Difference between revisions of "Kimura Kaela"
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==Biography== | ==Biography== | ||
| − | [[File:Kaelahappinesspromo.png|thumb|200px| | + | [[File:Kaelahappinesspromo.png|thumb|200px|left|Kimura promoting "[[Happiness!!!|happiness!!!]]" (2004)]] |
===Early Life=== | ===Early Life=== | ||
Kimura Kaela was born on October 2nd, 1984 to a Japanese mother and a [[Wikipedia:British_people|British]] father in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]. When she was six, she was scouted in Harajuku to be a hair model. She continued her modeling career later on by appearing in fashion magazines such as [[CUTiE]]. In high school, Kimura was inspired by artists like [[Wikipedia:Gwen Stefani|Gwen Stefani]] of [[Wikipedia:No Doubt|No Doubt]] and [[Wikipedia:Tim Armstrong|Tim Armstrong]] of [[Wikipedia:Rancid (band)|Rancid]]. She became a member of the punk and [[Wikipedia:Melodic hardcore|melocore]] band named [[animo]] and went under the alias of "Katie". The band had two of their songs featured on a 2005 compilation album called ''[[...Of Newtypes|...of newtypes]]''. | Kimura Kaela was born on October 2nd, 1984 to a Japanese mother and a [[Wikipedia:British_people|British]] father in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]]. When she was six, she was scouted in Harajuku to be a hair model. She continued her modeling career later on by appearing in fashion magazines such as [[CUTiE]]. In high school, Kimura was inspired by artists like [[Wikipedia:Gwen Stefani|Gwen Stefani]] of [[Wikipedia:No Doubt|No Doubt]] and [[Wikipedia:Tim Armstrong|Tim Armstrong]] of [[Wikipedia:Rancid (band)|Rancid]]. She became a member of the punk and [[Wikipedia:Melodic hardcore|melocore]] band named [[animo]] and went under the alias of "Katie". The band had two of their songs featured on a 2005 compilation album called ''[[...Of Newtypes|...of newtypes]]''. | ||
| − | ===Debut=== | + | ===2004: Debut=== |
Kimura had then became an exclusive model for ''[[Seventeen (magazine)|Seventeen]]'' magazine, and soon made her television debut as the host of [[saku saku]] on March 31st, 2003. On May 10th, 2004 she released her debut single "[[Level 42]]", derived from the channel number "42" which airs [[saku saku]]. It was sold exclusively at [[Shinseido]] shops with only 390 copies available, costing 390 yen each. A crowd of over 2,000 appeared and the single sold out in the first 3 minutes of its release. On June 23rd, 2004 Kimura re-released "Level 42" through the major label [[Columbia Music Entertainment]]; the single reached #15 on the [[Oricon]] weekly charts. | Kimura had then became an exclusive model for ''[[Seventeen (magazine)|Seventeen]]'' magazine, and soon made her television debut as the host of [[saku saku]] on March 31st, 2003. On May 10th, 2004 she released her debut single "[[Level 42]]", derived from the channel number "42" which airs [[saku saku]]. It was sold exclusively at [[Shinseido]] shops with only 390 copies available, costing 390 yen each. A crowd of over 2,000 appeared and the single sold out in the first 3 minutes of its release. On June 23rd, 2004 Kimura re-released "Level 42" through the major label [[Columbia Music Entertainment]]; the single reached #15 on the [[Oricon]] weekly charts. | ||
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[[File:Kimura Kaela - BEAT promo.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Kimura promoting "[[Beat|BEAT]]" (2005)]] | [[File:Kimura Kaela - BEAT promo.jpg|right|200px|thumb|Kimura promoting "[[Beat|BEAT]]" (2005)]] | ||
| − | ===Circle Era=== | + | ===2005-06: Circle Era=== |
Her first single post ''[[Kaela|KAELA]]'' was her breakthrough hit, "[[Real Life Real Heart]]". It was used as the [http://www.vodafone.com/index.VF.html Vodaphone] [[CM]] song, which featured Kimura herself. This single reached #3 on the [[Oricon]] charts and sold over 115,000 copies. The B-side, "[[Twinkle (Kimua Kaela)|Twinkle]]", was featured as a different version on the [[NANA (manga)|NANA]]-inspired ''[[Love for NANA ~Only 1 Tribute~|LOVE for NANA ~Only 1 Tribute~]]'' compilation album released six days after her single. | Her first single post ''[[Kaela|KAELA]]'' was her breakthrough hit, "[[Real Life Real Heart]]". It was used as the [http://www.vodafone.com/index.VF.html Vodaphone] [[CM]] song, which featured Kimura herself. This single reached #3 on the [[Oricon]] charts and sold over 115,000 copies. The B-side, "[[Twinkle (Kimua Kaela)|Twinkle]]", was featured as a different version on the [[NANA (manga)|NANA]]-inspired ''[[Love for NANA ~Only 1 Tribute~|LOVE for NANA ~Only 1 Tribute~]]'' compilation album released six days after her single. | ||
