Today we’d like to introduce you to Naomi Walerys aka nomi.
Hi nomi, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Poland and raised in the US. I picked up saxophone at a very early 11 years old, and it quickly became my obsession. I progressed very fast and went to Interlochen Arts Academy for high school to pursue music in the most professional environment for my age. My musical foundation developed over eight years of my classical and jazz saxophone training. My grandfather was a huge inspiration at this age – he bought me my professional saxophone when I was 14. My music lineage runs through him and his side of the family.
I took a year off of college at age 18 and went to my first rave – EDCO. From there, I knew I belonged in the EDM world – it was exciting and energetic and quite different from playing classical saxophone solos in a quiet auditorium with 500 sets of eyes on you. I put my saxophone aside for a good seven years at that point and put my energy into learning to produce electronic music. In 2022, I released my debut drum and bass EP, called Genesis. And since then, I have been releasing singles, gaining support from artists like Ookay and Wreckno along the way.
This year, I decided to reintegrate saxophone, so now I make a unique blend of saxophone – drum and bass, which is a concept that has never been done before!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been a challenging road for sure.
I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do when I was in college. For a while, I was double majoring in engineering and music – which was high-stress, before I decided to drop out of college altogether. I realized that EDM was what I wanted to pursue, and even many of the top music schools don’t have a program for electronic music production. I don’t have a degree, and that was tough to wrap my head around at first. But, I am so grateful for my friends and mentors that I have found in the EDM scene, two of which are DNMO and HELLBOUND! They have taken me on, believed in me, and helped me excel rapidly.
As of now, it’s hard to make it financially as an artist, especially in LA, but I am grateful to have found a balance for the most part, between side jobs and having enough time to make music. It can sometimes be mentally taxing because you are constantly waiting for the day where you can support yourself financially, but you don’t know when that is going to come.
Another struggle is being part of the LGBT community. I am non-binary (they/them), and it is clear that men get more opportunities in this industry – most festival lineups are 90% men if not more. But, I am confident in my identity and intertwine it with my music. My body is extremely important to me, and my goal is always to create vibrant, danceable basslines and saxophone solos that engage the listener’s body as much as the mind.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a saxophonist and drum and bass producer/DJ. My artist’s name is nomi. I am known for playing live saxophone over electronic music. I am most proud of the skills I have built over my 8 years studying classical and jazz music. That’s what sets me apart! There aren’t too many electronic music producers who previously played an instrument and deeply learned music theory, orchestration, composition, etc. Not many people play saxophone… not many people play saxophone with EDM… and no one plays saxophone with drum and bass!
I am very proud of my confidence… confidence that my career will 100% build into a successful, fulfilling venture. I am proud that I don’t let my identity – being a non-binary person – get in my way. Of course, discrimination affects me in ways that I cannot control, but I keep pushing on.
I am also proud of my chosen family in the EDM community. I am surrounded by so many people who continue to believe in me. And I see them and how successful and passionate they are! It’s really wonderful to have them.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
You have to invest financially in yourself long-term. And you will not see a return right away. No artist makes it overnight. Be prepared to spend blood, sweat, and tears, on yourself, with returns that might not be as big as you had hoped.. or one day, magically bigger than you ever thought! This industry is very unpredictable. But damn, try as hard as you can, and be consistent, and constantly stay open to constructive criticism from those you trust.
If you have one connection in the industry.. that is great. You can ask to be introduced to other people. Perhaps your friend knows someone who is giving lessons. Mentorship is so important and it will exponentially slingshot your progress.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomimusic/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naomiinomess/
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@get2nomi
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/nomimusic
- Other: TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@naomiinomess
Image Credits
Ana Massard Taylor Malone Alec Williams Hannah Hotchkiss
