Unlock your creative ability

Naomi Hamilton would be incredibly annoying if she wasn’t so sound. The county Armagh native, who releases music under the name Jealous of the Birds, is the type of person who’s irritatingly great at everything she does. And she does a lot. A debut EP (recorded in her bedroom), a debut album released off her own back, EPS, one off singles and collabotions and now a debut proper on the legendary Atlantic Records – all magnificent, all for different reasons. She’s also a remarkable, confidant performer, a noted poet, a music video director of sorts and – seemingly in her ’spare’ time, a painter.

Add to that an NI music fashion icon – and, well – it’s all a bit much. How is it fair that so few people seem to get all the talent? Then you meet her – or more likely see her on stage – and she’s infinitely likeable, endlessly engaging. Down to earth and totally cosmic in equal measures.

Who better then to help me put together a guide to indulging ones creativity? If, during that horrendous and confusing initial lockdown you didn’t get round to picking up that dusty trumpet, writing down that story living inside your head or flinging paint at a canvas – well seems like we’ve all been gifted a second chance.

So, with a little help from

Naomi, here’s five tips to help you kill time by creating something unique. Be it a painting, a story, a song…..it doesn’t matter, the advice will apply.

And trust me – creativity is therapeutic.

As this trainwreck of a year rattles towards a long overdue conclusion, any form of therapy is not to be sniffed at, right?

TALENT Jealous of the Birds’ Naomi Hamilton