When
singer Koda Kumi performed at Ushicon in 2004, she was accompanied on
stage by two male dancers. At KamiKazeCon in 2005, the on-stage
compliment was increased to three male dancers and three female
dancers. The 2005 show was more dynamic, intense and sexier than the
2004 presentation, and Koda said that was a reflection of how her
career changed in the year between texas concerts. career since 2004?
"I can't wait to show that performance in Japan on June 11," said Koda
on the convention's Saturday. "I got a good response here, and and I'm
looking forward to the same show in Japan." One of the songs that was
common to both Koda concerts in the U.S., the theme from the 2003
live-action Cutey Honey movie, was a major part of this singer's
advance in the Japanese pop music world. Koda's performance was
released as a single. "Before that, people in Japan, they knew my music
but not my name - I was still coming to the front. After I released
Cutey Honey, everyone knows my name in the street. From the female side
I'm seen as a sexy cute and cool artist, which is what I wanted." The
sort of sexy outfit that Koda wore at the Houston made a major contrast
with the demure kimono she wore at the interview session, but that
difference in dress showed what fans want - in Japan and the U.S. The
increase in Koda's concert appearances starting in 2003 meant she had
to go to s different kind of performance wear, and that change has been
reflected in her music videos, too.
That
Friday night show, full of choreography, had the audience standing and
chanting for more, even after an encore. What the audience didn't see
was the two weeks of work required to prepare that show for performance
in Houston. The music was a mixture of J-pop sounds and tunes inspired
by American hip-hop and R&B. Koda said she expected an American
audience would react more strongly to the hip-hop numbers. but she was
surprised that the crowd was turned on by the Final Fantasy and Cutey
Honey themes she sang. Of course, the anime convention audience would
know more about the anime and game music than other audiences, but that
just shows how Japanese and American crowds are different. "Japanese
audiences are shy compared with American audiences. What I like about
American audiences is that they have passion and have fun with Kumi."
When asked about the kind of musicians she likes, Koda mentioned
American performer Beyonce, saying "She's so sexy and cool, and that's
what I want to be," and Japanese band Dreams Come True, since "I've
been listening to them since I was small. They're not visual artists,
they sing from the heart -and I'd like to be like that." Koda also had
a couple of interesting reflections on her favorite manga and anime.
She's a fan of InuYasha, but her favorite manga is Urusei Yatsura,
because of Lum. "I named my dog Lum," she said. "I like Lum because she
wants so do many things for her boyfriend so i wanted my dog to be the
same." Koda's other personal favorite character is Fujiko from
Lupin III.
When
singer Koda Kumi performed at Ushicon in 2004, she was accompanied on
stage by two male dancers. At KamiKazeCon in 2005, the on-stage
compliment was increased to three male dancers and three female
dancers. The 2005 show was more dynamic, intense and sexier than the
2004 presentation, and Koda said that was a reflection of how her
career changed in the year between texas concerts. career since 2004?
"I can't wait to show that performance in Japan on June 11," said Koda
on the convention's Saturday. "I got a good response here, and and I'm
looking forward to the same show in Japan." One of the songs that was
common to both Koda concerts in the U.S., the theme from the 2003
live-action Cutey Honey movie, was a major part of this singer's
advance in the Japanese pop music world. Koda's performance was
released as a single. "Before that, people in Japan, they knew my music
but not my name - I was still coming to the front. After I released
Cutey Honey, everyone knows my name in the street. From the female side
I'm seen as a sexy cute and cool artist, which is what I wanted." The
sort of sexy outfit that Koda wore at the Houston made a major contrast
with the demure kimono she wore at the interview session, but that
difference in dress showed what fans want - in Japan and the U.S. The
increase in Koda's concert appearances starting in 2003 meant she had
to go to s different kind of performance wear, and that change has been
reflected in her music videos, too.
That
Friday night show, full of choreography, had the audience standing and
chanting for more, even after an encore. What the audience didn't see
was the two weeks of work required to prepare that show for performance
in Houston. The music was a mixture of J-pop sounds and tunes inspired
by American hip-hop and R&B. Koda said she expected an American
audience would react more strongly to the hip-hop numbers. but she was
surprised that the crowd was turned on by the Final Fantasy and Cutey
Honey themes she sang. Of course, the anime convention audience would
know more about the anime and game music than other audiences, but that
just shows how Japanese and American crowds are different. "Japanese
audiences are shy compared with American audiences. What I like about
American audiences is that they have passion and have fun with Kumi."
When asked about the kind of musicians she likes, Koda mentioned
American performer Beyonce, saying "She's so sexy and cool, and that's
what I want to be," and Japanese band Dreams Come True, since "I've
been listening to them since I was small. They're not visual artists,
they sing from the heart -and I'd like to be like that." Koda also had
a couple of interesting reflections on her favorite manga and anime.
She's a fan of InuYasha, but her favorite manga is Urusei Yatsura,
because of Lum. "I named my dog Lum," she said. "I like Lum because she
wants so do many things for her boyfriend so i wanted my dog to be the
same." Koda's other personal favorite character is Fujiko from
Lupin III.
