[Epikt]

One of the most interresting Japanese singer, with a really unique voice.
Even if i don't like everything she did she really deserves her "official tread".





She released a dozen of albums (and more singles) since her debut in 1991 and played in two of Shunji Iwai's movies (Picnic and Swallowtail butterfly).
My favorites are the recent ones, A scenery like me and especially Madrigal. But her best-of Caramel milk is for me an absolut must-ear. I also like Montage very much (it's the album of the movie Swallowtail butterfly of the fictive Yen-Town Band).
She also did a duet with Yuki : even if it's not the best of what they both did it's really nice (and kind special).
She is too the founder of the girls-band Mean Machine where she plays drum (with Yuki again, and the actress Ayumi Ito as singer), and that band, guys, it really rocks.


For more informations, bio and discography :
- Wikipedia page
- Official site (really beautyful)



I didn't found a lot of videos but here are the few I have :

>> Crazy for you (her new single, I absolutly love this song )
>> Sekai
>> 光と私
>> Ai no Jibaku souchi (with Rolly)
>> Ai no hi 3tsu orange (Chara + Yuki)
>> Suha (Mean Machine) (Ayumi Ito rules )
>> Sunday Park (Yen-Town Band) (extract of Swallowtail Butterfly)
>> My Way (Yen-Town Band) (extract of Swallowtail Butterfly) (sorry Frankie you're definitely out)
>> Swallowtail butterfly (Yen-Town Band)

[Oh! Snap]

I absolutely LOVE her song "70% Yuugure no Uta". One of my all time favorite songs. She is a very talented woman~

[k o o k i e.]

IUNNO her.. >...< but i'm guessing that she's a great singer.....
^_______^

[disfunktional.]

Shee must bee a good singer *RUNS of to find a song of hers *

[ginger]

I only know her as the actress from Swallowtail Butterfly, but she was awesome there.

-ginger

[Epikt]

Hi Ginger ! I guess you're Shunji Iwai Fan ?
Swallowtail Butterfly was the first of his films I saw, and it was such a revelation
And you're right, Chara is wonderful in this movie, the first time i saw (and ear) her singing My Way I cried you can't imagine how much
(Even if finally I prefer All about lily Chou-Chou - and I cry when I see this movie too )

If you like the movie I think you gonna love the Yen-town Band album Montage :

[ginger]

I only have Swallowtail and Lily, but they are two of my favorite films of all time now. I actually saw Lily first, and have watched it maybe a dozen times now--each time, I see something new. Swallowtail I adore, as well, even though the two are so different. I'm going to get my Master's in film, after I spend a year in Korea, and I know Iwai will be one of my major influences in style.

Have you seen Picnic? I know Chara is in it, too, but I haven't been able to find many reviews on it. OH, and where can I get ahold of Montage?!??!!?! It's so hard to find stuff relating to Swallowtail Butterfly!!

-ginger

[Epikt]

I haven't seen Picnic, but sure it will be one of the next Shunji Iwai movie i'll see (I recently bought Fried dragon fish, it might be great). About a review, i don't have the time to find one, but one day I asked a friend of mine who saw the movie he answered : "everything Iwai do is great, so why do you worry ?"

I bought my CD of Montage on e-bay (here) . It a very quick and reliable seller (he's french, so it may take more time). But i found an american seller for you (and for the moment it's cheaper !).

edit : if you don't trust ebay, i found it on CDJapan, but expensive...

[HKS457]

wow i cant believe theres a thread for her, ya i have same of her stuff, they are very very mellow...

[Epikt]

wow i cant believe theres a thread for her

I guess she's unique enough to deserve her tread

[Epikt]

Yeah ! Chara's new single came out !
(the same day as Salyu's, )


FANTASY :
1 - Fantasy
2 - Yes-No
3 - Fantasy (instrumental)

Here is the video.
It' good, even if I think Sekai and Crazy for you were better.

[appledapple]

Chara's really cool. I love her album "Junior Sweet"

[Epikt]

New Album UNION releases on 2007/02/28 !!

Official site

[angelicsinner]

love Chara!

I was hooked when I first listened to Cherry Cherry last year
I love all her songs
She definitely has the voice and the personality

I love her when she appeared in varieties
Love her perf with M-flo
I just love her!!

[flashcube]

I love that she worked with that guy from Radwimps. Radwimps + Chara = LABRADOR. Great track^^

[goodnessgracious]

I like one of her old songs. I think it is called "Yasashii Kimochi".

[sheart]

Shes really interesting. I saw her in half of Shunji Iwai's 'Swallowtail Butterfly' (I really want to see the rest of this) and (also half of) 'Picnic' which was a pretty crazy movie.

[usan]

woah chara, i love yasashii kimochi & shanghai baby. and of course time machine. <3