Today we’d like to introduce you to Naia Izumi.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Columbus, Georgia in a rough low-income part of town gangs and all included, until my parents finally both started working full time. My mother was in the church choir and occasionally directed, so I was pretty emersed with music and obsessed.
I used to play an old keyboard my father had stashed away when was at work and play any guitar left sitting unattended a church until one day an older man in the church gave me one a guitar. My eyes and heart lit up, and that’s where it all began. Moved to LA summer of 2013 work was scarce so I decided to street perform to make my living because shows don’t pay unless you have a significant following, and no one wanted a transgender guitarist.
So I did my own thing making some little waves too, I managed almost having some viral street performance videos and had a full article in guitar player magazine. Years later, I decided to de-transition because of finances, realizing that I wanted to be a dad to make for the things my dad never gave me, and I wanted to make my amends with biology and my masculinity.
In 2018, I entered NPR tiny desk contest because some fans kept telling me about it, totally forgot I entered because I was soo focused. That summer I found out that I won, and it changed my life, I performed on NPR tiny desk, TED, Audio tree, Sofar Sounds, Paste magazine, signed a solid deal with Sony Masterworks and soo much more. That all brings me to now at 35 and it’s just getting started
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I’m the oldest with two younger brothers, so naturally, I was blamed for everything. My parents especially didn’t know how to take the fact that most of my best friends were girls and I was really into clothes. This was the late 80s early 90s in the bible belt, so life was very different. Because of who I was, I was constantly abused mentally and physically by my father, and when I went to school, I was bullied and made fun of by my teachers and students every day of my life.
My grades in school in school were getting worse and worse, so my mom took me to a specialist to be tested, and they found that I had fairly high IQ somewhere around 120 -130 the specialist deduced that I was just bored also ADD.
The Autism spectrum didn’t exist then, so I was diagnosed with ADD. None of the medications they put me on worked and my father refused that I was to be put in special classes. I was screwed… When I reached middle school barely… I knew something was wrong, so I did the research my self. Because I was socially awkward and specific, I had no close friends.
Music became that only friend, and I decide to commit my life to it. I dropped out of High school at 16 or 17, Attend Job corps to get my G.E.D and trade to support myself, convinced my mom to help me get a government loan so that I could attend music school.
I came back home and started exchanging cleaning services for mentorship and studio time at a local commercial recording studio where I opened up, and all meet my ex-girlfriend of four yrs who I moved to LA with about six yrs about ago. Before I met her, I was very gender fluid for the longest and three months into our relationship I started transitioning. I detransition for reasons mentioned previously, but I’m happy now still.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I’m a Musical artist, guitarist amongst many other things. I have been making music for 29 years now. I’m mostly known for winning the 2018 NPR tiny desk contest at the moment. I am most proud that I’m still making music regardless of achievements. What sets me apart is my story, my voice and my unique approach to weaving technical guitar into a real song.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I don’t believe in luck. Probability yes… If you keep doing something regardless of circumstances while strategically improving and evolving. The probability of good things happening to make sure you can keep doing that thing on higher and higher levels grow higher and higher.
Contact Info:
- Website: Naiaizumimusic.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @naiaizumi
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naiaizumiofficial/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/naiaizumi
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/album/3Cz2GOXIToRq1GO4rNiczp
- Booking: [email protected]
- MGMT: [email protected]
Image Credit:
TED salon, Andy Alt, NPR music
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