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In spring, Kimura stopped working as an exclusive model for ''[[Seventeen (magazine)|Seventeen]]''. Her first live DVD, ''[[Kaela Kimura 1st Tour 2005 4You|KAELA KIMURA 1st TOUR 4YOU]]'', was released in the summer. Kimura's next move was to the big screen as she took the lead role in the October 2005 musical comedy ''[[Custom Made 10.30]]'' along side rock legend [[Okuda Tamio]]. Okuda also worked with her musically, composing her single "[[Beat|BEAT]]". Her January 2006 single, "[[You (Kimura Kaela)|You]]", was used as the [[Wikipedia:Kit Kat|Kit Kat]] [[CM]] song. Soon after the release of her fifth single she released her second album, ''[[Circle (Kimura Kaela album)|Circle]]''. On March 18th, 2006 it debuted at #2, behind [[Koda Kumi]]'s ''[[Best ~Second Session~|BEST ~second session~]]''. After a year on the show, Kimura finally graduated from [[saku saku]] on March 31st, 2006. | In spring, Kimura stopped working as an exclusive model for ''[[Seventeen (magazine)|Seventeen]]''. Her first live DVD, ''[[Kaela Kimura 1st Tour 2005 4You|KAELA KIMURA 1st TOUR 4YOU]]'', was released in the summer. Kimura's next move was to the big screen as she took the lead role in the October 2005 musical comedy ''[[Custom Made 10.30]]'' along side rock legend [[Okuda Tamio]]. Okuda also worked with her musically, composing her single "[[Beat|BEAT]]". Her January 2006 single, "[[You (Kimura Kaela)|You]]", was used as the [[Wikipedia:Kit Kat|Kit Kat]] [[CM]] song. Soon after the release of her fifth single she released her second album, ''[[Circle (Kimura Kaela album)|Circle]]''. On March 18th, 2006 it debuted at #2, behind [[Koda Kumi]]'s ''[[Best ~Second Session~|BEST ~second session~]]''. After a year on the show, Kimura finally graduated from [[saku saku]] on March 31st, 2006. | ||
| − | ===Rise In Popularity=== | + | ===2006-07: Rise In Popularity=== |
Not long after she released her second album she was announced as the new guest vocalist for the classic [[Sadistic Mika Band]]. The group renamed themselves '''Sadistic Mikaela Band''' for the release. They covered an older song of theirs called "[[Time Machine ni Onegai]]" (used as the KIRIN LAGER [[CM]] song). She was also on their October 25th, 2006 album ''[[Narkissos]]'', which is their first album in several years. | Not long after she released her second album she was announced as the new guest vocalist for the classic [[Sadistic Mika Band]]. The group renamed themselves '''Sadistic Mikaela Band''' for the release. They covered an older song of theirs called "[[Time Machine ni Onegai]]" (used as the KIRIN LAGER [[CM]] song). She was also on their October 25th, 2006 album ''[[Narkissos]]'', which is their first album in several years. | ||
| − | [[File:Kaelatreeclimberspromo.png| | + | [[File:Kaelatreeclimberspromo.png|left|200px|thumb|Kimura promoting "[[Tree Climbers|TREE CLIMBERS]]" (2006)]] |
Kimura had also continued her solo career. She covered the classic [[Wikipedia:Roy Orbison|Roy Orbison]] hit "[[Wikipedia:Oh, Pretty Woman|Oh, Pretty Woman]]", and it was used as the theme to the [[Dorama|dorama]] ''[[Attention Please (drama)|Attention Please]]'', which she had a guest appearance in. She also joined up with [[Aida Shigekazu|FOE]] and released the song "[[Cloudy (FE)|Cloudy]]", which was done in the style of [[Wikipedia:Nirvana|Nirvana]] and featured on the compilation album, ''[[Last Days -Tribute to Mr.K-|LAST DAYS -tribute to Mr.K-]]''. In June she released her fifth single "[[Magic Music]]", which was used as the Toshiba Gigabeat TC-CM song. "Magic Music" was her third single in a row to reach #7 on the [[Oricon]] charts. | Kimura had also continued her solo career. She covered the classic [[Wikipedia:Roy Orbison|Roy Orbison]] hit "[[Wikipedia:Oh, Pretty Woman|Oh, Pretty Woman]]", and it was used as the theme to the [[Dorama|dorama]] ''[[Attention Please (drama)|Attention Please]]'', which she had a guest appearance in. She also joined up with [[Aida Shigekazu|FOE]] and released the song "[[Cloudy (FE)|Cloudy]]", which was done in the style of [[Wikipedia:Nirvana|Nirvana]] and featured on the compilation album, ''[[Last Days -Tribute to Mr.K-|LAST DAYS -tribute to Mr.K-]]''. In June she released her fifth single "[[Magic Music]]", which was used as the Toshiba Gigabeat TC-CM song. "Magic Music" was her third single in a row to reach #7 on the [[Oricon]] charts. | ||
