The Official Chihiro Onitsuka thread

[truehappiness]

Wow, I'm surprised she was threadless here. Let's fix that!

Promotional photo for her latest single 'everyhome':


Quoted from Wikipedia (for those of you not in the know about this amazing artist ;D):

Chihiro Onitsuka (鬼束ちひろ, Chihiro Onitsuka?), Onitsuka Chihiro, (born October 30, 1980 in Nango, Miyazaki) is a female Japanese popular music singer-songwriter and pianist.

Onitsuka debuted with her single Shine in early 2000 and has captured many people with her vocals. She can reach incredibly high and low tones, giving her a wide array of options for singing, from fast-paced guitar melodies to melancholy piano pieces.

Spoiler:

Her parents encouraged Onitsuka to listen to Western music and by the time she was ten, she wrote her first poems, receiving praise from her parents, friends and teachers, who called them 'earnest efforts'. Secretly, however, she knew that just writing 'earnestly' wasn’t enough. From that time onward, she tried to write every day, and by the time she was in junior high school, she began to gain more confidence.

Having been influenced by Alanis Morissette in junior high school days, it was the encounter with Jewel’s music and presence during the high school years that strongly impelled Onitsuka to become a singer-songwriter. With some 70 original compositions and several other auditions under her belt, Onitsuka entered the 1998 Virgin Tokyo Artists Audition, going on to winning Grand Prize. Then only 17, Onitsuka started her career as a professional and moved to Tokyo in spring 1999 after graduating from high school.

February 2000 saw the release of Onitsuka’s debut single "Shine." The following single "Gekkou" was selected the theme song to a TV drama series, gaining nationwide attention to this new artist. While "Gekkou" remained a long-term best-seller, the up-tempo single "Cage" was released in November 2000, followed by the fourth single "Memai/Edge" in February 2001 which was Onitsuka's first love song. The highly anticipated debut album Insomnia was then released in March 2001, immediately topping the Original Confidence album sales charts in the first week of release.

After the release of the first DVD/video Me And My Devil, a collection of her video clips, Onitsuka embarked on the first tour Chihiro Onitsuka Live Tour 2001, fascinating her fans with her irresistible charm and vocal performance. She then appeared at various rock festivals across Japan in summer of 2001, solidifying her status as a performing artist. Her strong presence was imprinted on many rock fans as she was only accompanied by a piano on stage at the festivals full of famous rock bands.

"Infection/Little Beat Rifle", the first single since debut album was released in September. "Infection" conveyed a grand scale and dynamics while "Little Beat Rifle" was of a completely different taste, and the double A-side portrayed the infinite potential of Onitsuka’s.　The release of the first live DVD/video Cradle On My Noise followed in November 2001. Onitsuka’s words and music were then honoured in public as she was awarded The Best Lyrics Award for "Memai" at The Japan Record Award (December 2001) and Rock Album Of The Year for album "Insomnia" at The Japan Gold Disc Award (March 2002).

2001 also saw Onitsuka’s music travel overseas. "Innocence" from her first album Insomnia was used in the soundbed of the TV campaign for Applied Materials based in Silicon Valley. The TV campaign aired on different channels including CNBC and CNN, resulting in many phone calls from the viewers asking who the singer was that they heard on the TV spot. Also, her song "Rasen" was used in the Luc Besson film Wasabi starring Jean Reno and Hirosue Ryoko, further showing the potential that Onitsuka’s music has of penetrating the international market.

In 2002, Onitsuka released her sixth single "Ryuuseigun" in February, followed by the second album This Armor on March 6. This Armor showcases her many different expressions. Then her second live tour Chihiro Onitsuka Live Vibe 2002 took place with great reaction at each venue.

