Nanase Aikawa is one my favorite female Japanese artists of all and the biggest name in female J-rock. Actually it's a pretty small genre as female rockers are a rare breed. We have the same problem in America where there are too few women in rock music. But after discovering Nanase, I don't mind so much anymore. She fills my need for female rock. In my younger days, Nanase would have been the girl of my dreams. A cool, ass-kickin' rock n' roll girl in leather pants. But even though she seems very tough and cool, she's still a really nice traditional girl from Osaka who likes cooking and manga. She's actually quite a sweet and sentimental person who loves her fans and doesn't take her success for granted. It's that toughness combined with tenderness that first attracted me to her. Facially speaking (although these pics don't give much of an idea) I think she looks a bit like a Japanese Liv Tyler crossed with Vanessa Williams with dyed hair (at least that's my opinion).

Most probably because of Tetsuro Oda's trademark style, her sound is heavily influenced by rock n' roll sounds of the 80's and bears that distinctive sound. Not only are songs focused on moving melodies as was the case with most mid-80's rock songs, but the instrumentation is quite similar with her band's use of synthesizers as well as electric guitar and drums. Most of my friends have remarked this so I know it's not just me who thinks so. If you know Canadian female rockers like Alannah Myles, Sass Jordan or Heart, then you should have a pretty good idea of Nanase's music style. A lot of people I know compare her especially to one of the early 80's more influential chick rockers, Pat Benetar. However her music still remains grounded in the 90's without trying to cash into nostalgic value. It's the best of the past two decades rolled into one great gal. Her music epitomizes everything I've ever wanted chick rock to sound like. After her first two albums, Nanase's music is starting to have a more contemporary sound which is all good as well. Her music was beginning to run out of steam for a while, but now I think it's getting better.

I also really love the way she performs on stage. Her antics mix a hard rock attitude with a very girlish behaviour in a way that I think is pretty cute. I must have watched all of her music videos and concert recording a dozen times.

Notes:

- Nanase is one of the rare rock stars on the Avex Trax record label. The largest dance record label in Japan noted for its mega pop stars such as Namie Amuro, Globe and MAX. Because of this, a lot of people refer to her as a pop singer, even though her music is quintessentially rock n' roll.

- Nanase has a cat named Risky whom she cares a lot for. Consequentially, her fan club is called "Risky Cat".

- Here you can see Nanase's new hair style (right). I liked her with long hair so it took some getting used to but I've eventually come around.