“Cello vocalist”, Kanon Wakeshima took up the cello at age 3. While in school, she already experienced concerts performing the baroque cello in classical ensembles. She also started composing music herself and provided vocals to a pop/rock group. A few years later, she entered an audition held by Sony Music Japan, in which she was a finalist and won an artist deal with Sony label DefSTAR Records Inc.
Her incredible talent caught attention of Visual-kei star Mana (Moi dix Mois, ex-MALICE MIZER). Kanon’s rich, haunting sound fit well with the Gothic & Lolita street fashion culture for which Mana is very well known. He became the sound producer for Kanon’s debut single “still doll” (released in May 2008), and her 1st album “Shinshoku Dolce”, which was released in February 2009. Album was first released in Europe, with the world premiere showcase and an in-store performance at FNAC, the largest media chain in France, leaving a store record for the number of people coming to see the event. Skyrocket in international popularity, in July this year, she performed at JAPAN EXPO in Paris as well as at OTAKON in Baltimore, USA, also with record audiences for each event. She also toured the West Coast including San Francisco Amoeba Music event, to promote the U.S. release of her debut album. In August, she sold out her first headlining solo concert production, “Kaigateki Ongakukai” at Shibuya O-WEST. In October, she appeared at HELLWEEN LIVE 2009, hosted by VAMPS, and gave an impressive performance.
Kanon also shows a great talent in drawing pictures. In Fall 2008, at one of the biggest fashion plaza in Japan, Laforet Harajuku, she had her first exhibition with success. During her brief West Coast tour in US in 2009, there was an exhibition held at LA’s Royal-T cafe. Her works are regularly posted along with her diaries on her official website and MySpace.
She will be releasing the 2nd album, “LOLITAWORK LIBRETTO” with much anticipation in July 2010. The title track will feature a French vocalist Solita, daughter of French singer Clementine. A concert tour of Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka will follow the album release.
Releases
1st ALBUM: “Shinshoku Dolce” [2009]
* including the lead singles “still doll” and “Suna no Oshiro” (theme song to Vampire Knight)
2nd ALBUM: “LOLITAWORK LIBRETTO” [2010] – NEW RELEASE!!
Official site: http://www.kanonweb.jp/
Official MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/kanonwakeshima
