This interview took place over email with Naomi on March 16th. Despite being in the midst of promoting her single "Be My Lover", she took time out of her schedule to answer these questions. Thanks to her and to Mark from S + M Management for making this happen.

HeadCleaner: How would you describe your music to someone who hadn't heard it before?

Naomi: I'd suggest it was like an old soul record which I can't remember the name of, but - a teaspoon of pop, a little pinch of dub, chunks of rock, slices of dance, a splash of jazz adding the final spices of dark blues.

HeadCleaner: Who would you cite as your main inspiration and influences?

Naomi: Janis Joplin, Bette Davis (soul funk mamma married to Miles Davis), Aretha Franklin, Beck, PJ Harvey.

HeadCleaner: Have you always wanted to create music? What path have you travelled to get to where you are today?

Naomi: I used to be a tequila girl at the age of 17 - 18 in a Mexican restaurant and I had plans to travel Greece on my 150cc Honda motorbike! So when the music world opened up to me I fell into a studio and started recording.

HeadCleaner: Do you have ambitions to be massively successful, or is it satisfaction enough to just be creating something?

Naomi: I'm not really attached to the idea of fame and fortune, in fact I was making more money as a waitress. Just as long as I'm able to keep on 'creating' music, I'm a happy bunny.

HeadCleaner: The UK music press seem obsessed with putting female artists in pigeonholes. What are your thoughts on how the media treat females in the music industry?

Naomi: I tend not to get involved in the political side of the business. If the media treat females in a different way then it certainly hasn't affected me yet!

HeadCleaner: What do you think of the current music scene, both in the UK and worldwide?

Naomi: I'm enjoying the charts at the moment - there's copious amounts of tastes to choose from. I think the UK lacks media attention to world(wide) music.

HeadCleaner: What other interests do you have, besides music?

Naomi: I'm coming up to my 21st birthday and I have 3 life ambitions: to see a gospel choir in church. I'm not religious, but what a great Sunday! to write an opera to do a parachute jump My interests range from painting, sculpture, massage, acupuncture, astrology, 50's actresses, erm... my cat's 19 years old called Lotus - she's interesting. I've got too many. I love drinking with mates and sitting on the beach in Brighton.

HeadCleaner: How importantly do you rate image in what you do musically?

Naomi: My record company would disagree with me. My image isn't that important but as I am now a businesswoman as well as a singer songwriter, I have to understand all sides of being an entertainer. If you want to be a pop star then learn to dance. If you want to be a musician, then you need talent.

HeadCleaner: Do you prefer playing live, or recording? How do you feel when you're up on stage?

Naomi: I prefer being in the studio. You get such a rush when finally after an intense 12 hours you can sit back and say "I love it!". I never know what I'm going to do when I get to the studio, it just pours out from somewhere. Being on stage is great though. I love the attention of playing with an audience but when I first gigged all I wanted to do was get away from the constant eye contact.

HeadCleaner: Thanks for your time and patience in anwering these questions. Finally, what are your plans for the coming year?

Naomi: I have no plans for this year other than to enjoy the ride. I hope its a good year for everybody. Big Sized Kisses, Naomi xxx

HeadCleaner: Aww, shucks.