This Friday, September 27th, Naima Bock will release Below a Massive Dark Land worldwide through Sub Pop and Memorials of Distinction. Her second album, Below… is the follow-up to Giant Palm, one of 2022’s most critically acclaimed debuts.
Today, she shares Below a Massive Dark Land’s final prerelease offering, “Moving,” a sweet and sorrowful acoustic song with horns and brass. Watch the visualizer HERE.
The songs on Below a Massive Dark Land were written by Naima Bock. The album was predominantly produced by Jack Osborne (Bingo Fury) and Joe Jones, and recorded at The Crypt in north London, with additional production and arrangement by Oliver Hamilton (caroline, Shovel Dance Collective) and Naima herself. Six of the tracks on Below… were mixed by Jason Agel, with the remainder done by Osborne and Jones. The album was mastered by Kevin Tuffy.
Naima’s previously announced international tour dates for the summer and autumn of 2024 to support Below a Massive Dark Land resume Monday, Thursday, September 26th, with an instore performance at Portsmouth, UK’s Pie & Vinyl, and currently ends Friday, December 13th in Paris at La Boule Noire. She will return to the US for a short run of East Coast shows from October 21st to 26th, 2024. For the November and December dates, Naima will perform as a duo with Oliver Hamilton (November 6th) and a four-piece band (November 7th-December 13th). Please find a current list of dates below.
Thu. Sep 26th - Portsmouth, UK - Pie & Vinyl (instore) Mon. Sep 30th - London, UK - Rough Trade West (instore) Sat. 19th Oct - Birmingham, UK - Future Days Festival*
Mon. Oct. 21 - Boston, MA - Warehouse X1 Wed. Oct 23 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church Side Chapel Fri. Oct. 25 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool Sat. Oct. 26 - Washington, DC - Rhizome
Wed. Nov. 06 - London, UK - St. Pancras Old Church + Thu. Nov. 07 - Bristol, UK - Jam Jar * Fri. Nov. 08 - Liverpool, UK - Leaf * Sat. Nov. 09 - Newcastle, UK - Cumberland Arms * Sun. Nov. 10 - Glasgow, UK - McChuills * Tue. Nov. 12 - Leeds, UK - Hyde Park Book Club * Wed. Nov. 13 - Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute * Thu. Nov. 14 - Cambridge, UK - Storey’s Field Centre * Sat. Nov. 16 - Falmouth, UK - The Cornish Bank * Sun. Nov. 17 - Frome, UK - The Tree House * Mon. Nov. 18 - Exeter, UK - Cavern Club * Wed. Nov. 20 - Ipswich, UK - St Stephens Church * Thu. Nov. 21 - London, UK - The Ivy House *
Tue. Dec. 03 - Lille, FR - L ‘Aéronef * Wed. Dec. 04 - Brugge, BE - Cactus Café * Fri. Dec. 06 - Haldern, DE - Pop Bar * Sat. Dec. 07 - Hamburg, DE - Nachstasyl * Sun. Dec. 08 - Berlin, DE - Neu Zunkunft * Tue. Dec. 10 - Cologne, DE - Subway * Wed. Dec. 11 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso * Thu. Dec. 12 - Brussels, BE - Botanique * Fri. Dec. 13 - Paris, FR - La Boule Noire *
* Full band show + Duo with Oliver Hamilton
Below a Massive Dark Land is available for preorder on CD/LP/DSPs from Sub Pop/Memorials of Distinction. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.com (North America), Mega Mart 2 (UK/EU), independent retailers worldwide, and Naima’s live shows will receive the limited Loser edition vinyl on Blue Jay (US) and the eco-friendly Yellow Bio (UK/EU) (All whilst stock lasts!). Naima also created the art for the Below… album cover.
