Japanese singer/songwriter
Aika |
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Birth name | Aika Hirahara |
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Born | Tokyo, Japan |
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Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
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Genres | Pop, rock, jazz, acoustic, electronica |
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Occupation(s) | Singer/songwriter, Saxophone Player |
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Instruments | Saxophone, Guitar, Piano |
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Years active | 2006–present |
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Labels | EMI Music Japan(2006-2008) Neilaproductions[1](2008-present) |
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Website | www.aikaofficial.com |
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Musical artist
Aika Hirahara, known mononymously as Aika (pronounced [aꜜika]; stylized in all caps), is a Japanese singer-songwriter, currently residing in Los Angeles, California, United States. She is known for her 2006 debut album Ai-Wo, with its songs "Orange Moon" and "Ai-wo", which reached the top 10 in Japanese charts on its first week of its release.[citation needed] Her second studio album was released in February 2017. In 2018, she released "Heard an Angel."[2] She co-wrote the gold-certified song "Path of Independence" for her sister, Ayaka Hirahara.[3][4]
Background
Aika was born in Tokyo, Japan. Growing up, she played the piano and the saxophone. Later pursuing a music degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Shortly after completing her degree, she released her debut album Ai-Wo (through EMI records), which reached the top 10 on the Japanese radio charts.[citation needed] Her father, Makoto Hirahara,[5] is a professional saxophonist, and her grandfather, Tsutomu Hirahara, is a professional trumpet player. Her sister, Ayaka Hirahara, is also a performer, signed to Universal Music Japan.
Her performances include the Osaka "Act Against Aids" concert, JZ Brat and the Living Room in New York City.[6] Her 2009 song "All He Has to Say" was produced to support Autism Speaks and was based on a poem by a teacher at the May Center for Child Development.[7][8][9]
Aika has written and performed the original song "Dancing Arrows," which was selected as the theme song for the Warner Brothers movie Ironclad.[10][11] It is included on the EURORADIO's 2014 "Tune In" CD collection.
Aika also contributed the song "Solé" for the 2016 movie Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.[12]
Discography
Studio albums
List of Studio Albums Title | Album details |
AI-WO - International Edition | - Released: October 2006
- Label: True Blue (Blue Note)
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AI-WO - Japan Edition | - Released: November 2006
- Label: EMI Music Japan[13]
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No Mo Games | |
Compilation albums
List of Compilation Albums Title | Album details |
Tune In | - Song: "Dancing Arrows"
- Released: 2014
|
Singles
List of Singles Title | Single details |
"All He Has to Say" | - Released: 2008
- Label: Neilaproductions[1]
|
"aika (Sinking & You Told Me You Loved Me)" | - Released: 2010
- Label: Neilaproductions
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"Dancing Arrows" | - Released: 2011
- Label:Neilaproductions
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"I Can't Make You Love Me"[14] | - Released: 2014
- Label: Neilaproductions
|
"NO MO GAMES"[15] | - Released: 2015
- Label: Neilaproductions
|
"Heard an Angel"[16] | - Released: 2018
- Label: Neilaproductions
|
"daddy" | - Released: November 2023
- Label: Neilaproductions
|
"white noise" | - Released: November 2023
- Label: Neilaproductions
|
Music videos
List of Music Videos Title | Music Video details |
"Ai-wo" | - Released: 2006
- Label: EMI Music Japan[13]
|
"Orange Moon"[17] | |
"Dancing Arrows" | - Released: 2011
- Label: Neilaproductions[1]
|
"I Can't Make You Love Me"[18] | - Released: 2014
- Label: Neilaproductions
|
"We Are Here"[19] | - Released: 2014
- Label: Neilaproductions
|
"NO MO GAMES"[20] | - Released: 2015
- Label: Neilaproductions
|
"daddy"[21] | - Released: 2023
- Label: Neilaproductions
|
"white noise"[22] | - Released: 2023
- Label: Neilaproductions
|
Movies
List of movies Movie Title | Movie details |
Iron Clad | - Released: 2011
- Song: "Dancing Arrows"
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Whiskey Tango Foxtrot | - Released: 2016
- Song: "Solé"
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Career as a songwriter
Singles
List of songs Title | Song details |
"Not a Love Song" | - Released: 2012
- Label: Dreamusic
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"Boy I Wish You Are Here" | - Released: 2012
- Label: Dreamusic
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"Made of Stars" | - Released: 2013
- Label: Universal Music
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"Prayer" | - Released: 2015
- Label: Universal Music
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"Save Your Life" Ayaka Hirahara x Daniel Powter | - Released: 2021
- Label: Universal Music
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"「Live Out Loud」Kelsie Watts & Reezy Mi$HNRZ" | - Released: 2021
- Label: Neilaproductions
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"This is Me ~Rainbow~ / GAP x Leslie Kee ★ the Diversity Song tribute to IMAGINE 50th Anniversary" | - Released: 2021
- Label: Neilaproductions
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"Wedding Day" | - Released: 2023
- Label: A-ya Records
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"Don't Cry" | - Released: 2023
- Label: A-ya Records
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Albums
