Naomi Saalfield (born 15 May 1989), known professionally as Nai Palm, is an Australian musician, best known as the vocalist, guitarist and occasional pianist for the jazz/funk band Hiatus Kaiyote.
Nai Palm
Nai Palm in 2015
Background information
Birth name
Naomi Saalfield
Born
(1989-05-15) 15 May 1989 (age 33) Melbourne, Australia
Nai Palm was born Naomi Grace Saalfield on May 15, 1989 in Melbourne, Australia. She and her five siblings were raised by their single mother, a choreographer and painter. Saalfield was first introduced to music by her mother, playing piano and listening to soul, flamenco, and Northwest African music. Later, her brother introduced her to classic rock staples Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin.[1] When Saalfield was 11 years old her mother died of breast cancer.[2][3] Saalfield was orphaned at age 13 when her father died in a house fire.
After Saalfield's mother died, she went through the foster care system, and went to live with her aunt in Mount Beauty. She also lived for a time with a family who ran a wildlife sanctuary for native animals where she developed a love and attachment to the natural world.[4] Her aunt had an acoustic guitar, and Nai learned to harmonize with it.[1] When Saalfield was 15 years old, she moved back to Melbourne and was homeless for a time. She started using "Nai Palm" as a professional name while working as a fire performer.[2]
Career
In Melbourne, Palm began a career as a solo singer/guitarist. After one gig in 2010 she was approached by bassist Paul Bender, who had seen her performance and suggested a collaboration. The following year they formed the band Hiatus Kaiyote with drummer Perrin Moss and keyboardist Simon Mavin.[5]
In 2012 the band opened for Taylor McFerrin in Melbourne; McFerrin later featured Nai Palm on his track "The Antidote."[6] The band released its debut album Tawk Tomahawk independently in April 2012.[7] The second Hiatus Kaiyote album, Choose Your Weapon, was released in May 2015. The album reached high in the Australian charts[8] and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the United States.[9]
In 2017, Palm released her debut solo album Needle Paw,[10] which was possibly named after a desert flower.[11] The album features only stripped-down vocals and guitars,[12] and includes original tracks as well as covers of songs by David Bowie, Tamia, and Jimi Hendrix.[13] She also worked with Australian indigenous performer Jason Guwanbal Gurruwiwi on the album.[14] Palm explained that working on a solo album gave her greater flexibility to work on her guitar sounds and the challenge of releasing a more raw and personal record.[15] The cover art for the album, an abstract drawing of Saalfield, was done by Chilean artist Jowy Maasdamme.[15]
In June 2018, Palm was featured on the album Scorpion by Drake, who has spoken highly of both her and Hiatus Kaiyote. She sang on a partial cover version of "More Than a Woman" by Aaliyah, which appears at the end Drake's "Is There More".[16][17] On her working relationship with Drake, Palm told NME in 2021 that he started sending her stems and they worked together to create a mutual respect; "He picked up pretty quickly that I'm not going to sell his shit to buy a yacht."[18]
The third Hiatus Kaiyote studio album, Mood Valiant, was released in June 2021.[19] The album's title was inspired by Palm's mother, who owned two Valiant Safaristation wagons, one white and one black, and would drive whichever would suit her mood for the day.[3][18]
Personal life and style
Hiatus Kaiyote performing in 2013
Palm is known for her personal style and adornment, and her self-created make-up style has been noted by fashion magazines.[20] She has a facial tattoo that replicates a scar inflicted by a crow that she cared for as a child. As stated in an interview with Allure magazine, "The way that I adorn myself is an extension of who I am: my sense of spirituality, my sense of playfulness, my sense of curiosity in the world"[20]
On October 18, 2018, Palm revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer,[21] stating that "I am riddled with anxiety while trying to practice courage and patience daily in the face of the scariest and most emotionally triggering shit I've ever had to endure."[22] From her hospital bed while recovering from a mastectomy, she performed a cover of Curtis Mayfield's "The Makings of You" with Paul Bender that was released online.[23] She opted out of breast reconstruction in the hope to challenge beauty standards, but had a decorative golden likeness modeled of her breast before it was removed that she plans to wear in her stage costumes.[24] As of an interview with KCRW Berlin in 2019, she is cancer-free.[25]
Palm is also known for traveling with her ring-neck parrot named Charlie Parker,[26] which died in 2019.[3][24] During the COVID19 Pandemic she learned the Japanese art of Kintsugi, explaining that "...with Kintsugi you decide to make it into something beautiful in a new and different way. The bit where it was broken is now the illuminated part."[24]
^ abPennick, Bailey (2 January 2019). "The Alchemy Behind Nai Palm's Intuitive and Curious Techniques". She Shreds. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
^ abHeins, Scott (2015). "Nai Palm Of Hiatus Kaiyote Shares Her Amazing Story Of Grief And Hope For 'What's Underneath'". Okayplayer. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
^ abc"Hiatus Kaiyote's Nai Palm: 'Last year I lost a breast and then my bird. But loss isn't new to me'". the Guardian. 29 May 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
^Adams, Biba (6 November 2017). "Nai Palm talks "journal"-like debut album 'Needle Paw' and being sampled by Drake". Revolt. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
^Tan, Teresa (12 December 2016). "Nooks & Crannies: Hiatus Kaiyote". Sydney Opera House. Retrieved 27 July 2020.
