Tomoko Kawase(川瀬智子) Kawase is the lead vocalist and lyricist of the J-pop band The Brilliant Green. She was asked to join the band in 1995 after bassist Shunsaku Okuda and guitarist Ryo Matsui heard her sing in an amateur talent contest. As the band's lyricist (as well as in her solo career) she sings and writes songs in both Japanese and English. Although she reportedly does not speak much English, she does have an English-speaking friend who sometimes runs a quick check through her lyrics, but his input is often minimal at best. Following the release of their 2002 album "The Winter Album", and the subsequent tour, The Brilliant Green disappeared, and during this time on November 22, 2003 Kawase announced her marriage to fellow band mate, bassist Shunsaku Okuda. On June 1, 2007, it was announced that after 5 years of inactivity, The Brilliant Green would be returning with a new single to celebrate their 10th anniversary. The song, titled "Stand By Me" is the ending theme for the new series of TV drama, "Tantei Gakuen Q," which began on July 3, 2007. The comeback began in earnest on August 22, 2007, and continued with a new single, "Enemy" released on December 12, 2007. The band has provided the opening theme to the anime Mobile Suit Gundam 00 with the song "Ash Like Snow", released on February 6. In 2001, Tomoko launched her solo career under the name of Tommy February6, a character named from a combination of her nickname and birth date. Vastly different from the J-Rock sound of The Brilliant Green, Tommy February6's persona and sound are inspired by and derived from British and American 1980s synth-heavy pop, including a cover of Strawberry Switchblade`s 'Since Yesterday'. Her eponymous debut album was released on the day of her 27th birthday. She continued to release music as Tommy February6, starting with the single Everyday at the Bus Stop, followed by Bloomin'! before releasing February6's eponymous debut album Tommy February6. She continued to release a string of singles that led to February6's sophomore album Tommy Airline. On the same day Tommy Febrary6 released her single Love is Forever, Tommy Heavenly6 released her debut single Wait Till I Can Dream. After Tommy Airline, February6 continued to release singles that were later found on her best-of album. Kawase's original intention with Tommy February6 was to create a character who was far from innocent, though cute in both sound and appearance; Tommy February6 was designed to be someone who was true to her feelings despite the cutesy nature of her outward character, do as she wanted (and as such, Tommy February6 is seen repeatedly in music videos drinking alcohol from flasks, bars, etc.) Unfortunately, the original concept started to disappoint her, and Kawase began to feel that the character could no longer maintain its purity. After a performance as Tommy February6 in 2003, Kawase took off her glasses and donned a much more alternative look to create Tommy Heavenly6, a brand new character with a modern rock sound that takes influences from punk acts. Kawase would later explain that Tommy Heavenly6 was born from a dream that Tommy February6 had, in which she embraces all the elements of her personality she had previously been repressing. Kawase claims that the invention of Tommy Heavenly6 occurred due of her disappointment in Tommy February6's character, but far from being a replacement, Kawase chose to keep the two characters' careers separate. During 2003 and 2004, Tommy Heavenly6 released only two singles ("Wait Till I Can Dream" and Hey My Friend) whilst Tommy February6 went on to release her second full album. It would be in August 2005 (nearly two years after her first single) that Tommy Heavenly6 would finally release her third single Ready?, which was shortly followed by her own long awaited eponymous debut album. In 2006 and 2007 Tommy Heavenly6 had a very busy period, releasing five new singles which led to her sophomore album Heavy Starry Heavenly. She finished this productive phase with the Heavy Starry Tour, four live performances as Tommy Heavenly6 during March 2007. She incorporated most of her songs into this live format, which lasted for an hour and a half, complete with her now regular backing band, and even her band mates from The Brilliant Green made guest appearances for some songs. On February 25, 2009, Kawase released two best-of albums under both the Tommy aliases, Strawberry Cream Soda Pop Daydream (as February6) and Gothic Melting Ice Cream's Darkness Nightmare (as Heavenly6). Both albums collected the Tommys' singles and certain album tracks, as well as having a new track each. On June 1, 2007 The Brilliant Green announced they would be returning with new material. Kawase has since continued Tommy Heavenly6's career, releasing Papermoon in December 2008 which was used as the second official Soul Eater anime opening and Unlimited Sky in early 2009 (used as an insert song for Mobile Suit Gundam 00). In April 2009, Tommy Heavenly6 released a new concept album, titled I Kill My Heart, which was composed mostly by Shunsaku Okuda. Two of the promotional songs for her third album was accompanied by music videos that had two versions each—one as Tommy Heavenly6 and one as Tommy February6. Shortly after the release of "I Kill My Heart", however, Tommy Heavenly6's contract with DefSTAR expired. In addition to her own solo singing career, Kawase has produced and written songs for the idol group Tommy☆Angels, as well as making a protégé of current Hinoi Team member, Asuka Hinoi. Kawase has also made an appearance as the voice of Pikki in the anime series Piroppo, briefly modelled for Italian fashion house Fiorucci and for a period of time hosted Break Down, an MTV show. She also worked as a producer on the Takashi Fujii single, entitled Oh My Juliet. In October 2002, Tommy February6 released a photo and journal book titled Tommy February6 + Hawaii. It is presented in a mock travel guide format, including features such as restaurant reviews, sightseeing hotspots and cultural information. In keeping with the character's outwardly cute personality, crude outline sketches of animals and fairies litter the pages (as seen on the cover) alongside thought bubbles gracing many of the pictures, which have the distinct appearance of doodles. In October 2005, an exclusive Tommy February6 Blythe doll was released. "Lonely in Gorgeous" was used as the opening theme for the anime series Paradise Kiss The music video for February6's "Lonely in Gorgeous" is partly an homage to the famous music video of Sabotage by Beastie Boyz. Many of Tommy Heavenly6's songs have been used as opening themes or insert songs to different anime. Pray was used as the opening theme for the anime series Gin Tama.. Likewise, Heavenly6's song Papermoon was used as the second opening for the anime series Soul Eater. Unlimited Sky was used as the insert song for the anime series Mobile Suit Gundam 00 as was The Brilliant Green's song Ash Like Snow. Kawase has campaigned several times for the establishment of a Mensa chapter in Japan. Although she qualifies for a North American membership, she has declined as a show of solidarity for her country. Kawase's husband, Shunsaku Okuda, also helped compose music for Tommy Heavenly6 under the alias "Chiffon Brownie", including "Unlimited Sky" and "Papermoon", and all of the songs on her third studio album "I Kill My Heart" |
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