Melody Ishikawa (born February 24, 1982),[1] known mononymously as Melody, stylized as melody., is a Japanese American former J-pop singer. She debuted in February 2003 with the song "Dreamin' Away", under Toy's Factory. In October 2008, Melody announced on her blog ending her career as a music artist to focus on pursuing a career as a fashion designer.[2]
Melody
Melody in March 2008
Background information
Birth name
Melody Ishikawa
Also known as
Melody Ishihara
Born
(1982-02-24) February 24, 1982 (age 40)[1] Honolulu, Hawaii, US
Melody was born to Japanese parents in Honolulu, Hawaii. When she was young, she would occasionally watch shows that involved J-pop, and she has also listed Celine Dion, TLC, and Destiny's Child as inspirations. She took ballet and piano, as well as vocal training. When she was 16, she worked as a Hawaiian model for Japanese commercials.[3] While she was a high school student at Punahou, she had a secret audition with record producer Tetsuya Komuro, who was forming an international unit, but when they wanted her to join the next day, she negotiated to wait until she graduated.[4] At the age of 19, she moved to Japan to pursue a singing career.[5] After some time with Komuro's company, where she was allocated to various groups in development, she eventually left and signed with Toy's Factory.[4]
Her debut song, "Dreamin' Away", was released in February 2003 where it peaked at number 33 on the Oricon weekly charts and stayed charted for eight weeks.[better source needed] In June, she released the single "Simple as That" along with a cover of "Over The Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz; the latter was used in a commercial for Mitsubishi Motors.[citation needed] The single reached number 19 on Oricon. In October, she was a featured artist along with Ryohei in m-flo's song "Miss You",[3][6] which reached number eight on Oricon.[7]
She is also known for singing the single "Realize" which was the theme song for a TV drama series called Dragon Zakura, which debuted sixth on the Oricon charts. Her single "Lovin' U" was used in a Raycious commercial in 2006. The single included "Our Journey", which was the theme song for the 2006 movie Gen Yu Den starring Rena Tanaka, who also co-wrote the lyrics to the song. Melody made an appearance in a Japanese Subaru Forester commercial in 2007, in which her single "Finding My Road", was used as promotion. In April 2007, she started hosting the English-language Japanese music show J-Melo on NHK World TV. Her single, "Love Story", written by her sister Christine (KURIS), was used in the drama series Kodoku no Kake – Itoshikihito Yo in the summer of 2007.[citation needed]
Her fourth album Lei Aloha was released on April 9, 2008 and had one preceding single, "Haruka: Haruka". In September 2008 was announced that Melody would no longer be the host of J-Melo. Japanese singers May J. and Shanti would take her place. On October 8, 2008, Melody released her first compilation album The Best of melody. ~Timeline~. On October 22, she announced on her blog that she would be retiring as a J-pop singer in January 2009 and would be pursuing a career in fashion design.[2]
In 2012, she announced a children's music project Gold Belle, with sister Christine Saimo.[5] She found it difficult to teach her kids English while living in Japan so they put together the project to give children a fun way to learn. Saimo produced the music and they released the album Kid's Melodies in December 19, under their own record label, EverDream.[4]
Melody has three sisters: Christine Saimo, who goes by KURIS in the Japanese music industry and who also resides in Tokyo; and Harmony and Rhythmy, who live in the United States.[10] On March 14, 2009, Melody married Japanese musician and actor Miyavi (Takamasa Ishihara). The couple has three children, Lovelie Miyavi, now going by Aily or Aspen, (born 2009 in Japan), Jewelie Aoi (born 2010 in Japan), and Skyler Kakeru (born 2021 in the United States).[11][12][13] From 2014 to 2021, Melody and her family were living in Los Angeles, California, having moved to the area during the release of Miyavi's film Unbroken.[14] After the birth of their son Skyler, the family returned to Japan and currently live in Tokyo.
^ ab [melody. profile]. Toy's Factory (in Japanese). Archived from the original on August 27, 2008. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
^ ab. Sponichi (in Japanese). October 22, 2008. Archived from the original on February 9, 2009.
