Aika (singer) explained

Aika
Birth Name:Aika Hirahara
Birth Place:Tokyo, Japan
Origin:Tokyo, Japan
Genre:Pop, rock, jazz, acoustic, electronica
Instruments:Saxophone, Guitar, Piano
Occupation:Singer/songwriter, Saxophone Player
Years Active:2006–present
Label:EMI Music Japan(2006-2008)
Neilaproductions[1] (2008-present)

Aika Hirahara, known mononymously as Aika (pronounced as /ja/; 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. 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. 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.

Performances and career

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

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Album details
AI-WO - International Edition
  • Released: October 2006
  • Label: True Blue (Blue Note)
AI-WO - Japan Edition
No Mo Games
  • Released: 2017

Compilation albums

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Album details
Tune In
  • Song: "Dancing Arrows"
  • Released: 2014

Singles

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Single details
"All He Has to Say"
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Neilaproductions
"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"[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

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Music Video details
"Ai-wo"
"Orange Moon"[17]
"Dancing Arrows"
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Neilaproductions
"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

Movie Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Movie details
Iron Clad
  • Released: 2011
  • Song: "Dancing Arrows"
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
  • Released: 2016
  • Song: "Solé"

Career as a songwriter

Singles

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
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
"Save Your Life" Ayaka Hirahara x Daniel Powter
  • Released: 2021
  • Label: Universal Music
"「Live Out Loud」Kelsie Watts & Reezy Mi$HNRZ"
  • Released: 2021
  • Label: Neilaproductions
"This is Me ~Rainbow~ / GAP x Leslie Kee ★ the Diversity Song tribute to IMAGINE 50th Anniversary"
  • Released: 2021
  • Label: Neilaproductions
"Wedding Day"
  • Released: 2023
  • Label: A-ya Records
"Don't Cry"
  • Released: 2023
  • Label: A-ya Records

Albums

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Album 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
"Save Your Life" Ayaka Hirahara
  • Released: 2021
  • Label: Universal Music
"A-ya" Ayaka Hirahara 20th Anniversary
  • Released: 2023
  • Label: A-ya Records

Tours and live shows

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Notes
The Voice -2005-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • 2005
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone
Premium Live Sponsored by Itoen -2005-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • 2005
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone
From The New World -2010-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • 2010
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
Love Story -2011-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • 2011
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
Doki -2012-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • 2012
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
Dear Jupiter 10th Anniversary Tour -2013-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • 2013
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
10th Year Special Live -2013-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • 2013
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone
What I Am -2014-
  • w/Ayaka Hirahara
  • 2014
  • Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar

AIKA tour and live shows

Title! scope="col" style="width:18em;"
Notes
Act Against AIDS in TOKYO -2005-
  • 2006
  • Vocal
AI-Wo -2006-
  • 2006
  • Vocal
Act Against AIDS at Osaka Jo Hall -2006-
  • 2006
  • Vocal
MIZU NO OTO -2007-
  • 2007
  • Vocal
UTA WO TSUMUIDE -2008-
  • 2008
  • Vocal
LAWSON JAZZ WEEK
  • 2011
  • Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
MONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL in KAWASAKI
  • 2012
  • Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
AIKA LIVE IN TOKYO
  • 2014
  • Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar
A I K A Live at The Mint LA
  • February 2015
  • Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
A I K A Live at The Mint LA
  • March 2015
  • Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
A I K A Live at Room5 LA
  • May 2015
  • Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
A I K A Live at Haretara Sorani Mamemaite Tokyo
  • July 2015
  • Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
Jupiter Foundation at Kokusai Forum
  • January 2018
  • Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone
Jupiter Foundation at Kokusai Forum
  • March 2019
  • Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Neilaproductions is a boutique production company / artist management company based in Los Angeles, California.. Neilaproductions. 24 June 2022.
  2. Web site: Neilaproductions | Discography . 26 June 2014 . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714200949/http://www.neilaproductions.com/index.php/neila/discography/ . dead .
  3. Web site: 一般社団法人 日本レコード協会. Riaj.or.jp.
  4. Web site: Mi2N: Music for the Hollywood Movie Ironclad . 26 June 2014 . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150725/http://www.mi2n.com/print.php3?id=145509 . dead .
  5. Web site: 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.
  6. Web site: Aika . Livingroomny.com . 26 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140810124429/http://www.livingroomny.com/artist/aika . 10 August 2014 . dead . dmy-all .
  7. Web site: May Institute News Releases & Announcements. Mayinstitute.org.
  8. Web site: All He Has To Say – The Autism Song by AIKA . 26 June 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232619/http://www.allhehastosay.com/ . 14 July 2014 . dead . dmy-all .
  9. Web site: Inside the May Institute. Mayinstitute.org.
  10. News: AIKA sings theme song for Hollywood movie 'Ironclad' . . 31 July 2011 . 9 August 2014 .
  11. Web site: "Dancing Arrows" and Aika for "IRONCLAD" Movie. Greekreporter.com. 23 July 2011. 24 June 2022.
  12. Web site: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016) - Soundtracks . March 29, 2022 . IMDb.com.
  13. Web site: AI Wo by Aika | MTV . . 26 June 2014 . 14 July 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140714132336/http://www.mtv.com/artists/aika/discography/1376746/ . dead .
  14. Web site: I Can't Make You Love Me - Single by Aika. 30 September 2014. 24 June 2022. Apple Music.
  15. Web site: No Mo Games - Single by Aika. 16 June 2015. 24 June 2022. Apple Music.
  16. Web site: Heard an Angel (feat. Rhyan Bēsco) - Single by Aika. 20 February 2018. 24 June 2022. Apple Music.
  17. Web site: Aika - Orange Moon. YouTube.
  18. Web site: I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt (Cover by AIKA). 24 June 2022. YouTube.
  19. Web site: We Are Here - Alicia Keys (Cover by AIKA feat. Marty Friedman). .
  20. Web site: Aika - No Mo Games. YouTube.
  21. Web site: Aika - daddy. YouTube.
  22. Web site: Aika - white noise. YouTube.

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