INTERVIEW: IN CHAT WITH SINGER NAOMI BANKS

BY EDITOR
U.K. based singer, Naomi Banks is challenging the narrative of jazz, with her genre defying ‘neo soul’, which blends the framework of electronica with a soulful counterpart. She has worked with the likes of artists such as Lianne La Havas, Laura Mvula, Keane, and ELO, to name a few. And in summer of 2018, she released her first single “Run” with Max Grey, and followed that with a five track EP, “Deja Vu”. 

​Each song comes from being inspired by someone close to her, as Deja Vu strives to embody the rich and timeless message of making music from the soul. Banks went on a non-traditional production path to create these tunes; writing the majority of the tracks on a houseboat, rather than in a traditional studio setting.

She embarked on a short run, three-series show across London over the last few month, crossing paths with her new fans; people that admire the wholehearted nature of the neo soul make-up. Deja Vu captures the essence of her beautiful vocal style and we are impatient to hear what she will put out next. 

Let’s start with your roots; where did your spark in creating music originate from? And how do you think your sound has evolved into what it is today?
My mum was an opera singer who also played the piano. Her and my grandma used to teach from home and I loved sitting in on their lessons. It has been a very long journey, but the main influence has been my love for Jazz. I studied it for many years and it has definitely helped shape my sound. I also love electronic music and pop, so my music is an amalgamation of my favorite genres.

My mum was an opera singer who also played the piano. Her and my grandma used to teach from home and I loved sitting in on their lessons. 
-NAOMI BANKS

Who/what are your sound influences and where do they derive from? Are there any particular musicians you admire that contribute to such sound influences? 
​I wouldn’t be able to pin point a specific artist who has influence me but generally jazz and electro swing have both had the biggest impact on my musical path. I absolutely love Clean Bandit and Caravan Palace.

Tell me about what it’s like for you, while performing for an audience in general.
I love performing for people so much, I always have! I am very lucky, I don’t tend to get nervous, I just adore every minute of it.

You’ve now embarked on your first short run intimate concert experience; how does it feel for you to interact with your attending fans? 
It has been really amazing meeting so many people who are listening to my music. I am always very touched by people going out of their way to hear me live. 

What is your particular creative process like, when creating a new song? 
I have many different ways I like to write but my general method is to improvise at the piano, sing over the top and fingers crossed it’s not shit. 

What emotions/feelings do you think your songs bring the most for listeners?
I think they vary a lot. Some of them I hope make people realize they aren’t alone in the way they think or feel about life. Some of them I aim to just be feel-good music for the listeners.

Let’s talk about your song, “Anything”, a single you released in the last quarter of 2018, shortly before the “Deja Vu” EP. Tell me about how this track came into fruition.
I just sat down at the piano and this song came out almost exactly as I released it in one improved sing. I just recorded that and then made some minor changes.

“Hourglass” is one of my personal favorite tracks of yours. Tell me about it.
This track was written at a very sad time for me. My favourite person in the world got into a relationship with someone who didn’t want him to have anything to do with me so we didn’t speak for 2 years. I wrote this song when reflecting on our relationship and how much better I could have treated him.

I wrote this song when reflecting on our relationship and how much better I could have treated him.
-NAOMI BANKS

Tell me about what it was like collaborating with your close friend and producer, Dieter Gickel?
It has been a dream working with him. He really understands how I want things to sound and then makes it ten times better! 

Have you already started working on your next big project? And if so, is there any snippet of information you could tell us?
I have finished a handful of tracks that I will be releasing in the coming months. I’m very proud of the music to come and can’t wait to share it with the world.

If you were as curious as I was, Banks has a friend in Hungary who does all of her framable album art work. We also found out, her current favorite song to perform on her catalog is, "Daydream":

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AND VISIT HER SITE, HERE.