Bands, artists, and singers from Iwate Prefecture
Do you know any artists from Iwate Prefecture?
You might not immediately think of many artists who actively promote that they’re from Iwate, but in fact, the prefecture has produced a lot of outstanding musicians.
In this article, we’ll introduce a wide range of artists from Iwate all at once!
We’ve selected from a broad spectrum of ages and genres, from solo singers and bands to veteran enka performers.
Take this opportunity to give the music of artists from Iwate a listen.
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Bands, artists, and singers from Iwate Prefecture (21–30)
StarlightYanagida Kumiko
Kumiko Yanagida is a singer-songwriter from Morioka City in Iwate Prefecture.
This song is her fourth single and was released in 2004 as her major-label debut.
Its lyrics, which convey straightforward, honest feelings of love, drew attention particularly in music magazines.
Soaring Through the Dawn SkySatō Hiromi
Hiromi Sato is a former singer-songwriter from Otsuchi, Kamihei District, Iwate Prefecture, and this song was used as the terrestrial broadcast opening theme for the TV anime Grenadier: The Smiling Senshi.
Sato primarily sings theme songs, insert songs, and image songs for PC games and TV anime, and also serves as a director at Aria Entertainment Inc.
Bands, artists, and singers from Iwate Prefecture (31–40)
Night in AtamiHakozaki Shinichiro
Shinichiro Hakozaki, originally from Iwate Prefecture, made his debut with this song in 1969.
It became a hot topic as a local song for Atami City and was a major hit.
His distinctive falsetto, which sweetly and poignantly conveys a woman’s heart, rode the wave of the mood-kayō boom, earning him a place among popular singers.
Skull KITCHEN (short ver.)Mix Speaker’s,Inc.
MIKI, the vocalist of the visual kei rock band Mix Speaker’s, Inc., is from Kitakami City in Iwate Prefecture.
The fantastical worlds—like something out of a picture book—featured in their music videos, including for this song, are well worth seeing.
RIP VAN WINKLESukafureimusu
Michihisa Ishikawa, who plays alto saxophone for The SKA FLAMES, a band formed in 1985, hails from Oshu City in Iwate Prefecture (formerly Esashi City).
Their lively ska rhythms and outstanding ensemble work have been recognized by top-tier musicians overseas from an early stage.
Voice of the Cherry Blossomsmoto
moto is a singer-songwriter from Oshu City, Iwate Prefecture.
This song is included on the first debut mini-album “moto,” which was released in 2013.
Even before the album’s release, the song received requests from listeners of all ages on radio and cable broadcasts.
It is inspired by the cherry blossoms in Mizusawa Park in Oshu City, Iwate—an area affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake—and is a moving piece that conveys the sentiment of cherry blossoms that continue to bloom even after the disaster.
Nostalgic Route 4Takahashi Ken
Ken Takahashi is a singer-songwriter from Morioka, Iwate Prefecture, who made his debut in 1979 with this song.
In the same year, he appeared in the film “G.I.
Samurai” (Sengoku Jieitai) as Private First Class Hirai, and has been active in a wide range of fields, including as a radio personality.
In 1983, sparked by writing the lyrics for THE ALFEE’s “Merī Ann” (“Mary Ann”), he began providing songs and producing for many artists.