Aika

Aika Hirahara, known mononymously as Aika (; stylized in all caps), is a Japanese singer-songwriter, currently residing in Los Angeles, California, United States. She is known for her 2006 debut album Ai-Wo, with its songs "Orange Moon" and "Ai-wo", which reached the top 10 in Japanese charts on its first week of its release. Her second studio album was released in February 2017. In 2018, she released "Heard an Angel." She co-wrote the gold-certified song "Path of Independence" for her sister, Ayaka Hirahara.

Background Aika was born in Tokyo, Japan. Growing up, she played the piano and the saxophone. Later pursuing a music degree at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. Shortly after completing her degree, she released her debut album Ai-Wo (through EMI records), which reached the top 10 on the Japanese radio charts. Her father, Makoto Hirahara, is a professional saxophonist, and her grandfather, Tsutomu Hirahara, is a professional trumpet player. Her sister, Ayaka Hirahara, is also a performer, signed to Universal Music Japan.

Performances and career Her performances include the Osaka "Act Against Aids" concert, JZ Brat and the Living Room in New York City. Her 2009 song "All He Has to Say" was produced to support Autism Speaks and was based on a poem by a teacher at the May Center for Child Development.

Aika has written and performed the original song "Dancing Arrows," which was selected as the theme song for the Warner Brothers movie Ironclad. It is included on the EURORADIO's 2014 "Tune In" CD collection.

Aika also contributed the song "Solé" for the 2016 movie Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Discography Studio albums + List of Studio Albums Title Album details AI-WO - International EditionReleased: October 2006 Label: True Blue (Blue Note) AI-WO - Japan EditionReleased: November 2006 Label: EMI Music Japan No Mo GamesReleased: 2017

Compilation albums + List of Compilation Albums Title Album details Tune InSong: "Dancing Arrows" Released: 2014

Singles + List of Singles Title Single details "All He Has to Say"Released: 2008 Label: Neilaproductions Released: 2014 Label: Neilaproductions "NO MO GAMES" Released: 2015 Label: Neilaproductions "Heard an Angel" Released: 2018 Label: Neilaproductions "daddy"Released: November 2023 Label: Neilaproductions "white noise"Released: November 2023 Label: Neilaproductions

Music videos + List of Music Videos Title Music Video details "Ai-wo"Released: 2006 Label: EMI Music Japan Released: 2006 Label: EMI Music Japan "Dancing Arrows"Released: 2011 Label: Neilaproductions Released: 2014 Label: Neilaproductions "We Are Here" Released: 2014 Label: Neilaproductions "NO MO GAMES" Released: 2015 Label: Neilaproductions "daddy" Released: 2023 Label: Neilaproductions "white noise" Released: 2023 Label: Neilaproductions

Movies + List of movies Movie Title Movie details Iron CladReleased: 2011 Song: "Dancing Arrows" Whiskey Tango FoxtrotReleased: 2016 Song: "Solé"

Career as a songwriter Singles + List of songs Title Song details "Not a Love Song"Released: 2012 Label: Dreamusic "Boy I Wish You Are Here"Released: 2012 Label: Dreamusic "Made of Stars"Released: 2013 Label: Universal Music "Prayer"Released: 2015 Label: Universal Music "Save Your Life" Ayaka Hirahara x Daniel PowterReleased: 2021 Label: Universal Music "「Live Out Loud」Kelsie Watts & Reezy Mi$HNRZ"Released: 2021 Label: Neilaproductions "This is Me ~Rainbow~ / GAP x Leslie Kee ★ the Diversity Song tribute to IMAGINE 50th Anniversary"Released: 2021 Label: Neilaproductions "Wedding Day"Released: 2023 Label: A-ya Records "Don't Cry"Released: 2023 Label: A-ya Records

Albums + List of albums Title Album details"Path of Independence"Album: Path of Independence Released: 2008 Label: Dreamusic"Hush Hush"Album: Doki Released: 2012 Label: Dreamusic"Not a Love Song"Album: Doki Released: 2012 Label: Dreamusic"Made of Stars"Album: What I Am Released: 2013 Label: Universal Music"Tweet Your Love"Album: What I Am Released: 2013 Label: Universal Music"Prayer"Album: Prayer Releasing: 2015 Label: Universal Music "Save Your Life" Ayaka HiraharaReleased: 2021 Label: Universal Music "A-ya!" Ayaka Hirahara 20th AnniversaryReleased: 2023 Label: A-ya Records

Tours and live shows + Tour Title NotesThe Voice -2005-w/Ayaka Hirahara 2005 Vocal/Background Vocal/SaxophonePremium Live Sponsored by Itoen -2005-w/Ayaka Hirahara 2005 Vocal/Background Vocal/SaxophoneFrom The New World -2010-w/Ayaka Hirahara 2010 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/GuitarLove Story -2011-w/Ayaka Hirahara 2011 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/GuitarDoki -2012-w/Ayaka Hirahara 2012 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar Dear Jupiter 10th Anniversary Tour -2013-w/Ayaka Hirahara 2013 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar10th Year Special Live -2013-w/Ayaka Hirahara 2013 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone What I Am -2014-w/Ayaka Hirahara 2014 Vocal/Background Vocal/Saxophone/Guitar

AIKA tour and live shows + Tour Title NotesAct Against AIDS in TOKYO -2005-2006 VocalAI-Wo -2006-2006 VocalAct Against AIDS at Osaka Jo Hall -2006-2006 VocalMIZU NO OTO -2007-2007 VocalUTA WO TSUMUIDE -2008-2008 VocalLAWSON JAZZ WEEK2011 Vocal/Saxophone/GuitarMONTREUX JAZZ FESTIVAL in KAWASAKI2012 Vocal/Saxophone/GuitarAIKA LIVE IN TOKYO2014 Vocal/Saxophone/GuitarA I K A Live at The Mint LAFebruary 2015 Vocal/Guitar/SaxophoneA I K A Live at The Mint LAMarch 2015 Vocal/Guitar/SaxophoneA I K A Live at Room5 LAMay 2015 Vocal/Guitar/SaxophoneA I K A Live at Haretara Sorani Mamemaite TokyoJuly 2015 Vocal/Guitar/SaxophoneJupiter Foundation at Kokusai ForumJanuary 2018 Vocal/Guitar/SaxophoneJupiter Foundation at Kokusai ForumMarch 2019 Vocal/Guitar/Saxophone