Jump to content

Miyavi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by X2RADialbomber (talk | contribs) at 23:22, 20 June 2007 (→Recent Events: US Debut, Neo Visualizm & SKIN). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Miyavi

Miyavi, born September 14, 1981 in Nishikujo, Konohana-ku, Osaka City, Japan,[1] is a Japanese solo rock artist and former guitarist (under the name Miyabi (雅)) for the visual kei indies band Dué le quartz, which disbanded in 2002. In the same year, Miyabi announced that he was going solo, changed his name to Miyavi, and released his debut album "【雅楽】-gagaku-" He soon signed a contract with PS Company along with other artists such as Alice Nine, Kagrra,, Gazette, and Kra.

In October 2004, Miyavi released his first major single "ROCK no gyakushuu -SUPERSTAR no jouken (ロックの逆襲-スーパースターの条件-)" (under Universal Records Japan) and began to credit himself in the songwriting credits in his liner notes as "MYV". His first major album, "【雅-miyavizm-主義】", was released in June 2005.

Profile

  • Names: Miyavi, 雅, Miyabi, 雅-miyavi-, MYV, 382[2]
  • Birthday: (1981-09-14) September 14, 1981 (age 43)
  • Zodac Sign: Virgo
  • Bloodtype: AB
  • Height: 185cm (6'1")
  • Weight: 59kg (130 lbs.)
  • Birthplace: Nishikujo, Konohana-ku, Osaka City, Japan
  • Siblings: older sister and younger brother
  • Favourite Colour: Pink
  • Favourite Food: Chicken, Inari Sushi, Chocolate Cake
  • Cigarettes: Paipo (Helps to quit the smoking habit)

Early Life

Miyavi was born in Nishikujo, Konohana-ku, Osaka City, Japan. His mother is Japanese and his father is a second generation Zainichi Korean[3][4] whose parents immigrated to Japan from the Korean island of Jeju. His family's Korean surname was Lee(李) before changing it after moving to Japan. Miyavi has stated that though he has never been to Jeju he would like to do so when he has the opportunity.[5] Although Miyavi does not speak Korean he has expressed interest in learning the language sometime in the future.[6] Miyavi's parents divorced when he was young. Soon after he moved with his mother to Hyogo prefecture (specifically, the city of Kawanishi) to live near his maternal grandparents, where he grew up. Miyavi claims that, as a child, he was a good student and enjoyed playing soccer.[1] Miyavi started playing the guitar and writing music at 15-years after a soccer injury left him unable to play.[7][8]

Music Career

Dué le quartz and Indies Era

In 1999, at the age of 18, Miyavi joined the visual kei band, Dué le quartz. The band broke up in September of 2002, and soon after Miyavi released his first solo album 【雅楽】-gagaku- under the indie label PS Company. Miyavi's significant change in music and visual styles since leaving Dué le quartz caused many of his original audience to disperse, but attracted a new audience.

As a solo artist, he maintains the appearance of a pop singer, but his sound is much harder, veering more toward Industrial Metal, including distorted vocals and screams and fast-paced, down-tuned guitar riffs (often, also distorted).

Miyavi also starred as himself in the 2004 film "Oresama (おれさま)" and is regularly featured in various J-Rock magazines such as Fools Mate, Arena 37c, and Shoxx magazine. In the past he has modeled in the Gothic & Lolita Bible and for various brands such as the clothing line Fotus.

In 2004 Miyavi was scheduled to perform at various conventions in the United States, but was forced to cancel last minute due to staff issues. One of the planned events had been a show at Pacific Media Expo, where the Japanese band Psycho le Cému acted as a substitute, while another was at Anime Central, where the then-indies band SID (band) was booked as a replacement.

Majors and Pop/Acoustic Era

Following his signing with Universal Records Japan in late 2004, he changed his name to "MYV", an apparent shortening of "Miyavi", although magazines and his website still refer to him as "Miyavi" presently.

He released his first Majors single, "Rock no Gyakushuu -Super Star no Jouken-" in November 2004. He followed up this single with the release of his first Majors album, Miyavizm, in June 2005. Though "Miyavizm" holds the intense rock sound Miyavi was known for during his early career, after the album's release Miyavi began experimenting with different types of music.

