志方あきこ
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Akiko Shikata is a genre-defying soprano singer-songwriter, composer, arranger, producer and multi-instrumentalist whose songs range from neofolk to avant-garde, world music, symphonic metal, folktronica (with a bit of industrial influence), new age or dark ambient.
Her style could be defined as neoclassical, with a deep tendency to experimentation. Most songs have a medieval-ish or celtic feel, and she tends to use her voice as an instrument, using many layers and oddities such as dissociated choirs, or using very different vocals within the same song (she has three very distinct singing styles: a deep low-pitched voice, a sweet, almost child-like voice, and her regular powerful soprano vocals).
Shikata is known for using several languages in her songs; although Japanese and Italian are the most frequent (she has been writing and singing in Italian since her debut) she also has a bunch of songs in unusual languages such as Uyghur, Turkish, Greek, Ainu or Tibetan, but also French, English or German, as well as Hymmnos, the made-up language created for the Ar-Tonelico game series.
She was born January 7 and works for several labels including the quite underground neoclassical/folk label HATS, and FrontierWorks. She founded her own indie circle, Vagrancy, in 2001, through which she has been releasing several albums in addition to her solo works.
Her style could be defined as neoclassical, with a deep tendency to experimentation. Most songs have a medieval-ish or celtic feel, and she tends to use her voice as an instrument, using many layers and oddities such as dissociated choirs, or using very different vocals within the same song (she has three very distinct singing styles: a deep low-pitched voice, a sweet, almost child-like voice, and her regular powerful soprano vocals).
Shikata is known for using several languages in her songs; although Japanese and Italian are the most frequent (she has been writing and singing in Italian since her debut) she also has a bunch of songs in unusual languages such as Uyghur, Turkish, Greek, Ainu or Tibetan, but also French, English or German, as well as Hymmnos, the made-up language created for the Ar-Tonelico game series.
She was born January 7 and works for several labels including the quite underground neoclassical/folk label HATS, and FrontierWorks. She founded her own indie circle, Vagrancy, in 2001, through which she has been releasing several albums in addition to her solo works.
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Featured Tracks
| FULL TRACK Sorriso | 4:52 |
| FULL TRACK Siren | 1:43 |
| FULL TRACK AVE MARIA | 4:49 |
| FULL TRACK EXEC_HARMONIUS/. | 5:51 |
| FULL TRACK 晴れすぎた空の下で | 3:49 |
Top Albums
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Untitled Album
志方あきこ
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Raka
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うみねこのなく頃に
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Navigatoria
志方あきこ Buy- Download Album
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Shoutbox
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Chiharo wrote:
I see... Thanks.
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Madrangue wrote:
She just released a great album with Vagrancy, give her some time. But as she's quite productive anyway... there will surely be a new album in 2012, most likely not before the second half of the year I guess, since we don't have any info yet.
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Chiharo wrote:
v Thanks for the info. On another note, I've been wondering when is she going to release her next commercial album. What do you guys think when is this going to happen?
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Sayoshigure wrote:
I recommend looking on Yahoo!Japan Auctions. You have to use a shopping service because hardly anyone will ship outside of Japan but...I have seen older CDs like Navigatoria up for sale for decent prices.
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Chiharo wrote:
Damn. And I'm just getting into Navigatoria as well, then I find out it's out of print.
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Madrangue wrote:
Chances are that such decisions are not up to Avex but most likely to her label, HATS. Which is a quite obscure indie label after all. Maybe they just can't afford the reprint. And I highly recommend all of you to get your copy of Raka before this masterpiece runs out of print.
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Ennish wrote:
Navigatoria is really hard to come by as well. I think one site is asking for $125(!) for a physical copy of the album. I don't know why Avex Trax doesn't want to reissue Shikata's work. Not enough demand, maybe?
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Chiharo wrote:
vv Yeah, I'll try digging more for it. It's such a shame masterpieces like that are so hard to actually buy.
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Madrangue wrote:
You should investigate on Japanese sites though. I'm not familiar with them, but it wouldn't really surprise me if it was available on one of those. Akiko should have it reprinted, I would buy this great album in a heartbeat if I could get a physical copy.
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Chiharo wrote:
@Madrangue, That's too bad seeing as I really had intentions of buying it. But oh well. Thanks for letting me know.
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Madrangue wrote:
v Not to my knowledge, and unfortunately I doubt she's planning to reissue it someday.
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Chiharo wrote:
Anyone knows is Haikyo to Rakuen album available to buy from anywhere online?
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pedropavani wrote:
Trass, from a Reyvateil Melody, has noticed something quite odd... In the HATS fest 07 DVD , after Ave Maria, the leader of hats start speaking about Akiko, and 英雄葬 is playing in the background... yeah, the last track from Istoria Kalliope, in that 2007 DVD. You can check this at 5:00 of this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVQjwb9d44o&feature=youtu.be Link to the original topic: http://artonelico.isisview.org/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=32&start=640
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Ennish wrote:
Happy (belated) Birthday, Akiko Shikata!
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Halfstreatk wrote:
Happy birthday! <3 (2), I love your music.
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Madrangue wrote:
Happy birthday, Shikata-san, and thank you for your wonderful music. Makes life a little less shitty.
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enid_coleslaw_ wrote:
Happy birthday! <3
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otavioasimoes wrote:
Happy birthday, Akiko-sama!
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nekomeshii wrote:
Happy Birthday Akiko-chan :D
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babyhh wrote:
want to know the lyrics of Istoria album
Videos
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The Era of the Raging Lion…
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[Full Opening AMV] Umineko no…
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「片翼の鳥」 歌詞付
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Recent Activity
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alphagalate, KyaRAWRR, buttame123 and 2 other people added 志方あきこ to their libraries. yesterday evening
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BloodyParadox tagged 志方あきこ with ‘japanese’. Monday morning
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Zephyr_Rend, MoonChain123 and pisutachio added 志方あきこ to their libraries. Sunday evening
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siarzhook tagged 志方あきこ with folk, japanese, celtic and one other tag. Friday evening
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VargWarlord added 志方あきこ to VargWarlord’s library. Friday morning
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sigmagalator tagged 志方あきこ with neofolk, experimental, neoclassical and 5 other tags. last week
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AkumaRanger tagged 志方あきこ with singer-songwriter, world fusion, world music and 75 other tags. last week
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