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Artist details_
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Riyu Konaka
I spent most of my childhood in Chicago and New York City, and started music after I returned to Japan. I came back to Japan at age twelve, and the differences between the two cultures built the basis of my thoughts. In my American classroom were African, Phillipino, Israeli, Dutch, Korean, Chinese … children with different cultural backgrounds. It was a powerful environment, and I thought I saw a somewhat ideal society. I like putting myself in an atmosphere with conflicting personalities and sense of values, hopefully creating much greater harmony. Because it’s more of a challenge. And besides, it’d be boring if we were all the same.
I hope to abolish the many borders - like gender, age, and nationalities.
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Riyu started learning classical piano from three, and lived in Chicago and New York City from six to twelve, until the middle of Junior High School. Later, she graduated from Osaka University, studied at the University of Heidelberg.
1996. Released debut album “Hiccups” from poet Bun Onoe’s Independent Label “Good Humor”. The CD was produced by his spoken word music team ‘Boy Meets Girl’, and collaborated with organ trio Medeski, Martin and Wood, and guitarist Marc Ribot, plus Hiroyasu Yaguchi Brass Group.
1997-98. N.Y. Recording Series - “A Funny Egg”(1997) “oops!”(1997) “Hokey-Dokey”(1998). Musicians: Marc Ribot (g), Sebastian Steinberg (wb), Yuval Gabay (dr), Charlie Giordano (p, key), Peter Scherer (synth, wur), the Jazz Passengers, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Chris Wood, many musicians who riyu respects. Released from Polystar.
1999. Maxi-Single“Bullshit”, Image-Song for N.Y.I.F.F.M.(N.Y. Independent Feature Film Market) in Japan. She also participated in director Carrie Ansell's movie “flushed”(film selected for N.Y.I.F.F.M.'99) with Opening & Ending Theme for the “flushed" video (Japanese ver.).
2000. 1st Full-Length Album “Riyu’s Album -monster vs. hamster”- best selection of Riyu's first recordings from 1995 - 1999 with great musicians who she respects. (-iincluding 1 new track + new re-mastering)
2003. 1st Live DVD&CD “That Live”
2004. 1st Multi Language Poetry Book “Messing Up Japanese” (Shichosha).
2005. Bilingual Short Story“Tooth Fairies” (Magazine 'Gunzo')
2006. Live album "Flushed Tour", new album "AFTER GIRL" (all compose, produce, mix by riyu / lyrics by riyu, riyu + Bun Onoe / arrange by Osamu Matsumoto, Shin Kono, Shinobu Imai, riyu. Appears as guest vocal for English Standard on compilation album "aloha chill" (Pony Canyon).
2007. Appears as guest vocal on Turkish musician, Murat Ses's album "umami"(clou), released in U.S.A. and worldwide. 2008. 'Danai Lounge' is scheduled to be released from Greece this Summer.
http://www18.ocn.ne.jp/~riyuhi/)
I spent most of my childhood in Chicago and New York City, and started music after I returned to Japan. I came back to Japan at age twelve, and the differences between the two cultures built the basis of my thoughts. In my American classroom were African, Phillipino, Israeli, Dutch, Korean, Chinese … children with different cultural backgrounds. It was a powerful environment, and I thought I saw a somewhat ideal society. I like putting myself in an atmosphere with conflicting personalities and sense of values, hopefully creating much greater harmony. Because it’s more of a challenge. And besides, it’d be boring if we were all the same.
I hope to abolish the many borders - like gender, age, and nationalities.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Riyu started learning classical piano from three, and lived in Chicago and New York City from six to twelve, until the middle of Junior High School. Later, she graduated from Osaka University, studied at the University of Heidelberg.
1996. Released debut album “Hiccups” from poet Bun Onoe’s Independent Label “Good Humor”. The CD was produced by his spoken word music team ‘Boy Meets Girl’, and collaborated with organ trio Medeski, Martin and Wood, and guitarist Marc Ribot, plus Hiroyasu Yaguchi Brass Group.
1997-98. N.Y. Recording Series - “A Funny Egg”(1997) “oops!”(1997) “Hokey-Dokey”(1998). Musicians: Marc Ribot (g), Sebastian Steinberg (wb), Yuval Gabay (dr), Charlie Giordano (p, key), Peter Scherer (synth, wur), the Jazz Passengers, John Medeski, Billy Martin, Chris Wood, many musicians who riyu respects. Released from Polystar.
1999. Maxi-Single“Bullshit”, Image-Song for N.Y.I.F.F.M.(N.Y. Independent Feature Film Market) in Japan. She also participated in director Carrie Ansell's movie “flushed”(film selected for N.Y.I.F.F.M.'99) with Opening & Ending Theme for the “flushed" video (Japanese ver.).
2000. 1st Full-Length Album “Riyu’s Album -monster vs. hamster”- best selection of Riyu's first recordings from 1995 - 1999 with great musicians who she respects. (-iincluding 1 new track + new re-mastering)
2003. 1st Live DVD&CD “That Live”
2004. 1st Multi Language Poetry Book “Messing Up Japanese” (Shichosha).
2005. Bilingual Short Story“Tooth Fairies” (Magazine 'Gunzo')
2006. Live album "Flushed Tour", new album "AFTER GIRL" (all compose, produce, mix by riyu / lyrics by riyu, riyu + Bun Onoe / arrange by Osamu Matsumoto, Shin Kono, Shinobu Imai, riyu. Appears as guest vocal for English Standard on compilation album "aloha chill" (Pony Canyon).