What People Are Saying About Naima Bock: “What is abundantly clear is that Bock’s creative star is very much with her.” 8/10 - Uncut
★★★★ MOJO
“Amid a flurry of excellent new tracks ahead of Naima Bock’s second album, the romantic, timeless sweep of ‘Kaley’ is the pick of the bunch, that rich and resonant vocal playing magically off a melodic, punchy line of saxophone.” ‘Best of the Month’ - The Quietus
“A folky hymn to regret with a lovely, loping pace and sweetly lazy horn refrain” [“Feed My Release”] The Guardian
“…Features the kind of compelling vocal performance and lush, classy pop-rock orchestration we’ve come to expect from the British-Brazilian singer-songwriter.” [“Feed My Release”] STEREOGUM
“Marked by inner strength, the pervasive musicality of Naima’s work reaching fresh heights” [“Gentle”] CLASH
“Bock’s somnambulant vocals here bounding over a jubilant burst of fuzzy guitar and saxophone. It’s ace.” [“Kaley”] The New Cue
“Fans of Naima’s earlier work, and frankly that should be all of you, will be delighted with the familiar playful instrumentation, and swaying majesty of the choruses, while those looking for something new will be delighted by the subtle choppiness of the rhythms” [“Kaley”] For The Rabbits
“Horns blaze away, powering a glorious melody allowing Naima Bock the freedom to show off the potency of her vocal range. Make no mistake, it’s a cracker.” [Kaley] “Tracks of the Week” God Is In The TV
Naima Bock Below A Massive Dark Land
Tracklisting: 1. Gentle 2. Kaley 3. Feed My Release 4. My Sweet Body 5. Lines 6. Further Away 7. Takes One 8. Age 9. Moving 10. Star
Today, Naima Bock shares “Feed My Release,” a new single and visualizer from Below a Massive Dark Land, her forthcoming second album.
Naima says of the song, “‘Feed My Release’ is mostly about regret. It’s a simple song I thought wasn’t worth recording for a long time until I started singing it with violinist Oliver Hamilton, and his harmonies brought it to life. Then, Holly Whitaker joined along with her amazing voice, as well as Cassidy Hansen, Clem Appleby, and Meitar Wegman, adding their parts, and the song in its current form was born! It’s a very collaborative arrangement & recording; everyone’s contribution to it is really their own.”
Below a Massive Dark Land will be available Friday, September 27th, 2024, worldwide through Sub Pop and Memorials of Distinction. Below… is the follow-up to Giant Palm, one of 2022’s most critically acclaimed debuts.
Naima’s previously announced international tour dates for the summer and autumn of 2024 to support Below a Massive Dark Land continue with a show tomorrow night, Thursday, September 5th in Arcata, CA, at The Miniplex and currently ends Friday, December 13th in Paris at La Boule Noire. Along the way, Naima will perform solo (September 8th-15th), as a duo with Oliver Hamilton (November 6th), and with a four-piece band (November 7th-December 13th). Please find the dates below.
Thu. Sep. 05 - Arcata, CA - The Miniplex Sun. Sep. 08 - Portland, OR - Music Millennium (instore) Fri. Sep. 13 - Walla Walla, WA - Billsville West Sun. Sep. 15 - Seattle, WA - The Rabbit Box* Thu. Sep. 19th - Seattle, WA - Easy Street (instore)
Thu. Sep 26th - Portsmouth, UK - Pie & Vinyl (instore) Mon. Sep 30th - London, UK - Rough Trade West (instore) Sat. 19th Oct - Birmingham, UK - Future Days Festival* Mon. Oct. 21 - Boston, MA - Warehouse X1 Wed. Oct 23 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church Side Chapel Fri. Oct. 25 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool Sat. Oct. 26 - Washington, DC - Rhizome
Wed. Nov. 06 - London, UK - St. Pancras Old Church + Thu. Nov. 07 - Bristol, UK - Jam Jar * Fri. Nov. 08 - Liverpool, UK - Leaf * Sat. Nov. 09 - Newcastle, UK - Cumberland Arms * Sun. Nov. 10 - Glasgow, UK - McChuills * Tue. Nov. 12 - Leeds, UK - Hyde Park Book Club * Wed. Nov. 13 - Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute * Thu. Nov. 14 - Cambridge, UK - Storey’s Field Centre * Sat. Nov. 16 - Falmouth, UK - The Cornish Bank * Sun. Nov. 17 - Frome, UK - The Tree House * Mon. Nov. 18 - Exeter, UK - Cavern Club * Wed. Nov. 20 - Ipswich, UK - St Stephens Church * Thu. Nov. 21 - London, UK - The Ivy House *
Tue. Dec. 03 - Lille, FR - L ‘Aéronef * Wed. Dec. 04 - Brugge, BE - Cactus Café * Fri. Dec. 06 - Haldern, DE - Pop Bar * Sat. Dec. 07 - Hamburg, DE - Nachstasyl * Sun. Dec. 08 - Berlin, DE - Neu Zunkunft * Tue. Dec. 10 - Cologne, DE - Subway * Wed. Dec. 11 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso * Thu. Dec. 12 - Brussels, BE - Botanique * Fri. Dec. 13 - Paris, FR - La Boule Noire *
* Full band show + Duo with Oliver Hamilton
Below a Massive Dark Land was predominantly produced by Jack Ogborne (Bingo Fury) and Joe Jones, and recorded at The Crypt in north London, with additional production and arrangement by Oliver Hamilton (caroline, Shovel Dance Collective) and Naima herself. Six of the tracks on Below… were mixed by Jason Agel, with the remainder done by Ogborne and Jones. The album was mastered by Kevin Tuffy.
