is a Japanese
visual kei
is a movement among Japanese musicians that is characterized by the use of varying levels of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics, similar to Western glam rock.
Some ...
musician, a vocalist of the electro/darkwave duo
Schwarz Stein,
and a former vocalist of the bands
Meties and
Isola under the alias of Hime. He is also known for his androgynous appearance.
Career
In 1997, Kaya debuted under the name Hime as a vocalist of the visual kei band Meties, before later joining Isola. When Isola disbanded in 2001, Kaya became the vocalist for the darkwave duo
Schwarz Stein, produced by
Mana
According to Melanesian and Polynesian mythology, ''mana'' is a supernatural force that permeates the universe. Anyone or anything can have ''mana''. They believed it to be a cultivation or possession of energy and power, rather than being ...
and signed to his label
Midi:Nette. He also has been a solo artist since 2006, and in 2008 he made a major solo debut with the single "Chocolat". Originally on
Mana
According to Melanesian and Polynesian mythology, ''mana'' is a supernatural force that permeates the universe. Anyone or anything can have ''mana''. They believed it to be a cultivation or possession of energy and power, rather than being ...
's record label,
Midi:Nette, Kaya later signed to Next Music Inc., and the label's name was changed to Next Media Communications Inc. The label however went bankrupt in the summer of 2009 resulting in Kaya having to go back to an indie label. On July 13, 2016, he held a special 10th anniversary performance at
Shinjuku
is a special ward in Tokyo, Japan. It is a major commercial and administrative centre, housing the northern half of the busiest railway station in the world (Shinjuku Station) and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, the administration ...
ReNY, titled "The Birth of DIVA", with
Kamijo as a special guest.
Meties was revived for one-night only as part of the celebrations. In 2017 Schwarz Stein released a 15th anniversary album of their greatest hits.
Influences
Kaya covered
Laputa
Laputa uh·poo·tuhis a flying island described in the 1726 book ''Gulliver's Travels'' by Jonathan Swift. It is about in diameter, with an adamantine base, which its inhabitants can manoeuvre in any direction using magnetic levitation. Th ...
's song "揺れながら… (Yurenagara...)" on the compilation album "CRUSH!-90’s V-Rock best hit cover songs-", and have had a friendly relationship with ex-members of Laputa.
Discography
Albums
*''
Glitter
Glitter is an assortment of small, reflective particles that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Glitter particles reflect light at different angles, causing the surface to sparkle or shimmer. Glitter is similar to confetti, sparkle ...
'' (27 December 2006)
*''Hyakki Yagyou'' (11 July 2007)
*''Glitter (Best of Indies)'' (16 July 2008)
*''Kaya Meikyoku Series 1: BonJour! Chanson'' (18 February 2009)
*''Queen'' (20 April 2011)
*''Glitter'' (3rd press) (12 December 2012)
*''Gothic'' (4 December 2013)
*''DRESS'' (23 June 2019)
*''ROSE'' (8 June 2022)
Singles
*"
Kaleidoscope
A kaleidoscope () is an optical instrument with two or more reflecting surfaces (or mirrors) tilted to each other at an angle, so that one or more (parts of) objects on one end of these mirrors are shown as a regular symmetrical pattern when v ...
" (28 June 2006)
*"
Masquerade" (6 September 2006)
*"Ouka Ryouran" (4 April 2007)
*"Carmilla" (31 October 2007)
*"Chocolat" (23 April 2008)
*"Last Snow" (24 December 2008)
*"Ophelia" (22 July 2009)
*"Kaya Remix vol.1 K" (27 December 2009)
*"Awilda" (28 July 2010)
*"Madame Rosa no Shoukan" (22 December 2010)
*"Vampire Requiem" (25 January 2012)
*"Salome" (20 June 2012)
*"Nocturne" (12 December 2012)
*"Taboo" (31 July 2013)
*"Perfana" (19 October 2016)
*"Yumeji" (8 March 2017)
*"FABULOUS" (1 April 2018)
*"Monday Monday" (18 July 2018)
with Node of Scherzo
*''
Node of Scherzo
Shaura, formerly known as Juka (ジュカ), is a Japanese visual kei metal singer who first became known in 2002 when he was recruited by Mana for his project Moi dix Mois. In late 2006 he joined HIZAKI's solo project, HIZAKI grace project. He ...
'' (31 October 2007)
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kaya
Visual kei musicians
Japanese electronic musicians
Japanese male pop singers
Japanese synth-pop musicians
Living people
Musicians from Tokushima Prefecture
1980 births
21st-century Japanese singers
21st-century Japanese male singers