Ny Oh
Birth nameNaomi Ludlow
Born1994
Worcestershire, U.K.
GenresFolk, psychedelic
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, musician
InstrumentsVocals, guitar, piano, percussion
Years active2014–present
Member ofNeon Gru
Websitenyoh.me

Naomi Ludlow (born 1994), known professionally as Ny Oh, is a New Zealand folk singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist. She is the lead singer of the band Neon Gru and has toured with Harry Styles as a multi-instrumentalist for his Love on Tour.

Early life

Ny Oh was born in the United Kingdom in 1994.[1][2] However, she moved to New Zealand when she was three[3] and grew up in Tauranga.[2][4] Her mother is a flautist[5] and a music teacher.[6] When she was four years old, Ny Oh began playing piano.[7] As a teenager, she took vocal lessons and played the violin.[4] She learned the viola and guitar at Bethlehem College.[7] Growing up, she was a fan of New Zealand musicians such as OMC, Crowded House, and Bic Runga[8] as well as international acts like John Mayer, Pink Floyd, and Bruce Springsteen.[1]

When she was 18, she relocated to London to attend the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance for vocal performance.[1][2] She made a living working for a vegan cafe and busking.[1] She spent much of her early twenties backpacking and hitchhiking[5] and spent time living on an illegally moored boat with other musicians near Camden Town.[9]

Career

In 2014, Ny Oh featured on the tracks "Younger Now" and "We Will Be Love" on Roaman's album Younger Now.[10] She collaborated with Roaman again in 2016 on the track "Free at Last" for his album Free at Last.[11] Ny Oh toured with Jonathan Wilson in 2018[3][5] and was part of Jesse Sheehan's band[2] as well as part of a songwriting collective called The Lyrical Nomads.[4] Also in 2018, Ny Oh released her first single, "Georgia,"[12] and her first EP, Without.[4]

Ny Oh, along with five other musicians, formed the band Neon Gru in 2018.[13] In 2019, they released their first single, "Growing Pains."[14] Ny Oh assisted with promotion of Harry Styles' album, Fine Line, as an anticipated new member of his touring band.[15] Later in 2020, Neon Gru released two additional singles, "Moonlight" and "Hot Wine."[13] In 2021, Ny Oh toured with Harry Styles during his Love on Tour.[16][17]

In 2022, Ny Oh was a featured artist on the track TAURUS on Pauli Lovejoy's OFFAIR: The Power of your Subconscious Mind Vol 1: SPACE.[18] Garden of Eden, Ny Oh's second EP, also released in 2022.[3] Neon Gru released two additional singles in 2022: a cover of Phoebe Bridgers' song "Motion Sickness"[19] and an original song called "Elon"[20] Ny Oh continued to tour with Harry Styles in 2022[21] and 2023.[3] She opened for Styles on March 7, 2023, for his show in Auckland, New Zealand.[3][7]

Reception

Neon Gru's music has been described "eclectic and imaginative" by IndieGems[22] and "stunningly beautiful" by A&R Factory.[23] Ramona Magazine described Ny Oh's songwriting as "the love child of Joni Mitchell and Joan Baez."[24] 1883 Magazine described her single "You Are" as "a slow-burning gem full of enthralling vocals, tender lyricism, crisp piano, and nuances."[25]

Discography

Year Artist Album
2018 Ny Oh Without
2021 Neon Gru I Am a Bird
2022 Ny Oh Ny Oh's Garden of Eden

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Feature - Ex-pat Files: Ny Oh". NZ Musician. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  2. ^ a b c d "Ludlow, Naomi, 1994-". natlib.govt.nz. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Feature - Ny Oh: Alchemy Of Humans". NZ Musician. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  4. ^ a b c d "Feature - NewTracks New Artist: Ny Oh". NZ Musician. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  5. ^ a b c "'My relationship with Los Angeles is hot, funny, surrendering and calm.'".
  6. ^ "Getting to Know Ny Oh". jaxsta.com. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  7. ^ a b c Mahon-Heap, Jonny (2023-03-06). "Kiwi artist Ny Oh on tour with Harry Styles: 'I had pretty bad imposter syndrome ... but I never let it take me down'". Stuff. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  8. ^ "TEN QUESTIONS WITH NY OH | 10 Magazine Australia". www.10magazine.com.au. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  9. ^ "Off the Scheme: A Weekend with London Modern Troubadours". Virginia Vitalone. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  10. ^ Younger Now, 2014-09-01, retrieved 2023-03-12
  11. ^ Free at Last, 2016-04-07, retrieved 2023-03-12
  12. ^ Georgia, 2018-08-14, retrieved 2023-03-12
  13. ^ a b Magazine, LOCK (2020-09-23). "Q&A: Ny Oh from Neon Gru • LOCK". LOCK. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  14. ^ Growing Pains, 2019-12-28, retrieved 2023-03-13
  15. ^ "Harry Styles: Tiny Desk Concert".
  16. ^ Sims, Brittany (2021-11-22). "An Inside Look At Harry Styles' Backing Band For His 'Love On Tour' Concerts". TheThings. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  17. ^ "Meet Harry Styles' new band members as Love On Tour begins". Capital. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  18. ^ "Pauli The PSM Releases Afrofuturist Album "OFFAIR: The Power of your Subconscious Mind Vol 1: SPACE"". Arts + Culture. 2022-03-17. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  19. ^ Motion Sickness, 2022-04-28, retrieved 2023-03-13
  20. ^ Elon, 2022-11-22, retrieved 2023-03-13
  21. ^ Sheffield, Rob (2022-08-23). "Harry Styles Gives New York The Wildest Party of the Summer With the Start of His 15-Night Stand". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
  22. ^ Andy. "Neon Gru – 'Moonlight' – indiegems.co.uk". Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  23. ^ anrfactory (2020-06-04). "Neon Gru release beautifully progressive new track 'Moonlight'". A&R Factory. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  24. ^ Magazine, Ramona (2023-03-05). "A Meandering Muse with Ny Oh". Ramona Magazine. Retrieved 2023-03-12.
  25. ^ "1883 On Rotation: Birdy, DanDlion, Ny Oh - 1883 Magazine". 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2023-03-13.
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