Below a Massive Dark Land will be available on CD/LP/DSPs and is available now for preorder from Sub Pop/Memorials of Distinction. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.com (North America), Mega Mart 2 (UK/EU), and independent retailers worldwide will receive the limited Loser edition vinyl on Blue Jay (US) and the eco-friendly Yellow Bio (UK/EU) (All whilst stock lasts!). Naima also created the art for the Below… album cover.
Naima Bock Below A Massive Dark Land
Tracklisting: 1. Gentle 2. Kaley 3. Feed My Release 4. My Sweet Body 5. Lines 6. Further Away 7. Takes One 8. Age 9. Moving
Last month, Sub Pop and Memorials of Distinction shared details on behalf of Naima Bock’s Below a Massive Dark Land, her forthcoming new album. Today, she’s sharing the official video for the wistful new single “Gentle.”
Naima says of the song and video, “I’ve lived with this song for a couple of years. It’s a kind of copy and paste of different sections of my life, each verse is a different version of myself or situation I was in. None of them link in reality, but they fit together in this song, which leaves me with a sense of union and satisfaction. I would like to allow for the listener to take the lyrics in whatever way is relevant to them. I can say it’s my favourite song to play and one of my favourite songs that I’ve written. It means a lot to me.”
Directors Ellie Wintour and Sophie Lincoln offer this, “Our jumping off point for the video began with the lyrics ‘You want me to be gentle, fragile, you want me to stay young. I pray that I stay gentle, fragile, I pray that I stay.’ We developed Naima a character playing on femininity as facade, but also her sense of easygoing style. In using two-dimensional substitutes for three-dimensional objects – mixing worlds of the real and make-believe – we tried to play on the song’s themes of expectation, assigned roles, and conformity.”
Naima will release Below a Massive Dark Land on September 27th, 2024, worldwide through Sub Pop and Memorials of Distinction. Below… is the follow-up to Giant Palm, one of 2022’s most critically acclaimed debuts.
Naima’s previously announced international tour dates for the summer and autumn of 2024 to support Below a Massive Dark Land begin Thursday, August 15th in St. Malo, France at La Route Du Rock and end Friday, December 13th in Paris at La Boule Noire. Along the way, Naima will perform solo (August 22nd-24th, September 8th-15th), as a duo with Oliver Hamilton (August 14th and November 6th), and with a four-piece band (November 7th-December 13th). Please find the dates below.