^"Taylor McFerrin - The Antidote (feat. Nai Palm) - Official Music Video". Youtube. 26 September 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
^"Interview: Hiatus Kaiyote – ACCLAIM". Retrieved 15 September 2015.
^"2016 Grammy Awards: Complete list of winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
^Will Brewster (11 February 2015). "Nai Palm is out to crush your assumptions". Mixdownmag.com.au. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
^Adenuga, Julie. "An Interview With Nai Palm". Apple Music. Apple Music. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
^"Nai Palm: Needle Paw". Pitchfork. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
^Adams, Biba (6 November 2017). "Nai Palm talks "journal"-like debut album 'Needle Paw' and being sampled by Drake". Revolt. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
^Kalia, Ammar (20 November 2017). "Different Viewpoints: Nai Palm On Solo Work, And Engaging With Australian Aboriginal Traditions". Clash Music. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
^ abBedian, Knar. "Interview: Nai Palm (Of Hiatus Kaiyote)". Sound of Boston. Sound of Boston. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
^"How Drake's Love of Australian Band Hiatus Kaiyote Turned Into a 'More Life' Sample". Billboard. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
^"Nai Palm on Contributing to Drake's New Album 'Scorpion'". Complex. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
^ ab"Hiatus Kaiyote: "Art isn't perfect, it's about the energy"". NME. 30 June 2021. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
^"Welcome To The Family: HIATUS KAIYOTE". Brainfeedersite.com. Retrieved 26 June 2021.
^ ab"This Under-the-Radar Singer Is About to Become Your Ultimate Eye Makeup Inspo". Allure. 9 November 2017. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
^Yoo, Noah (18 October 2018). "Hiatus Kaiyote's Nai Palm Diagnosed With Breast Cancer". Pitchfork. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
^Brandle, Lars (19 October 2018). "Hiatus Kaiyote's Nai Palm Is Battling Breast Cancer". Billboard. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
^"Watch Nai Palm Perform A Stunning Cover Of Curtis Mayfield's "The Makings Of You" From Her Hospital Bed". Okayplayer. 2018. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
^ abcBoyd, Lou (2021). "Savage Sensitivity: Hiatus Kaiyote's Nai Palm". www.redbull.com. Retrieved 4 August 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
^Cunningham, Sylvia (15 November 2019). "KCRW Berlin Presents: Australian musician Nai Palm on loss, survival and celebrating a year cancer-free". KCRW Berlin. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
^"Hiatus Kaiyote: On birds, improvisation and identity". The Cambridge Student. 24 November 2015. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
^"Congratulations to our 2019 Recipients & Finalists". women in Music Awards. October 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
^"Music Victoria Awards Reveals Line-up And Nominees for 2021". Noise11. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
^"Music Victoria Awards 2021 Winners". scenestr.com.au. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
February 26, 2023
palm, naomi, saalfield, born, 1989, known, professionally, australian, musician, best, known, vocalist, guitarist, occasional, pianist, jazz, funk, band, hiatus, kaiyote, 2015background, informationbirth, namenaomi, saalfieldborn, 1989, 1989, melbourne, austra. Naomi Saalfield born 15 May 1989 known professionally as Nai Palm is an Australian musician best known as the vocalist guitarist and occasional pianist for the jazz funk band Hiatus Kaiyote Nai PalmNai Palm in 2015Background informationBirth nameNaomi SaalfieldBorn 1989 05 15 15 May 1989 age 33 Melbourne AustraliaGenresNeo soulfuture souljazz funkOccupationsSingerSongwriterMusicianYears active2011 presentLabelsFlying BuddhaSony MasterworksWebsitenaipalm wbr com Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life and style 4 Discography 4 1 Studio albums 5 Awards and nominations 5 1 Australian Women in Music Awards 5 2 Music Victoria Awards 6 External links 7 ReferencesEarly life EditNai Palm was born Naomi Grace Saalfield on May 15 1989 in Melbourne Australia She and her five siblings were raised by their single mother a choreographer and painter Saalfield