In early September 2003, Onitsuka recorded her October single "Ii Hi Tabidachi, Nishi e," a cover of a 1978 song, to be used as the theme for Japan Railway's "Discover the West" campaign. She recorded this song right before she took a hiatus to have throat surgery.[1]

In early 2004, Toshiba EMI released a Singles Box against the wishes of Onitsuka. This caused so much anguish for her that she left Toshiba and signed on as an artist under Universal Music, and given a lot more freedom in her work. She released one single, "Sodatsu Zassou (育つ雑草)", which was a major change from her folk-pop style into rock. Prior to the release, she held a concert in which she performed the song and a Nirvana cover. Contrary to popular belief, she did not announce a hiatus at this time; no hiatus was announced and the subsequent lack of release from her had been a great mystery to her fans, who eagerly anticipated the next release and hoped that one would indeed be forthcoming. Later on, she admitted that the reason for her departure from the music scene was because of mental fatigue caused by the series of new releases and tight schedules.

Onitsuka started her full come-back to the music industry in 2007, with a live performance on March 17 at AP BANG! Tokyo Kankyo Kaigi, Studio Coast, Tokyo and has announced plans to release a come-back album and do concert touring. Her first release will be a single titled "everyhome", which is to be released on May 30.

It is interesting to note that even though Onitsuka is on a different label now, Toshiba EMI has still been releasing her music in the forms of DVDs and singles collections. The singles collection does not even have a photo of Chihiro as the cover, and instead a drawing replaces her. It is most likely that they will stop soon as there are no more new songs or footage that they own.

The most recent info is at the bottom, with other info hidden in a spoiler tag.


Her upcoming single "everyhome" is AMAZING. I love the emotion in her voice and the power she has when she's singing.

Cover for the everyhome single:


Caps from the everyhome PV:


Link to the everyhome PV:
http://www.veoh.com/videos/v505189dF...0094020&rank=0

Tracklist [links lead to previews]:
1. everyhome
2. MAGICAL WORLD
3. Himitsu

If anyone's willing to create a sort of discography listing for Chihiro, I'll put it in this post ~

Links to Chihiro Onitsuka resources / official sites:
http://www.universal-music.co.jp/onitsuka/ - official site
http://chihiro.aquarianwave.com/ - Chihiro Onitsuka International, run by one of her relatives
http://frozen-call.rdy.jp/index.html - most up-to-date resource for Chihiro Onitsuka information

http://freckle.tenkeimedia.com/nl/chihiro/index.html - lyrics page with translations, very good!

[sora2522]

there was a chihiro onitsuka thread a while back...not really an 'official' thread...
i haven't watched everyhome yet, but i plam on watching it...maybe tomorrow XP

[truehappiness]

Here're some tidbits on the single and her absence:

Originally Posted by "Rockin' on JAPAN: translation from Frozencall by Folia

The June issue of ROCKIN'ON JAPAN magazine includes an exclusive interview article (four photo pages, five interview pages and one "everyhome" review page) along with an "everyhome" ad:

About "everyhome": It took Chihiro three days to write this song. (Usually she needs only three to four hours.) Its theme is winds. She hit on the idea while watching the film Forrest Gump.

What happened during her absence: She was tired of her work before she terminated her contract with the management company. She might have retired from the music scene if she had kept racing ahead that way. She was sick of various things other than making music (e.g. autograph sessions) although it isn't that she hates to interact with her fans. She kept writing songs calmly but she worked less and less. Finally she stopped writing, fearing that nobody would listen to her songs. When Kobatake-san first met her, he told her that she seemed to be suffering deep distress. She was shocked but felt suddenly relieved since the "everyhome" session with him was so exciting. However, she spent about one idle year without writing a single song. After instructed by Mr. Kondo, the director, to write songs, she did so quickly (about ten songs during a period of one and a half month).

What happened recently: While making a dash, she is looking around restlessly in anxiety. At the AP BANG! concert, she was so nervous and was not sure if anybody would want to listen to her performance. But she was relieved when she heard her fans crying out, "Welcome back, Chii-chan!"

A message to her fans: ".................. I'm sorry." (laughs)

[Aga-chan]

^Wow... Sounds sad in a way. Didn't know that Chihiro felt that way. But I'm glad that she's back! Though I have yet to listen to her new single.