Thu. Aug. 15 - St. Malo, FR - La Route Du Rock + Thu. Aug. 22 - Los Angeles, CA - Barnsdall Gallery Theatre ^ Fri. Aug. 23 - Los Angeles, CA - TBA Sat. Aug. 24 - Ojai, CA - Greater Goods Sep. 05 - Arcata, CA - The Miniplex Mon. Sep. 09 - Portland, OR - Music Millennium (instore) Fri. Sep. 13 - Walla Walla, WA - Billsville West Sun. Sep. 15 - Seattle, WA - The Rabbit Box Mon. Oct. 21 - Boston, MA - Warehouse X1 Wed. Oct 23 - Philadelphia, PA - First Unitarian Church Side Chapel Fri. Oct. 25 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool Sat. Oct. 26 - Washington, DC - Rhizome Wed. Nov. 06 - London, UK - St. Pancras Old Church + Thu. Nov. 07 - Bristol, UK - Jam Jar * Fri. Nov. 08 - Liverpool, UK - Leaf * Sat. Nov. 09 - Newcastle, UK - Cumberland Arms * Sun. Nov. 10 - Glasgow, UK - McChuills * Tue. Nov. 12 - Leeds, UK - Hyde Park Book Club * Wed. Nov. 13 - Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute * Thu. Nov. 14 - Cambridge, UK - Storey’s Field Centre * Sat. Nov. 16 - Falmouth, UK - The Cornish Bank * Sun. Nov. 17 - Frome, UK - The Tree House * Mon. Nov. 18 - Exeter, UK - Cavern Club * Wed. Nov. 20 - Ipswich, UK - St Stephens Church * Thu. Nov. 21 - London, UK - The Ivy House * Tue. Dec. 03 - Lille, FR - L ‘Aéronef * Wed. Dec. 04 - Brugge, BE - Cactus Café * Fri. Dec. 06 - Haldern, DE - Pop Bar * Sat. Dec. 07 - Hamburg, DE - Nachstasyl * Sun. Dec. 08 - Berlin, DE - Neu Zunkunft * Tue. Dec. 10 - Cologne, DE - Subway * Wed. Dec. 11 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso * Thu. Dec. 12 - Brussels, BE - Botanique * Fri. Dec. 13 - Paris, FR - La Boule Noire *
^ Supporting Angelo De Augustine * Full band show + Duo with Oliver Hamilton
Below a Massive Dark Land was predominantly produced by Jack Ogborne (Bingo Fury) and Joe Jones, and recorded at The Crypt in north London, with additional production and arrangement by Oliver Hamilton (caroline, Shovel Dance Collective) and Naima herself. Six of the tracks on Below… were mixed by Jason Agel, with the remainder done by Ogborne and Jones. The album was mastered by Kevin Tuffy.
Below a Massive Dark Land will be available on CD/LP/DSPs and is available now for preorder from Sub Pop/Memorials of Distinction. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.com (North America), Mega Mart 2 (UK/EU), and independent retailers worldwide will receive the limited Loser edition vinyl on Blue Jay (US) and the eco-friendly Yellow Bio (UK/EU) (All whilst stock lasts!). Naima also created the art for the Below… album cover.
Naima Bock Below A Massive Dark Land
Tracklisting: 1. Gentle 2. Kaley 3. Feed My Release 4. My Sweet Body 5. Lines 6. Further Away 7. Takes One 8. Age 9. Moving 10. Star
On September 27th, Naima Bock will release Below a Massive Dark Land worldwide through Sub Pop and Memorials of Distinction. Her second album, Below… comes as the follow up to Giant Palm, one of 2022’s most critically acclaimed debuts. Along with the album announcement Naima has shared the video for the lead single ‘Kaley’ (directed by Cassidy Hansen) and the animated visualizer accompanying single ‘Further Away’ (directed by Gaia Alari).
Speaking of the tracks, Naima says: “Kaley was written whilst staying at a friend’s house in Tucson, or at least it was finished there. It’s about betrayal and the subsequent lack of direction that follows. At the time there was no ‘plan’ or ‘way’ that I had for myself, let alone anyone else.”
“‘Further Away’ was written in Greece whilst trying to learn mini Bouzouki and missing someone.”
“‘Kaley”’ feels fresh and surprising in its rug-pull choppiness but is distinctly Naima in its swinging, jubilant choruses. Meanwhile, from its humble beginnings, ‘Further Away’ is fleshed out just enough while drawing you irresistibly near in its simplicity.
The success of Naima’s debut, Giant Palm, led to a mammoth period of touring. With headline tours including London’s EartH and support shows for artists such as A. Savage, J Mascis, Squid, Rodrigo Amarante, Arab Strap, Katy J Pearson, This is the Kit, and more, Naima’s feet have hardly touched the ground since 2022.
Today, fresh off the back of a solo tour with Porridge Radio’s Dana Margolin, Naima has also announced international tour dates for the summer and autumn of 2024 to support Below a Massive Dark Land.
They begin Wednesday, August 14th in St. Malo, France at La Route Du Rock and currently end Friday, December 13th in Paris at La Boule Noire. Along the way, Naima will perform solo (August 22nd, September 9th-15th), as a duo with Oliver Hamilton (August 14th and November 6th), and with a four-piece band (November 7th-December 13th). Please find the dates below.