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In September she released "[[Tree Climbers|TREE CLIMBERS]]", which was used as the Tokyo Mode Gakuen CM song. The [[PV]] for the song also starred [[BEAT CRUSADERS]], whom Kimura would collaborate with on her January 17th, 2007 single "[[Snowdome]]". "Snowdome" was used as the [http://www.jreast.co.jp/jrskiski/ JR SKI SKI] campaign song, while the B-side "[[Ground Control]]" was used as the new Toshiba Gigabeat CM theme. Soon after her third album ''[[Scratch]]'' was released on February 7th. It was Kimura's first album to reach #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, and it ended up being the #28 album of 2007. Kimura's first photobook, titled "Cheeky", was released shortly after her third album on the 28th. | In September she released "[[Tree Climbers|TREE CLIMBERS]]", which was used as the Tokyo Mode Gakuen CM song. The [[PV]] for the song also starred [[BEAT CRUSADERS]], whom Kimura would collaborate with on her January 17th, 2007 single "[[Snowdome]]". "Snowdome" was used as the [http://www.jreast.co.jp/jrskiski/ JR SKI SKI] campaign song, while the B-side "[[Ground Control]]" was used as the new Toshiba Gigabeat CM theme. Soon after her third album ''[[Scratch]]'' was released on February 7th. It was Kimura's first album to reach #1 on the [[Oricon]] charts, and it ended up being the #28 album of 2007. Kimura's first photobook, titled "Cheeky", was released shortly after her third album on the 28th. | ||
| − | ===+1=== | + | ===2007-2008: +1=== |
Her ninth single, "[[Samantha]]", was released on July 18th, 2007 and is written about Samantha Stephens from the 1960s American show ''[[Wikipedia:Bewitched|Bewitched]]''. Her second live DVD, ''[[Live Scratch ~Agattemasutteba Tour~ @ Budoukan|LIVE Scratch ~Agattemasutteba TOUR~ @ Budoukan]]'', was released on September 19th. On October 24th, Kimura's tenth single "[[Yellow (Kimura Kaela)|Yellow]]" was released. The song was used as [[NTV]]'s ''[http://www.ntv.co.jp/sports/ Sports Uru Gusu]'' program theme. In celebrating her tenth single, three songs (along with instrumentals) were included in the release. One of the B-sides was a cover of [[Wikipedia:Farrah (band)|Farrah]]'s song "No Reason Why", which was used as the [http://www.yamazakipan.co.jp/ Yamazaki Pan] "Ranchi Pakku" CM theme. | Her ninth single, "[[Samantha]]", was released on July 18th, 2007 and is written about Samantha Stephens from the 1960s American show ''[[Wikipedia:Bewitched|Bewitched]]''. Her second live DVD, ''[[Live Scratch ~Agattemasutteba Tour~ @ Budoukan|LIVE Scratch ~Agattemasutteba TOUR~ @ Budoukan]]'', was released on September 19th. On October 24th, Kimura's tenth single "[[Yellow (Kimura Kaela)|Yellow]]" was released. The song was used as [[NTV]]'s ''[http://www.ntv.co.jp/sports/ Sports Uru Gusu]'' program theme. In celebrating her tenth single, three songs (along with instrumentals) were included in the release. One of the B-sides was a cover of [[Wikipedia:Farrah (band)|Farrah]]'s song "No Reason Why", which was used as the [http://www.yamazakipan.co.jp/ Yamazaki Pan] "Ranchi Pakku" CM theme. | ||
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Starting on February 5th, a new song called "[[Kagami yo Kagami]]" was used as the new ending theme song for the Japanese broadcast of the American drama series ''[[Wikipedia:The OC|The OC]]''. Also the vinyl-only "[[Jasper|Jasper (remix ver)]]" (mixed by [[Takashi Watanabe]]) was released in full or [[Chaku-Uta]] through Kimura's [http://columbia.jp/artist-info/kaela/info.html#5533 official website]. Kimura's fourth original album, ''[[+1 (album)|+1]]'', was released on April 2nd, 2008. It reached #3 on [[Oricon]] charts. ''+1'' would go on to be certified platinum by the [http://www.riaj.com/data/others/gold/200804.html RIAJ]. Kimura's first [[PV]] collection DVD, ''[[Best Video 1|BEST VIDEO 1]]'', was released on July 23rd, 2008. | Starting on February 5th, a new song called "[[Kagami yo Kagami]]" was used as the new ending theme song for the Japanese broadcast of the American drama series ''[[Wikipedia:The OC|The OC]]''. Also the vinyl-only "[[Jasper|Jasper (remix ver)]]" (mixed by [[Takashi Watanabe]]) was released in full or [[Chaku-Uta]] through Kimura's [http://columbia.jp/artist-info/kaela/info.html#5533 official website]. Kimura's fourth original album, ''[[+1 (album)|+1]]'', was released on April 2nd, 2008. It reached #3 on [[Oricon]] charts. ''+1'' would go on to be certified platinum by the [http://www.riaj.com/data/others/gold/200804.html RIAJ]. Kimura's first [[PV]] collection DVD, ''[[Best Video 1|BEST VIDEO 1]]'', was released on July 23rd, 2008. | ||
| − | ===HOCUS POCUS & First Best Album=== | + | ===2008-2010: HOCUS POCUS & First Best Album=== |
Kimura released her 12th single "[[Moustache / Memories (Original Version)|Moustache / memories (original version)]]" on September 10th, 2008. The single peaked at #7 on the [[Oricon]] charts and charted for eight weeks. "[[Moustache]]" was used in the [http://www.lucido-l.jp/index.html LUCIDO-L] hair products commercial and "[[Memories (Kimura Kaela)|memories]]" was used as the theme song to the film ''[[Wikipedia:Paco and the Magical_Book|Paco and the Magical Book]]''. She released "[[Doko (Kimura Kaela)|Doko]]", her first ballad, on January 28th, 2009. "Doko" was used as the opening theme song for the music television show ''[[Ongaku Senshi MUSIC FIGHTER]]'', while the B-side "[[Phone (Kimura Kaela)|Phone]]", was featured in "Pokka", a Japanese beverage [[CM]]. The single debuted at #5 on the [[Oricon]] charts and charted