"Another Year Will Pass": An interview with néomí

It was a busy day for néomí when we met up with the Dutch singer at her hotel in Berlin. Her day began early with a visit to a radio station. After a quick lunch with her team, it was our turn to shine as néomí sat down with us for an interview, before heading to a second radio station, which would also be her last stop of the day for an acoustic set.

The past few months of her life were similarly busy: whether it was the release of her EP, Another Year Will Pass, receiving the Edison Award, being on tour, writing music, or managing her personal life. Néomí sat down with us to discuss everything.

HERE'S THE FULL INTERVIEW:

Andy: néomí, thank you so much for taking your time today to speak with us and for letting us get to know you better. How are you feeling? 

néomí: I'm alright. Yeah, I'm a bit tired, but I'm doing well. I'm enjoying all the stuff that I'm allowed to do at the moment. 

Andy: How would you describe yourself in three words for people who might not know you yet? 

néomí: Ooh, that's a hard one. I would say extra, I would also say calm. And I would say ambitious. 

Andy: I was wondering, you only go by néomí, so you dropped your last name. What was the reason and thought process behind that?

néomí: I'm not sure if Néomí Speelman is a really good artist name. It felt like I just wanted to be "néomí". I didn't want to make it complicated. So, yeah, people can call me by my first name. I'm not a posh girl. I'm not fancy at all. 

Andy: You're not fancy?

néomí: I'm not fancy. I'm a bit extra, but I'm not fancy. 

Andy: You arrived in Berlin yesterday. But you are from the Netherlands.

néomí: I'm from the Netherlands, yeah. I live in Rotterdam.

Andy: Have you been to Berlin before? 

néomí: Yeah, yeah. I was here before. I played some shows in Berlin and took a walk around. Enjoyed an Aperol Spritz. It's my favorite drink.

Andy: Maybe a bit cold for that now. 

néomí: Oh, yeah. Way too cold. I can't stand the cold. I really get aggressive of being cold. Well, the thing is, I love the winter, but only when I'm inside. 

Andy: The EP cover is really pretty. I would describe it as giant pink marshmallows.

néomí: *laughs* Yeah, a lot of people say that. It's so funny, isn't it? Yeah, it really looks like that. But no, it's just hay bales. We were just driving around in France, where a lot of the content that we made for this EP was shot, and we just saw these things, and I was like: "Oh, I'm climbing on top of it". Then that was it. 

Andy: At that moment were you thinking that you are shooting the cover or was it afterwards that you thought: "This is the EP-Cover".

néomí: Yeah, exactly that. We just took some pictures because we had a good time. I take a lot of photos with my best friend, Liz. She's an amazing photographer, and we always shoot on film. So the moment we never know what we are taking. But we just filmed and took pictures, and when we saw the results, that photo felt so special to me. It really felt like it really held the whole "Another Year Will Pass"-Vibes. Then it became the album cover. 

Andy: So, you already had the name. You knew you were going to call the EP "Another Year Will Pass"? Or was it also a spontaneous idea that came up? 

néomí: Well, I think "Another Year Will Pass", like the song itself, was a song that captured the whole theme of time and time passing that the whole EP has. It was the one that set the tone. That's why I called it 'Another Year Will Pass.' 

Andy: So, did you create that song first, and everything else was like you built it around that song? 

néomí: Not really. I just wrote songs. And I think when I write, I go into this vibe with myself, and I just write a lot of stuff, and it's all involved with the same themes and the feelings that I'm holding at that exact moment. So that all came across quite easily because I'm just writing. 

Andy: Do you have a personal favorite song on the EP? Or does it change?

néomí: It does change because last week we played the Concertgebouw in the Netherlands, which is like a concert hall with strings and stuff. And when I played the EP live with strings, I really loved "Another Year Will Pass".

That was one of my favorites when we were playing it. But at first it was "Do You Want To Be Honest?" Since my producer, Jesse, and I created that song together, it was a very chill experience. 

Andy: If you could place one song of the EP onto a movie soundtrack, which song would you pick and for what movie? 

néomí: Well, I love dramatic movies. I love "Call Me by Your Name," for example, which is incredibly dramatic. It's so beautiful. I would love to have a song in a film like that, but I'm not sure if I'm suited for that. Maybe "It's Never Easy (Leaving Someone Behind)" could be a nice soundtrack for Becoming of Age. 

Andy: When you look back at your early songwriting, like on your first album, "Somebody's Daughter", what do you think has changed the most about how you create music now compared to the first album? 

néomí: I don't think my writing changed per se, but I think I changed as a person, and I think my songs and my writing changed with me. So you experience different things in life. As you grow older, you gain a different perspective on everything you experience. And that's just how the music grows with me as well. When I make music, I don't think too much. I'm just being myself, and then it's really just me. So that's what changed. I'm just a bit older, more wrinkled.

Andy: Do you have a favorite lyric from your new EP? 

néomí: I think I like the outro of "Another Year Will Pass" the most. I like the last line: "Carry on, have your heart stay the same." I like that, but it's so hard to compliment your own work. 