Wed. Aug. 14 - St. Malo, FR - La Route Du Rock + Thu. Aug. 22 - Los Angeles, CA - Barnsdall Gallery Theatre ^ Sat. Aug. 24 - Ojai, CA - TBA Sun. Sep. 08 - Portland, OR - Music Millennium (instore) Fri. Sep. 13 - Walla Walla, WA - Billsville West Sun. Sep. 15 - Seattle, WA - The Rabbit Box Mon. Oct. 21 - Boston, MA - Warehouse XI Wed. Oct. 23 - Philadelphia, PA - The Parish Room (First Unitarian Church Fri. Oct. 25 - Brooklyn, NY - Union Pool Wed. Nov. 06 - London, UK - St. Pancras Old Church + Thu. Nov. 07 - Bristol, UK - Jam Jar * Fri. Nov. 08 - Liverpool, UK - Leaf * Sat. Nov. 09 - Newcastle, UK - Cumberland Arms * Sun. Nov. 10 - Glasgow, UK - McChuills * Tue. Nov. 12 - Leeds, UK - Hyde Park Book Club * Wed. Nov. 13 - Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute * Thu. Nov. 14 - Cambridge, UK - Storey’s Field Centre * Sat. Nov. 16 - Falmouth, UK - The Cornish Bank * Sun. Nov. 17 - Frome, UK - The Tree House * Mon. Nov. 18 - Exeter, UK - Cavern Club * Wed. Nov. 20 - Ipswich, UK - St Stephens Church * Thu. Nov. 21 - London, UK - The Ivy House * Tue. Dec. 03 - Lille, FR - L ‘Aéronef * Wed. Dec. 04 - Brugge, BE - Cactus Café * Fri. Dec. 06 - Haldern, DE - Pop Bar * Sat. Dec. 07 - Hamburg, DE - Nachstasyl * Sun. Dec. 08 - Berlin, DE - Neu Zunkunft * Tue. Dec. 10 - Cologne, DE - Subway * Wed. Dec. 11 - Amsterdam, NL - Paradiso * Thu. Dec. 12 - Brussels, BE - Botanique * Fri. Dec. 13 - Paris, FR - La Boule Noire *
^ w/ Angelo De Augustine * Full band show + Duo with Oliver Hamilton
Below a Massive Dark Land was predominantly produced by Jack Osborne (Bingo Fury) and Joe Jones, and recorded at The Crypt in north London, with additional production and arrangement by Oliver Hamilton (caroline, Shovel Dance Collective) and Naima herself. Six of the tracks on Below… were mixed by Jason Agel, with the remainder done by Osborne and Jones. The album was mastered by Kevin Tuffy.
Below a Massive Dark Land will be available on CD/LP/DSPs and is available now for preorder from Sub Pop/Memorials of Distinction. LP preorders from megamart.subpop.com (North America), Mega Mart 2 (UK/EU), and independent retailers worldwide will receive the limited Loser edition vinyl on Blue Jay (US) and the eco-friendly Yellow Bio (UK/EU) (All whilst stock lasts!). Naima also created the art for the Below… album cover.
More on Naima Bock’s Below a Massive Dark Land: Most of the writing of Naima Bock’s second album, Below a Massive Dark Land, was a solitary affair. It may not sound it – it’s made up of strong, purposeful arrangements with a huge host of musicians; filled with cradling space and warm light. This will also come as a surprise to anyone who has seen Naima perform in the time since the release of her 2022 debut Giant Palm, undoubtedly a communal experience.
With a band of ten, three, or even just solo, when Naima plays there’s a rare bond between the musicians on stage and the audience. In their interview with her, The Quietus declared “after every song the applause and cheering is immense, so immense in fact that it seems to be coming from a different place than the usual formalities of a live show, a link between performer and artist forged somewhere deeper and more personal.”
It was in Giant Palm’s music too, a record that sweeps and swells, a chorus of voices and instrumentation that rises and falls as one alongside Naima’s own somersaulting voice.
It’s true though, most of Below…’s songs started life very simply; Naima alone, living in her grandmother’s shed in South London, writing just with her voice, guitar and violin. She’s no violin virtuoso but had taken it up as a songwriting exercise for its ability to draw melodies from her – a trick that undoubtedly worked, these are songs that drift into the back of your mind and settle there like fallen leaves, songs you wake up singing. The remainder was written on the road after those moments of audience connection, in the quiet that follows.