for four weeks. Her 14th single titled "[[Banzai (Kimura Kalea)|BANZAI]]" was released on May 8th, 2008. The song was composed and arranged by [[avenger in sci-fi]] and was used as the theme song for ''[[S1|S☆1]]'', a sports program. The single debuted at #4 on the [[Oricon]] charts and charted for eight weeks. | Kimura released her 12th single "[[Moustache / Memories (Original Version)|Moustache / memories (original version)]]" on September 10th, 2008. The single peaked at #7 on the [[Oricon]] charts and charted for eight weeks. "[[Moustache]]" was used in the [http://www.lucido-l.jp/index.html LUCIDO-L] hair products commercial and "[[Memories (Kimura Kaela)|memories]]" was used as the theme song to the film ''[[Wikipedia:Paco and the Magical_Book|Paco and the Magical Book]]''. She released "[[Doko (Kimura Kaela)|Doko]]", her first ballad, on January 28th, 2009. "Doko" was used as the opening theme song for the music television show ''[[Ongaku Senshi MUSIC FIGHTER]]'', while the B-side "[[Phone (Kimura Kaela)|Phone]]", was featured in "Pokka", a Japanese beverage [[CM]]. The single debuted at #5 on the [[Oricon]] charts and charted for four weeks. Her 14th single titled "[[Banzai (Kimura Kalea)|BANZAI]]" was released on May 8th, 2008. The song was composed and arranged by [[avenger in sci-fi]] and was used as the theme song for ''[[S1|S☆1]]'', a sports program. The single debuted at #4 on the [[Oricon]] charts and charted for eight weeks. | ||
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On June 1st, 2010 it was reported by [http://www.nikkansports.com/ Nikkan Sports] that both Kimura and actor [[Eita]] were to be wed, as she was three months pregnant with his child. Three months later, on September 1st, both parties announced on their respective official websites that they submitted their marriage registration that same day. | On June 1st, 2010 it was reported by [http://www.nikkansports.com/ Nikkan Sports] that both Kimura and actor [[Eita]] were to be wed, as she was three months pregnant with his child. Three months later, on September 1st, both parties announced on their respective official websites that they submitted their marriage registration that same day. | ||
| − | ===Ring a ding dong & 8EIGHT8=== | + | ===2010-2011: Ring a ding dong & 8EIGHT8=== |
Followed by the release of her first best-of album she released in summer her 15th single [[Ring a Ding Dong]] which managed to grab the #1 in the Oricon Ranking which makes this her first visit on the top spot. A half year later she released [[A Winter Fairy Is Melting a Snowman|A winter fairy is melting a snowman]], her 16th single, it peaked at #4. There was a big gap of 8 months between A Winter Fairy Is Melting a Snowman and her next single [[Kidoairaku Plus Ai (Kimura Kaela)|Kidoairaku plus Ai]], in this single she left the "happy tune"-road and decided to make a more rockish song. The single grabed only #13 in the Oricon Charts. This release was followed by her 6th studio album [[8Eight8|8EIGHT8]], which officaly was released on October 12th, 2011. [[Chocolate (Kimura Kaela)|Chocolate]] was used to promote the album, she performed the song on several shows and released a music video for it. The album reached #1 on Oricon and charted for 13 weeks. | Followed by the release of her first best-of album she released in summer her 15th single [[Ring a Ding Dong]] which managed to grab the #1 in the Oricon Ranking which makes this her first visit on the top spot. A half year later she released [[A Winter Fairy Is Melting a Snowman|A winter fairy is melting a snowman]], her 16th single, it peaked at #4. There was a big gap of 8 months between A Winter Fairy Is Melting a Snowman and her next single [[Kidoairaku Plus Ai (Kimura Kaela)|Kidoairaku plus Ai]], in this single she left the "happy tune"-road and decided to make a more rockish song. The single grabed only #13 in the Oricon Charts. This release was followed by her 6th studio album [[8Eight8|8EIGHT8]], which officaly was released on October 12th, 2011. [[Chocolate (Kimura Kaela)|Chocolate]] was used to promote the album, she performed the song on several shows and released a music video for it. The album reached #1 on Oricon and charted for 13 weeks. | ||
| − | ===Sync & nationwide hall tour 2013=== | + | ===2012: Sync & nationwide hall tour 2013=== |
In May 2012 Kimura made a comeback in the music scene with her 18th single [[Mamireru]], the single reached #9. The track was used as theme song for the drama [[Toshi Densetsu no Onna]]. | In May 2012 Kimura made a comeback in the music scene with her 18th single [[Mamireru]], the single reached #9. The track was used as theme song for the drama [[Toshi Densetsu no Onna]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[File:MamireruPROMO.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Kimura promoting "[[Mamireru]]" (2012)]] | ||
