Q&A: North Naim Melds Electronic Fantasy and Ethereal Rock in New EP “Chronicles of V”
THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE HEALING THROUGH MUSIC – Swiss artist North Naim unveils an anthology of songs that defy genre with their newest EP Chronicles of V.
Set in an emo-futuristic universe, Naim’s fifth official release combines fantasy with the harsh realities of modern day life. “Switzerland is really boring sometimes,” Naim jokes. “[So] I always had this need to build my own world.”
Tantalizing space-electronica accompanied by power-house vocals and gut-wrenchingly honest lyrics, it’s hard not to feel completely overwhelmed by Naim’s soulful presence. Fully produced, recorded and created by Naim, this EP exemplifies everything they believe in as an artist and as a human.
Fantastical. Spiritual. Out-of-this-world yet completely grounded, Chronicles of V tackles themes of belonging, personal identity, and the power of music as a device for connection, growth and healing.
“Just getting to know each other better is a necessary healing step for the world right now,” Naim says. “I hope this EP inspires people to be themselves.”
Chronicles of V is not just music – it’s a spaceship that transports you into North Naim’s world and you’re never going to want to leave.
LUNA: Are you a morning person or a night owl?
NAIM: Definitely a night owl. There’s something about the calmness of night that is so inspiring.
LUNA: You're from Switzerland. How would you describe the Swiss music scene?
NAIM: Everywhere there has cool, underground artistic music scenes.There's a lot of live venues and art, but there’s also the Swiss mainstream which is a lot of folk music. It's not the best, not the good type of folk. It's those two worlds that you can get into as an artist here.
LUNA: Was there a moment in your life where you knew you wanted to pursue music?
NAIM: It was definitely always something I felt drawn to. I have been making music ever since I can remember. As a kid, I never had a directly musical environment, it was more like dancing on my bed with a friend. I had a small guitar and I would just play. I remember one day for school we had to dress up as what we wanted to be when we grew up and I dressed up as a rockstar. So, it just feels like it's meant to be.
LUNA: What’s inspiring you right now?
NAIM: I just found this artist from Canada. She's called Saya Gray. She's amazing. Her whole production just really motivated me to get into the studio and work on my music.
LUNA: When you first start working on a new piece, what usually comes first, the lyrics, the sound or the theme?
NAIM: It varies but, a lot of times I just have an idea that I’m trying to express. Three years ago, I think I wanted to make lyrics that were more easy to connect with, more universal. Right now, for songs, I think a lot about poetry because poetry can express a feeling more than it has to make sense.
LUNA: Tell me about the name, Chronicles of V. Does the V stand for “five” or is it just “V?”
NAIM: I'm really into astrology and Virgo is my sign, so that’s where the idea for Chronicles of V came from. It’s funny though because my friend asked me the same question, “Is it five or is it V?” And he counted and this EP is actually my fifth release, so I didn’t even mean it, but it worked out that way.
LUNA: How does this EP differ from the rest of your discography?
NAIM: It's more mature production-wise, and the whole process was much more smooth. It was a lot of hard work, but it feels like I know more now than I did before. Previously, I used to work with a label and now I work totally independently. This EP was a mixture of finding my own space and learning to listen to myself.
LUNA: I have to say, I absolutely love your music videos. There’s something so ethereal about them. Since you directed the films for your singles “S.O.M.” and “Enemy Line,” what inspired the surrealist, almost otherworldly imagery?
NAIM: I think my visual work is its own universe. The album covers as well, I designed them myself. And for these kinds of things, I have my own separate inspirations. I’m always inspired by history, science fiction and fantasy. My work in general has a lot of escapism themes. Being in Switzerland is really boring sometimes. It’s nice and beautiful and safe but on a mental level, I always had this need to build my own world.
LUNA: Who are some artists that you would like to collaborate with?
NAIM: I think some friends and people around me. In terms of bigger artists, it’s hard to say, but I would like to work on tracks with Willow Smith. She’s the moment. She’s a similar age and we grew up with similar references. I know she has exited her rock era, but I am very grounded in electronic music so, I have some other projects that I think she could get into. I am fully self taught and was kind of late getting into theory so honestly, I am open to working with anyone. If there's a good vibe, then I don’t care.
LUNA: Alright so I’ve got my headphones on, Chronicles of V is queued up and ready to go. What’s the perfect setting to listen to this EP?
NAIM: I think just in a dark room and in a bed. For me, listening to music in a dark room, it's a different feeling. It’s like a body experience. I can say that every song on this EP has a very different vibe. The first song “All Out The Womb,” it's like a pre-going out, you're having a nice cocktail vibe. “Blinds on My Face” is definitely the dark room song. “Kin” would be listening to it on top of a mountain. “Move Sailor” would be great on a small boat. And then “Child of God '' of course, in a church.
LUNA: What’s one thing you want people to take away after listening to Chronicles of V?
NAIM: I hope people get inspired to talk about where they are from and discuss where we, as humans, are from. Just getting to know each other better is a necessary healing step for the world right now. I hope this EP inspires people to be themselves. It sounds cliche, but that's what any artist aims to do: inspire others.