There’s power in the solitary, too. Giant Palm was arranged with collaborator Joel Burton, but going it alone in search of something truly hers, Naima found she was capable of more. “After me and Joel stopped working together,” she remembers, “it was an impossibility to even fathom doing arrangements myself, but then I started learning violin. Playing it isn’t easy but writing melodies on it is”. Finding that she could go it alone was incredibly powerful for Naima, “I think I needed it, to be able to feel proud of something. Like, that’s me! That feels good.”
Once that writing portion is over, though, this ends. The record is not a stark, stripped-back affair. Below… still has that majesty that made Giant Palm so remarkable. Tugging the first record down from the skies and spreading it across the earth; there’s a newfound vocal power and confidence born from hundreds of hours on stage, and the music sounds fuller, more tangible, but no less enveloping.
This can be found in Below a Massive Dark Land’s singles. ‘Kaley’ feels fresh and surprising in its rug-pull choppiness but is distinctly Naima in its swinging, jubilant choruses. The accompanying “Further Away” takes a different tack, drawing you irresistibly near in its simplicity. Finally, the hazy, luxurious beauty of ‘Feed My Release’ draws on the sepia-toned traditions of The Roches, John Prine, and Loudon Wainwright III but imbues them with the kind of stark confessional songwriting of Mount Eerie. Lyrically reaching deeper and darker than Giant Palm, these are ambitious, rich arrangements.
Past Praise For Naima Bock Giant Palm:
“Exquisite solo debut” - ★★★★ MOJO
“Quiet, melancholy and occasionally divinely uplifting (8/10)” - Uncut
“A real gem..” (“Album of the Week”) - Stereogum
“A sharply observed, sumptuously arranged album of idiosyncratic folk.” - Pitchfork
“quietly dazzling….” - Brooklyn Vegan
“Hugely ambitious” (“Music of the Month”) - The Quietus
“…exquisite. A truly special listen” (8/10) - CLASH
★★★★ - DIY
“a stellar debut (8/10)” - The Line of Best Fit
“…an often brilliant debut” ★★★★ - All Music
“The fusion of her disparate cultural influences makes for an enchanting sound entirely Bock’s own.” [“Giant Palm”] - New York Times
Naima Bock Below A Massive Dark Land
Tracklisting: 1. Gentle 2. Kaley 3. Feed My Release 4. My Sweet Body 5. Lines 6. Further Away 7. Takes One 8. Age 9. Moving 10. Star
Available today, September 7th, Naima Bock has shared a cover of Leonard Cohen’s archetypal masterpiece, “So Long, Marianne,” available now on all DSPs from Sub Pop/Memorials of Distinction. This stand-alone track was engineered & produced by Ali Chant at The Playpen Studio in Bristol, UK.
Bock shares about the cover: “I first found out about Leonard Cohen’s ‘So Long Marianne’ when I was walking in Fordham Park in New Cross, London as a young teenager. I saw ‘To laugh and cry and cry and laugh about it all again’ inscribed on a bench plate in memory of a woman called Marianne (this bench has now sadly gone). The lyrics touched me in a profound way, and I remember crying a little when I saw them. These words in the context of someone’s passing were so profound and (for me) encompassed all of life and its constant tides. Of course, I later went home and listened to the hell out of Mr. Cohen, which I would continue to do for many years after, always finding safety in his voice and words.”
We (myself and the band) had been playing this song as a cover during our tours in 2022, and when we went in with Ali Chant, we decided to record a live version of it. I always felt nervous about recording a cover of Leonard Cohen. it obviously never stands up to the original, but I wanted to do it justice and, if nothing else, try not to diminish it in any way. My feelings around this recording were somewhat complicated, and although I could recognize how good the band (Meitar Wegman on Saxophone, Cassidy Hansen on drums, Clem Appleby on bass/ electric guitar, and Oliver Hamilton on violin, everyone on backing vocals) sounded, I didn’t like my vocal delivery. That is until I heard the backing vocals come in on a later chorus, and something inside me clicked, and I fell in love with what we had done.