On August 1st she released [[Kaela Web Tour 2012 @ Nippon Budokan|KAELA WEB TOUR 2012 @ Nippon Budokan]]. In the same month she announced that she will held a nationwide hall tour, which will start in January 2013. This is her first hall tour since her "LIVE TOUR 2008 +1" that was 4 years ago. The tour will start on January 27th in Kanagawa and will end on March 31st in Okinawa. She will held a total of 19 shows in 17 locations. | On August 1st she released [[Kaela Web Tour 2012 @ Nippon Budokan|KAELA WEB TOUR 2012 @ Nippon Budokan]]. In the same month she announced that she will held a nationwide hall tour, which will start in January 2013. This is her first hall tour since her "LIVE TOUR 2008 +1" that was 4 years ago. The tour will start on January 27th in Kanagawa and will end on March 31st in Okinawa. She will held a total of 19 shows in 17 locations. | ||
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In November she announced the release of her 7th studio album [[Sync]] and a new photo book called [[Colors (Kimura Kaela)|COLORS]]. Both will be released on December 19th. To promote the album she released a music video for the song [[Wonder Volt|WONDER Volt]], the song and video were inspired by Tim Burtons new movie [[Frankenweenie]]. The song was also included in the movie inspired album [[Frankenweenie Unleashed!]]. It was released on December 5th. | In November she announced the release of her 7th studio album [[Sync]] and a new photo book called [[Colors (Kimura Kaela)|COLORS]]. Both will be released on December 19th. To promote the album she released a music video for the song [[Wonder Volt|WONDER Volt]], the song and video were inspired by Tim Burtons new movie [[Frankenweenie]]. The song was also included in the movie inspired album [[Frankenweenie Unleashed!]]. It was released on December 5th. | ||
| − | |||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
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* [2012.04.18] [[J-Pop Navi -Music for Driving-|J-POP Navi -music for driving-]] (#6 ''TREE CLIMBERS'') | * [2012.04.18] [[J-Pop Navi -Music for Driving-|J-POP Navi -music for driving-]] (#6 ''TREE CLIMBERS'') | ||
* [2012.11.07] [[Yuki no Uta (Various Artists)|Yuki no Uta]] (#9 ''Snowdome'') | * [2012.11.07] [[Yuki no Uta (Various Artists)|Yuki no Uta]] (#9 ''Snowdome'') | ||
| − | * [2012.12.05] [[Frankenweenie Unleashed! (Japanese Version]] (#2 ''WONDER Wold'') | + | * [2012.12.05] [[Frankenweenie Unleashed! (Japanese Version)]] (#2 ''WONDER Wold'') |
==Filmography== | ==Filmography== | ||
Revision as of 22:02, 17 December 2012
Kimura Kaela (木村カエラ) is a Japanese pop-rock musician who debuted in 2004 with Columbia Music Entertainment. She is a former exclusive model for Seventeen, famous for previously hosting the early morning TV show saku saku, and is best known for her hit songs "Real Life Real Heart" and "Butterfly".
Contents
Profile
- Stage Name: Kimura Kaela (木村カエラ)
- Full Name: Kimura Kaela Rie (木村カエラりえ)
- Birthdate: October 24, 1984
- Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
- Blood Type: A
- Ethnicity: Japanese / British
- Hobbies: Guitar, piano, making clothes, swimming
- Education: Muncipal Tsukada Junior High School, Mukogaoka Central High School
- Family: Husband actor Eita, son
Band Members
- Watanabe Shinobu (渡邊忍) - Guitar
- 4106 - Bass
- Kashiwagura Takashi (柏倉隆史) - Drums
Biography
Early Life
Kimura Kaela was born on October 2nd, 1984 to a Japanese mother and a British father in Tokyo, Japan. When she was six, she was scouted in Harajuku to be a hair model. She continued her modeling career later on by appearing in fashion magazines such as CUTiE. In high school, Kimura was inspired by artists like Gwen Stefani of No Doubt and Tim Armstrong of Rancid. She became a member of the punk and melocore band named animo and went under the alias of "Katie". The band had two of their songs featured on a 2005 compilation album called ...of newtypes.
2004: Debut
Kimura had then became an exclusive model for Seventeen magazine, and soon made her television debut as the host of saku saku on March 31st, 2003. On May 10th, 2004 she released her debut single "Level 42", derived from the channel number "42" which airs saku saku. It was sold exclusively at Shinseido shops with only 390 copies available, costing 390 yen each. A crowd of over 2,000 appeared and the single sold out in the first 3 minutes of its release. On June 23rd, 2004 Kimura re-released "Level 42" through the major label Columbia Music Entertainment; the single reached #15 on the Oricon weekly charts.
She released her second single, "happiness!!!", on October 27th, 2004. The single was used in the CM for Rohto Pharmaceutical's "Sesera" range of lip care products. Kimura began being featured in commercials herself, and "happiness!!!" ranked #11 on the Oricon charts. On December 8th, 2004 she released her debut self-titled album KAELA, which peaked at the #7 position on the Oricon charts.
