View source for Nai Palm

{{Short description|Australian neo soul musician}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Nai Palm
| image            = Nai Palm HK 15.jpg
| caption          = Nai Palm in 2015
| birth_name       = Naomi Saalfield
| birth_date       = {{Birth date and age|1989|05|15|df=y}}
| years_active     = 2011–present
| genre            = {{hlist|[[Neo soul]]|[[future soul]]|[[jazz-funk]]}}
| occupations      = {{hlist|[[Singer]]|[[Songwriter]]|[[Musician]]}}
| label            = {{hlist|[[Salaam Remi|Flying Buddha]]|[[Sony Masterworks]]}}
| website          = {{Official URL}}
| associated_acts  = [[Hiatus Kaiyote]]
| birth_place      = Melbourne, Australia
}}
'''Naomi Saalfield''' (born 15 May 1989), known professionally as '''Nai Palm''', is an [[Australians|Australian]] musician, best known as the vocalist, guitarist and occasional pianist for the [[jazz]]/[[funk]] band [[Hiatus Kaiyote]].
==Early life==
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 music|soul]], [[Flamenco music|flamenco]], and [[Music of North Africa|Northwest African music]]. Later, her brother introduced her to classic rock staples [[Jimi Hendrix]] and [[Led Zeppelin]].<ref name="Pennick">{{Cite web |url= https://sheshreds.com/nai-palm/|title= The Alchemy Behind Nai Palm's Intuitive and Curious Techniques|website=She Shreds |last=Pennick |first=Bailey |date=2 January 2019 |accessdate=28 July 2020}}</ref> When Saalfield was 11 years old her mother died of breast cancer.<ref name="Heins 2015">{{Cite web|last=Heins|first=Scott|date=2015|title=Nai Palm Of Hiatus Kaiyote Shares Her Amazing Story Of Grief And Hope For 'What's Underneath'|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/news/nai-palm-hiatus-kaiyote-whats-underneath-video.html|website=Okayplayer|accessdate=28 July 2020}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2021-05-29|title=Hiatus Kaiyote's Nai Palm: 'Last year I lost a breast and then my bird. But loss isn't new to me'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/may/29/hiatus-kaiyotes-nai-palm-lost-breast-bird-died|access-date=2021-08-04|website=the Guardian|language=en}}</ref> 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, Victoria|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.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.revolt.tv/2017/11/6/20820891/nai-palm-talks-journal-like-debut-album-needle-paw-and-being-sampled-by-drake|title= Nai Palm talks "journal"-like debut album 'Needle Paw' and being sampled by Drake|website=Revolt |last=Adams |first=Biba |date=6 November 2017 |accessdate=28 July 2020}}</ref> Her aunt had an acoustic guitar, and Nai learned to harmonize with it.<ref name="Pennick"/> 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 performance|fire performer]].<ref name="Heins 2015" />
==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.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/backstage/backstage-articles/hiatus-kaiyote.html|title= Nooks & Crannies: Hiatus Kaiyote |website=Sydney Opera House |last=Tan |first=Teresa |date=12 December 2016 |accessdate=27 July 2020}}</ref>
In 2012 the band opened for [[Taylor McFerrin]] in Melbourne; McFerrin later featured Nai Palm on his track "The Antidote."<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNm0jfYCZn0|title= Taylor McFerrin - The Antidote (feat. Nai Palm) - Official Music Video |website=Youtube |date=26 September 2014|accessdate=31 July 2020}}</ref> The band released its debut album ''Tawk Tomahawk'' independently in April 2012.<ref name="acclaimmag.com">{{cite web|title = Interview: Hiatus Kaiyote – ACCLAIM|url = http://www.acclaimmag.com/music/interview-hiatus-kaiyote/|accessdate = 15 September 2015}}</ref> The second Hiatus Kaiyote album, ''[[Choose Your Weapon]]'', was released in May 2015. The album reached high in the Australian charts<ref name="ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums">{{cite web|url=http://www.ariacharts.com.au/chart/albums/78294|title=ARIA Australian Top 50 Albums|publisher=[[Australian Recording Industry Association]]|date=11 May 2015|accessdate=9 May 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117032019/http://www.ariacharts.com.au/chart/albums/78294|archivedate=17 November 2015}}</ref> and was nominated for a Grammy Award in the United States.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|title = 2016 Grammy Awards: Complete list of winners and nominees|url = http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/posts/la-et-ms-grammys-2016-nominees-winners-list-story.html|website = Los Angeles Times|access-date = 16 February 2016}}</ref>