I have always felt hugely supported by the musicians I play with, and when I heard their voices in this recording, it reminded me to be accepting and LOVING of imperfections, imperfections in my voice, which I have always (like many singers) been painfully aware of, imperfections in art, in myself. I thought if I didn’t want to present something imperfect to the world, then where do I stand morally in regards to what people consume, perfection only? This is the reality for many people, not just in artistic expression but in appearance, career trajectory etc. perfection only pleases. This is not only unrealistic but also detrimental to our minds and souls, we never will be perfect and if all we consume feels like it is, then we must be less. This is not a game that I will support, so here it is, my lovingly given imperfect version of ‘So long, Marianne’. I also altered the lyrics from ‘Violet park’ to ‘Fordham park’ to honour the Marianne who introduced me (from the other side) to Leonard Cohen. “
Bock will embark on a 9-date EU tour, beginning in Leipzig, Germany, on September 15th, opening for Squid, with headline and festival performances in the UK & Vienna in November. See below for a full list of dates.
Fri. Sep. 15 - Leipzig, DE - UT Connewitz # Sat. Sep. 16 - Zurich, CH - Mascotte # Tue. Sep. 19 - Milan, It - Santeria Social Club # Thu. Sep. 21 - Barcelona, ES - Sala Apolo # Fri. Sep. 22 - Valencia, ES - Teatro La Rambleta # Sat. Sep. 23 - Madrid, ES - Sala Copernico # Sun. Sep. 24 - Bordeaux, FR - Rock School Barbey # Mon. Sep. 25 - Paris, FR - Elysee Montmartre # Wed. Sep. 27 - Rouen, FR - Le 106 # Mon. Oct. 25 - Totnes, UK - The Albatross Tue. Oct. 26 - Falmouth, UK - The Cornish Bank Fri. Nov. 03 - Hebden Bridge, UK - The Trades Club Sun. Nov. 05 - Manchester, UK - Deaf Institute Thu. Nov. 9 - Bristol, UK - Dareshack Fri. Nov. 10 - London, UK - EartH (AKA Hackney Arts Centre) Thur. Nov. 23 - Vienna, AT - Blue Bird Festival (Porgy & Bess)
# w/ Squid
What People Are Saying About Naima Bock: “There’s a bit of ’70s Brian Eno in her vocal delivery and an echo of John Cale in her arrangements, but the fusion of her disparate cultural influences makes for an enchanting sound entirely Bock’s own.” [“Giant Palm”] - New York Times
“Exquisite solo debut” - ★★★★ MOJO
“Quiet, melancholy and occasionally divinely uplifting (8/10)” - Uncut
“Hugely ambitious - the individual pieces are delicately arranged, the end product solid as steel” [ “Music of the Month”] - The Quietus
“A real gem…[it’s] cinematic and spectral; it makes one contemplate things like energy flows and meditation and the long arc of history.” [“Album of the Week”] - Stereogum
“Giant Palm, is quietly dazzling, drawing from a wide range of influences including ’70s British folk, jazz, and Tropicalia.” [“Album of the Week, Indie Basement”] - Brooklyn Vegan
“This album has an unforced charm, making it an ideal accompaniment to long summer nights” ★★★★- The Times of London
“Naima Bock’s ‘Giant Palm’ is - frankly - exquisite. A truly special listen” - CLASH
“Steady and calming, intimate and revelatory, sporadically startling - it’s a record as unique as Bock’s history (8/10)” - Loud and Quiet
“As a debut, Giant Palm situates itself in a specific tradition without being constrained by convention - finding a voice in ten tracks that occupy their own lifeforce, almost set in motion by the elements.” ★★★★ - DIY
“Giant Palm is a stellar debut and one of 2022’s more distinct releases (8/10)” - The Line of Best Fit
“Though she took a roundabout path to make and release Giant Palm, the way Bock shares her profound moments and little insights with a generous spirit makes for an often brilliant debut.” ★★★★ - All Music
Naima Bock has shared an official video for her striking new single, “Lines” which is now available on all DSPs from Sub Pop/Memorials of Distinction. This stand-alone track was engineered & produced by Ali Chant in 2022 at The Playpen Studio, in Bristol, UK.