was first introduced to music by her mother playing piano and listening to soul flamenco and Northwest African music Later her brother introduced her to classic rock staples Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin 1 When Saalfield was 11 years old her mother died of breast cancer 2 3 Saalfield was orphaned at age 13 when her father died in a house fire After Saalfield s mother died she went through the foster care system and went to live with her aunt in Mount Beauty She also lived for a time with a family who ran a wildlife sanctuary for native animals where she developed a love and attachment to the natural world 4 Her aunt had an acoustic guitar and Nai learned to harmonize with it 1 When Saalfield was 15 years old she moved back to Melbourne and was homeless for a time She started using Nai Palm as a professional name while working as a fire performer 2 Career EditIn Melbourne Palm began a career as a solo singer guitarist After one gig in 2010 she was approached by bassist Paul Bender who had seen her performance and suggested a collaboration The following year they formed the band Hiatus Kaiyote with drummer Perrin Moss and keyboardist Simon Mavin 5 In 2012 the band opened for Taylor McFerrin in Melbourne McFerrin later featured Nai Palm on his track The Antidote 6 The band released its debut album Tawk Tomahawk independently in April 2012 7 The second Hiatus Kaiyote album Choose Your Weapon was released in May 2015 The album reached high in the Australian charts 8 and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the United States 9 In 2017 Palm released her debut solo album Needle Paw 10 which was possibly named after a desert flower 11 The album features only stripped down vocals and guitars 12 and includes original tracks as well as covers of songs by David Bowie Tamia and Jimi Hendrix 13 She also worked with Australian indigenous performer Jason Guwanbal Gurruwiwi on the album 14 Palm explained that working on a solo album gave her greater flexibility to work on her guitar sounds and the challenge of releasing a more raw and personal record 15 The cover art for the album an abstract drawing of Saalfield was done by Chilean artist Jowy Maasdamme 15 In June 2018 Palm was featured on the album Scorpion by Drake who has spoken highly of both her and Hiatus Kaiyote She sang on a partial cover version of More Than a Woman by Aaliyah which appears at the end Drake s Is There More 16 17 On her working relationship with Drake Palm told NME in 2021 that he started sending her stems and they worked together to create a mutual respect He picked up pretty quickly that I m not going to sell his shit to buy a yacht 18 The third Hiatus Kaiyote studio album Mood Valiant was released in June 2021 19 The album s title was inspired by Palm s mother who owned two Valiant Safari station wagons one white and one black and would drive whichever would suit her mood for the day 3 18 Personal life and style Edit Hiatus Kaiyote performing in 2013 Palm is known for her personal style and adornment and her self created make up style has been noted by fashion magazines 20 She has a facial tattoo that replicates a scar inflicted by a crow that she cared for as a child As stated in an interview with Allure magazine The way that I adorn myself is an extension of who I am my sense of spirituality my sense of playfulness my sense of curiosity in the world 20 On October 18 2018 Palm revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer 21 stating that I am riddled with anxiety while trying to practice courage and patience daily in the face of the scariest and most emotionally triggering shit I ve ever had to endure 22 From her hospital bed while recovering from a mastectomy she performed a cover of Curtis Mayfield s The Makings of You with Paul Bender that was released online 23 She opted out of breast reconstruction in the hope to challenge beauty standards but had a decorative golden likeness modeled of her breast before it was removed that she plans to wear in her stage costumes 24 As of an interview with KCRW Berlin in 2019 she is cancer free 25 Palm is also known for traveling with her ring neck parrot named Charlie Parker 26 which died in 2019 3 24 During the COVID19 Pandemic she learned the Japanese art of Kintsugi explaining that with Kintsugi you decide to make it into something beautiful in a new and different way The