Andy: So, a full year has passed since you started working on your EP, and as this year comes to an end, what were some of your personal highlights of the last 12 months? From starting to create the EP to it being out today. And maybe not only regarding the EP, but also something you learned about yourself or something beautiful you experienced?

Andy: And what about next year? Another Year Will Pass - again! Is there a goal you want to reach in the next 12 months? 

néomí: Well, we're starting the year with playing Eurosonic, which is really nice. And I hope we'll get some more showcase festivals and festivals in general.

The past year was more about focusing on writing and being creative. And now I just want to go out there and play more. That's a good goal. And I would try to have less stress. That's a good personal goal for me: not to stress too much, but to just enjoy the moment.

Andy: What's your favorite type of show to play? As you just played a show with strings. Was it different?

néomí: Every day is like a different vibe. Sometimes you're moody, and sometimes you're like super extra where I want strings. And sometimes you just want to be like ballsy and fuck around a bit and feel more like a rock star, I guess. Sometimes I wish I were in a rock band. But I'm not. I play very sad songs. And I've been on tour doing solo shows, which was very nice at the moment, but now I'm a bit done with playing solo. So for now, the most honest answer in the moment would be that I love to play with the band and I love to play with like some unicorns.

And by unicorns, I mean like either a saxophone player, because I loved playing with this person, Em, and they're just the best. So, yeah, band shows. And I love festivals, but I do miss the intimacy. I would prefer a concert hall. Royal Albert Hall would be a nice goal. 

Andy: Do you enjoy going to festivals as well? Or like, do you enjoy playing them more? 

néomí: I love festivals for what they do. And like the general vibe at a festival, I think, is something I fell for when I was 15. I remember the first time I went to a festival, and I was acutely aware that everybody there was there because they wanted to be together, love each other, and appreciate the music. And I just loved that. I just think nowadays people are going there for the night program, which is something I don't love that much. I mean, I love a party. However, I enjoy playing them more and escaping backstage when we need to, because it can get really busy. I went to Coachella this year for the first time, and I thought it was shit. Have you ever been? 

Andy: I've never been. I want to go one day, but I think the festival now is really performative. You know, there are a lot of influencers and all that.

néomí: It's only influencers. And as bands play and people exclaim, "I'm at Coachella, I'm at Coachella!" And I was just like: "Guys, there are bands playing." So I don't know. That's something I don't like. Line Up was amazing, but go there for the music.

Andy: Do you have any pre-show rituals? 

néomí: I do. I drink a whiskey and have a cigarette, and that's it. I'm not sure if you're allowed to call it a ritual. But that's the only thing on my rider that I care about. I just need a little bit of a drink, ice, and a cigarette, and then I'm good. I wish I could answer something differently. Doing yoga before the show would be great, but I don't.

Andy: Do you do yoga in your free time? 

néomí: I did. But not so much this year. I lost it a little bit. I have to go again. I do go to the gym, I lift a lot of weight. But I think that's why I should do yoga as well, because my muscles should stretch, you know? Stretching is important. Just eat your apples. 

Andy: Do you have other hobbies? 

Andy: How do you deal with creative blocks? 

néomí: I have not experienced that yet in my life. *knocks on wood* To me, there are songs in everything. The only thing I'm doing is telling stories. I'm not making something up. It's super easy to just tell people what I think about things. So, if I had writer's block, I'd probably just walk around town and enjoy people being themselves - and they are crazy because humankind is a bit weird - and then I'll write about it. 

Andy: That's awesome because sometimes I do feel like I have creative blocks, and then I don't know what to do

néomí: Walk around town. Just watch people be crazy. Sit somewhere, have an espresso, have a cigarette. And watch people do stuff. Or go to the club or go to the movies. That's the thing. There is so much fashion in the world, and I think we forget that. There is even the joy of watching nature being itself. The birds do their stuff. There are so many good books. There are many excellent movies to watch. There is art in all you see.

Andy: I went through your Instagram a little bit. And a few months ago, you had an Instagram Q&A, where somebody asked about your inspirations. And you said that you are very often inspired by life experiences. Is there a story behind one of your songs on the EP or on the album previously that you feel comfortable sharing with us? 

néomí: "Trigger" is a good example of a very honest story. I'm literally explaining in that song how it hurts that you love someone that you know you're going to say goodbye to. I was absolutely in love with that guy. It's actually funny because I am now dating the guy. I'm not saying names. But it was complicated back then. And he was an asshole. Normally, I tell people not to fall in love with guys. I'm not a fan. Girls are way better at being nice. Girls are good. But this time this stupid ass of a guy…I fell deeply in love with him. And he was shitty back then, but now he's nice. And I hope he continues being nice. 

Andy: Can we expect maybe a love song about that person on your next project? 

néomí: Well, actually, yeah. I even have a new song. I'm not sure if I'm allowed to share this, but there's a new song. It's the happiest I've ever written. Because it's about enjoying love, rather than not enjoying it. It's more of the "Oh, we're having sex, we're having fun". We are just being instead of being heartbroken. I'm always scared to say it out loud, but we're in a good place now.