2007. Appears as guest vocal on Turkish musician, Murat Ses's album "umami"(clou), released in U.S.A. and worldwide. 2008. 'Danai Lounge' is scheduled to be released from Greece this Summer.
http://www18.ocn.ne.jp/~riyuhi/)
Expand Blog
May 30. 2008
Today I enjoyed an interesting studio session with a musician. We talked about music afterwards in a cafe, and just when I arrived home, I received a call from some good friends. They had been touring in Europe, and Bun and I had been looking after their mother who is in the hospital during their absence. My friend has a band named "Pascals". It was taken after the French artist, Pascal Comrade, and is a very heart warming band that features the Nagahata brothers. Paul, their great humanic dog had been staying at Tamaki's mom's house. Paul sometinmes stays at our house too, and has become good friends with Azara, our cat.
We watched their video until morning. They showed me a video with a French singer they often collaborate in France. Her name is Camille. The song by Ishikawa san, "Giga" was a cute song in Japanese sung by Camille. I think it sounds charming when foreigners sing in Japanese. I hope to meet Camille someday.
May 25, 2008
Today, I went to lmy friend's mother's hospital with Bun. We have been coming every week, and are happy to find her getting better after moving to a different hospital.
May 24, 2008
Today, Bun and I were invited for dinner by a Japanese lyricist. We had a wonderful time together accompanied by his manager. It is nice to go out and meet interesting people once in a while. I hope we will be able to share a wonderful time again.
May 15, 2008
Today, I recelved contact from the producer for the compilation album which is coming out from Greece, 'Danai Louunge'. He sent me the final track, and I put it up on My Space. He mentioned that the album is going to be introduced in Germany on Vogue magazine in August.
May 9, 2008
Today, Bun and I went to the hospital for our friend's mother's operation. The operation went fine, and we stayed with her until dinner. Whenever I go to the hospital, I sing in a little voice so I won't disturb the other patients in the room. I never felt so happy in my life, singing to someone who is really needs music. She closes her eyes and sighs when the melody comes to the romantic part. I sang film music, musicals, and classical music, because she seemed to like them. She cannot speak, but she laughs when she is enjoys the music. We left with a bouquet of carntaions as a gift for Mother's Day.
May 30, 2008
Today I enjoyed an interesting studio session with a musician. We talked about music afterwards in a cafe, and just when I arrived home, I received a call from some good friends. They had been touring in Europe, and Bun and I had been looking after their mother who is in the hospital during their absence. My friend has a band named "Pascals". It was taken after the French artist, Pascal Comrade, and is a very heart warming band that features the Nagahata brothers. Paul, their great humanic dog had been staying at Tamaki's mom's house. Paul sometinmes stays at our house too, and has become good friends with Azara, our cat.
We watched their video until morning. They showed me a video with a French singer they often collaborate in France. Her name is Camille. The song by Ishikawa san, "Giga" was a cute song in Japanese sung by Camille. I think it sounds charming when foreigners sing in Japanese. I hope to meet Camille someday.
Expand Shows
-
Thursday, January 24th, 2008
Live Event
MODERN POETRY & PIANO -" @ Star Pine's Cafe, TOKYO
With : Bun Onoe, Riyu Konaka + Takeshi Shibuya, Makoring + Kensaku Tanikawa
open 18
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Last parts sold_
| CyLu | 7 days ago | Netherlands | 1 Part |
| Onno Hoogendoorn | 1 month ago | Netherlands | 1 Part |
| Doraemon | 1 month ago | Switzerland | 1 Part |
View parts history
Believer details_
Comments_
Post comment
Jul 11 2008 11:26 CET BURNING MOUNTAIN STUDIO
Hi Riyu,
I just found you and I like it.
Dave
Jun 04 2008 11:50 CET Shane Seymour
Hi Riyu,
I really liked the new song.
Shane
Jun 02 2008 20:26 CET Laïxa
Very cool sounds! I love Camille's music too!
May 07 2008 16:02 CET Igy
hello riyu
where can i find older cds from you?
ps: i hope you´re still active.
Feb 23 2008 10:43 CET evelka - cause music is my life
Hey Riyu
Great songs :)
really sound very good :)
wish you a lot of lucky on your way on SAB
Kisses :*
Evelka
Read all comments
Jul 11 2008 11:26 CET BURNING MOUNTAIN STUDIO
Hi Riyu,
I just found you and I like it.
Dave
Jun 04 2008 11:50 CET Shane Seymour
Hi Riyu,
I really liked the new song.
Shane
Jun 02 2008 20:26 CET Laïxa
Very cool sounds! I love Camille's music too!
May 07 2008 16:02 CET Igy
hello riyu
where can i find older cds from you?
ps: i hope you´re still active.
Feb 23 2008 10:43 CET evelka - cause music is my life
Hey Riyu
Great songs :)
really sound very good :)
wish you a lot of lucky on your way on SAB
Kisses :*
Evelka
Read all comments
Reviews_
| Believer | Date | Parts |
| Hans Van Nuffelen | 17.07.08 | 2 |
1607 |
||
| Atsuo | 01.02.08 | 50 |
One of the most talented, unique, creative Japanese female singer. http://www.myspace.com/riyuhip How can I describe her music and words; this worldly unique Jazz-Pop-Spontaneous-Instincti ve song? |
||
| Triff | 24.10.07 | 2 |
Great Sound Just let us know more about you |
||
