A Journey Shared: NoMBe’s new EP “NOAH” from Lily’s Point of View

Six years ago, I was on a never-ending road trip with my mom. I was a sixteen-year-old Spotify addict, convinced I was born in the wrong generation. 



My mission? Create a playlist celebrating the sounds of California, my home state. I, of course, queued classics like “California Dreamin” by The Mamas & the Papas, “California Love” by Tupac, and finally “California Girls” by Katy Perry. Although my playlist was almost complete, I stumbled upon none other than Noah McBeth, also known as NoMBe. His song “California Girls” (Not a cover of Katy Perry’s hit!) plunged my teenage self into an entirely new sound that I immediately fell in love with—huge shoutout to the Spotify team for nailing that algorithm.



After finding “California Girls” around 2016, I continued adding NoMBe songs to my playlists. McBeth continued to give me more to curate when he released his debut album in 2018, “They Might’ve Even Loved Me.” I saw him perform during this time at The Troubadour, and then at The Fonda. Then, I last interviewed McBeth in 2021 for my college radio station and newspaper publication, in which we discussed his sophomore album “Chromatopia.”

McBeth’s music has stayed with me from my time in high school and throughout my college career. I forever declare that listening to NoMBe altered my overall taste in music and changed the way I viewed the music creation process. McBeth continues to inspire me.

Building on those two albums and countless musical highs, NoMBe just released his self-titled “Noah” EP on April 26th. With this new release, he is not just sharing his journey of personal growth, resilience, and belonging; he’s also unveiling a deeper understanding of himself and his unique sound.

To give those who aren’t familiar with NoMBe a proper introduction, he was born in rural Germany, later lived in Hawaii, and just moved back to Los Angeles. He recently signed with the record label and publisher Position Music. To list some fun facts, NoMBe is Chakha Khan’s godson, he’s a wizard at floral design and a trained classical pianist. 



I spoke with McBeth again to dive deeper into this new era—the Noah era. Having followed NoMBe along his journey through the lens of a high-schooler turned writer, as soon as I heard these new songs, I knew immediately that this EP was going to be different. 

"It's really exciting for me because I think now more than ever, I'm making the kind of music that I actually am craving to hear myself … I think I'm very empowered with the music I'm making now. I feel like everything that I do has a lot of intention, and it feels very me.”

Evolution has become necessary and also somewhat inevitable for musicians. NoMBe reflects this with his new sound that details a new time in his life, one that is a period of growth. Recently, McBeth experienced a great loss, his grandmother. He discussed her passing and described her as someone who deeply influenced his life and music. 

“I’d like to think I was her favorite grandson. And we got a lot of time together. She raised me from the age of 2 to pretty much 19. It’s actually kind of ironic that she just passed and now my next song, was going to be inspired by her … It’s strangely ironic and so I feel even more motivated to put out the song for her.”

The song he is referring to is “Best Friend.” This single beautifully encompasses his vision for his latest project. The track begins with cinematic pop synths that mimic the sound of birds chirping on a sunny day, starting the EP off with the brightest and happiest of sounds.

“I think this EP more so than other projects is less designed to make you think and more so for your listening pleasure. It's not like the songs don’t have any deeper meaning, it's just that I focus a lot on not being too conceptual with it, and just giving people music. It almost was supposed to feel like a road trip. And I've been telling the people I’ve been working with, this is almost a cassette tape when you're going to be driving from LA to Vegas or something, … like one of those car road trip albums,” said McBeth.

NoMBe’s music is timeless and he shared that this time he, “really wanted this EP to be something that people just love listening to."

Describing NoMBe’s sound has always and will continue to be something that I struggle with – not in a bad way, but because it is so genreless and his melodies are so unique. It’s indie-pop, but it also takes on bright and fresh sounds of Rock and R&B. NoMBe has said in the past that his music is Daft Punk meets “electric soul,” but it goes beyond this description in many ways on this EP. The only way I can describe the additional single, “Space for Two,'' is that it’s a song that just makes sense. It further transports you onto that road trip that he describes. The simplicity and happy upbeat energy make me wonder how this has not been written before; it is an instant classic. 



The third track on the EP, “White Lies,” might sound familiar when you first hear it, and there is a reason why. NoMBe began writing this song and realized he had also heard it before.



“Somehow the melody I wrote was the same melody he [Max Frost] had in his verse and it didn't hit me until later. I was like, ‘Oh my God, that's the melody from that Max Frost song. And then I thought, ‘Wouldn't it be funny if I made the lyrics the same, and then I just used his verse as my hook writing verses?’ And at the same time, one of my friends… Jenny, was working with Max and she was like, ‘Oh, my God, this is crazy. I just took him on as a client’... Now, he and I are friends. It's funny how that works.”

“Boys Like Me” brings you back to the sound of NoMBe’s earlier albums as he warns a woman he’s dating that he will eventually break her heart. This song has a classic tune that makes it incredibly easy to sing along to. I guarantee it will get stuck in your head after you listen to it. 

