Artists

CHARA

Biography

Perhaps the one thing listeners immediately notice about CHARA is her voice. David Schneer of Tokyo Classified writes: "Her singing shifts from pouty whispers to exhilarated shrieks that often capitulate with her voice characteristically cracking."

And while CHARA could have been conscripted for the idol pop factory, she has instead charted a creative course of her own navigation.

CHARA started writing songs as early as age four, going so far as to perform one of them at her first recital at the age of six. Struggling to find the right singer for her songs, CHARA finally decided to do it herself. In 1991, Chara signed onto to Sony Music.

CHARA's music draws on a lot of classic folk-rock but also liberally incorporates influences ranging from jazz-pop to funk.

Over the years, CHARA has formed a number of bands with various collaborators. In 1996, she spun a character she played in a movie into Yen Town Band. She also provided vocals for The 99 1/2.

CHARA collaborated with Yuki from Judy and Mary on a single, and later, the two became drummers in CHARA's all-girl band Mean Machine.