bit where it was broken is now the illuminated part 24 Discography EditStudio albums Edit Title DetailsNeedle Paw Release 2017 Label Flying Buddha Format Digital download CD and vinylAwards and nominations EditAustralian Women in Music Awards Edit The Australian Women in Music Awards is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in the Australian Music Industry who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field They commenced in 2018 Year Nominee work Award Result Ref 2019 Nai Palm Artistic Excellence Award Nominated 27 Music Victoria Awards Edit The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music They commenced in 2005 Year Nominee work Award Result Ref 2021 Nai Palm Hiatus Kaiyote Best Musician Nominated 28 29 External links EditHiatus Kaiyote official website Nai Palm official websiteReferences Edit a b Pennick Bailey 2 January 2019 The Alchemy Behind Nai Palm s Intuitive and Curious Techniques She Shreds Retrieved 28 July 2020 a b Heins Scott 2015 Nai Palm Of Hiatus Kaiyote Shares Her Amazing Story Of Grief And Hope For What s Underneath Okayplayer Retrieved 28 July 2020 a b c Hiatus Kaiyote s Nai Palm Last year I lost a breast and then my bird But loss isn t new to me the Guardian 29 May 2021 Retrieved 4 August 2021 Adams Biba 6 November 2017 Nai Palm talks journal like debut album Needle Paw and being sampled by Drake Revolt Retrieved 28 July 2020 Tan Teresa 12 December 2016 Nooks amp Crannies Hiatus Kaiyote Sydney Opera House Retrieved 27 July 2020 Taylor McFerrin The Antidote feat Nai Palm Official Music Video Youtube 26 September 2014 Retrieved 31 July 2020 Interview Hiatus Kaiyote ACCLAIM Retrieved 15 September 2015 ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums Australian Recording Industry Association 11 May 2015 Archived from the original on 17 November 2015 Retrieved 9 May 2015 2016 Grammy Awards Complete list of winners and nominees Los Angeles Times Retrieved 16 February 2016 Will Brewster 11 February 2015 Nai Palm is out to crush your assumptions Mixdownmag com au Retrieved 23 May 2019 Adenuga Julie An Interview With Nai Palm Apple Music Apple Music Retrieved 6 November 2018 Nai Palm Needle Paw Pitchfork Retrieved 22 August 2021 Adams Biba 6 November 2017 Nai Palm talks journal like debut album Needle Paw and being sampled by Drake Revolt Retrieved 28 July 2020 Kalia Ammar 20 November 2017 Different Viewpoints Nai Palm On Solo Work And Engaging With Australian Aboriginal Traditions Clash Music Retrieved 28 July 2020 a b Bedian Knar Interview Nai Palm Of Hiatus Kaiyote Sound of Boston Sound of Boston Retrieved 6 November 2018 How Drake s Love of Australian Band Hiatus Kaiyote Turned Into a More Life Sample Billboard Retrieved 13 July 2018 Nai Palm on Contributing to Drake s New Album Scorpion Complex Retrieved 13 July 2018 a b Hiatus Kaiyote Art isn t perfect it s about the energy NME 30 June 2021 Retrieved 4 August 2021 Welcome To The Family HIATUS KAIYOTE Brainfeedersite com Retrieved 26 June 2021 a b This Under the Radar Singer Is About to Become Your Ultimate Eye Makeup Inspo Allure 9 November 2017 Retrieved 4 August 2021 Yoo Noah 18 October 2018 Hiatus Kaiyote s Nai Palm Diagnosed With Breast Cancer Pitchfork Retrieved 28 July 2020 Brandle Lars 19 October 2018 Hiatus Kaiyote s Nai Palm Is Battling Breast Cancer Billboard Retrieved 31 July 2020 Watch Nai Palm Perform A Stunning Cover Of Curtis Mayfield s The Makings Of You From Her Hospital Bed Okayplayer 2018 Retrieved 30 July 2020 a b c Boyd Lou 2021 Savage Sensitivity Hiatus Kaiyote s Nai Palm www redbull com Retrieved 4 August 2021 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link Cunningham Sylvia 15 November 2019 KCRW Berlin Presents Australian musician Nai Palm on loss survival and celebrating a year cancer free KCRW Berlin Retrieved 28 July 2020 Hiatus Kaiyote On birds improvisation and identity The Cambridge Student 24 November 2015 Retrieved 4 August 2021 Congratulations to our 2019 Recipients amp Finalists women in Music Awards October 2019 Retrieved 19 March 2021 Music Victoria Awards Reveals Line up And Nominees for 2021 Noise11 11 November 2021 Retrieved 12 November 2021 Music Victoria Awards 2021 Winners scenestr com au 9 December 2021 Retrieved 9 December 2021 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Nai Palm amp oldid 1134706974, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
