TATAMAGOUCHE: Malagash native and musician, Naomi Streimer, is coming home to perform a Christmas concert in Tatamagouche.
Streimer decided at the young age of six she was going to become a singer and from that day forward she has never let her goal out of her sight. She put out her first recording, a folky, religious-based compilation, at the ripe age of 13 and made quite an impression on her then Manitoban community.
It was exactly the boost of confidence she needed. At 16, Streimer went on to collaborate with Michael Scherchen, a songwriter/producer based in London, England, who helped her kick start her career on a professional level.
In 2001, she signed with record label, Epic, but it wasn’t long before she found herself back with her original producer. In 2003, she teamed up once again with Scherchen to create a more mature-sounding album, which better represents the young woman she has become.
Despite the whirlwind of change and success she has experienced in her life, she has never forgotten what it was like growing up in Malagash Point.
“I loved being outside,” Streimer said as she fondly recalled playing hide and go seek in the tall grass behind her house, dirt biking and navigating the waters of a nearby pond with her brother.
“I do miss Nova Scotia,” said Streimer. “Things are really crazy in the music industry. I like hopping on a plane and experiencing all the wild and extravagant stuff. But then I want to come home and do the simple stuff.
“Honestly, the ideal life for me is settling down somewhere in the country in a small town,” she said. “I want to go off tour and plant a tree and some flowers at my home and then go back and tour again.”
Streimer said it can sometimes be difficult living such a fast-paced lifestyle. While she has learned to adapt, she has stuck to her roots and hasn’t let the California life change her.
“Oddly enough, I never had a big shock going into the city,” said Streimer. “I was so young I think it was just easy to adapt. I picked it up like a duck in water, but I still feel like I‘m very much a country girl at heart, so I’ve never really become the city girl.”
However, when life gets a little too hectic, Streimer says her upbringing and faith help her stay grounded.
“I have a firm belief system,” Streimer said. “I’m Christian. I still go to church every weekend because it’s the only thing that keeps me sane and helps me look at the bigger picture.”
Part of that “bigger picture” is the simple fact Streimer is living out her dream. She has learned to take the good with the bad because they are all pieces of the music industry puzzle.
“It’s a tough industry; there are so many ups and downs,” she said. “Everything is very rushed; go here go there and then, don’t do anything. It’s unpredictable and it can be very cutthroat.”
To make sure she doesn’t get swept away in the negatives, she remembers that each day brings something positive to her life.
“I have the greatest moments of my career everyday; I always set goals for myself so whenever a specific goal comes true it’s a great feeling,” said Streimer. “I still get really excited if someone comes to my show and knows the song off by heart. It never gets old for me.”
Streimer will be making a few stops during her visit to the Maritimes. She is scheduled to perform a number of shows, as well as speak at local high schools about the importance of setting goals and seeing them through no matter what.
The Tatamagouche Christmas concert is being held at Sedgwick Memorial Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Dec. 9, at 7 p.m.
Streimer’s show will be an intimate performance with just her voice and a piano. She will be singing traditional Christmas music as well as performing some of her own music.
Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Village Florist, 257 Main St. in Tatamagouche, or through Ticket Window’s website at www.ticketwindow.ca or by calling 1- 877-700-3130.
For more information on Naomi Streimer visit her website at www.naomistreimer.org or her MySpace page at www.myspace.com/naomi.