2005-06: Circle Era
Her first single post KAELA was her breakthrough hit, "Real Life Real Heart". It was used as the Vodaphone CM song, which featured Kimura herself. This single reached #3 on the Oricon charts and sold over 115,000 copies. The B-side, "Twinkle", was featured as a different version on the NANA-inspired LOVE for NANA ~Only 1 Tribute~ compilation album released six days after her single.
In spring, Kimura stopped working as an exclusive model for Seventeen. Her first live DVD, KAELA KIMURA 1st TOUR 4YOU, was released in the summer. Kimura's next move was to the big screen as she took the lead role in the October 2005 musical comedy Custom Made 10.30 along side rock legend Okuda Tamio. Okuda also worked with her musically, composing her single "BEAT". Her January 2006 single, "You", was used as the Kit Kat CM song. Soon after the release of her fifth single she released her second album, Circle. On March 18th, 2006 it debuted at #2, behind Koda Kumi's BEST ~second session~. After a year on the show, Kimura finally graduated from saku saku on March 31st, 2006.
2006-07: Rise In Popularity
Not long after she released her second album she was announced as the new guest vocalist for the classic Sadistic Mika Band. The group renamed themselves Sadistic Mikaela Band for the release. They covered an older song of theirs called "Time Machine ni Onegai" (used as the KIRIN LAGER CM song). She was also on their October 25th, 2006 album Narkissos, which is their first album in several years.
Kimura had also continued her solo career. She covered the classic Roy Orbison hit "Oh, Pretty Woman", and it was used as the theme to the dorama Attention Please, which she had a guest appearance in. She also joined up with FOE and released the song "Cloudy", which was done in the style of Nirvana and featured on the compilation album, LAST DAYS -tribute to Mr.K-. In June she released her fifth single "Magic Music", which was used as the Toshiba Gigabeat TC-CM song. "Magic Music" was her third single in a row to reach #7 on the Oricon charts.
In September she released "TREE CLIMBERS", which was used as the Tokyo Mode Gakuen CM song. The PV for the song also starred BEAT CRUSADERS, whom Kimura would collaborate with on her January 17th, 2007 single "Snowdome". "Snowdome" was used as the JR SKI SKI campaign song, while the B-side "Ground Control" was used as the new Toshiba Gigabeat CM theme. Soon after her third album Scratch was released on February 7th. It was Kimura's first album to reach #1 on the Oricon charts, and it ended up being the #28 album of 2007. Kimura's first photobook, titled "Cheeky", was released shortly after her third album on the 28th.
2007-2008: +1
Her ninth single, "Samantha", was released on July 18th, 2007 and is written about Samantha Stephens from the 1960s American show Bewitched. Her second live DVD, LIVE Scratch ~Agattemasutteba TOUR~ @ Budoukan, was released on September 19th. On October 24th, Kimura's tenth single "Yellow" was released. The song was used as NTV's Sports Uru Gusu program theme. In celebrating her tenth single, three songs (along with instrumentals) were included in the release. One of the B-sides was a cover of Farrah's song "No Reason Why", which was used as the Yamazaki Pan "Ranchi Pakku" CM theme.
Kimura kicked off January 2008 with the song "birdie", a collaboration between herself and DEPAPEPE, for the compilation album Yamazawa Taiyou presents music tree. Kimura's eleventh single, "Jasper", was released on February 6th, 2008 and used as the theme song for the Japanese dub of the 2007 Hollywood film Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium. Takkyu Ishino of Denki Groove composed and produced the song while Kimura wrote the lyrics.
Starting on February 5th, a new song called "Kagami yo Kagami" was used as the new ending theme song for the Japanese broadcast of the American drama series The OC. Also the vinyl-only "Jasper (remix ver)" (mixed by Takashi Watanabe) was released in full or Chaku-Uta through Kimura's official website. Kimura's fourth original album, +1, was released on April 2nd, 2008. It reached #3 on Oricon charts. +1 would go on to be certified platinum by the RIAJ. Kimura's first PV collection DVD, BEST VIDEO 1, was released on July 23rd, 2008.
2008-2010: HOCUS POCUS & First Best Album
Kimura released her 12th single "Moustache / memories (original version)" on September 10th, 2008. The single peaked at #7 on the Oricon charts and charted for eight weeks. "Moustache" was used in the LUCIDO-L hair products commercial and "memories" was used as the theme song to the film Paco and the Magical Book. She released "Doko", her first ballad, on January 28th, 2009. "Doko" was used as the opening theme song for the music television show Ongaku Senshi MUSIC FIGHTER, while the B-side "Phone", was featured in "Pokka", a Japanese beverage CM. The single debuted at #5 on the Oricon charts and charted for four weeks. Her 14th single titled "BANZAI" was released on May 8th, 2008. The song was composed and arranged by avenger in sci-fi and was used as the theme song for S☆1, a sports program. The single debuted at #4 on the Oricon charts and charted for eight weeks.
