Hemlocke Springs Explained

Hemlocke Springs
Birth Name:Isimeme Udu
Birth Date:16 November 1998
Birth Place:Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Education:
Years Active:2022–present
Module:
Embed:yes
Origin:Concord, North Carolina, U.S.
Instrument:Vocals

Isimeme "Naomi" Udu[1] (born November 16, 1998), known professionally as Hemlocke Springs (stylized in all lowercase), is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. She first gained prominence for her self-produced song "Girlfriend" achieved viral popularity on video-sharing platform TikTok in 2022. Udu later released her debut extended play (EP), Going...Going...Gone!, on September 29, 2023.

Early life and education

Isimeme Udu was born to two Nigerian immigrant parents on November 16, 1998, in Raleigh, North Carolina.[2] Nicknamed "Naomi" by her parents, she grew up in Concord alongside her brother, a musician and SoundCloud producer.[3] In her sophomore year of high school, Udu took a choir course and met a classmate who taught her to create music using GarageBand.[4]

Udu graduated from Spelman College with a bachelor's degree in biology in 2021. Two years later, she graduated with a master's degree in medical informatics from Dartmouth College.[5]

Career

2021–present: Career beginnings

While studying at Darthmouth College in 2021, Udu released various unnamed songs on SoundCloud, only to quickly remove them. The next year, she "wanted to get rid of that feeling of embarrassment" and uploaded a demo called "Jacob" under the name Hemlocke Springs.[6] Afterwards, the artist self-produced and independently released her debut song "Gimme All Ur Luv" on May 24, 2022. The song was later named as "the best bedroom pop" song by Complex and gained over a million streams through audio streaming service Spotify.[7] In an interview with Rolling Stone, Udu says she wrote the song during a period of depression at the school, thought about deleting the song, and then woke up to see that Grimes had commented on the track.[6]

While working as a librarian at her university, she shared snippets of her second song on TikTok, which achieved viral popularity.[8] "Girlfriend" was shortly released on November 2 and surpassed one million streams on Spotify with music critics and fans calling it an "awkward Black girl anthem." Hemlocke Springs told People she felt "so honored" and yet "still confused" for the song's success.[9]

In January 2023, the artist was named one of the "essential emerging artists" by New Musical Express (NME) for her "bright and breezy bangers".[10] Later that month, Hemlocke Springs released her third song, "Stranger Danger!", a critique of capitalism.[11] Throughout the months of May to August, she began working with English record producer Burns and released three more songs.[12] Her first festival performance occurred on July 21 at the Adult Swim Festival for the annual entertainment event San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC).[13] "Enknee1" was released a month later with the artist announcing her debut extended play (EP) named Going...Going...Gone!, released on September 29, 2023.[14] Pitchfork praised and described Hemlocke Springs' music aesthetics as "kitschy and yearning", where every song of the EP "can be imagined in a different scene" from a 1980s romantic comedy film.[15]

While touring around in North America and Europe,[16] the artist was invited to be an opening act for Muna's Life's So Fun Tour (2023) at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California. In the wintertime, Hemlocke Springs was announced as an opening act for American rapper Ashnikko's Weedkiller Tour in Europe.[8] She was later featured in the "Class of 2024: Gold Standard" issue with other artists, published by DIY.[17]

On January 30, 2024, the singer announced she would be an opening act for the European leg of Doja Cat's second concert tour, The Scarlet Tour.[18]

Artistry

Udu's style distinctly draws from lo-fi music and indie pop. With the release of "Girlfriend", Heven Haile from Pitchfork described the song as "an ideal rom-com song" that "channels the bratty bravado of Family Jewels-era Marina and the springy falsetto of Kate Bush".[19] Many of Udu's fans compared her debut song to Canadian singer Grimes' style, with Grimes also commenting on it.[3]

Inspiration

In her middle school years, Springs was influenced by many EDM artists, primarily Swedish artist Avicii and his 2011 song "Levels".[20] Udu also draws inspiration from many K-pop artists and groups.[21] In an interview with Alternative Press, she claimed she came up with her stage name from a random name generator and added the letter "e" to the end of "Hemlock" in honor of New Zealand singer Lorde.[22]

Discography

Ep:1
Singles:8
Music Videos:5

Extended plays

Title! scope="col"
Details
Going...Going...Gone!

