Aika (singer)

Aika
Birth name Aika Hirahara
Born 1981年2月20日
Tokyo, Japan
Origin Tokyo, Japan
Genres Pop, rock, jazz, acoustic, electronica
Occupation(s) Singer/songwriter, Saxophone Player
Years active 2006–present
Labels

EMI Music Japan(2006-2008)

Neilaproductions[1](2008-present)
Website www.aikaofficial.com

Aika (pronounced "ah-ee-kah" and stylized "AIKA"),平原愛花（ひらはらあいか）is a Japanese singer/songwriter, currently residing in Los Angeles, California. 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. Her second studio album is scheduled for release at the end of 2015.[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. She began playing the piano and the saxophone while growing up. Her love for music led her to pursue a music degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Shortly after completing her degree, she released her debut album “Ai-Wo” from EMI records, which reached the top 10 on the Japanese radio charts. Her father is a professional saxophonist, Makoto Hirahara,[5] and her grandfather is a professional trumpet player, Tsutomu Hirahara.[6] Her sister, Ayaka Hirahara is also a performer, signed to Universal Music Japan.

Performances/Music career

Her performances include the Osaka "Act Against Aids" concert, JZ Brat and the Living Room in New York City.[7] 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.[8][9][10]

Aika has written and performed the original song “Dancing Arrows” which was selected as the theme song for the Warner Brothers movie, “Ironclad"[11][12] It is included on the EURORADIO's 2014 "Tune in" CD collection.

Discography

Studio albums

List of Studio Albums
Title Album details
AI-WO - International Edition
  • Released: October 2006
  • Label: True Blue (Blue Note)
AI-WO - Japan Edition
No Mo Games
  • Released: Expected 2015

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[14]
aika (Sinking & You Told Me You Loved Me
  • Released: 2010
  • Label:Neilaproductions
Dancing Arrows
  • Released: 2011
  • Label:Neilaproductions
I Can't Make You Love Me[15]
  • Released: 2014
  • Label: Neilaproductions
NO MO GAMES[16]
  • Released: 2015
  • Label: Neilaproductions

Music videos

List of Music Videos
Title Music Video details
Ai-wo
Orange Moon[18]
Dancing Arrows
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Neilaproductions[19]
I Can't Make You Love Me'[20]
  • Released: 2014
  • Label: Neilaproductions
We Are Here[21]
  • Released: 2014
  • Label: Neilaproductions
NO MO GAMES[22]
  • Released: 2015
  • Label: Neilaproductions

Career as a songwriter

Singles

List of songs
Title Song details
Not A Love Song
  • Released: 2012
  • Label: Dreamusic
Boy I Wish You Are Here
  • Released: 2012
  • Label: Dreamusic
Made Of Stars
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Universal Music
Prayer
  • Released: 2015
  • Label: Universal Music

Albums

List of songs
Title Song details
Path Of Independence
  • Album: Path Of Independence
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Dreamusic
Hush Hush
  • Album: Doki
  • Released: 2012
  • Label: Dreamusic
Not A Love Song
  • Album:Doki
  • Released: 2012
  • Label: Dreamusic
Made of Stars
  • Album:What I Am
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Universal Music
Tweet Your Love
  • Album:What I Am
  • Released: 2013
  • Label: Universal Music
Prayer
  • Album: Prayer
  • Releasing: 2015
  • Label: Universal Music

Tour&Live Shows

Tour
Title Notes
The Voice -2005-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • Year: 2005
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone
Premium Live Sponsored by Itoen -2005-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • Year: 2005
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone
From The New World -2010-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • Year: 2010
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
Love Story -2011-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • Year: 2011
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
Doki -2012-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • Year: 2012
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
Dear Jupiter 10th Anniversary Tour -2013-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • Year: 2013
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
10th Year Special Live -2013-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • Year: 2013
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone
What I Am -2014-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • Year: 2014
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar

AIKA Tour & Live Shows

Tour
Title Notes
Act Against AIDS in TOKYO -2005-
  • Year: 2006
  • Vocal
AI-Wo -2006-
  • Year: 2006
  • Vocal
Act Against AIDS at Osaka Jo Hall -2006-
  • Year: 2006
  • Vocal
MIZU NO OTO -2007-
  • Year: 2007
  • Vocal
UTA WO TSUMUIDE -2008-
  • Year: 2008
  • Vocal
LAWSON JAZZ WEEK
  • Year: 2011
  • Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL in KAWASAKI
  • Year: 2012
  • Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
AIKA LIVE IN TOKYO
  • Year: 2014
  • Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
A I K A Live at The Mint LA
  • Year: Feb.2015
  • Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
A I K A Live at The Mint LA
  • Year: Mar.2015
  • Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
A I K A Live at Room5 LA
  • Year: May.2015
  • Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
A I K A Live at Haretara Sorani Mamemaite Tokyo
  • Year: July.2015
  • Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
 See More on www.aikaofficial.com

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ neilaproductions | Discography
  3. ↑ Recording Industry Association of Japan｜
  4. ↑ Mi2N: Music For The Hollywood Movie Ironclad
  5. ↑ Makoto Hirahara | Nippon Columbia |
  6. ↑ Ayaka Hirahara | Biography | AllMusic
  7. ↑ Aika | The Living Room
  8. ↑ Teacher Inspired by Children with Autism Releases New Single Featuring Award-Winning Recording Artist
  9. ↑ All He Has To Say – The Autism Song by AIKA
  10. ↑ Family Night At The Brockton Rox Features Live Performance of New Single "All He Has To Say"
  11. ↑ "AIKA sings theme song for Hollywood movie 'Ironclad'". Japan Today. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  12. ↑ "Dancing Arrows" and AIKA for "IRONCLAD" Movie |Hollywood.GreekReporter.com feat. Paul Giamatti and Kate Mara.
  13. ↑ Ai Wo by Aika | MTV
  14. ↑
  15. ↑
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ Ai Wo by Aika | MTV
  18. ↑
  19. ↑
  20. ↑ ['https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mWbbfVs4Dg]
  21. ↑
  22. ↑
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