Kimura released her fifth album HOCUS POCUS on June 24th, 2009. "HOCUS POCUS", the second track from the album, was used in the MBS drama Play Childcare. She continued to promote the album with "Butterfly", the fifth track on the album, which was written for the wedding of a close friend. "Buttefly" was released digitally on the same date as "HOCUS POCUS", and just two months after its release the song exceeded 100 million downloads. HOCUS POCUS debuted at the #3 position on the Oricon charts and charted for 26 weeks. On February 3rd, 2010 Kimura released her first best of album titled 5years.
On June 1st, 2010 it was reported by Nikkan Sports that both Kimura and actor Eita were to be wed, as she was three months pregnant with his child. Three months later, on September 1st, both parties announced on their respective official websites that they submitted their marriage registration that same day.
2010-2011: Ring a ding dong & 8EIGHT8
Followed by the release of her first best-of album she released in summer her 15th single Ring a Ding Dong which managed to grab the #1 in the Oricon Ranking which makes this her first visit on the top spot. A half year later she released A winter fairy is melting a snowman, her 16th single, it peaked at #4. There was a big gap of 8 months between A Winter Fairy Is Melting a Snowman and her next single Kidoairaku plus Ai, in this single she left the "happy tune"-road and decided to make a more rockish song. The single grabed only #13 in the Oricon Charts. This release was followed by her 6th studio album 8EIGHT8, which officaly was released on October 12th, 2011. Chocolate was used to promote the album, she performed the song on several shows and released a music video for it. The album reached #1 on Oricon and charted for 13 weeks.
2012: Sync & nationwide hall tour 2013
In May 2012 Kimura made a comeback in the music scene with her 18th single Mamireru, the single reached #9. The track was used as theme song for the drama Toshi Densetsu no Onna.
On August 1st she released KAELA WEB TOUR 2012 @ Nippon Budokan. In the same month she announced that she will held a nationwide hall tour, which will start in January 2013. This is her first hall tour since her "LIVE TOUR 2008 +1" that was 4 years ago. The tour will start on January 27th in Kanagawa and will end on March 31st in Okinawa. She will held a total of 19 shows in 17 locations.
In September her song Hello Goodbye, which is a cover of the popular The Beatles song, was used for a CM from Canon. She rearranged the song by adding marimba and banjo to create a different atmosphere from the original song. The song was used as B-Side for Sun shower. She first performed the live song on the ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2012, she asked her fans if they could help her come up with a title for the song. Many fans tweeted their ideas to the staff's official account. Later the staff decided to chose the title Sun shower with a release date on 24th October which is Kimuras birthday. The single reached #16 on the Oricon Charts.
In November she announced the release of her 7th studio album Sync and a new photo book called COLORS. Both will be released on December 19th. To promote the album she released a music video for the song WONDER Volt, the song and video were inspired by Tim Burtons new movie Frankenweenie. The song was also included in the movie inspired album Frankenweenie Unleashed!. It was released on December 5th.
Trivia
- Her name in Hebrew means "beloved", however her parents picked her name due to the sound and not the meaning.
- Kimura knew English when she was younger, she has since forgotten the language.
Discography
Studio Albums
- [2004.12.08] KAELA
- [2006.03.08] Circle
- [2007.02.07] Scratch
- [2008.04.02] +1
- [2009.06.24] HOCUS POCUS
- [2011.10.12] 8EIGHT8
- [2012.12.19] Sync
Best Albums
- [2010.02.03] 5years
Singles
- [2004.05.10] Level 42
- [2004.10.27] happiness!!!
- [2005.03.30] Real Life Real Heart (リルラ リルハ)
- [2005.10.05] BEAT
- [2006.01.18] You
- [2006.06.28] Magic Music
- [2006.09.06] TREE CLIMBERS
- [2007.01.17] Snowdome
- [2007.07.18] Samantha
- [2007.10.24] Yellow
- [2008.02.06] Jasper
- [2008.09.10] Moustache / memories (original version) (マスタッシュ)
- [2009.01.28] Doko (どこ)
- [2009.05.08] BANZAI
- [2010.06.09] Ring a Ding Dong
- [2010.12.08] A winter fairy is melting a snowman
- [2011.08.03] Kidoairaku plus Ai (喜怒哀楽 plus 愛; Emotions plus Love)
- [2012.05.16] Mamireru (マミレル)
- [2012.10.24] Sun shower
Digital Singles
- [2009.06.24] Butterfly
- [2009.07.01] Hot Pepper no Uta (ホットペッパーの唄; Hot Pepper Song)
- [2010.02.19] Musuko (Bokura no Ongaku ver) (息子 (僕音ver); Son (Our Music Version))
- [2010.08.04] deep beep
Other Singles
- [2006.02.20] Circle (KIT KAT Edition) (Kit-Kat CD Pack)
DVDs
- [2005.07.06] KAELA KIMURA 1st TOUR 4YOU
- [2007.09.19] LIVE Scratch ~Agattemasutteba TOUR~ @ Budoukan (~上がってますってばTOUR~@武道館)
- [2008.07.23] BEST VIDEO 1
- [2009.11.04] GO!5!KAELAND
- [2012.08.01] KAELA WEB TOUR 2012 @ Nippon Budokan (KAELA WEB TOUR 2012 @ 日本武道館)
Compilations / Other
- [2005.03.16] LOVE for NANA ~Only 1 Tribute~ (#3 Twinkle)
- [2005.10.12] ...of newtypes (#3 Out of luck, #20 Is my fate (animo))
- [2005.10.26] Custom Made 10.30 Original Sountrack (#19 Why Are You So In a Hurry?)
