Naia Izumi

[1] Filmmaker Suzuya Bobo met Izumi in LA and offered to create a music video for him.

[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.

[13][14] On July 30, 2021, Sony Masterworks released Izumi's debut album, A Residency in the Los Angeles Area.

[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.