Aika (singer)

Aika (pronounced "ah-ee-kah" and stylized "AIKA") 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]

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

Background

Aika was born in Tokyo, Japan. Growing up, she played the piano and the saxophone. 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 (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
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
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
"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

Music videos
List of Music Videos
Title Music Video details
"Ai-wo"
"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

Movies
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

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

Tours and live shows
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
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
  1. "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. "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.
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