She looks really pretty with the dark long hair. ^^

[bulmasman]

Originally Posted by truehappiness

Her upcoming single "everyhome" is AMAZING. I love the emotion in her voice and the power she has when she's singing.

I was so scared that she would have lost some of trhe power to her voice since she's been gone for so long, but those fears were quickly put to rest the second i heard everyhome. Chihiro is back, and the world is a better place for it

Also... she looks absolutely amazing in that promotional pic.

[sora2522]

yay! wiki.theppn's featured article's chihiro onitsuka's!!!!

[bondingo]

Well, not entirely threadless...

http://www.ahsforum.com/forum/showth...itsuka+Chihiro

But I agree that she is amazing. I'm not blown away by everyhome, but the fact that she's resumed her career is enough to satisfy me

[truehappiness]

Where the heck did that go? LOL

I totally remember there being one, and it wasn't there when I looked. :O Oh well.




I wonder if I should upload "the complete collection" here. lol

[TeamAyu]

^ No you should not. People should know better to just BUY IT ALREADY!

Damn, I can't wait for May 30th!!

[AyumiSEASONS]

I wasn't really sure about this artist, but I listened to everyhome and I love it. <3

[Raleigh]

She sure has grown beautiful. I'm so going to check her out.

[Ayumi^_^]

I love the new single by Chii-Chan :3. Glad that shes back from hiatus and shes very pretty now Like her new hair!!!

[~Matt~]

She is one of the most unique Japanese voices I've heard, and she has great songs.

I thought "everyhome" was kinda plain though... ._.
Perhaps I'll like the song once I hear it more times

I prefer Sodatsu from the post-Toshiba EMI era

[Partino]

infection is still my all time fav. it's so strong like the ocean and the shores and the waves ... everything

[Calico]

Just listened to her new single and wow...it's like old Oni, but...yeah you know. =D

I hope she makes more Sodatsu inspired songs though.

[Partino]

she sure will now that she's back in business.

[~K+]

The type on the cover is embossed in gold, very nice, this lessens the negative feelings I had with the type on the cover previously, I got mine today.

Blah, can't really tell with my camera though.

[truehappiness]

NEW SINGLE
「Bokura Barairo no Hibi」
鬼束ちひろ
2007.9.19 OUT
UMCK-5183
￥1,000 (tax in)

Tracklist:
1. Bokura Barairo no Hibi
2. NOW


more than 3 months after the release of her comeback single 'everyhome', Onitsuka Chihiro is on a roll with the upcoming release of her brand new single set for September 19th.


Official Website

NEW ALBUM
「LAS VEGAS」
鬼束ちひろ
2007.10.31 OUT
CD+DVD
UMCK-9188 3,300 yen (tax incl.)

CD only
UMCK-1230 3,000 yen (tax incl.)

Description:
After 4 years and 8 months waiting, the new album is coming! The album is produced by Takeshi Kobayashi, as what are in the singles. The tracks are selected from over 20 songs she wrote in more than 2 years, with variety from piano sound to band ensemble tracks which can portrait her unique charm. First press DVD includes video clips of everyhome and it's DVD only edit, as well as the single Bokura BARAiro no hibi in September

Official Site

[sora2522]

finally dlded the pv and the single. i LOVE IT

i'm still looking for the live though (MS)







las vegas? sounds un-onii to me...

[lilchan]

COVERS for her 4th album:
CD ONLY and CD+DVD


CD:
01. Sweet Rosemary
02. bad trip
03. rou no tsubasa
04. bokura BARA-iro no hibi
05. amphibious
06. MAGICAL WORLD (album version)
07. A Horse and A Queen
08. Rainman (album version)
09. Angelina
10. BRIGHTEN US
11. everyhome

DVD:
01. everyhome -Music Video- (version 1)
02. everyhome -Music Video- (version 2)
03. bokura BARA-iro no hibi -Music Video-