In late 2005 and for most of 2006, Miyavi adopted a softer and more romantic feel to his music as he began producing more of an acoustic/pop sound. This change was reflected in his second and third Majors albums, MYV☆POPS and Miyaviuta ~dokusou~, released consecutively in August and September of 2006. He has said of MYV☆POPS, "It's like putting all the songs that I created, presenting my own attitude towards "popularity", into one album." [9] Miyavi shortly followed up MYV☆POPS with the mostly acoustic album "Miyaviuta ~dokusou~", centered on the theme of love. Miyavi's focus on the Miyaviuta ~dokusou~ album was to present himself as a performer. He says of this goal, "[...] for the album, [MIYAVI UTA~DOKUSOU~] I wanted to fit in with the quality of the songs themselves and absorb myself into my performance, playing acoustic guitar alone." [10]

Miyavi showcased his new acoustic stylings for the first time in his "25 Shunen Kinen Koen Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijo 5 Days -Dokuso-" concert series held at Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijo in September 2006. The concerts, centered on his 25th birthday and spanning five days total, also featured a variety of background performers who accompanied Miyavi during his songs, among them tap dancers, percussionists, human beatboxers, taiko drummers, and painters. [11]

Compared to his beginning years as an artist, in which his sound was harsher, the style of these two album releases differ greatly. Commenting on this change, Miyavi has said, "Mostly I like low threshold music, which is popular, vulgar and foolish, and I like such lyrics too. But I also like more adult music too. As an artist, the worst thing for me is to be restrained and I don’t want to bind myself at all." [10]

Recent Events: US Debut, Neo Visualizm & SKIN

On February 8, 2007, Miyavi announced via his online diary that he would be performing live in Las Vegas. [12] [13] Due to short notice, only a number of fans were able to attend, but the event marked his musical debut in the United States. The mini-live took place at the TABU Ultra Lounge in the MGM Grand on the night of February 17, 2007. [14] [15]

On December 30, 2006 Miyavi put out a message that he would be joining a band. [16] At the time, he did not disclose the people he would be working with, but it was rumored that he would be joining the Gackt (MALICE MIZER), Sugizo (LUNA SEA) and Yoshiki (X Japan) project. [17] On May 25, 2007 at the J-rock Revolution concert organized by Yoshiki in Los Angeles, it was officially announced that Miyavi would indeed be a part of the "superband", named SKIN.[18][19] SKIN, so far consisting of Yoshiki, Gackt, Sugizo and now Miyavi himself, will be performing their debut live at the 2007 Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California on June 29,2007. [20][21]

In May 2007, Miyavi announced his fourth major album--as well as his first remix album-- to be released in July. The album, titled "7 SAMURAI SESSIONS -We're KAVKI BOIZ-", will feature re-arrangements of his past songs and will feature a variety of instruments such as a turntable, various drums and tap dancing.[22] The limited edition of the album will include a DVD with bonus studio recording footage. [23] Miyavi's 7th major single (and 14th overall), a double A-side entitled "Sakihokoru Hana no You Ni -Neo Visualizm-/Kabuki BOIZ", was released on June 20, 2007, and debuted at #4 on the Oricon Charts. [24] Miyavi's next tour, entitled "The Beginning of NEO VISUALIZM TOUR 2007", is scheduled to start on July 20th. So far, the tour is planned for sixteen venues in Japan and a stop in Korea, and will last a little over one month. The tour will also feature the creative accompaniment team of performers (now known as the "KAVKI BOIZ") seen with Miyavi during his "25 Shunen Kinen Koen Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijo 5 Days -Dokuso-" concerts.[25]

