Naia Izumi Explained

Naia Izumi is an American virtuoso guitarist and singer songwriter from Columbus, Georgia.[1]

Early life

Izumi received his first guitar by age 10. He learned how to play the instrument in a closet, hiding from his father, who disapproved of his interest in creating music.[2] His mother is a choir director.[3]

At the age of 16, Izumi was diagnosed with autism. He is open about being autistic, and describes it as "not a problem but instead a unique brain chemistry one can use to accomplish the unexpected".[4] [5]

Career

Izumi began his music career busking on the streets of Los Angeles. Filmmaker Suzuya Bobo met Izumi in LA and offered to create a music video for him. She suggested he submit a song to the NPR Tiny Desk Contest.

In 2018, at age 34, Izumi won the fourth annual NPR Music Tiny Desk Contest with his song "Soft Spoken".[6] [7] [8] According to the series' creator, Bob Boilen, Izumi "impressed the judges with his intricate, complex guitar playing and his sweet, emotive voice."[9] The competition was judged by Boilen, Tarriona “Tank” Ball, Sylvan Esso, and Gaby Moreno.[10] Izumi was surprised to learn he had won, because he forgot he had entered the contest.[11] Following his win, he played a 10-city national tour.

In 2019, Izumi signed to Sony Masterworks.[12] He is sponsored by Fender.[13] [14]

On July 30, 2021, Sony Masterworks released Izumi’s debut album, A Residency in the Los Angeles Area. On the album, he played vocals, guitar, bass, drums, Japanese Koto, mandolin, and cittern. Izumi was influenced by King Crimson, Musiq Soulchild, and Shakti.[15] American Songwriter wrote, "it’s amazing to see an artist like Izumi make a bold, exciting new sound out of the cherished, ol’ six-string. That’s raw, unabashed creativity."[16]

In 2022, Izumi played a concert in Bushwick to raise money for abortion access.

Releases

Albums

Singles

Shows

Personal life

Izumi resides in Los Angeles, California. He identified as genderfluid, then as a transgender woman for seven years, but now identifies as a cisgender man. The song that won the Tiny Desk Concert was originally titled "Soft Spoken Woman", and was written about his experiences as a woman.[22]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Adam Kovac . 2021-11-08 . Naia Izumi: "The most important part isn't about the chord voicing, it's about the melody and bassline" . 2023-05-06 . guitarworld . en.
  2. Web site: Smith . Kyle Andrew . 2022-05-19 . No Aloha Says Yes To Abortion Access Fundraiser . 2023-05-06 . Bushwick Daily . en-US.
  3. Web site: 2018-04-24 . Meet Naia Izumi, The 2018 Tiny Desk Contest Winner . 2023-05-06 . WVXU . en.
  4. Web site: Prown . Pete . Naia Izumi Vintage Guitar® magazine . August 2022 . 2023-05-06 . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2018-09-06 . Tiny Desk Contest winner Naia Izumi on being a role model for those with autism . 2023-05-06 . RIFF Magazine . en-US.
  6. Web site: Shapiro . Ari . Meet Naia Izumi, The 2018 Tiny Desk Contest Winner . . 1 May 2019.
  7. Web site: Los Angeles' Naia Izumi Wins NPR Music's 2018 Tiny Desk Contest . 27 April 2018 . . 1 May 2019.
  8. Web site: Varian . Ethan . Meet Guitarist Naia Izumi, Winner of NPR's Latest and Greatest Tiny Desk Contest . 20 February 2019 . . 1 May 2019.
  9. Web site: "Soft-Spoken, Soulful" Naia Izumi Wins NPR's 2018 Tiny Desk Contest . 2023-05-06 . www.grammy.com.
  10. Web site: Deflin . Kendall . 2018-05-14 . NPR Winner Naia Izumi Performs Tiny Desk Concert Ahead Of National Tour [Watch] ]. 2023-05-06 . L4LM . en-US.
  11. Web site: Stories . Local . Meet Naia Izumi - Voyage LA Magazine LA City Guide . 2023-05-06 . voyagela.com . 23 April 2019 . en-US.
  12. Web site: Naia Izumi. Sony Masterworks. en-US. 2020-02-20.
  13. Web site: Dye . Robert . 2020-06-22 . Watch Guitarist Naia Izumi Create Loops, Harmonics and Percussive Rhythms On The Fender Acoustasonic Stratocaster . 2023-05-06 . American Songwriter . en-US.
  14. Web site: Fender Press Releases & Products Updates Fender Newsroom . 2023-05-06 . spotlight.fender.com.
  15. Web site: 2021-06-17 . Naia Izumi Shares New Video and Playlist of Songs that Inspired Forthcoming Album . 2023-05-06 . Relix Media . en-US.
  16. Web site: Vitagliano . Joe . 2021-07-09 . Daily Discovery: Naia Izumi Lays Down Funky Guitars And Hard Truths On "Six Inch Stilettos" . 2023-05-06 . American Songwriter . en-US.
  17. Web site: 2021 . New Mix: Jomoro With Sharon Van Etten, Naia Izumi, Laura Stevenson, More . NPR.
  18. https://open.spotify.com/album/3Cz2GOXIToRq1GO4rNiczp?si=O7IVZ1MaS8uvhmIxn6qyIw "Soft Spoken"
  19. https://open.spotify.com/album/74TaeWCAyT39QXfI8B8PL3?si=jfVOZkCVSpuPBt4tv-nnYw "Our Gravity"
  20. Web site: Naia Izumi Gets Caught Up in "Our Gravity" in Original Tracks Video . 2023-05-06 . FLOOD . en.
  21. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42MiCMJ6DJU Naia Izumi: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert
  22. Web site: Igun . Tolu . 2018-09-10 . Naia Izumi rocks free concert at Memorial Union Terrace after dark . 2023-05-06 . The Badger Herald.

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