producer Matt the Vessel at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. I was doing a music therapy masters’ at the time so I was interested in a lot of inner child work in therapy, and practices such as ego death and enlightenment. We were having a lot of conversations around this stuff and it ended up inspiring the creation of Anima. The lyrics signify 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.
How has the reception to the track been so far, and where can it be purchased?
The feedback has been phenomenal. I’m completely unknown at this point, so having such a positive response to my first solo release feels great. Anima is available on all major platforms (Spotify, Apple, YouTube, etc.) so whatever platform you use, you’ll find it!
Do you have any more singles planned for the near future?
Absolutely, working on more as we speak!
Are there any plans to release a full length album or EP anytime soon?
Not in the near future, I want to give each song its own chance to get my undivided attention, if that makes any sense, haha! But never say never…
Your music has an alt-rock sound. What/who are you most influenced by? What have you been listening to recently?
I’ve always been drawn to distorted guitars in music, and I LOVE a good funky progressive/djent riff. I’d have grunge, metal, emo, pop-punk bands & artists on rotation throughout my teen and adult years, but I’d also really enjoy music from other genres like pop, rap, hip-hop, dubstep, etc. Lately I’ve been enjoying music that blends multiple genres and have naturally gravitated to creating that kind of sound myself. At the moment I listen to Polyphia, Berried Alive, Poppy and Leprous on repeat the most!
Do you have anything else exciting coming up over the next few months?
I’ll be wrapping up filming a music video for Anima in the next few weeks, the concept is REALLY exciting and I can’t wait for everyone to see it!
Do you have any tour dates lined up for the UK?
Not at the moment, but I’m always thinking of ideas for future shows, so it’s absolutely on the cards in the future.
Any last words for the fans?
Thank you for giving my inner world your valuable time, I hope it touched your heart in some way!