EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: NOMAD on Their Debut, Hobbies, and Hopes
Rookie R&B K-Pop group NOMAD chats with The Kraze about shooting music videos in America, upcoming work, and Korean tea ceremony.
NOMAD (Need Our Microphone and Dances) consists of members DOY, Sangha, ONE, RIVR, and Junho. The group made their debut on February 28, 2024 with the seven track long self-titled album NOMAD. All of the songs were written, composed, and arranged by DOY, who serves as the group's leader and main rapper. Despite being new, the entire group are adults, with their youngest member being born in 2002. Whether you're a fan of them or not, NOMAD hopes that you can have a good time with them during this interview and stay tuned for what they have next.
Q: Firstly, congratulations on your debut. You have had many performances and fansigns since then. What has been your most memorable moment from debut to now?
Sangha: For me, the debut showcase was the most memorable. It was the first time we released our music to the world and met BASE! I still remember it the most because it was the most overwhelming moment when the VCR came on right before we went on stage and I saw the members' faces.
Junho: I remember the most recent showcase in Japan. Seeing so many people come and watch and enjoy our performance, I felt like something was filling up inside of me. I want to be with a larger audience on a bigger stage in the future.
Q: You worked with many influential producers for your debut EP (such as Cha Cha Malone, DK, Damon Sharpe, and Jayrah Gibson), are there any producers that you hope to work with in the future?
DOY: Producer Max Martin. I think he's a living legend and I want to experience his detailed musical skills as well as his mindset.
Q: With many options for genres to try out over your career, what genres are you most looking forward to trying?
RIVR: I'd love to try R&B with a dreamy sound, because I've always been drawn to hazy images and sounds.
JH: I personally love the alternative R&B genre itself, and I think it's attractive to express deep emotions in songs as if showing the inner abyss. I think I can express those things well, so I'll show it to you later.
Q: What is your favorite pre-debut memory?
D: My favorite memory is when Junho joined and we thought we had completed the team. Actually, looking back, I think it's all good memories. There must have been hard times back then, but it was a necessary process to be so happy now. Also, seeing that I don't remember well, it must not have been that hard haha.
SH: The most memorable thing was going to L.A. with the members and filming. The “Automatic” lyric video has a lot of our memories in it, so I hope you watch it.
JH: I also remember filming the music video the most. I think it captured a lot of the feelings that we were going for in the U.S., and I was excited thinking, “This is going to be a really great picture”
Q: Before your debut, you released many covers. What songs would you like to cover in the future?
ONE: Usher “There goes my baby.” When I sing this song, I feel like I'm in the U.S., so I think I can express it well.
RV: I want to cover the song "It's You" by ZAYN. It's a song that I've liked for a long time, and it just came to my mind.
Q: Do you have any hobbies, and what new hobbies would you like to try out?
RV: I want to try Korean traditional tea ceremony. It would be nice to be able to control myself more through the tea ceremony.
O: Exercising and reading books are my hobbies these days. If it was a new hobby, I used to play the guitar and piano a little bit, but I’ve forgotten everything and would like to play an instrument again.
Q: What do you want people who are unfamiliar with NOMAD to know about you?
SH: I want to let them know that "NOMAD's music is so good." I think all the songs on our first EP, NOMAD, are really good. I think the songs that will come out after this are so diverse and so good, I hope you look forward to NOMAD in the future.
O: I'm someone who takes this job and my dreams very seriously. It's not just a job, it includes lifestyle and habits, etc. It's good to know the artist ONE from NOMAD, but I think it’ll be fun to get to know me as a person.
Q: Where do you see yourselves in one year?
D: I'll try to look a little cooler than I do now to prove that [in a] year... I'll do my best haha
O: I'm the kind of person who tries to do whatever I want to do unconditionally, so I think I’ll have achieved my goals, such as the growth of my vocals and dance, and my attitude as an artist on stage.
RV: I'm growing steadily, so if I dare to predict today what I’ll be, I’ll think “Oh, I've gotten a little bit cooler.”
Q: Lastly, is there anything else you would like to share with BASE and our readers?
D: Hello BASE and The Kraze Magazine subscribers, I hope we’ve created a piece of good memories together in each other's lives! We will continue to write our own stories in the future, and we would appreciate it if you’d subscribe to our story, too! DOY was here.
SH: The Kraze Magazine subscribers! NOMAD is coming with many more great things in the future! This is just the beginning, so stay tuned, and thank you!
JH: First of all, BASE. Thank you so much for always watching and supporting us. We'll always improve and come back with better music and performances, so please stay tuned. Subscribers of The Kraze, we'll bring you even more great things in the future. Please show a lot of interest and look forward to it. This has been NOMAD JUNHO, thank you!
Thank you to the NOMAD members and NOMAD Entertainment for giving us this opportunity. Be sure to check out their debut EP NOMAD if you haven’t, and keep an eye out for what they have coming next!