The final songs on the EP, “Solid Ground” and “The Last Day of the End of the World” are Noah’s favorites, and mine too. 

NoMBe laughed as he told me, “It's my favorite because it's really intimate. And it's just a song. It's meant to be just played on a guitar. And it's just a good ass song. I don’t know, it’s almost like country or something.” He continued, “When you have a song that just works on guitar with full chords, and none of the chords change, it's just literally a very simple song that is poignant and meaningful. It's, I don't know, it's a special kind of joy. I wish everybody could experience it. It's like cooking for somebody that you just started dating, and they love the thing you cook and it was really simple.”

As we ventured off in our conversation to talk about food and cooking, NoMBe said he thinks “Solid Ground” would take on the form of a “hearty soup” if it turned into food, and “The Last Day of the End of the World” would be a summertime snack like a sandwich for lunch. 

NoMBe took to the stage for the first time in about two years to perform his new EP on May 2nd. He adorned The Teragram Ballroom stage with plants and moody light projections, thanks to the help of his beautiful girlfriend, Lahaina, whom I met in the crowd. 

One of my favorite things about NoMBe’s concerts is the people who I get to share the night with. Without fail, at every show I’ve been to, I’ve made countless new friends, danced with beautiful strangers, and met some very unique and eccentric souls. 

NoMBe started the show by walking through the crowd to get to the stage, handing a few lucky people fresh white tulips. He sang his badass anthem “Young and Reckless” and continued with a few throwbacks.

NoMBe is supported by an all-female band, with Brittany Macc on the drums and Tina Hughes on guitar. They played beautifully alongside NoMBe as he burned some sage to bring good vibes to the room.

I turned around and realized that NoMBe’s good friends and guests had joined my mom and I on the barricade. I met his beautiful mother, Mary Anginette, and a few of his friends. Being able to watch the show and hear them sing along with him was truly special to witness. 

NoMBe continued playing his hits “Paint California” and “Summers Gone.” But, what stood out to me most was his live version of “Best Friend,” which he played on the piano. He teared up a little dedicating it to his grandma.

He had an outfit change, and a bunch of crazy dance moves, and spent a lot of time jumping into the crowd to serenade and dance with his fans. NoMBe also frequently shared anecdotes and stories in between songs, talking about how happy he is to be on stage and making music with a new team.

It’s funny that I first heard NoMBe while driving with my mom, and now this new EP is meant to be a road trip soundtrack. Since that first car ride, I’ve been lucky enough to go to every L.A. NoMBe show with her.

My mom had the beautiful idea to bring a Hawaiian flower lei for NoMBe. She wanted to commemorate his return and welcome him back. It was incredibly touching to watch my mom put the lei on NoMBe during his encore.

As I approach my college graduation and prepare to embark on a new chapter of my life, I find myself reflecting on the unexpected yet delightful role that NoMBe’s music has played in my journey. His songs have provided an unintentional and happy soundtrack that has accompanied me through the ups and downs. NoMBe’s music reminds me of where I’ve been and encourages me to embrace where I’m headed.

In retrospect, it’s clear that NoMBe’s music has been more than just a great addition to my playlists; it has truly been a journey shared.

Meet your new friend, my friend catie.

Rising star Catie Ryan, also known as My Friend Catie, where can I apply to actually be your friend? She does it all as a DJ, producer, singer-songwriter, and event curator. Her music is whimsical and tropical and should be one of your first plays on your next pool party playlist for this summer.

If you like Polo & Pan and L’Impératrice, you’ll love your new bestie My Friend Catie. Her latest EP “Technicolor Dream” is heavily inspired by Latin bossa nova and features funky bass lines and dreamy vocals. She seamlessly blends vibrant electronica beats with sounds directly from nature that transport you to a dance paradise.

A self-described former theater kid, Ryan initially desired a career in acting and stand-up comedy but instead fell in love with producing music after graduating from USC. Her background in storytelling shines through her music, developing her producing skills and songwriting to paint vivid landscapes through sound.

The epitome of her enchanting sound echoes through the hook in her song Crystallize with lyrics that sing “I’m slow dancing with the butterflies, come close we will watch the world go by.”

In our modern day, the male-dominated electronic dance music scene is heavy with minimal techno beats, My Friend Catie does the opposite— she creates melodies full of life and takes you to a happier place. 

Outside Lands 2023: A Foggy Affair at San Francisco's iconic music festival

By Lily Tenner

I proudly label myself a seasoned festival and concert aficionado. On Aug. 11 through 13, my tally of live music events reached a count of 84, with 8 of them being festivals. The most recent addition to my list is Outside Lands in San Francisco, which just celebrated its 15th anniversary and is without a doubt one of my favorite music festivals. My love for this festival can be easily attributed to its diverse performances spanning all genres from indie folk, to rap, to EDM. This festival is truly meant for everyone.

