__NOTOC__ , also known by her alias Holi, is a Japanese singer, songwriter, composer and arranger. Kobayashi collaborated with Brian Eno and U2 on their 1995 project, the

Passengers A passenger (also abbreviated as pax) is a person who travels in a vehicle, but does not bear any responsibility for the tasks required for that vehicle to arrive at its destination or otherwise operate the vehicle, and is not a steward. Th ...

. Her smash hit debut song, from 1985s popular show "Kinyōbi no Tsumatachi e" made her famous in Japan. She was born in

Tokyo Tokyo (; ja, 東京, , ), officially the Tokyo Metropolis ( ja, 東京都, label=none, ), is the capital and List of cities in Japan, largest city of Japan. Formerly known as Edo, its metropolitan area () is the most populous in the world, ...

and first began singing at age 15 and writing, later, songs for other artists that became big hits at home and abroad making her famous. She received a degree in Philosophy from the prestigious

Gakushuin University is a private university in Mejiro, Toshima Ward, Tokyo. It was re-established after World War II as an affiliate of the Gakushūin School Corporation. The privatized successor to the original Gakushūin University (or "Peers School") was estab ...

in Tokyo. Her first proper job in the music industry was as a secretary at a music publishing company, which she got through a professor from university. She debuted as a writer in 1984, writing the song "Moon Eyes" for folk duo Bread & Butter. Then, in 1985, she released her debut single . The song became an instant hit, and earned Kobayashi a nomination for best newcomer at the

27th Japan Record Awards The 27th Annual Japan Record Awards took place at the Nippon Budokan in Chiyoda, Tokyo, December 31, 1985, starting at 6:30PM JST. The primary ceremonies were televised in Japan on TBS. Award winners *Japan Record Award: **Akina Nakamori for " M ...

. Staff that worked on the recording began to compare Kobayashi's voice to that of

Karen Carpenter Karen Anne Carpenter (March 2, 1950 – February 4, 1983) was an American singer and drummer, who formed half of the sibling duo the Carpenters alongside her older brother Richard. With a distinctive three-octave contralto range, she was prais ...

, lead singer of

The Carpenters The Carpenters (officially known as Carpenters) were an American vocal and instrumental duo consisting of siblings Karen (1950–1983) and Richard Carpenter (born 1946). They produced a distinct, soft, musical style, combining Karen's contr ...

, and suggested she approach Richard Carpenter. After hearing her demo tape, and enjoying the melody and vocals, Richard announced that her album "City of Angels" would be released in 1988. In 1991, Kobayashi relocated to the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

and released an album under the name "holi". Soon after, she released a cover album of The Carpenters' songs. In 2001, she married a British accountant.

Discography

Singles

Albums

Original albums

Special albums

As "holi"

Cover renditions

*"Una At Huling Mamahalin" (translated in Japanese English song as "Fall In Love") - a Filipino pop ballad rendition by Louie Heredia in 1996, and also covered by Filipino pop singer Kimpoy Feliciano in 2008.

References

External links

Nippop profileFansiteArchived
2009-10-24)
Office Seto profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kobayashi, Akiko 1958 births Living people Japanese women pop singers Singers from Tokyo