Miho Fukuhara

Sweetbox and parting with Sony (2013–2015) In early 2013, it was announced that Fukuhara signed on to be the newest frontwoman of the worldwide pop music project Sweetbox along with male singer/rapper LogiQ Pryce. The two recorded their first album Z21 in the first part of 2013 and released their first single "#Z21 (#Zeitgeist21)" in June 2013, shortly after Miho released her singles "Rising Heart", a song used in a campaign for Coca-Cola, and "Beyond", a song used for the anime Space Brothers.

In 2014, Fukuhara parted ways with Sony Music Japan, and became an independent musician. In a music industry wide poll taken from the popular TV program Wednesday's Downtown, Fukuhara was ranked as the seventh most talented singer in Japan.

Happy Field Records (2015–present) In 2015, Fukuhara set up her own record label Happy Field Records (named after the English translation of her name, Fukuhara) and released an extended play entitled Something New on December 23, along with the music video for her promotional single "Something New" on December 25. The music video focuses on her pregnancy and the upcoming birth of her daughter.

Her next EP release was in 2019 with Love Don't Come Easy.

In November 2020, Fukuhara began releasing a variety of music regularly on her official YouTube channel, from stripped-down acoustic versions of her own music to covers of famous songs in both Japanese and English.

On March 11, 2022, Fukuhara participated in the Shuichi "Ponta" Murakami tribute concert "One Last Live", performing "Respect" (with Maki Ohguro).

Acting career In 2012, Fukuhara debuted as an actress on the musical comedy Kaeru no Ojōsama as Minami Haneda, a member of a singing group called Chansons. As a member of the cast, she performed music throughout the series.

Fukuhara made her stage debut in 2023 with the musical Dreamgirls, in which she portrayed Effie White.

Artistry Fukuhara has named Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder, Al Green, The Beatles, Roberta Flack, Prince, Otis Redding, Sly and the Family Stone, The Rolling Stones, Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, Sade, TLC, Bill Withers, Curtis Mayfield and Whitney Houston among her musical influences. She particularly credits Franklin's Lady Soul, Gaye's What's Going On, Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life and Carey's Music Box for deepening her relationship to music. Among newer artists, she named D'Angelo, Solange and Michael Kiwanuka as having released albums that influenced her. She also enjoys music from Kylie Minogue and Charlie Puth.

Personal life Fukuhara met her husband at Arabaki Rock Festival. On March 4, 2016, she gave birth to their daughter, Sophie.

Her favourite manga is Slam Dunk.

Discography

Studio albums Rainbow (2008) Music Is My Life (2010) The Best of Soul Extreme (2012)

Compilation albums A Gift for You (2014)

Concert tours Rainbow Tour (2009) 2009-nen Gakuensai Tour (2009) Sing a Song Tour (2010) Live in Music Vol. 1 (2010) Live in Music Vol. 3 (2011) "The Best of Soul Extreme" Tour (2012) Live in Music Vol. 4 (2012) Miho Fukuhara 5th Anniversary Party "Rising Heart!!" (2013) Live in Music Vol. 5 (2013) Miho Fukuhara & the Mardi Gras Combo Tour (2014)