Tokyo, Japan has and may always carry a reputation for two things:
Fast outside, Slow inside. Every place the eye can see shines in Japan’s
obvious love for the exocentric lifestyle, but inside the heart there will
always remain a deep spiritual ground that the rest of the world may never
come to understand. It is this reality that rolls off the lips of Miu
Sakamoto every time she sings a song. Known mostly for her "Healing" or
soothing voice, Miu has managed to come to fame without even really trying
to.
Born in northern Japan, Miu spent the first part of her life in the
Tokyo public school system. It wasn’t till she was nine that she and her
parents embarked on their trip to live in the mecca of music cities: New
York City. Only knowing how to say "Orange Juice", Miu spent her early
American school years learning English. In school she played the Cello and
was a center on her basketball team, while home life was a bit harder by
having two parents who were already famous musical pioneers. Barely seeing
her father and having teenage disputes with her mother may have been one
of the reasons she ended up depressed and involved in the Goth culture.
Wearing black for years, Miu admits she doesn’t even know how she got out
of that darkness but is happy she is were she is today.
Miu found initial musical success as a child when her father asked her to
sing the theme song for a famous Japanese TV drama called "Stalker." At
the time her feelings for not wanting to be a singer brought about the
name "Sister M", which she used as her alias. It was years later and a
good deal of friendly advice before she finally decided to make singing a
career. But don’t think to fast of some fantasy dream come true story. The
truth is that Miu didn’t dream of becoming a singer. In fact she barely
has a dream at all except to have blonde hair and blue eyes in response to
a childhood love she had on British music star David Sylvian of the band
Japan. Miu notes that dreams are not for sure, but goals, which she states
she has, are achievable and real.
So after working with Sugizo, guitarist for Luna Sea, she released
her first cd in 1999 called Dawn Pink. Receiving a lot of interest
initially for being Ryuichi Sakamoto’s daughter, Miu soon realized she
loved to sing and having a contract through Warner Japan, she finished
school and went back to Japan to work.
Currently flying back and forth between Tokyo and New York, Miu is
working on her second cd, which will release in February of next year.
With 15 plus songs and numerous musical collaborations, it is bound to
touch the soul of its listeners. Already writing a bi-monthly magazine
column and hosting a weekly radio show we asked this fast passed and deep
hearted singer what she hopes people will think about her. "Someone who
makes beautiful music." And she describes that music as "Pop and very
melodic. Beautiful Japanese Pop songs."
Well if indeed Miu has a "Healing" voice or a soothing soul to her
voice is for you to decide. From the sound of it she will be around long
enough for you to decide.
For more information on Miu Sakamoto and her work
please check her web site at
www.miuskmt.com
Discography located at
www.miuskmt.com/disco/index.html
