Izumi busking on the streets of Los Angeles in 2017

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.[1] 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.[2]

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.[10]

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.[2]

Releases

Albums

  • A Residency in the Los Angeles Area (2021)[17]

Singles

Shows

  • Naia Izumi: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert[22] (2018)

Personal life

Izumi resides in Los Angeles, California.[1] He identified as genderfluid, then as a transgender woman for seven years, but now identifies as a cisgender man.[3][11] The song that won the Tiny Desk Concert was originally titled "Soft Spoken Woman", and was written about his experiences as a woman.[23]

References

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