Bock reveals “Lines is about what we do to each other, some call the dance of intimacy, exchanges. What we are given, carry with us, then subsequently pass on to others- good and bad. How the recipient is often undeserving of the negative side of this reality. It’s about trying to dodge blame and the loneliness of guilt. It’s about the irony of impermanence and unhealthy patterns coexisting; ‘nothing stays’ but ‘nothings changed’. The idea of change I had grown accustomed to but the reality that some things won’t change until you actively work on them is something new to me, preferring to adopt a slightly lazy attitude and misunderstanding the saying ‘all passes’. Sometimes it doesn’t pass quickly enough. It’s also a song about anger, and the familiarity of not knowing where to put it.” You can watch the official video for “Lines” which was directed by Kit Harwood HERE.
Naima will return to the US on Friday, March 3rd performing songs from her critically acclaimed debut release Giant Palm. See below for a full list of dates.
Praised for its originality, warmth, and ambition, Giant Palm has been heralded as one of last year’s finest debuts so far with features from CLASH, Loud & Quiet, The Quietus, and Uncut, and receiving rave reviews like “Album of the Week” from Stereogum, Brooklyn Vegan (Indie Basement), The Line of Best Fit and inclusion on Pitchfork’s “34 Great Records You May Have Missed”, Spring/Summer” list.
Giant Palm also appeared on multiple year end lists, including #1 on Brooklyn Vegan’s “Indie Basement: Top 40 Albums of 2022” as well as its “50 Best Albums of 2022” list. The album also appeared on additional “Best of 2022” lists from Stereogum (#24), Loud & Quiet (#22), Clash (#42), and Our Culture (#50).
US 2023
Fri. Mar. 03 - Brooklyn, NY - Public Records
Sat. Mar. 04 - Philadelphia, PA - World Cafe Live
Sun. Mar. 05 - Washington, DC - Songbyrd Cafe
Wed. Mar. 08 - Seattle, WA - Barboza
Sat. Mar. 11 - Los Angeles, CA - Gold Diggers
UK/Europe 2023
Tue. Mar. 14 - Bristol, UK - Thekla Social*
Wed. Mar. 15 - Norwich, UK - Norwich Art Centre*
Thu. Mar. 16 - O2 - Oxford, UK - Academy Oxford*
Fri. Mar. 17 - London, UK - Heaven*
Sat. Mar. 25 - Bristol, UK - Ritual Union Festival
Sat. Apr. 01- Manchester, UK - Fair Play Festival
Sat. May. 27 - London, UK - Wide Awake Festival
Fri. Jun. 09- Sat. 10 - Ipswich, UK - Brighten The Corners Festival
*Supporting Orlando Weeks
What People Are Saying About Naima Bock’s Giant Palm:
“There’s a bit of ’70s Brian Eno in her vocal delivery and an echo of John Cale in her arrangements, but the fusion of her disparate cultural influences makes for an enchanting sound entirely Bock’s own.” [“Giant Palm”] - New York Times
“Exquisite solo debut” - ★★★★ MOJO
“Quiet, melancholy and occasionally divinely uplifting (8/10)” - Uncut
“Hugely ambitious - the individual pieces are delicately arranged, the end product solid as steel” [ “Music of the Month”] - The Quietus
“A real gem…[it’s] cinematic and spectral; it makes one contemplate things like energy flows and meditation and the long arc of history.” [“Album of the Week”] - Stereogum
“Giant Palm, is quietly dazzling, drawing from a wide range of influences including ’70s British folk, jazz, and Tropicalia.” [“Album of the Week, Indie Basement”] - Brooklyn Vegan
“This album has an unforced charm, making it an ideal accompaniment to long summer nights” ★★★★- The Times of London
“Naima Bock’s ‘Giant Palm’ is - frankly - exquisite. A truly special listen” - CLASH
“Steady and calming, intimate and revelatory, sporadically startling - it’s a record as unique as Bock’s history (8/10)” - Loud and Quiet
“As a debut, Giant Palm situates itself in a specific tradition without being constrained by convention - finding a voice in ten tracks that occupy their own lifeforce, almost set in motion by the elements.” ★★★★ - DIY
“Giant Palm is a stellar debut and one of 2022’s more distinct releases (8/10)” - The Line of Best Fit
“Though she took a roundabout path to make and release Giant Palm, the way Bock shares her profound moments and little insights with a generous spirit makes for an often brilliant debut.” ★★★★ - All Music
