Naomi Pilgrim

It’s a rare occurrence that every single scrap of noise from an artist utterly blows us away, as if crammed with TNT, but Swedish pop/R&B chanteuse has achieved just that. With apparent ease, too. The Swedish/Barbadian Naomi Pilgrim’s just launched her debut EP – whilst agonisingly short, considering we’re gluttons for quality, it’s a contender for one of the most promising EPs of the year.

By now we’ve all tumbled head-over-heels for “No Gun”, a rapier-sharp paean of sardonic circumstances, crumbling behemoth beats and by far the coolest sheen you’ll come across. Not to mention the impeccable, flawless coo that burbles from her lips – we’ve been blessed with the calibre of music in the R&B galaxy in recent months, but Pilgrim thrashes them all. Chuck in synth brass, shimmering steel pans and a triumphant, maxim of a chorus, and you’re pretty much guaranteed a gold-medal-standard winner.

As we’ve ranted and raved so bloody long about Pilgrim, we thought it high time we had a good ol’ natter with her. Read on to find out what she has to say about Xzibit, working with both Janne Kask and Fredrik Okazaki, and a very intriguing promise…

So we’re big fans of yours at Best Fit, but for those few who’ve not heard your music before, could you quickly introduce yourself?

Hello Best Fit. It’s mutual you know. I am born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden, but lived in Jamaica for a while when I was a kid. I am working 5-9 and sing whenever I get the chance to, and I am all for love and equality.

What’s the story behind the name? I’m assuming Pilgrim isn’t your real surname (apologies if that’s wrong)?

It is my real surname, it’s from my Bajan father!

I’ve heard you got your start working with Lykke Li. What did you take away from the experience? Have you remained friends?

It was great! She is one of a kind. The lesson learned is: love and believe in your vision and follow through.

Have you remained friends?

Well, a friend is a friend.

Could you walk us through how you made “No Gun”? Where did you write and record it/ who did you work with?

Fredrik Okazaki (who also produced the track) wrote the first verse at the movies. The star of the film was running around complaining he had a gun but no ammunition, or the other way around. It grew from there and we recorded it in his studio here in Stockholm last summer.

Are the lyrics based on true events? A few lines sound like they’ve got great stories behind them: “I popped some speed but it was way too fast/ seemed like a good idea but now my arm is in a cast/ at least now I know that I should stick to grass…” for example!

Ha! I’ve never broken a bone, but I can surely recognise some of the lines from my own life, even though it’s not self experienced in that way.

It’s a really anthemic track, sort of like a fanfare. Was that the tone you were going for? What was your aim for the track?

I’ll pass that question over to Fredrik Okazaki…

Fredrik: Yes, the anthemic feeling was exactly what we looked for when doing that track. But we also wanted it to be a laid back feeling to it. Hope we nailed it.

Is it representative of your sound as a whole?

It sets the tone alright!

Who/what inspires you to make music?

Music itself, it’s a dimension of life.

What was the first CD you bought? How about the last one you bought?

Fugees The Score, I think, and my last one was… Solange’s True. God I love her!

Any new music tips for us?

Galantis – “Smile”, José Gonzalez – “Stay Alive” and Marlene – “Stay Awake”.

If you could play a gig anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Barbados! I love my paradise.

What’s your vice?

Coffee and cigarettes, preferably combined.

What’s your favourite show you’ve performed? Favourite show you were at/saw?

I did a close friends and family gig late last year and that was epic! Xzibit and Outkast live at the Ericsson Globe Arena back in 2001 was huge. 10,000 people in the audience knowing every line of every tune, oh the chills…

What does a Naomi Pilgrim show normally involve?

You’ll have to come and see for yourself, I will reveal nothing!

How did you write and record the rest of the No Gun EP?

Fredrik Okazaki produced the entire EP. He’s my artistic wing man. The “Rainmakers” track is a collaboration with Janne Kask who’s done a lot of things with Say Lou Lou, he’s amazing. “Money” is a cover from the fantastic group Lady, check them out.

Can we expect any more material in 2014? Is an LP in the works?

I can promise you more releases during 2014.

How about festivals? Will we see you in the UK over the summer?

We’re working on a London show later this spring but if you are heading over to Scandinavia you can see me live at Sonar Stockholm on the 15th of February or by:Larm in Oslo on the 28th of February and March 1st.

What’s on the horizon for Naomi Pilgrim?

Only good things. Stay tuned.

The No Gun EP is out now on Cosmos Music.