. Tokyograph. October 21, 2008. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^ ab. Toy's Factory. February 2007. Archived from the original on August 21, 2009.
^ abcKamasami Kong (December 8, 2012). "The Tokyo Metpod | Great Story! She Gave Up a J-pop Career to Pursue Children's Songs". The Tokyo Metpod (Podcast). Metropolis. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
^ ab"Gold Belle | Official Music, Photos, Videos & Show Dates". GoldBelle.BandPage.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
^"m-flo loves melody. & 山本領平インタビュー" (in Japanese). Retrieved June 23, 2011.
^"Miss you m-flo". Oricon style. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
^"melody. sings for racing game – Tokyograph". Retrieved April 20, 2010.
^"Need for Speed Carbon Soundtrack Burns Rubber". Retrieved March 8, 2016.
^Christine [@xKURISx] (May 14, 2013). "Yeah, Melody & I are in Tokyo, Harmony & Rhythmy are back in the states" (Tweet). Retrieved October 16, 2013 – via Twitter.
^"Miyavi and Melody: Wed in shotgun marriage". Japan Today. March 28, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
^"Miyavi's second daughter is born!". Tokyohive. October 21, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
^"Miyavi announces the name of his second daughter". Tokyohive. October 30, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
^"Miyavi, on His Unbroken Experience". The New York Times. December 20, 2014.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Melody (Japanese singer).
melody, japanese, singer, melody, redirects, here, other, uses, melody, disambiguation, this, biography, living, person, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, adding, reliable, sources, contentious, material, about, living, persons, that, u. Melody redirects here For other uses see melody disambiguation This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification Please help by adding reliable sources Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately especially if potentially libelous or harmful Find sources Melody Japanese singer news newspapers books scholar JSTOR March 2009 Learn how and when to remove this template message Melody Ishikawa born February 24 1982 1 known mononymously as Melody stylized as melody is a Japanese American former J pop singer She debuted in February 2003 with the song Dreamin Away under Toy s Factory In October 2008 Melody announced on her blog ending her career as a music artist to focus on pursuing a career as a fashion designer 2 MelodyMelody in March 2008Background informationBirth nameMelody IshikawaAlso known asMelody IshiharaBorn 1982 02 24 February 24 1982 age 40 1 Honolulu Hawaii USGenresJ popOccupation s Singer television hostInstrument s VocalsYears active2003 2008LabelsToy s Factory Contents 1 Biography 2 Personal life 3 Discography 3 1 Studio albums 3 2 Compilation albums 4 References 5 External linksBiography EditMelody was born to Japanese parents in Honolulu Hawaii When she was young she would occasionally watch shows that involved J pop and she has also listed Celine Dion TLC and Destiny s Child as inspirations She took ballet and piano as well as vocal training When she was 16 she worked as a Hawaiian model for Japanese commercials 3 While she was a high school student at Punahou she had a secret audition with record producer Tetsuya Komuro who was forming an international unit but when they wanted her to join the next day she negotiated to wait until she graduated 4 At the age of 19 she moved to Japan to pursue a singing career 5 After some time with Komuro s company where she was allocated to various groups in development she eventually left and signed with Toy s Factory 4 Her debut song Dreamin Away was released in February 2003 where it peaked at number 33 on the Oricon weekly charts and stayed charted for eight weeks better source needed In June she released the single Simple as That along with a cover of Over The Rainbow from The Wizard of Oz the latter was used in a commercial for Mitsubishi Motors citation needed The single reached number 19 on Oricon In October she was a featured artist along with Ryohei in m flo s song Miss You 3 6 which reached number eight on Oricon 7 She is also known for singing the single Realize which was the theme song for a TV drama series called Dragon Zakura which debuted sixth on the Oricon charts Her single Lovin U was used in a