I’ve been enjoying Ayaka Ikio’s music since I first heard it. She brings a heavy edge to the dance scene and both her mini-albums ( RE: ACID QUEEN and GOSSIP) make frequent appearances on my stereo. I asked Ayaka about her music and here’s what she had to say:
NIPPONROCK.NET: You were a student when you recorded RE: ACID QUEEN, right? Are you still in school or are you working on your music career full time?
AYAKA IKIO: Yes, I was still in school when I started working on RE: ACID QUEEN. The proposal to record the CD came while I was still a student, so I didn’t want to miss out on that. I really didn’t tell most of the students at the school that I was doing it, so I only told my close friends – they were really supportive. When the album came out in January (2009), everyone found out about it, and they all said “Amazing!” “That’s great!” Everyone was really supportive.
NIPPONROCK.NET: How did you make the transition between modeling and performing music?
AYAKA IKIO: I started when I was around 15 years old. I was featured on a website of a clothing store, and I entered into some contests. The thing I like most about fashion is that I can wear so many different [clothes]. At home I have so many!
NIPPONROCK.NET: How involved are you with the songwriting on your albums?
AYAKA IKIO: I get the music [from my producers] and then I add the lyrics based on my feelings. Before that it’s just a white space, I’m ready to experience anything. The spirit inside the music is really important — I base a lot on how I feel when I hear it for the very first time. Then I listen privately when I’m walking, and that’s when the images will start coming to me.
NIPPONROCK.NET: Why do you sing so much in English?
AYAKA IKIO: The coolness factor of English is really important, and the English language matches the beat better in club music. And the atmosphere, too. There’s a lot of English [lyrics] in the Japanese club scene.
NIPPONROCK.NET: Autotune is a big part of your sound, but there is more of your natural voice on “GOSSIP” than on your debut and it occurs to me that your singing sounds more confident. How has your vocal style developed between albums?
AYAKA IKIO: I wanted everyone to know who I really was in GOSSIP. For me personally, I don’ think there was a major change — but there is a change in how I sing for each individual song. For example, “PLASTIC BABY” and “GET OUT” are high-energy, “up”- type songs, so I’m using a stronger voice and style, and I change what I imagine when I’m singing.
NIPPONROCK.NET: It seems like you enjoy pushing sexual boundaries in your music. Your lyrics depict a woman who is in control of her sexuality. Have you taken any criticism for your explicit lyrics?
AYAKA IKIO: The audience response is 50/50. On the plus side, the females say it’s really cool. They’re the ones who seem to get into it the most at the club. But some people say it’s too sexy or it’s too bold or outrageous.
NIPPONROCK.NET: On GOSSIP there is a cover of “Anarchy in the UK” by the Sex Pistols. Why did you cover this song? Are you a big fan of the Sex Pistols and other punk rock bands?
AYAKA IKIO: Someone suggested that we do a cover, and that particular song was one of the ones on the top of the list. I listened to it and I really liked it! That was my first time listening to the Sex Pistols. I thought the lyrics were really interesting, really aggressive. That’s probably what I liked most about it.
NIPPONROCK.NET: What plans do you have for your career? Where do you see yourself in the future?
AYAKA IKIO: I really love the ocean so I want to perform at a big beach party! of course in Japan the ocean is so beautiful, but I want to go outside of Japan to see places like Ibiza and Miami.
NIPPONROCK.NET: Do you have any message for your English-speaking fans?
AYAKA IKIO: Please enjoy my music, wherever you are. I hope I’ll see you someday in your city or in Japan!
Download Ayaka Ikio music at JapanFiles Digital Music Store
Ayaka Ikio: Official Website | MySpace
Ayaka Ikio Videos:
