Tribute to Daniel Johnston Naima Joris

• 1 Cold Hard World 05:55
• 2 Poor You 04:40
• 3 Walking the Cow 03:55
• 4 Don't Be Scared 02:59
• 5 Story Of An artist 03:27
• 6 Despair Came Knocking 08:38
• 7 True Love Will Find You In The End 02:31
• Total Runtime 32:05

Info for Tribute to Daniel Johnston

Naima Joris only sang her first songs when she was 27. After several years of being a backing singer her father Chris Joris (a well-known Belgian jazz musician) encouraged her to further discover her own voice as a lead singer. She took ample time to give that voice its own repertoire and debuted in 2021 with a first untitled EP. A gripping and impressive journey through the most intimate depths of her heart. Five black-rimmed, intense songs that try to give a place to the pain and sadness of the loss of someone dear. Fragile and personal stories that touch a universal chord and from which we, as listeners, could draw comfort, understanding and strength.

In recent years, Naima herself took a lot of comfort, courage and inspiration from the songs of Daniel Johnston. In anticipation of her debut album, she decided to tackle a number of songs by the regretted singer-songwriter. “I discovered Daniel Johnston through the documentary "The Devil and Daniel Johnston" sometime in 2009, when I rented a basement room in Brussels. I was singing back up with Isbells at the time when someone encouraged me to try writing my own songs. It was after seeing that famous documentary when I found the courage to do this. I saw how Daniel Johnston approached songwriting; in a very honest and pure way without embarrassment. The low-fi sound also suited my rather limited recording material. I didn't write many songs, but as long as they were honest and sincere it was worth it. Like writing in a diary. I recorded the songs, put them in a folder and didn't think I could really achieve anything with them. I mainly recorded covers, because I didn't think my own songs were good enough. Why would I want to make songs myself when there are already so many amazing songs out there that perfectly express what I feel?"

Naima Joris, vocals, saxophone, piano
Niels Van Heertum, euphonium, trumpet
Vitja Pauwels, guitar
Lara Rosseel, double bass
Tijl Piryns, drums

Naima Joris
only sang her first songs when she was 27. After several years of being a backing singer, she was encouraged by her father Chris Joris (a well-known Belgian jazz musician) to further discover her own voice as a lead singer.

She took ample time to give that voice its own repertoire and debuted in 2021 with a first untitled EP. A gripping and impressive journey through the most intimate depths of her heart. Five black-rimmed, intense songs that try to give a place to the pain and sadness of the loss of someone dear. Fragile and personal stories that touch a universal chord and from which we, as listeners, could draw comfort, understanding and strength.

In recent years, Naima herself took a lot of comfort, courage and inspiration from the songs of Daniel Johnston. In anticipation of her debut album, she decided to tackle a number of songs by the regretted singer-songwriter.

“I discovered Daniel Johnston through the documentary “The Devil and Daniel Johnston” sometime in 2009, when I rented a basement room in Brussels. I was singing back up with Isbells at the time when someone encouraged me to try writing my own songs. It was after seeing that famous documentary when I found the courage to do this. I saw how Daniel Johnston approached songwriting; in a very honest and pure way without embarrassment. The low-fi sound also suited my rather limited recording material. I didn’t write many songs, but as long as they were honest and sincere it was worth it. Like writing in a diary. I recorded the songs, put them in a folder and didn’t think I could really achieve anything with them. I mainly recorded covers, because I didn’t think my own songs were good enough. Why would I want to make songs myself when there are already so many amazing songs out there that perfectly express what I feel?”

This album contains no booklet.