Naia Izumi shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Naia, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
I been deep diving in to improving my mixing and a lot of unique music theory Ideas. I get extremely excited about that stuff. I don’t share that stuff don’t think I ever will to be honest except casual snippets here in there.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Naia izumi a virtuoso guitarist , singer songwriter , and producer . I’m mostly known for my NPR tiny desk in 2018 aslo ted x and some other things. 2019 I signed with Sony master works , released an album ” A residency in the los angeles area” with Tony berg. Unfortunately the pandemic hit hard right around the original release time and being signed to a major label made it hard to navigate . So it didn’t get released until 2022 . by that time momentum was lost depression and anxiety was at it’s highest it had ever been for me and the market was over saturated with sooo much content. A lot of my friends , made it out okay and I cheer them on via social media every post I get to see.
For me it’s a little different for me because I struggle with Autism and ADHD very heavily. I just come off more high functioning than I am because my IQ is on the high side. So yea…. the pandemic near crushed me and every thing I gained. I had to leave and stay with my mom as a rehab. I hate it soo much because I been on my own for soo long but I don’t’ think I would be alive if I hadn’t accepted her help tbh. But right now finishing up new music that I been hoarding. I’m probably just gonna dump it out and who ever hears it hears it.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Honestly… That’s kind of a blessing of Autism and ADHD people like my self can only conform soo much. I think some Neurotypicals have a slight dislike for us because we tell it how we see wrong or right it in the same way a child would . though we are usually kind of spot on or some where close …. but yea I don’t know how to conform , if I do my body tells me very quickly.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yea for me that was the pandemic. So many rules … out of know where in complete disruption to patterns I went from irritated all the time to feeling completely powerless, Relationship issues showed up and she milked me for all my money, Sony’s office’s where shut down and album I’d been working on for a year was delayed and I couldn’t release anything new because contracts. And everything was intensified by my mental condition.
I couldn’t make music any more I just would pick up my guitar and jam alone at random times didn’t feel like recording or sharing. everything felt so unsure. I’ve always been intensely empathic so I knew it wasn’t just me I was feeling but non the less I didn’t wanna live anymore. That was when my mom called and asked if I wanted to stay for a while. she saved my life if I’m honest
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
TBH it’s all a lie. it’s turned artists and musicians who used to come together and create as consolidated entities in to solo artist who compete with each other while dishonest business people milk us for all we are worth. But I think all that is changing little by little. Everything has cycles you know.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you think people will most misunderstand about your legacy?
So the wiki article that someone changed said I highlights me as a “street musician” I just happened to only post on social media when I played on the street to practice and make extra money though I did do it a lot cause it was fun. Also who ever wrote it decided to highlight the abortion befit I played for free as a favor to a friend when I don’t personally support that cause. I just love my friends, especially ones who have helped my in the past and I will do any thing I can to assist them regardless of beliefs. It sucks because played such bigger shows and had really good pieces written on my music that it never mentioned just the one show that I didn’t want known. I knew I should have never did that show but hey I’m okay with the consequences of my actions good or bad … does hurt though … And they changed picture too … the previous one had that amazing picture from NPR tiny desk I loved that picture.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Naiaizumi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naiaizumi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naiaizumiofficial
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbfhUQgcufsnE5_AW-8XQwA
- Other: https://naiaizumi.bandcamp.com
Image Credits
NPR music , TEDx , Chicago Music exchange,