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
NZ
[23]
"Gimme All Ur Luv"2022—Going...Going...Gone
"Girlfriend"—
"Stranger Danger"2023—rowspan="2"
"Sever the Blight"—
"Heavun"—Going...Going...Gone
"Enknee1"—
"POS"—
"Christmas Time Is Here"—

Music videos

Title! scope="col" style="width:03em;"
YearAlbumDirector(s)
"Gimme All Ur Luv"2022Going...Going...GoneAna Peralta Chong[24]
"Girlfriend"[25]
"Stranger Danger"2023[26]
"Sever the Blight"[27]
"POS"Going...Going...Gone![28]

Tours

Supporting

Filmography

Podcasts

Year! scope="col" style="width:05em;"
TitleRoleNotes
Superbloom Radio2022Guest[29]
The Zane Lowe Show2023Episode 518[30]
Episode 603[31]
The Travis Mills ShowEpisode 491[32]

Accolades

Listicles

Name of the publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement result
PublisherYearListicleRecipient(s) and nominee(s)Result
New Musical Express2023Essential New ArtistsHerself
Rolling Stone100 Best Songs of 2023"Enknee1"98th[33]

See also

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Russell . Erica . Hemlocke Springs Doesn’t Need to Go Viral Again . Teen Vogue . 10 October 2024 . 1 May 2024.
  2. Web site: Rigotti . Alex . Hemlocke Springs is making the underdog the main character . March 9, 2023 . October 13, 2023 . . en . October 19, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231019001741/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/features/interviews/hemlocke-springs-making-underdog-main-character . live .
  3. Web site: Moore . Jacob . Hemlocke Springs' change of plans . January 20, 2023 . June 1, 2023 . . en-US . March 15, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230315214355/https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/hemlocke-springs-interview . live .
  4. Web site: Gunn . Charlotte . Hemlocke Springs: "It's all so exciting!" . January 20, 2023 . January 23, 2023 . The Forty-Five . en-GB . January 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230122085847/https://thefortyfive.com/interviews/hemlocke-springs-interview-the-future-five/ . live .
  5. Web site: Garrett . Jonathan . Hemlocke Springs: TikTok star creating a new, wildly eclectic pop vision . December 14, 2022 . December 19, 2022 . . en-GB . December 18, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221218210250/https://www.nme.com/features/music-interviews/hemlocke-springs-artist-interview-girlfriend-song-tiktok-radar-3365266 . live .
  6. Spanos . Brittany . Hemlocke Springs is happy to make your 'awkward Black girl anthems' . November 23, 2022 . November 28, 2022 . . . en-US . November 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221128152757/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/hemlocke-springs-1234632716/ . limited . live .
  7. Moore . Jacob . Gardner . Alex . Fife . Carter . Hill . Shamus . Best New Artists . September 29, 2022 . November 28, 2022 . Complex . . en . November 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221128152757/https://www.complex.com/pigeons-and-planes/best-new-artists-september-2022/ . live .
  8. Web site: Slocum . Matt . Hemlocke Springs: Life of a Gen Z viral sensation . December 12, 2023 . December 13, 2023 . . . en-AU . February 27, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240227000134/https://au.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/hemlocke-springs-ep-laneway-interview-53984/ . live .
  9. Richards . Bailey . Meet Hemlocke Springs, the singer taking over TikTok: 'I'm so honored' . November 30, 2022 . October 8, 2024 . . .
  10. Web site: Flood . Alex . The NME 100: essential emerging artists for 2023 . January 6, 2023 . January 23, 2023 . . en-GB . January 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230123235748/https://www.nme.com/blogs/nme-radar/the-nme-100-essential-emerging-artists-for-2023-radar-3372061 . live .
  11. Web site: Disalvo . Tom . Listen to Hemlocke Springs' new single "Stranger Danger!" . January 13, 2023 . January 23, 2023 . . en-GB . January 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230123023904/https://www.nme.com/news/music/listen-to-hemlocke-springs-with-new-single-stranger-danger-radar-3380248 . live .
  12. Renshaw . David . Hemlocke Springs throws a medieval feast in her "Sever the Blight" video . May 3, 2023 . June 1, 2023 . . en . May 16, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230516054845/https://www.thefader.com/2023/05/03/hemlocke-springs-sever-the-blight-video . live .
  13. Web site: Adkins . Hannah . Details announced for Adult Swim Festival '23; Eric Andre and Flying Lotus to headline . June 29, 2023 . April 22, 2024 . Nerds and Beyond . en . April 23, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240423021633/https://www.nerdsandbeyond.com/2023/06/29/details-announced-for-adult-swim-festival-23-eric-andre-and-flying-lotus-to-headline/ . live .
  14. Web site: Kelly . Tyler Damara . Hemlocke Springs announces new extended play, Going...Going...Gone! . May 3, 2023 . August 22, 2023 . . en . August 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230823124523/https://www.thelineofbestfit.com/news/hemlocke-springs-announces-new-ep-going-going-gone . live .
