Naomi Westwater is a queer, Black-multiracial singer-songwriter based in Massachusetts whose work defies easy categorization. A graduate of Berklee College of Music and a Master of Fine Arts holder from Lesley University, Westwater blends folk, jazz, and soul with a deep commitment to social justice and "witchy" spirituality. Her latest record, Cycle and Change, serves as a sonic exploration of transition and healing. In this episode of Curious Goldfish, Naomi joins Jason English to discuss how she uses music to reclaim space for marginalized voices and find joy in uncertain times.

As the organizer of the "Reclaiming Folk" event series, Westwater is dedicated to highlighting people of color within the folk genre. She views folk music not as a static tradition, but as a living vessel for storytelling that belongs to everyone. By producing festivals like "We Make Noise" in Boston, she creates tangible spaces for community and representation, ensuring that the next generation of artists feels seen and heard.

For Westwater, music and spirituality are inextricably linked. She often infuses her lyrics with themes of nature, magic, and the cosmic, using them as metaphors for personal growth. She approaches her craft with a sense of wonder, seeking to understand the "invisible forces" that guide us. In the conversation, she reflects on the necessity of this work, noting that she writes to figure out "what I need to believe in order to still get up tomorrow and feel like there is still joy."

In a world often defined by hardship, Westwater’s curiosity is directed toward the survival of hope. She speaks candidly about navigating the "scary stuff" in the global landscape and how she intentionally chooses optimism as a form of resistance. Her goal is to align her life and art with the belief that kindness can prevail, stating that once she identifies what brings peace, her task is to "make that a huge part of my life."