- [2006.04.05] LAST DAYS -tribute to Mr.K- (#6 Cloudy (Kimura Kaela & FOE))
- [2006.05.24] Attention Please Soundtrack ~OH PRETTY WOMAN~ (#1 OH, PRETTY WOMAN, #19 OH, PRETTY WOMAN Inst.Ver.)
- [2006.05.24] Kiraware Matsuko no Utatach (#1 Thrill Thrill Licker)
- [2006.10.25] Sadistic Mikaela Band - Narkissos (#1 Big-Bang, Bang, #2 Sadistic Twist, #11 Time Machine ni Onegai (2006 Ver.))
- [2007.01.24] Farrah - No Reason Why (#1 No Reason Why feat. Kimura Kaela)
- [2007.10.24] Tamio Okuda Covers (#1 Marshmallow)
- [2007.12.19] WHITE OUT 4 ~real snowboarder's compilation~ (#5 Snowdome)
- [2008.01.23] Yamazawa Taiyou presents music tree (#2 birdie (Kimura Kaela x DEPAPEPE))
- [2008.03.28] Detroit Metal City Tribute to Krauser II ~THE METAL MIX~ (#2 Real Life Real Heart ~Kotetsu Gattai Robo (Inaduma Maaku) Mix~ (remixed by FOE))
- [2008.04.09] DRIVIN' J-POP for love & joy (#4 Real Life Real Heart)
- [2008.09.10] Pako to Mahou no Ehon Original Soundtrack (#2 memories)
- [2008.09.24] Shiawase ni Nareru Uta (#19 happiness!!!)
- [2009.02.18] "Daremo Shiranai Nakeru Uta" Official Gaiden Compilation Album Morai Naki Hen (#6 Wa ni to Kotori)
- [2009.02.18] J-Popper Densetsu 2 [DJ Kazu in WHAT's IN? 20th MIX] (#24 Real Life Real Heart)
- [2009.03.18] JUDY AND MARY 15th Anniversary Tribute Album (#4 Happy?)
- [2009.04.29] Yume ga Kanau Uta (#23 Real Life Real Heart)
- [2009.06.26] DJ Yatsui Ichiro - DJ Yatsui Ichiro 1 (#3 ')
- [2009.10.07] GIRLY ROCK BABY★★★ (#6 TREE CLIMBERS)
- [2009.10.21] Quruli Tribute Album (#5 Kotoba wa Sankaku Kokoro wa Shikaku)
- [2009.12.23] Hit Songs ~Everything / Butterfly~ Hit Songs orgel collection (#3 Butterfly)
- [2010.03.31] Ageuta ~Koi wo Akiramenai Joshi no Uta~ (#2 Moustache)
- [2010.04.21] Wedding Collection 2 ~Butterfly~ (Disc 1 #2 Butterfly)
- [2010.04.21] Solanin Songbook (#9 dolphin)
- [2010.04.28] HOLIDAY tunes ~Odekake Mode~ (Disc 2 #2 Real Life Real Heart)
- [2010.06.02] Columbia Pikapika Kids: Kodomo no Uta Ashita Tenki ni Nare! (Disc 2 #5 Odoru Pompokolin)
- [2010.06.30] SUMMER SUNSHINE (#5 Magic Music)
- [2010.07.21] Zexy presents Happy Songs (Disc 1 #2 Butterfly)
- [2010.11.17] Kid's Song Daisuki Happy Tsumeawase (Disc 1 #9 Odoru Pompokolin)
- [2010.12.17] Major Perfect Song Collection (Disc 1 #13 Hey!Hey!Alright (Scha Dara Parr + Kimura Kaela))
- [2012.02.01] Ore no Star Album inspired by Arakawa Under the Bridge THE MOVIE (#2 STARs)
- [2012.04.18] J-POP Navi -music for driving- (#6 TREE CLIMBERS)
- [2012.11.07] Yuki no Uta (#9 Snowdome)
- [2012.12.05] Frankenweenie Unleashed! (Japanese Version) (#2 WONDER Wold)
Filmography
Movies
- [2005] Linda Linda Linda
- [2005] Custom Made 10.30
- [2006] Memories of Matsuko
Television
- [2003.03.31 - 2006.03.31] saku saku (サクサク) - Host
- [2006.04.18] Chibi Maruko-chan - Maruko
Publications
Books
- [2007.02.28] Cheeky
- [2008.05.14] Collection
- [2012.12.19] COLORS
Band Scores
- [2005.03] Band Score Kimura Kaela "KAELA"
- [2006.04] Band Score Kimura Kaela "Circle"
- [2007.04] Band Score Kimura Kaela "Scratch"
- [2009.02] Band Score Kimura Kaela "+1"
- [2009.08] Band Score Kimura Kaela "HOCUS POCUS"
- [2010.03] Band Score Kimura Kaela "5years"
- [2011.12] Band Score Kimura Kaela "8EIGHT8"
External Links
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