Raycious commercial in 2006 The single included Our Journey which was the theme song for the 2006 movie Gen Yu Den starring Rena Tanaka who also co wrote the lyrics to the song Melody made an appearance in a Japanese Subaru Forester commercial in 2007 in which her single Finding My Road was used as promotion In April 2007 she started hosting the English language Japanese music show J Melo on NHK World TV Her single Love Story written by her sister Christine KURIS was used in the drama series Kodoku no Kake Itoshikihito Yo in the summer of 2007 citation needed She was cast as Yumi in the Electronic Arts video game Need for Speed Carbon 8 The song Feel the Rush which was remixed by Junkie XL was also used in the game 9 Her fourth album Lei Aloha was released on April 9 2008 and had one preceding single Haruka Haruka In September 2008 was announced that Melody would no longer be the host of J Melo Japanese singers May J and Shanti would take her place On October 8 2008 Melody released her first compilation album The Best of melody Timeline On October 22 she announced on her blog that she would be retiring as a J pop singer in January 2009 and would be pursuing a career in fashion design 2 In 2012 she announced a children s music project Gold Belle with sister Christine Saimo 5 She found it difficult to teach her kids English while living in Japan so they put together the project to give children a fun way to learn Saimo produced the music and they released the album Kid s Melodies in December 19 under their own record label EverDream 4 Personal life Edit Melody third from left with husband Miyavi Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt at the premiere of Unbroken Melody has three sisters Christine Saimo who goes by KURIS in the Japanese music industry and who also resides in Tokyo and Harmony and Rhythmy who live in the United States 10 On March 14 2009 Melody married Japanese musician and actor Miyavi Takamasa Ishihara The couple has three children Lovelie Miyavi now going by Aily or Aspen born 2009 in Japan Jewelie Aoi born 2010 in Japan and Skyler Kakeru born 2021 in the United States 11 12 13 From 2014 to 2021 Melody and her family were living in Los Angeles California having moved to the area during the release of Miyavi s film Unbroken 14 After the birth of their son Skyler the family returned to Japan and currently live in Tokyo Discography EditMain article Melody discography Studio albums Edit 2004 Sincerely 2006 Be as One 2007 Ready to Go 2008 Lei AlohaCompilation albums Edit 2008 The Best of melody TimelineReferences Edit a b melody プロフィール melody profile Toy s Factory in Japanese Archived from the original on August 27 2008 Retrieved October 11 2013 a b ｍｅｌｏｄｙ 引退 デザイナーに転身 Sponichi in Japanese October 22 2008 Archived from the original on February 9 2009 melody announces retirement Tokyograph October 21 2008 Archived from the original on October 14 2013 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint unfit URL link a b Melody profile Toy s Factory February 2007 Archived from the original on August 21 2009 a b c Kamasami Kong December 8 2012 The Tokyo Metpod Great Story She Gave Up a J pop Career to Pursue Children s Songs The Tokyo Metpod Podcast Metropolis Retrieved October 12 2013 a b Gold Belle Official Music Photos Videos amp Show Dates GoldBelle BandPage com Archived from the original on October 12 2013 Retrieved October 12 2013 m flo loves melody amp 山本領平インタビュー in Japanese Retrieved June 23 2011 Miss you m flo Oricon style Retrieved June 23 2011 melody sings for racing game Tokyograph Retrieved April 20 2010 Need for Speed Carbon Soundtrack Burns Rubber Retrieved March 8 2016 Christine xKURISx May 14 2013 Yeah Melody amp I are in Tokyo Harmony amp Rhythmy are back in the states Tweet Retrieved October 16 2013 via Twitter Miyavi and Melody Wed in shotgun marriage Japan Today March 28 2009 Retrieved October 11 2013 Miyavi s second daughter is born Tokyohive October 21 2010 Retrieved October 11 2013 Miyavi announces the name of his second daughter Tokyohive October 30 2010 Retrieved October 11 2013 Miyavi on His Unbroken Experience The New York Times December 20 2014 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Melody Japanese singer Melody on Twitter Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Melody Japanese singer amp oldid 1083365442, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
