Aika (singer)

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Not to be confused with Aiko (Czech singer) or Aiko (Japanese singer).
Aika
Birth nameAika Hirahara
BornTokyo, Japan
OriginTokyo, Japan
GenresPop, rock, jazz, acoustic, electronica
Occupation(s)Singer/songwriter, Saxophone Player
InstrumentsSaxophone, Guitar, Piano
Years active2006–present
LabelsEMI Music Japan(2006-2008)
Neilaproductions[1](2008-present)
Websitewww.aikaofficial.com

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[edit]

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.

Performances and career[edit]

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[edit]

Studio albums[edit]

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: 2017


Compilation albums[edit]

List of Compilation Albums
Title Album details
Tune In
  • Song: "Dancing Arrows"
  • Released: 2014

Singles[edit]

List of Singles
Title Single details
"All He Has to Say"
"aika (Sinking & You Told Me You Loved Me)"
"Dancing Arrows"
"I Can't Make You Love Me"[14]
"NO MO GAMES"[15]
"Heard an Angel"[16]
"daddy"
"white noise"

Music videos[edit]

List of Music Videos
Title Music Video details
"Ai-wo"
"Orange Moon"[17]
"Dancing Arrows"
"I Can't Make You Love Me"[18]
"We Are Here"[19]
"NO MO GAMES"[20]
"daddy"[21]
"white noise"[22]

Movies[edit]

List of songs
Movie Title Song details
Iron Clad
  • Released: 2011
  • Song: "Dancing Arrows"
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
  • Released: 2016
  • Song: "Solé"

Career as a songwriter[edit]

Singles[edit]

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
"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[edit]

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
"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[edit]

Tour
Title 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[edit]

Tour
Title 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

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Neilaproductions is a boutique production company / artist management company based in Los Angeles, California". Neilaproductions. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Neilaproductions | Discography". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  3. ^ "一般社団法人 日本レコード協会". Riaj.or.jp.
  4. ^ "Mi2N: Music for the Hollywood Movie Ironclad". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  5. ^ "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. ^ "Aika". Livingroomny.com. Archived from the original on 10 August 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  7. ^ "May Institute News Releases & Announcements". Mayinstitute.org.
  8. ^ "All He Has To Say – The Autism Song by AIKA". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  9. ^ "Inside the May Institute". Mayinstitute.org.
  10. ^ "AIKA sings theme song for Hollywood movie 'Ironclad'". Japan Today. 31 July 2011. Retrieved 9 August 2014.
  11. ^ ""Dancing Arrows" and Aika for "IRONCLAD" Movie". Greekreporter.com. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2022.
  12. ^ "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016) - Soundtracks". IMDb.com. Retrieved 29 March 2022.
  13. ^ a b "AI Wo by Aika | MTV". MTV. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  14. ^ "I Can't Make You Love Me - Single by Aika". 30 September 2014. Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via Apple Music.
  15. ^ "No Mo Games - Single by Aika". 16 June 2015. Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via Apple Music.
  16. ^ "Heard an Angel (feat. Rhyan Bēsco) - Single by Aika". 20 February 2018. Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via Apple Music.
  17. ^ "Aika - Orange Moon" – via YouTube.
  18. ^ "I Can't Make You Love Me - Bonnie Raitt (Cover by AIKA)". Retrieved 24 June 2022 – via YouTube.
  19. ^ "We Are Here - Alicia Keys (Cover by AIKA feat. Marty Friedman)" – via YouTube.
  20. ^ "Aika - No Mo Games" – via YouTube.
  21. ^ "Aika - daddy" – via YouTube.
  22. ^ "Aika - white noise" – via YouTube.
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