  15. Web site: Swann . Emma . Hemlocke Springs: Going...Going...Gone! extended play album review . October 6, 2023 . October 6, 2023 . . en . October 6, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231006055140/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/hemlocke-springs-going-going-gone-ep/ . live .
  16. Web site: Hatfield . Amanda . Hemlocke Springs announces fall shows . August 8, 2023 . December 13, 2023 . . August 10, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230810201837/https://www.brooklynvegan.com/hemlocke-springs-announces-fall-shows/ . live .
  17. Web site: DIY's Class of 2024 issue - feat. HotWax, Picture Parlour, Fat Dog, Hemlocke Springs & more - is out now! . December 11, 2023 . December 13, 2023 . . en-UK . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226235910/https://diymag.com/news/class-of-2024-issue-out-now . live .
  18. Doja Cat . Doja Cat . dojacat . C2vhwScPmJ1 . January 30, 2024 . January 31, 2024 .
  19. Web site: Haile . Heven . Hemlocke Springs: "Girlfriend" . November 2, 2022 . November 28, 2022 . . en-US . November 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221128152757/https://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/hemlocke-springs-girlfriend/ . live .
  20. Web site: Young . Martyn . Hemlocke Springs: "You only get a first impression once" . April 13, 2023 . May 1, 2023 . . en-GB . April 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230413193423/https://readdork.com/features/hemlocke-springs-interview-apr23/ . live .
  21. Web site: Carter . Daisy . Class of 2024: Hemlocke Springs . December 13, 2023 . December 13, 2023 . . en-UK . February 26, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240226235910/https://diymag.com/news/class-of-2024-issue-out-now . live .
  22. Web site: Rosenberg . Sam . TikTok sensation Hemlocke Springs is your next DIY pop obsession . January 9, 2023 . January 23, 2023 . . en . January 23, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230123235748/https://www.altpress.com/hemlocke-springs-tiktok-singer-interview/ . live .
  23. NZ Hot Singles Chart peaks:
    • "Girlfriend": Web site: NZ Hot Singles Chart . November 14, 2022 . November 12, 2022 . . en . November 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221111225802/https://nztop40.co.nz/chart/hotsingles?chart=5447 . live .
  24. Web site: Springs . Hemlocke . Hemlocke Springs — gimme all ur luv (Official Video) . November 30, 2022 . . en . January 23, 2023 . January 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230124002325/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FSG0dNjco8 . live .
  25. Web site: Springs . Hemlocke . Hemlocke Springs — girlfriend (Official Video) . November 30, 2022 . . en . January 23, 2023 . January 24, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230124002339/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEvbBFV3zB4 . live .
  26. Web site: Springs . Hemlocke . Hemlocke Springs — stranger danger! (Official Video) . November 30, 2022 . . en . January 23, 2023 . January 22, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230122144432/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-Cn4YFG4ZI . live .
  27. Web site: Springs . Hemlocke . Hemlocke Springs — sever the blight (Official Video) . May 3, 2023 . . en . January 23, 2023 . May 3, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230503125604/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XQTrLq6M8Y&ab_channel=hemlockesprings . live .
  28. Web site: Springs . Hemlocke . Hemlocke Springs — pos (Official Video) . May 3, 2023 . . en . September 29, 2023 . September 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230929175825/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWambgvX3LQ . live .
  29. Hemlocke Springs . Superbloom Radio . December 9, 2022 . June 17, 2023 . Apple Music (United States) . en . June 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230617212444/https://music.apple.com/us/station/hemlocke-springs/ra.1657286795 . live .
  30. Hemlocke Springs and Shawn Mendes . The Zane Lowe Show . June 12, 2023 . June 17, 2023 . Apple Music (United States) . en . June 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230617212444/https://music.apple.com/us/station/hemlocke-springs-and-shawn-mendes/ra.1691903544 . live .
  31. Hemlocke Springs . TheThe Zane Lowe Show . November 28, 2023 . February 6, 2024 . Apple Music (United States) . en . February 7, 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240207004509/https://music.apple.com/us/station/hemlocke-springs/ra.1716441282 . live .
  32. Hemlocke Springs . The Travis Mills Show . October 11, 2023 . November 7, 2023 . Apple Music (United States) . en . November 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231107211012/https://music.apple.com/us/station/hemlocke-springs/ra.1710265971 . live .
  33. Jones . CT . The 100 Best Songs of 2023 . December 1, 2023 . February 26, 2024 . . . en-US . limited .

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