Andy: *knocks on wood*

néomí: Thank you, may the odds be in our favor. 

Andy: As an artist, there are many things you do in your day-to-day life. You perform, you write, you travel, you do interviews. What is your favorite thing about your job? 

néomí: Definitely writing and then performing it live. I think that's what it's all about, that's the thing that we could give most as being a creator or a writer or a dancer or a theater maker or whatever. It's the real-life experience that you give to people who are sitting in the room, allowing them to experience the sound, emotions, and feelings that help them process their own life experiences. Because everybody's walking down the street and seeing people being crazy. And then you want to contemplate, think, and process. And I think that's what music should be about.

I hate the whole social media shit. That's a very hard thing. I think it's so weird because can you imagine, like, Joni Mitchell being on Instagram? I know her team is now, but can you imagine what it was like in the 1970s? She would be like: "Oh, I just played Woodstock. I was having so much fun."

Andy: Yeah, I agree. I think nowadays social media is really different. Even 10 years ago, it was a very different experience. 

néomí: Yeah, yeah, it was. When I started making music, it wasn't like this. I have the feeling now that artists need to be influencers. But the only thing I can do is write songs and then play them. All of a sudden, I have to be cool and online. I'm like: "Oh, I'm not cool online. I'm just human, hanging around, doing stuff. "Don't get me wrong. This is no shade. I totally respect artists who excel at it, because some people genuinely love to do it, and I appreciate that.

I have hope for the next generation because I have already heard some things in London, where I lived for a bit. There was this guy in the A&R a label and he was like: "I have faith in the people who are coming now because of the things that they see on TikTok, they don't believe it anymore because people are just editing their shit, you know?" Like, you can sing in front of, like, a camera, but then you actually can't perform really well. And I think that generation is now so focused on wanting to have real things, like holding a physical ticket or really going somewhere. So I don't know. I have good hope for the next generation.

Andy: We will see, maybe, if we wait another year. 

néomí: Yeah, when another year has passed, then maybe.

Andy: Let's talk about your heritage again. You're from the Netherlands.

Do you think that growing up in that environment influenced your artistic development? And if so, how? 

néomí: Well, it definitely showed me what I don't want to be. I don't want to say I'm a proud Dutchie because…I believe there are some aspects of the Netherlands that we can take pride in. Our system, unfortunately, is getting more right-wing than it should be. I believe our country is still a place where people can be themselves, and I hope that this remains a value we hold on to. However, it is becoming increasingly problematic at the moment due to politics. We have good health insurance, which is a nice benefit. But on the other hand, I think the Netherlands is really boring; we are very sober. So people say to each other, when you're being crazy: "Don't act crazy, you're already crazy enough". And I hate that line. 

I'm always like: "Be crazy, and even be more crazy, because we need you to be". So, did it shape me? It definitely showed me that I'm not in love with the Netherlands. It definitely showed me that I don't like the mentality. I don't want to be too negative, because it's also a beautiful country and we have safe stuff, you know? However, it showed me that there's more to the world and that I wanted to go out and explore, finding more like-minded people. There is a nice scene in the Netherlands. There's a lot of good music coming from the Netherlands. I have a lot of friends and colleagues who make beautiful stuff, but we all experience that the music taste in the Netherlands is just quite shit. The radios are only playing Dutch music. I think the rest of Europe is doing a bit more like they're doing. The UK has a good taste. Even in Germany, a lot of nice, funky, and grungy stuff is coming from here.

I think the Netherlands is just a bit narrow-minded in that sense as well. Maybe I sound very negative. The country would also benefit if it took in more refugees; then it would do better. 

Andy: Previously, you mentioned that artists like Bon Iver, John Mayer, and Nick Drake are some inspirations of yours. Do you have a dream collaborator that you'd love to work with on a song one day? 

néomí: Well, yes, but they're already, like, very fucking old. So, if I could go back in time, it would be, like, young Joni Mitchell or Carole King, young Leonard Cohen. Did he pass away? He did, right? A couple of years ago. Bless him. But if I were to dive into the modern world, it would probably. I think it's Justin Vernon from Bon Iver. I truly believe his songs are incredible.

Andy: Do you have a favourite song of his? 

néomí: Probably "Holocene", yeah. 

Andy: Thank you so much for taking your time today. I have one more question for you before we wrap up: I saw that you sometimes curate playlists. We at THE UNSEEN Magazine do the same; we have an "Artist's-Faves"-Playlist with recommendations. Are there any songs you would like to add to them? 

néomí: I've been obsessed with the new Olivia Dean record. I never listen to happy music, and it just feels so happy, yet still cool. I love her vibe. She's such a cool person. So I would say that song "Lady Lady". I really think that one's sick. I love, like, the Congo situation. That's what I've been listening to. And I would probably add some Joni Mitchell songs, too, maybe some Carole King songs, like "Tapestry." I love that song. Also, something from the Japanese House, I love Amber.

Oh my god. I would love to write a song with her too. But then, perhaps, with Matty Healy from The 1975. Just because I think they could inspire me to make something original. So I would put some Japanese House in there. 

Andy: Thank you for taking the time to talk to us today!