Discography

Albums

Singles

  • [2002.11.30] Shindemo Boogie-Woogie (死んでもBoogie-Woogie)
  • [2002.11.30] POP is Dead
  • [2002.12.18] Jingle Bell (ジングルベル)
  • [2003.16.04] Jibun Kakumei -2003- (自分革命-2003-)
  • [2003.25.06] Tariraritarara (タリラリタララ♪)
  • [2003.09.03] Coo quack cluck -Ku. Ku.Ru- (Coo quack cluck-ク･ク･ル-)
  • [2004.06.23] Ashita, Genki ni Naare. (あしタ、元気ニなぁレ。)
  • [2004.10.20] Rock no Gyakushuu -Super Star no Jouken- (ロックの逆襲 -スーパースターの条件-)
  • [2005.05.04] Freedom Fighters -Icecream wo Motta Hadashi no Megami to, Kikanjuu wo Motta Hadaka no Ousama- (Freedom Fighters -アイスクリームを持った裸足の女神と、機関銃を持った裸の王様-)
  • [2005.10.12] Kekkonshiki no Uta ~Kisetsu Hazure no Wedding March~ (結婚式の唄～季節はずれのウェディングマーチ～)
  • [2006.01.18] Señor, Señora, Señorita (セニョール セニョーラ セニョリータ)
  • [2006.04.12] Dear my friend / Itoshii hito (Dear my friend / 愛しい人)
  • [2006.07.05] Kimi ni Negai Wo (君に願いを)
  • [2007.06.20] Sakihokoru Hana no you ni -Neo Visualizm- / Kabuki BOIZ (咲き誇る華の様に-Neo Visualizm- / 歌舞伎BOIZ)

DVD

  • Gekokujou (1st Live Concert DVD)
  • Oresama (First Movie)
  • Hitorigei (PV Collection)
  • Indies Last Live In Nihon Budokan (2nd Live Concert DVD)
  • Noriko no Ichi (Budokan Documentary DVD)
  • Hitorigei (2nd PV Collection)
  • Hitorigei (3rd PV Collection)
  • 25 Shunen Kinen Koen Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijo 5 Days -Dokuso- (3rd Live Concert DVD)

Photobook

  • [2003.19.09] Miyavi Hajime no Photo Essay Shu WAGAHAI
  • [2004.19.10] Gakincho (ガキんちょ)
  • [2006.07.09] Je Vous Souhaite Un Bon Anniversaire
  • Japanese西洋かぶれ～ぶらり、みちのく一人旅IN U.S.A.

Band scores

  • Miyavizm
  • [2006. 22. 09] MYV POPS
  • [2006. 22. 09] Miyaviuta

VHS

  • Shibuya Kokadi (concert)

References

  1. ^ a b "www.xanga.com". Miyavi reveals his family history.
  2. ^ "Miyavi's diary: 5/20/07 entry is signed '382'".
  3. ^ "www.soompi.com". Miyavi speaking at a conference.
  4. ^ "blog.naver.com". Miyavi clarifies rumors.
  5. ^ "www.youtube.com". Miyavi is asked about his Korean heritage on Korean music show.
  6. ^ "www.asianfanatics.net". Miyavi launches Korean fan club.
  7. ^ "www.masakarasu.net". little known info.
  8. ^ "JaME U.S.A. interview 9/2006".
  9. ^ "Masakarasu Translation: MusiQ vol.3 (2006.9.1) interview".
  10. ^ a b "JaME U.S.A. Interview: 9/17/06".
  11. ^ "CDJapan information: 25 Shunen Kinen Koen Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijo 5 Days -Dokuso-".
  12. ^ "Miyavi's official online diary; see entry dated February 8, 2007".
  13. ^ "Masakarasu Translation 2/8/2007".
  14. ^ "SpyOnVegas announcement: Miyavi at the TABU ultra lounge".
  15. ^ "Promotion for Las Vegas live on Miyavi's official myspace".
  16. ^ "Masakarasu December 30, 2006". Retrieved 2006-12-30.
  17. ^ "More Speculation About the YOSHIKI+Gackt Project".
  18. ^ "Sponichi Annex Entertainment News: SKIN".
  19. ^ "Miyavi's official online diary: SKIN announcement; 5/28/07 entry".
  20. ^ "Anime Expo 2007 announcement: Miyavi, Gackt, Yoshiki & Sugizo band performance on 6/29/2007".
  21. ^ "JaME USA: "SKIN" announcement".
  22. ^ "o-re-sa-ma.com Discography: 7 SAMURAI SESSIONS -We're KAVKI BOIZ- information".
  23. ^ "CDJapan Preorder Information".
  24. ^ "o-re-sa-ma.com Discography: Sakihokoru Hana no You Ni-Neo Visualizm-/Kabuki BOIZ information".
  25. ^ "o-re-sa-ma.com tour information: The Beginning of NEO VISUALIZM TOUR 2007".
Official sites
Fan sites
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Miyavi&oldid=139537791"