Terra Naomi Englebardt[1] is an American indie folk singer-songwriter, who rose to fame through a performance of her song "Say It's Possible" on the video sharing site YouTube.[2] Originally from New York State, but currently based in Los Angeles, she writes and performs her own songs, and plays the guitar and piano.
Biography
Naomi was born in Saratoga Springs, New York, and raised on a farm for the first couple of years of her life. The family then moved to Cleveland, Ohio where they lived for six years before finally settling in upstate New York, from where her father, a plastic surgeon, originated. Her mother is a social worker. Naomi has one older brother and one younger brother.
Naomi has come to prominence in the international YouTube community where she broadcast her own "virtual" summer tour during 2006. The program included live performances from her apartment in Hollywood and question-answer sessions entitled "Ask a Wanna-be Rockstar". Her song, "Say It's Possible", filmed in Terra's Hollywood apartment, recorded on a Sony Handycam, appeared on YouTube in June 2006, causing an instant explosion of interest.[2] "Say It's Possible" has inspired adoring fans to post hundreds of personal "YouTube covers" in a wide range of styles.[4] This includes versions from countries in South America, North America and Europe. Fans have also translated and performed the song into Spanish, Italian and Mandarin Chinese and one used a sock puppet. In March 2007, she received one of the inaugural YouTube Video Awards in the music video category for "Say It's Possible", earning her appearances on NBC's The Today Show and CBS' The Early Show, as well as coverage on several international news programs.[5]
In fall 2006, Naomi was signed to a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group. This was followed in January 2007 by the announcement that she had been also signed to the major record label, Island Records.[8]
After releasing Under the Influence, Naomi left Island Records. She released her new album, To Know I'm Ok, independently in June 2011. It was funded through fans via Pledgemusic, an "international Direct-to-Fan platform for raising funds".[9]
In 2007, after being invited by Al Gore, Naomi performed "Say It's Possible" at the UK leg of Live Earth at Wembley Stadium in London.[14] Later that year, YouTube Russia was launched and Naomi was invited to perform and help launch it.[16]
In November 2009, Naomi began a two-week tour of India playing shows in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi culminating with a headlining performance at the Mercy Corps Say It's Possible Climate Change Concert in Srinagar, Kashmir. This tour was sponsored by American Center, Levi Strauss & Co. India, Fabindia and Mercy Corps. Naomi's Indian tour was followed by two weeks in Italy playing shows in Fabriano, Perugia, Rome, Imola, Bologna, Rimini, Monte Castello Di Vibio and Montesilvano.[17] During her stay in Italy she also recorded a duet with Italian singer Elisa.
In June 2011, Naomi performed the inaugural show for the Haus of Hipstamatic Unplugged Summer Sessions in San Francisco.[19] The event was the first in a series of unplugged sessions featuring other singer-songwriters such as Michelle Branch and was hosted by Hipstamatic at their office space in SoMa. The music video for "You For Me" also debuted at the event, which is archived on UstreamArchived August 27, 2011, at the Wayback Machine. A video for "I'll Be Waiting" was also shot.
In January, February and March 2012, she toured Europe, doing more than 30 concerts. The European countries she toured include UK, Italy, France, Germany and Switzerland.
Record label
Naomi published an essay in 2015 called "How Signing A Major Record Deal Nearly Destroyed My Music Career"[20] in Digital Music News. The article told the detailed story of Naomi's experience at Universal Island Records.
2018
Indiegogo
In 2016, Naomi announced an Indiegogo campaign to raise funds for her first album since 2012.[21] The campaign exceeded its goal of $35,000, ultimately raising $51,000 from 600 people.
Album release
"Machine Age" single
Naomi released "Machine Age," the first single from the album, via Bandcamp on January 19, 2018. It was described as both a "protest song" by INTO magazine[22] and a "peaceful plea" by Broadway World.[23]Billboard called the song "A poignant reflection on Trump's first year in office",[24]Jubilant wrote "'Machine Age,' by singer-songwriter Terra Naomi may be the first truly great song to come at the expense of the world's collective sanity",[25]Women In Rock wrote "Terra Naomi is the voice that all women need right now".[26]
"Nothing To Hide" single
Naomi released "Nothing To Hide" the first single from the album, via Bandcamp on March 9, 2018.[27] The song premiered on Popdust.[28]
Verrico, L (September 25, 2007). "Terra Naomi". Live reviews. London: The Times. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved September 24, 2007.
