Naia Izumi: "One of a kind Guitarist and Soul Artist"
Naia Izumi
Q: How did you get to where you are today? What is the story that got you into music?
A: Obsessive focus, often causing me to neglect other really important things in my life. I missed out on quite a bit , just focusing on creating and always challenging myself most which was a means of escape from a pretty horrible childhood. The NPR tiny desk contest that I won last year opened a lot of doors
Q: What created the love to perform soul music?
A: I'm black and I grew up listening to gospel music and hip hop most of my life so the soul music is a part of me, it's just what comes out.
Q: What was your experience like with the Tiny Desk performance?
A: It was really great! The desk was also a lot bigger than I thought it was.
Q: What is your favorite guitar?
A: My favorite guitar is whatever guitar I have in my hands to be honest , but I do play the Fender Jazz Master a lot, I like the tone.
Q: If you could work with anybody in the industry who would it be and why?
A: I like Jorja Smith's voice she might be cool a do track with.
Q: What is your biggest motivator?
A: The fact that I hear everything in my head, before I create it.
Q: What do you like to do when you are not working on music?
A: Honestly I'm hardly ever not working on music. Although when I am dating someone I like to do random stuff and explore things but I'm single now so literally all I do is to hide and practice all day if I'm not on the road.
Q: What is your favorite part about the music industry?
A: I just like making the music that I like to make.
Q: What was your experience like at the Ted Talk you performed at?
A: TED is definitely a very well-run highly-efficient, highly curated event and is definitely really inspiring to be around a lot of other thinkers.