In 2017, Palm released her debut solo album ''Needle Paw,''<ref>{{cite web|author=Will Brewster |url=http://www.mixdownmag.com.au/nai-palm-out-crush-your-assumptions |title=Nai Palm is out to crush your assumptions |publisher=Mixdownmag.com.au |date=2015-02-11 |accessdate=2019-05-23}}</ref> which was possibly named after a desert flower.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adenuga |first1=Julie |title=An Interview With Nai Palm |url=https://itunes.apple.com/us/post/idsa.37f539c0-9979-11e7-ade7-40456d904f26?app=music |website=Apple Music |accessdate=6 November 2018}}</ref> The album features only stripped-down vocals and guitars,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Nai Palm: Needle Paw|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/nai-palm-needle-paw/|access-date=2021-08-22|website=Pitchfork|language=en}}</ref> and includes original tracks as well as covers of songs by [[David Bowie]], [[Tamia]], and [[Jimi Hendrix]].<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.revolt.tv/2017/11/6/20820891/nai-palm-talks-journal-like-debut-album-needle-paw-and-being-sampled-by-drake|title= Nai Palm talks "journal"-like debut album 'Needle Paw' and being sampled by Drake |website=Revolt |last=Adams |first=Biba |date=6 November 2017|accessdate=28 July 2020}}</ref> She also worked with Australian indigenous performer Jason Guwanbal Gurruwiwi on the album.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.clashmusic.com/features/different-viewpoints-nai-palm-on-solo-work-and-engaging-with-australian-aboriginal|title= Different Viewpoints: Nai Palm On Solo Work, And Engaging With Australian Aboriginal Traditions|website=Clash Music |last=Kalia |first=Ammar |date=20 November 2017 |accessdate=28 July 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref name="soundofboston1"/> The cover art for the album, an abstract drawing of Saalfield, was done by Chilean artist Jowy Maasdamme.<ref name="soundofboston1">{{cite web |last1=Bedian |first1=Knar |title=Interview: Nai Palm (Of Hiatus Kaiyote) |url=http://soundofboston.com/interview-nai-palm-hiatus-kaiyote/ |website=Sound of Boston |accessdate=6 November 2018}}</ref>
In June 2018, Palm was featured on the album ''[[Scorpion (Drake album)|Scorpion]]'' by [[Drake (musician)|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 of Drake's "Is There More".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7735768/drake-more-life-hiatus-kaiyote-nai-palm-sample-interview|title=How Drake's Love of Australian Band Hiatus Kaiyote Turned Into a 'More Life' Sample|magazine=Billboard|access-date=2018-07-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2018/06/nai-palm-on-contributing-to-drake-new-album-scorpion|title=Nai Palm on Contributing to Drake's New Album 'Scorpion'|website=Complex|language=en|access-date=2018-07-13}}</ref> On her working relationship with [[Drake (musician)|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."<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2021-06-30|title=Hiatus Kaiyote: "Art isn't perfect, it's about the energy"|url=https://www.nme.com/en_au/big-reads/hiatus-kaiyote-cover-interview-2021-mood-valiant-2980549|access-date=2021-08-04|website=NME|language=en-AU}}</ref>
The third Hiatus Kaiyote studio album, ''[[Mood Valiant]]'', was released in June 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Welcome To The Family: HIATUS KAIYOTE|url=http://www.brainfeedersite.com/2021/03/16/welcome-to-the-family-hiatus-kaiyote/|access-date=26 June 2021|website=Brainfeedersite.com}}</ref> The album's title was inspired by Palm's mother, who owned two [[Chrysler Valiant#AP6 Series|Valiant Safari]] [[station wagon]]s, one white and one black, and would drive whichever would suit her mood for the day.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />
== Personal life and style ==
[[File:Hiatus Kaiyote 2013.jpg|alt=Hiatus Kaiyote performing in 2013|left|thumb|361x361px|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.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2017-11-09|title=This Under-the-Radar Singer Is About to Become Your Ultimate Eye Makeup Inspo|url=https://www.allure.com/story/nai-palm-eye-makeup-interview|access-date=2021-08-04|website=Allure|language=en-US}}</ref> 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)|''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"<ref name=":1" />
