Fayray
Encyclopedia
Fayray is a female Japanese
singer-songwriter
and former actress. She made her debut in July 1998 with the single "Taiyō no Gravity". She grew up in the United States and speaks English.
and tarento
). During her childhood, she listened to American music
from the 70s and 80s with her parents which had a big influence on her musical style. At age 4 she began playing classical piano
.
Fayray was discovered by then-producer Hiroshi Ōsaki, now vice-president of Yoshimoto Kogyo
, and landed a recording contract with the now-defunct Antinos Records
label.
After one album, Craving, produced by dance music producer Daisuke Asakura
, Fayray opted to take full creative control over her music and began writing and composing her own music. She wrote the two b-sides
of her fifth single, "Same Night, Same Face
" before self-producing her next single, "My Eyes
", and all of her subsequent records.
Fayray has also forayed into acting, appearing in two TV dramas in 2000: Nisennen no Koi (starring Miho Nakayama and Takeshi Kaneshiro
) and Densetsu no Kyōshi (starring SMAP
leader Masahiro Nakai
).
In 2006, she traveled to New York
in search of new ideas to create her ideal music. There she met avant-garde producer Dougie Bowne and produced two albums with him.
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and former actress. She made her debut in July 1998 with the single "Taiyō no Gravity". She grew up in the United States and speaks English.
Biography
Fayray is the middle child of a family of three daughters (her elder sister, Rio Kinatsu, is a Japanese radio personalityRadio personality
A radio personality is a person with an on-air position in radio broadcasting. A radio personality can be someone who introduces and discusses various genres of music, hosts a talk radio show that may take calls from listeners, or someone whose primary responsibility is to give news, weather,...
and tarento
Tarento
is a Japanese rendering of the English word "talent" and is used as a catch-all term for mass media personalities who regularly appear on television. Detractors of the phenomenon have referred to it in an English sense as "famous just for being famous" because many that fall into this career line...
). During her childhood, she listened to American music
American music
The music of the Americas is very diverse since, in addition to many types of Native American music, the music of Africa and the music of Europe have been found there for some five centuries, creating many hybrid forms that have influenced the popular music of the world.-See also:*Canadian...
from the 70s and 80s with her parents which had a big influence on her musical style. At age 4 she began playing classical piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
.
Fayray was discovered by then-producer Hiroshi Ōsaki, now vice-president of Yoshimoto Kogyo
Yoshimoto Kogyo
is a major Japanese entertainment conglomerate, with its headquarters based in Osaka. It was founded in 1912 as a traditional theatre, and has since grown to be one of the most influential companies in Japan, employing most of Japan's popular owarai talent, producing and promoting the shows they...
, and landed a recording contract with the now-defunct Antinos Records
Sony Music Entertainment
Sony Music Entertainment ' is the second-largest global recorded music company of the "big four" record companies and is controlled by Sony Corporation of America, the United States subsidiary of Japan's Sony Corporation....
label.
After one album, Craving, produced by dance music producer Daisuke Asakura
Daisuke Asakura
is a male Japanese pop artist.His childhood consisted of electronic organ lessons and the expectations to follow the family trade of plumbing.Asakura began his career with landing a job at Yamaha right after high school. While under Yamaha, Asakura worked on the EOS synthesizer; he was also...
, Fayray opted to take full creative control over her music and began writing and composing her own music. She wrote the two b-sides
A-side and B-side
A-side and B-side originally referred to the two sides of gramophone records on which singles were released beginning in the 1950s. The terms have come to refer to the types of song conventionally placed on each side of the record, with the A-side being the featured song , while the B-side, or...
of her fifth single, "Same Night, Same Face
Same night, same face
"Same night, same face" is Fayray's 5th single and first re-cut single. It was released on October 14, 1999 and peaked at #48. The song was used as the image song for the PlayStation Gamesoft "ZILL 'OLL" as well as the ending theme for the TV program "Ninkimono de Yukou!"...
" before self-producing her next single, "My Eyes
My Eyes
"My Eyes" is Fayray's 6th single. It was released on March 23, 2000 and peaked at #66. It was her first time self-producing a title track. The song was used in an "APLUS" commercial.-Track listing:#MY EYES#MY EYES -Breakthrough ver.-...
", and all of her subsequent records.
Fayray has also forayed into acting, appearing in two TV dramas in 2000: Nisennen no Koi (starring Miho Nakayama and Takeshi Kaneshiro
Takeshi Kaneshiro
Takeshi Kaneshiro , born October 11, 1973, is a Taiwan-born Japanese actor and singer.-Name:...
) and Densetsu no Kyōshi (starring SMAP
SMAP
SMAP is a Japanese boy band formed by Johnny & Associates. While originally consisting of six members, the current group members are Masahiro Nakai, Takuya Kimura, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori...
leader Masahiro Nakai
Masahiro Nakai
is a singer, actor and host for music events and variety shows such as the long-running music show Utaban. He is the leader of the Japanese idol group SMAP.-Early life:...
).
In 2006, she traveled to New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
in search of new ideas to create her ideal music. There she met avant-garde producer Dougie Bowne and produced two albums with him.
Discography
- Craving (1999)
- Ever AfterEver After (Fayray album)- Charts and sales :...
(2000) - GenuineGenuine (Fayray album)- Charts and sales :...
(2001) - Shiroi Hana (2003)
- HourglassHourglass (Fayray album)- Charts and sales :...
(2004) - Hikari to Kage (2006)
- Nete mo Samete moNete mo Samete mo- Charts and sales :...
(2009)
Filmography
- 2000: Nisennen no Koi — Naomi Nagin
- 2000: Densetsu no Kyōshi — Yuki Osawa
- 2001: Happiness — Lead role
- 2001: Ashita ga Aru Sa — Herself