Tomoko Kawase
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Tomoko Kawase | |
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川瀬 智子 | |
| Born | February 6, 1975 Kyoto, Japan |
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| Years active | 1995–present |
| Agent(s) | Ken-On (1995–2009) Ninety-One Inc. (2009–present) |
| Spouse | |
| Musical career | |
| Genres |
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| Instrument(s) |
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| Labels | Warner Music Japan |
Tomoko Kawase (川瀬 智子, Kawase Tomoko, born February 6, 1975) is a Japanese singer, songwriter, producer, actress, and model from
Biography
Her debut solo album
She has appeared on the cover of Marquee magazine nine times, and has also been featured on the cover of JGM and NewsMaker. She modeled for Italian fashion house Fiorucci, and hosted the MTV Japan show Breakdown. She mentored and produced music for the pop-duo Amoyamo. In 2005, an official Blythe doll of Kawase was released.
She has been cited as an influence to other pop artists, such as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu and Charli XCX.
Life and career
1995–2001: The Brilliant Green
In 1995, after bassist Shunsaku Okuda and guitarist Ryo Matsui heard her sing in an amateur talent contest, Kawase was asked to join The Brilliant Green as the lead vocalist.[1] The first two releases from The Brilliant Green were the non-album singles "Bye Bye Mr. Mug" and "Goodbye and Good Luck", which received moderate success.[1] Their break came in 1998 when their third single, "There Will Be Love There" was chosen as the theme song for the popular Japanese drama Love Again, and as a result went straight to the top of the charts. After scoring another number one hit with "Tsumetai Hana", they released their self-titled debut album which sold over one million copies in just two days. On the back of this success their first national tour, titled "There Will Be Live There," sold out across Japan in only three minutes.[2]
In 2013, Kawase started releasing music from all her personas in commemoration of the Brilliant Green's 15th anniversary.
2001–2009: Tommy february6 / Tommy heavenly6 - Solo career under DefStar Records
In 2001, Kawase joined
In October 2002, Tommy february6 released a photo and journal book titled Tommy february6 + Hawaii. It is presented in a mock travel guide format, including features such as restaurant reviews, sightseeing hotspots and cultural information. In keeping with the character's outwardly cute personality, crude outline sketches of animals and fairies litter the pages (as seen on the cover) alongside thought bubbles gracing many of the pictures, which have the distinct appearance of doodles. One after the release of Tommy february6, Kawase released her fourth single under the name, titled "
In 2003, she created the pop group, Tommy Angels. The group only had one single, "You'll Be My Boy", which was released on December 17, 2003, and had a top chart position of No. 78 on the Oricon Top 200 Weekly Peak chart. Kawase wrote the lyrics for the song (with the music by Malibu Convertible), and also produced the track. The group disbanded after this single.[3]
Shortly after this came the second studio album under the Tommy february6 name, titled: "
In 2006 and 2007 Tommy heavenly6 released five new singles which led to her second album Heavy Starry Heavenly. She finished this productive phase with the Heavy Starry Tour: four live performances as Tommy heavenly6 during March 2007. She incorporated most of her songs into this live format, which lasted for an hour and a half, complete with her now regular backing band, and even her bandmates from The Brilliant Green made guest appearances for some songs. Kawase still kept the Tommy february6 persona through cameos on Tommy heavenly6's music videos, like "Lollipop Candy Bad Girl" and "I Love Xmas".
In 2008 Tommy february6 was featured on a compilation album
In April 2009, Tommy heavenly6 released a new concept album, titled
2010-2020: Warner Music Japan era
In 2010 Tommy february6, Tommy heavenly6, and
On November 11, 2011 Tommy announced during an interview with J-Wave Circus Circus she is in the process of recording a double album featuring both Tommy february6 and Tommy heavenly6, set for release in 2012.
In September 2012, Tommy announced she would be releasing a Halloween EP titled "Halloween Addiction". Which would feature both of her previous "Halloween singles" as well as a new one. In December 2012, Tommy announced she would be releasing a special Valentine's Day single through Tommy february6 titled, "
Kawase released her second solo EP, Tommy's Halloween Fairy Tale October 14, 2015.
In 2017, Kawase returned with the promotional single Kitty Ninja from Tommy february6, along with a remixed version of "Living Dead Diner Girls" from Tommy heavenly6, available exclusively to members of her fan site. On October 17, 2018 Kawase released two new singles, "Ice Cream Devils" as Tommy heavenly6 and "Cupcake Angels" as Tommy february6.
Personal life
Tomoko Kawase was born on February 6, 1975, in Kyoto, Japan. On November 22, 2003 Kawase announced her marriage to The Brilliant Green's fellow member and bassist, Shunsaku Okuda. Due to her marriage, her legal name changed to Tomoko Okuda. However, she is still credited as Kawase Tomoko.
Discography
With The Brilliant Green
- The Brilliant Green (1998)
- Terra 2001 (1999)
- Los Angeles (2001)
- The Winter Album (2002)
- Blackout (2010)
As Tommy february6
- Tommy February6 (2002)
- Tommy Airline (2004)
- February & Heavenly (2012)
- Tommy Candy Shop Sugar Me(2013)
As Tommy heavenly6
- Tommy Heavenly6 (2005)
- Heavy Starry Heavenly (2007)
- I Kill My Heart (2009)
- February & Heavenly (2012)
- Tommy Ice Cream Heaven Forever (2013)
Concert tours
With The Brilliant Green
- There Will Be Live There Tour (1998)
- Terra 2001 Tour (1999)
Solo tours
- Heavy Starry Tour (2007)
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| – | Piropo | Voice of Pikki | – |
| – | Breakdown | Herself / Host | MTV |
Bibliography
As Tommy february6
- Tommy february6 + Hawaii (2002)
Other activities
In October 2002, Tommy february6 released a photo and journal book titled Tommy february6 + Hawaii. It is presented in a mock travel guide format, including features such as restaurant reviews, sightseeing hotspots and cultural information. In keeping with the character's outwardly cute personality, crude outline sketches of animals and fairies litter the pages (as seen on the cover) alongside thought bubbles gracing many of the pictures, which have the distinct appearance of doodles.
Kawase has also made an appearance as the voice of
In October 2005, an exclusive Tommy February6 Blythe doll was released.
In 2012, she produced Japanese model duo, Amoyamo's pre-debut EP, "Amoyamo", as well as their debut single, "Let's Go Out!".
References
- ^ a b "The brilliant green | BIOGRAPHY". www.thebrilliantgreen.jp. Archived from the original on January 8, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ "Sony Music Online Japan (see 11/1998 section)". sonymusic.co.jp (in Japanese).
- ^ Robson, Daniel (March 2, 2012). "Tommy February6 makes a heavenly return". Japan Times. Archived from the original on June 11, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
- ^ Tommy heavenly6 Profile Warner Music Japan
- ^ Tommy february6 タイトル未定＜通常盤＞ Tower Records
- ^ 新曲「Runaway」がテレビ東京系「実録世界のミステリー」エンディングテーマに決定！ Warner Music Japan
External links
- Tomoko Kawase's channel on YouTube
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