List of albums Title | Album details |
"Path of Independence" | - Album: Path of Independence
- Released: 2008
- Label: Dreamusic
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"Hush Hush" | - Album: Doki
- Released: 2012
- Label: Dreamusic
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"Not a Love Song" | - Album: Doki
- Released: 2012
- Label: Dreamusic
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"Made of Stars" | - Album: What I Am
- Released: 2013
- Label: Universal Music
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"Tweet Your Love" | - Album: What I Am
- Released: 2013
- Label: Universal Music
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"Prayer" | - Album: Prayer
- Releasing: 2015
- Label: Universal Music
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"Save Your Life" Ayaka Hirahara | - Released: 2021
- Label: Universal Music
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"A-ya!" Ayaka Hirahara 20th Anniversary | - Released: 2023
- Label: A-ya Records
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Tours and live shows
Tour Title | Notes |
The Voice -2005- | - w/Ayaka Hirahara
- 2005
- Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone
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Premium Live Sponsored by Itoen -2005- | - w/Ayaka Hirahara
- 2005
- Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone
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From The New World -2010- | - w/Ayaka Hirahara
- 2010
- Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
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Love Story -2011- | - w/Ayaka Hirahara
- 2011
- Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
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Doki -2012- | - w/Ayaka Hirahara
- 2012
- Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
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Dear Jupiter 10th Anniversary Tour -2013- | - w/Ayaka Hirahara
- 2013
- Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
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10th Year Special Live -2013- | - w/Ayaka Hirahara
- 2013
- Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone
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What I Am -2014- | - w/Ayaka Hirahara
- 2014
- Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
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AIKA tour and live shows
Tour Title | Notes |
Act Against AIDS in TOKYO -2005- | |
AI-Wo -2006- | |
Act Against AIDS at Osaka Jo Hall -2006- | |
MIZU NO OTO -2007- | |
UTA WO TSUMUIDE -2008- | |
LAWSON JAZZ WEEK | - 2011
- Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
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MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL in KAWASAKI | - 2012
- Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
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AIKA LIVE IN TOKYO | - 2014
- Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
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A I K A Live at The Mint LA | - February 2015
- Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
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A I K A Live at The Mint LA | - March 2015
- Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
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A I K A Live at Room5 LA | - May 2015
- Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
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A I K A Live at Haretara Sorani Mamemaite Tokyo | - July 2015
- Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
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Jupiter Foundation at Kokusai Forum | - January 2018
- Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
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Jupiter Foundation at Kokusai Forum | - March 2019
- Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
| |
References
- ^ a b c "Neilaproductions is a boutique production company / artist management company based in Los Angeles, California". Neilaproductions. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ^ "Neilaproductions | Discography". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ "一般社団法人 日本レコード協会". Riaj.or.jp.
- ^ "Mi2N: Music for the Hollywood Movie Ironclad". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ "リンク| 平原まこと | 日本コロムビアオフィシャルサイト". Columbia.jp.
- ^ "Aika". Livingroomny.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ "May Institute News Releases & Announcements". Mayinstitute.org.
- ^ "All He Has To Say – The Autism Song by AIKA". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ "Inside the May Institute". Mayinstitute.org.
- ^ "AIKA sings theme song for Hollywood movie 'Ironclad'". Japan Today. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
- ^ ""Dancing Arrows" and Aika for "IRONCLAD" Movie". Greekreporter.com. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
- ^ "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016) - Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
- ^ a b "AI Wo by Aika | MTV". MTV. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
- ^ "I Can't Make You Love Me - Single by Aika". 30 September 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "No Mo Games - Single by Aika". 16 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Heard an Angel (feat. Rhyan Bēsco) - Single by Aika". 20 February 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via Apple Music.
- ^ "Aika - Orange Moon" – via YouTube.
- ^ "I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt (Cover by AIKA)". Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "We Are Here - Alicia Keys (Cover by AIKA feat. Marty Friedman)" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Aika - No Mo Games" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Aika - daddy" – via YouTube.
- ^ "Aika - white noise" – via YouTube.