The 2023 lineup boasted an array of headliners including Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Odesza, Lana Del Rey, The 1975, Megan Thee Stallion, Zedd, Janelle Monae, Maggie Rogers and Fisher. But before these headliners took to the stage, San Francisco’s infamous fog — also known as ‘Karl’ gracefully crept in.

day 1

The weekend was overcast, but rays of sunshine illuminated the crowd as Raveena took the spotlight. She set the tone for the weekend by immediately lighting incense. Her stage was adorned with beautiful pieces of artwork, plants and plush cushions. She exuded an aura of entering a dreamscape. I can only imagine that those who were close enough to the stage to actually smell the incense would agree with me. I was enamored by Raveena’s calming presence and her sweet, soulful voice. Her curated setlist included gems from her 2020 EP Moonstone, my personal favorite. 

After Raveena’s performance, I made my way over to the Sutro stage to catch my favorite psychedelic indie rock band, Crumb. My friends and I laid our blankets on the grass area and devoured our Pad Thai tofu bowls and tofu Thai tater tots from the Kitiya booth. As Crumb finished their ethereal set featuring their new songs “Crushxd” and “Dust Bunny,” we realized the day had only just begun. We hurried back to the Lands End stage to see JID, Janelle Monae and Kendrick Lamar.

The rap luminary JID reminded the crowd numerous times throughout his performance that Aug. 11 is Hip-Hop Celebration Day. Whether this was a coincidence or not, Lands End’s remaining performances featured exclusively rap and hip-hop artists. JID rapped his hit songs from one of his first albums Dicaprio, but in honor of the holiday, he covered a range of artists spanning from Dreamville Records to Mos Def.

We continued our first day at Outside Lands by watching a vibrant and energetic performance from Janelle Monae, featuring, of course, her signature vagina pants. She played her hits with a full band including an animated horn section and enthusiastic backup dancers. She was captivating, and easily one of the best performers I have ever watched.

The stage then welcomed none other than 17-time Grammy award winner and headliner Kendrick Lamar. He headlined Outside Lands once before in 2015,  with Elton John and The Black Keys, and came back this year better than ever. Lamar performed every crowd pleaser from “Element”, “King Kunta” to “Money Trees” and “Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe.” He concluded his performance surrounded by his apron-wearing backup dancers and meticulously delivering songs “LOVE,” “Alright” and “Savior.”

The trajectory for my second day took a mellow turn from rap as I discovered the indie folk world of Outside Lands. My friends and I continued on our journey back to the Lands End stage to listen to Father John Misty tell us we can call him Nancy, and Maggie Rogers sing her gut-wrenchingly beautiful love songs. After dancing and huddling for warmth under the fog, we desperately needed a warm treat before Lana Del Rey performed at the iconic Twin Peaks stage.

We stumbled upon the perfectly placed Flower Lands near the Twin Peaks stage. Flower Lands allowed us to take a break from 225,000 people and tap into our creative side. As Bob the Drag Queen held a twerking contest nearby at the Panhandle stage, we sipped on samples of rosebud tea while making our custom boutonnieres.

Day 3

Following a weekend of technical difficulties, we finally made our way to the Soma Tent and we were anything but disappointed. DJs Coco and Breezy channeled fantastic energy into their set and provided the perfect music to dance to as we grabbed our first snack of the day from FroGo. Experiencing the sensation of enjoying Dole Whip while dancing to electronic music is indescribable.

Lil Yachty’s newfound passion for punk rock-inspired music and desire to be taken more seriously in the music world was evident in his performance. Although his new album “Let’s Start Here” is a successful new beginning for his career, I was expecting way more from his performance. His band’s many guitar solos distracted from his own lyrics and left me wondering what his new message truly was. Despite this, I am a huge fan of Lil Yachty and very much enjoyed seeing him live.

The opening act for Odesza was none other than Megan Thee Stallion, the three-time Grammy award winner and 2019 Billboard Women in Music winner who brought the hottest of hot girl shit to the Outside Lands stage. Megan’s uninterrupted rap and mesmerizing dance moves captivated the crowd. Her constant affirmations and emphasis on creating an inclusive environment made her performance even more enjoyable.

Last, and certainly not least, closing out Outside Lands weekend with a bang was the iconic duo Odesza. Multi-instrumentalists and DJs Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, known individually as Catacombkid and BeachesBeaches, make up this forever classic electronic duo.

Recently dropping their new album in collaboration with indie artist Yellow House, I didn’t know what to expect from their performance. I was pleasantly surprised and equally impressed by Odesza’s drum lineup, trumpet players, and guest singer Izzy Bizu. 

Not only does Odesza’s sound encapsulate the glorious feeling of youth and bliss, but their visuals are just as beautiful. Standing underneath laser beams and colorful lights, as well as 3D images of robot-like creatures wandering through lush landscapes, you can’t help but feel like you are being transported to another dimension while listening to Odesza.

As their final song “The Last Goodbye” played, we realized the festival was coming to a bittersweet close. Although my aching feet were begging for a break, the thought of leaving this unforgettable festival experience weighed heavy on my heart.