Bio: She hails from a small-town where she played tuba in
the school band, she had no connections in the music industry, rail thin with a
tiny, mouse-like speaking voice, she has an unimpressive physical presence, but
at age 22, in 1998, MISIA blasted onto the music scene with her album Mother Father Brother Sister. No one in Japan
had ever heard anything like her, a voice with the strength and range of
Whitney Houston, impressive lyrics, and a gospel drive to her sound. Like Utada, she also writes nearly all her
own lyrics. Misia’s sense of fashion and style are often puzzling, usually she
dresses in space-age, futuristic designs or ultra-trendy clothing that seems
more whimsical than attractive or fashionable.
Like Utada, her popularity is mainly driven by her songs alone rather
than a glamorous appearance or sex appeal. Misia is even more so associated
with her talents, and known for her shyness. Her live performances are possibly
better than her recorded ones, a testimony to her raw voice talent and ability.
In fact, the live recordings included on her best hits album became more
popular in airplay than the original singles.
Misia is truly an oddball artist whose celebrity status seems to have
confused and troubled her, resulting in some poor choices for new music
ventures in her latest music. Still,
Misia’s voice is undoubtedly among the best in Japan.
The Inside Scoop: She is largely considered the first artist
in Jpop to take on an American R&B style and the person that paved the way
for artists like Utada Hikaru and Crystal Kay. Some of her songs are unfiltered
from her influences, for example the song I
Believe could certainly pass for a regular gospel song that has merely been
translated into Japanese. Misia’s
speaking voice (as mentioned) is characteristic of her quirkiness, after
belting out an incredible ballad with a stunningly deep and emotional voice,
she will thank the crowd for their applause with the tiniest, highest voice
imaginable.