Miyavi

Name: 石原貴雅 (Ishihara Takamasa)
Born: 14th April, 1981 (Osaka, Japan)
Profile: A famous international Japanese entertainer, mostly known for his slapping guitar technics, recording artist and guitarist. Miyavi is active in the current visual "kei" and mainstream rock scene in Japan.

History: In 1999, at the age of 17, Miyavi joined the visual "kei" band "Dué le Quartz" where he was credited under the name, Miyabi. Upon "Dué le Quartz's" dissolution in 2002, he announced that his plan to initiate a solo career and changing his name to Miyavi, releasing his debut album Gagaku soon after. He later signed a contract with PS Company, and eventually with Universal Music Group, becoming a major label artist. Miyavi's significant change in music and visual styles after leaving "Dué le Quartz" caused much of his original audience to disperse, but attracted a new audience.

Following his signing with Universal Music Group in October 2004, Miyavi released his first major single Rock no gyakushū -Superstar no jōken-/21 Seikigata Koushinkyoku and began to credit himself in the song writing credits in his liner notes as MYV.

In late 2005 and for most of 2006, Miyavi shifted to an acoustic/pop sound reflected in his second and third albums respectively.

On December 30, 2006 Miyavi put out a message that he would be joining a band. On May 25, 2007 at the JRock Revolution concert organized by Yoshiki at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles, it was officially announced that Miyavi would be a part of a band named S.K.I.N., so far consisting of Yoshiki, Gackt, Sugizo, Miyavi himself.

In 2008 was the mark of his first world tour with performances in North and South America, Europe, and Asia. And in 2009, he announced another tour and still remains active until today.

Influences: Unknown

Axology: Mostly acoustic guitars, Randy Rhodes signature series Gibson flying V, Killer guitars

Links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVsAceh55gQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ThoGOST-Gw