As a bassist, Naiara Barzola Balmer is now an integral part of the Swiss indie scene. Whether with rapper/songwriter OG Florin, folk rock sensation Pina Palau or Eastern Swiss indie pop darling Benjamin Amaru: Naiara manages to perfectly complement a wide variety of artistic approaches with her bass. But she is also active as a songwriter and singer, for example in the band Two and a Half Twins. So it’s high time to get to know Naiara a little better. You can find out all about Naiara’s musical career, her favorite songs and her plans for the future in the entire program.
Straight Outta 8302
Naia grows up in a musical household in Balls That’s how she started playing with the saxophone that was lying around. The first gig followed in 2012, accompanied by the music teacher in the Kloten town hall. Nevertheless, Naiara distanced herself more and more from the instrument and fell in love with the bass guitar during rehearsals for a school band. The fact that her twin brother Joaquin also played drums, joined them. They played together in their first formations. Later, Two and a Half Twins a trio together with guitarist Damian SavicIn 2021, the trio took second place in the Zurich band competition Band-it. The following year the first EP is released Doodle – a long overdue project with songs that the three have been working on for years.
In the near future, more “older songs” but also new, somewhat more thoughtful and psychedelic material will be released, promises Naiara.
Good Vibes! Naiara in 3FACH | Image: 3FACH
From gig to gig
Away from Two and a Half Twins Naiara is musically very busy. As the lead singer, it helps her to slip into the underrated role of accompanying bassist for a change. But recently the exception has become more and more the rule. Naia remembers that when she first received requests from musicians and bands, she said yes to everything. Now a little more selective, she looks back on some “rancid” Bandtourneen back: lack of pay, the stress of getting from A to B on time, lack of sleep – and then the demand to deliver a good show. This year Naiara was together with the band from Pina Palau already visiting the 3FACHHere you can find the entire live session that was recorded back then.
Playlist
Moodymann – Lyk U Use 2 (feat. Andres)
Current Joys – New Flesh
David Lemaitre – Megalomania
Crumb – Part III
CRO – Fall On
Joy Division – Disorder – 2007 Remaster
Breakout – When I was a little boy
AURORA – Churchyard
Radiohead – Everything In Its Right Place
Black Sea Dahu – Transience
Moby – Porcelain
Puma Blue – Moon Undah Water
French 79 – Diamond Veins (feat. Sarah Rebecca)
Radiohead – Daydreaming
Rone – Wave
Julek – Past Hopes
The Blaze – TERRITORY
Lorn – SEGA SUNSET
The Cinematic Orchestra – To Build A Home
