Emiko
on SK1-73
By age 12, Emiko had already "retired" from classical music to begin making her mark in pop music. Having played piano since she was two and half, Emiko was transforming from a classical piano prodigy to a rock 'n' roll starlet.
A three-time featured performer of the Songwriters Hall of Fame New Writers Showcases, Emiko has graced the pages of Billboard Magazine, FM Sound, Music Connection, and other mainstream music publications. As an award winning songwriter with credits under her belt for SONY/ATV, as well as deal with Famous Records/Universal Music Group, she hit the studio with multiplatinum selling producer and remixer, Howie Beno (Daft Punk, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Depeche Mode, Blondie, Tom Jones, etc) to tell the world about her whirlwind journey that started in November 2009, when she left New York for a 10-day tour of Japan. With the help of her all star band (including Liberty DeVitto on drums, Neil Jason on bass, Mikey Alfero on guitar, and backing vocalist, Nikki Kimbrough), Emiko released, Moving the Universe ...Part 1 in June of 2013.
Of the record, Emiko says, "It’s a story no one would ever dream of! I left New York for Tokyo, three days later, met a man, three days after that, we were soul mates and that was that. From there, we were inseparable; it was London, Paris, back to London, New York, back to London — an absolute fairytale. The stuff they make movies about!"
But, she goes on to say, "I could have said no. Anyone in her right mind would have said no. I just met this guy — am I crazy? But I said yes. This album is really about the power of yes. And now, it's taken on such a bigger meaning. I started writing it to be one of the greatest love stories told in music. But now, it’' taken on a life of its own, becoming a movement. The hashtag, #movingtheuniverse signifies kindness and love. And community spirit. And so much more. It’' really astonishing and I'm quite honored that it's taken on this life."
This isn't Emiko's first rodeo — this release comes two years after 7 Steps Away, which was released by Famous Records/Universal Music Group.
Her professional history to date is a versatile tapestry of performances and accolades – some highlights include headlining the 100th Anniversary National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC at the Sylvan Theater, the Steelbridge Song Festival with Jackson Browne, the Sun Valley Pavilion with Keb Mo', Japan Music Week and The 2009 Special Olympic World Winter Games.
Currently, Emiko makes her home between New York, London and Tokyo – "...really, home is wherever the music takes me!" she says.
Hitting the road to promote, Moving the Universe ...Part 1, it can surely be said that Emiko is one step closer to her favorite saying, "If there’s life on Mars, they’ll buy my album!".SUPER COOL" her words, not mine!) — since I got my Hammond, something in me has changed for the better, and for the funkier, for sure.""There’s something so incredibly inspiring about my SK1. I feel like it's a happy organ and it's a really invigorating feeling to play and write on it. I feel different, like my new rig has awakened a new part of me as an artist. It’s very exciting!
The very truth is that there is nothing quite like wailing on a Hammond; even after having played organ sounds on great keyboards for years — nothing comes close to the real thing. Even my manager says that I look different now ("