On October 18, 2018, Palm revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Yoo|first=Noah|date=18 October 2018|title=Hiatus Kaiyote's Nai Palm Diagnosed With Breast Cancer|url=https://pitchfork.com/news/hiatus-kaiyotes-nai-palm-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer/|website=Pitchfork|accessdate=28 July 2020}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Brandle|first=Lars|date=19 October 2018|title=Hiatus Kaiyote's Nai Palm Is Battling Breast Cancer|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8480729/hiatus-kaiyotes-nai-palm-is-battling-breast-cancer|magazine=Billboard|accessdate=31 July 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018|title=Watch Nai Palm Perform A Stunning Cover Of Curtis Mayfield's "The Makings Of You" From Her Hospital Bed|url=https://www.okayplayer.com/music/nai-palm-curtis-mayfield-cover-makings-of-you-hospital-bed-video.html|website=Okayplayer|accessdate=30 July 2020}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Boyd|first=Lou|date=2021|title=Savage Sensitivity: Hiatus Kaiyote's Nai Palm|url=https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/theredbulletin/savage-sensitivity-nai-palm-hiatus-kaiyote-interview|access-date=2021-08-04|website=www.redbull.com}}</ref> As of an interview with KCRW Berlin in 2019, she is cancer-free.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cunningham|first=Sylvia|date=15 November 2019|title=KCRW Berlin Presents: Australian musician Nai Palm on loss, survival and celebrating a year cancer-free|url=https://kcrwberlin.com/2019/11/australian-musician-nai-palm-on-loss-survival-and-celebrating-a-year-cancer-free/|website=KCRW Berlin|accessdate=28 July 2020}}</ref>
Palm is also known for traveling with her [[Australian ringneck|ring-neck parrot]] named Charlie Parker,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-11-24|title=Hiatus Kaiyote: On birds, improvisation and identity|url=https://www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/hiatus-kaiyote-on-birds-improvisation-and-identity/|access-date=2021-08-04|website=The Cambridge Student|language=en-GB}}</ref> which died in 2019.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />
==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|-
! scope="col" style="width:8em;"| Title
! scope="col" style="width:15em;"| Details
|-
! scope="row"| ''Needle Paw''
|
* Release: 2017
* Label: Flying Buddha
* Format: Digital download, CD and vinyl
|}
==Awards and nominations==
===Australian Women in Music Awards===
The [[Australian Women in Music Awards]] is an annual event that celebrates outstanding women in the [[Music of Australia|Australian Music Industry]] who have made significant and lasting contributions in their chosen field. They commenced in 2018.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[2019 Australian Women in Music Awards|2019]]
| Nai Palm
| Artistic Excellence Award
| {{nom}}
| <ref name="AWMA2019">{{cite web |url=https://womeninmusicawards.com.au/2019-recipients-finalists/|title=Congratulations to our 2019 Recipients & Finalists|website=women in Music Awards|date=October 2019|access-date=19 March 2021}}</ref>
{{end}}
===Music Victoria Awards===
The [[Music Victoria Awards]], are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2005.
{{awards table}}
! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}
|-
| [[2021 Music Victoria Awards|2021]]
| Nai Palm (Hiatus Kaiyote)
| Best Musician
| {{nom}}
|<ref name="MVA2021noms">{{cite web|url=https://www.noise11.com/news/music-victoria-awards-reveals-line-up-and-nominees-for-2021-20211111|title=Music Victoria Awards Reveals Line-up And Nominees for 2021|website=Noise11|date=11 November 2021|access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref><ref name="MVA2021wins">{{cite web|url=https://scenestr.com.au/music/music-victoria-awards-2021-winners-20211209|title=Music Victoria Awards 2021 Winners|website=scenestr.com.au|date=9 December 2021|access-date=9 December 2021}}</ref>
|-
{{end}}
==External links==
* [http://hiatuskaiyote.com Hiatus Kaiyote official website]
* [http://naipalm.com Nai Palm official website]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Palm, Nai}}
[[Category:Australian soul musicians]]
[[Category:Musicians from Melbourne]]
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]