November 3, 2026
Writing & Photography by Iris Flynt
NAYA YEIRA’S LATEST EP, ALMOST HERE, IS THE CULMINATION OF THREE YEARS OF HARD WORK AND EVOLUTION OF HER STYLE— Portraying her cycles of self-reflection and highlighting her refusal to constrain herself, the Indonesian-born and London-based artist blends R&B, indie pop, and weaves in hints of electronic music in her latest tracks. Naya and I sat down to discuss her reflection on her past self, her exploration of who she wants to become, and what a privilege it is to be able to determine that for oneself.
PETTY: This EP seems to be very spiritual with your references to angel numbers and manifestation. Where did you find your current belief system and where do you stand with spirituality? Are you big on astrology?
NAYA: I was for a bit but I think I got off of it. I still read [my horoscope] here and there. When I found out it applied to all Aquariuses, I just couldn’t take that. I think I went to school with someone, I didn’t really like her–she was an Aquarius. So I was like, you’re telling me this is going to happen to both of us? I can’t take that. And then I kind of stopped believing [in astrology].
My [beliefs are] definitely something I grew up with to an extent, but then afterwards, I think I figured it out myself. Because I come from a religious country, but I myself am not religious, so that belief system didn’t follow me. And maybe it had some influences from my upbringing. But then I remember I did a bit of tarot, but I don’t believe in that anymore because I feel like in life you [have] an infinite number of possibilities, and [tarot] brings it down to one or two. It’s closing down your options in a way because you can’t stop thinking about it. Which I’ve done, and I used to read for other people, and it just keeps happening for them. And I [was] like, I don’t want to do this, this is not for me. They kind of choose your future for you.
PETTY: Your journey to creating Almost There, has been about trying different things and how you don’t know what’s possible for you until you’ve tried something. What are some things that are still on your list of things to try out and what other areas would you like to explore?
NAYA: Absolutely. Do you mean my bucket list in life or sonically speaking?
PETTY: Maybe both?
NAYA: Yeah, a lot of things. What’s on my list? I need to go to Kyrgyzstan. I’m going to go horse riding and I’m going to go tent to tent, like village to village. That’s what I’m going to do early next year. And then I need to build my cyberdeck, so I need to figure that out. I already have the chip and stuff. I know what I want to do with it, but there’s more stuff I need to buy and that’s what’s stopping me. Then the third thing, I need to figure out how to fly a little plane, like a charter plane. Yeah, that’s my other plan.
PETTY: That’s an interesting bucket list!
NAYA: Thank you! I have to think about it. If I [finish] it too soon, then I don’t know what I’m going to do next.
PETTY: It grows…it grows. I feel like my bucket list is never ending.
NAYA: I want to have a falcon.
PETTY: The bird?
NAYA: Yeah or an eagle or something.
PETTY: You could become one of those people in London parks, someone’s got a pony that they walk in Clapham or something.
NAYA: Yeah, this is the stuff that I’m planning to do before I settle down. I’d love to do one of those spiritual camps, you know, where you just meditate. …I want to take a surfing course and learn how to surf. That’s probably another time. Or another life, I don’t know.
PETTY: What’s on your music bucket list?
NAYA: I think realistically speaking, I want to really build a fanbase for my niche and find my people. I’m Indonesian, I’m a musician. It’s kind of a lonely space to be in, so I’d definitely love to find my people and just feed them music and good vibes. I think I want to make positive music now. I don’t want to make toxic stuff to sound cool, which I thought was cool when I was sixteen.
PETTY: These songs are also about repetition and cycles, and breaking out of them. What are some things that you want to take with you in this next stage of your life, and what are some things that you’re glad to leave behind?
NAYA: I guess [the EP] is a bit of a spiritual thing for me, to just try to get out of those patterns. I definitely appreciate that this has brought me a better sense of lyricism and what I’d like to say. I think before, genuinely, I was just trying to be cool and do stuff that had no connection to me as a person. With this, I’m honing my message, I know what I want to say more, what positivity I want to spread, and it’s more about the self and knowing yourself. …I’m very introspective and I write from my own experiences. I hope it inspires people and makes them feel less lonely.
PETTY: I think it really comes across in the EP how sincere your music is.
NAYA: Yeah, my label didn’t give me a script and [say] you are this, this and this. I had to work my brain and just be myself really. I think that was my main focus, to figure out “who is that self?” I come from a very collective society where everybody has a role: a girl at this age [gets] married, it’s very planned. People just keep asking you, “is this step done?” I think [I’m] very privileged to be here and be out of the system, able to do my own thing. At twenty five, if I was there, they would be asking me “when are you getting married?” When I get married then they’re going to be asking, “where are the babies? Just one?” Like, guys, you’re dictating my life. [Here] I get to wear what I want. I’m so blessed to be able to figure myself out.
PETTY: You described your move from Jakarta as a sort of creative coming of age that opened up so many possibilities for you. What media fuelled that time in your life? What were you consuming at the time, that you feel opened your eyes?
NAYA: I think I was listening to a lot of Amy Winehouse. I listened to a lot of Maxwell. I’ve changed a lot since then though in how I see things. I think I really opened my mind and I’m not so rigid as to how things have to be. …I just do my thing and then see what happens. And my manifestations.
PETTY: You mentioned that part of this EP was you manifesting your future. What are the things you’re hoping for?
NAYA: I think that’s also what I’m trying to let go of. I wanted to be this crazy pop star and then this phase is done, I can move on to the next one and the next one…I think before there was that thing of if you don’t make it by twenty five in music, you’re never going to make it. Now you see a lot of musicians [breaking that rule]. ...I think that’s what “Almost There” is about. You’re always almost there. There’s never a timeline. Everybody’s almost there in their own life. I wasn’t ready before twenty five…because I didn’t know myself.
PETTY: Going back to the topic of cycles, do you have any positive habits you would recommend to other people?
NAYA: There was a habit I was doing for a bit, I don’t do it right now, but I need to get back on it. I used to journal three pages when I woke up and it was just free flow, my mind would just go. …I just want to get everything out and then after that, I feel like I’m doing my day in a clearer way. Then I saw this thing on Instagram that I started doing: before you go to sleep you say “universe, I’m expecting miracles tomorrow,” and then when you wake up “universe, I’m expecting miracles today.” Yesterday it worked, I got free food. I think it’s just a way to be more grateful.
PETTY: In “Raffle Ticket” there’s a lyric that says “it’s been about five years and you’re still ringing in my ears.” Is there any music that you’ve kept going back to over the years, either for inspiration or comfort?
NAYA: “All In Love is Fair” by Stevie Wonder. That’s my comfort song. When things don’t work out, I’m like, yeah, it is fair though.
PETTY: What music did you listen to that inspired you to start making music yourself?
NAYA: When I was growing up, I was listening to a lot of blues and Motown. I listened to a lot of Ray Charles, he was definitely my comfort musician. Etta James, Billie Holiday, I definitely came from that kind of background and then now I’m listening to more electronic stuff. I love Tinashe. … My music taste was very determined by my parents at the time, because obviously I didn’t have my own stuff.
PETTY: How has your journey navigating the music industry felt for you?
NAYA: It’s definitely been an interesting experience. I guess it’s a bit strange because I don’t feel like there’s an Indonesian community, but that’s why I also like it because I feel like I can just experiment and do whatever I want.
PETTY: You said that “Hit Record” is about realising you need to show up for yourself because nobody else is coming to save you. Do you have any advice for how other people can show up for themselves?
NAYA: I think it really helps when you don’t have any pressure on yourself. …Expect nothing, just expect miracles.