ACO
From Wiki.theppn
ACO is a Japanese singer-songwriter who debuted in 1995 with the single Fuan na no. Originally her music was R&B based, but since the release of her fourth album absolute ego she has pursued making more electronica-based music. She is most famous for collaborating with Dragon Ash on their single Grateful Days, which sold over 900,000 copies. She is also famous for her solo single Yorokobi ni Saku Hana (the theme of the drama Suna no Ue no Koibito-tachi), which sold over 300,000 copies.
Contents |
Profile
- Name: ACO
- Birthday: 1977.02.03
- Birth Place: Aichi, Japan
- Blood Type: A
Information
ACO was born in Aichi province in Japan. When she was attending high school at Sugiyama Jogakuen Koutougakkou in Nagoya, she was expelled (unfairly in her opinion). She then used the time to record demos, and sent them to the management label HIT STREET. She was later signed to Sony, and debuted in 1995 with the single Fuan na no.
ACO steadily released from 1995-1998, releasing three albums and six singles; however none of these charted very high (the highest being Lady Soul at #33). It was not until her collaboration with Dragon Ash, Grateful Days feat. ACO, ZEEBRA, until she hit stardom. This song reached #1 on Oricon charts and eventually after seventeen weeks sold 922,000 copies. This new found fame did not help her solo efforts terribly much (her next single after the collaboration, Ai Shita Anata wa Tsuyoi Hito, broke the top 50). It was her preceding single before the release of her fourth album, Yorokobi ni Saku Hana, which became her first hit single and first solo top 10 release (it had been used as the theme song to the drama Suna no Ue no Koibito-tachi). The album, absolute ego, sold in excess of 100,000 copies.
Her following album in 2001, material, featured a change in genre by her. Instead of pop/R&B, she had switched towards a more alternative and ambient sound. This new album was produced by Sunahara Yoshinori of Denki Groove, as well as overseas producers Adrian Sherwood and Skip McDonald. After a two year hiatus, ACO returned with the Múm-produced single Machi, and following album irony; which further developed her alternative sound.
ACO formed a band in Germany in 2005 with Sawai Taeji from portable[k]ommunity called "Golden Pink Arrow♂". Currently the band have only performed live, with their most recent performance being on the 26th of July, 2007. At their official MySpace they offer downloads of demo versions of four songs: head trip, Crazy Quilt, plastic case and a cover of Madonna's Material Girl, titled Material Gxxl.
In 2006 ACO released her first mini-album, Mask, which once again featured a genre change from her. This mini-album was compiled of upbeat electronica songs.
Discography
Original Albums
- [1996.04.21] Kittenish Love
- [1997.04.21] NUDE
- [1998.09.19] Lady Soul
- [1999.11.27] absolute ego
- [2001.05.25] material
- [2003.06.18] irony
Other Albums
- [2000.03.23] the other side of absolute ego (remix album)
- [2006.02.02] Mask (mini-album)
- [2007.12.19] ACO BEST ~girl's Diary~ (best album)
Singles
- [1995.11.01] Fuan na no (不安なの; Since I'm Uneasy)
- [1996.01.21] Deteoide (でておいで; Come Out)
- [1996.09.21] Home Sweet Home
- [1997.05.21] DROP
- [1997.12.12] Yureru Taion / CATWALK (揺れる体温; Pulsing Temperature)
- [1998.10.21] Yawarakai Hada (やわらかい肌; Soft Skin)
- [1999.01.30] Aishuu to Ballad (哀愁とバラード; Sorrow and Ballad)
- [1999.07.01] Ai Shita Anata wa Tsuyoi Hito (愛したあなたは強いひと; The You I Loved was a Strong Person)
- [1999.11.10] Yorokobi ni Saku Hana (悦びに咲く花; Flower Blooming Under Happiness)
- [2000.02.23] SPLEEN
- [2000.11.01] Heart wo Moyashite (ハートを燃やして; My Heart Is Burning)
- [2001.02.21] Shigatsu no Hero (4月のヒーロー; April Hero)
- [2001.05.09] Hoshi no Kuzu (星ノクズ; Star Scraps)
- [2003.05.21] Machi (町; Town)
DVD/VHS
- [1999.01.30] 1821 (video clip DVD)
- [2000.10.18] absolute live (live DVD)
- [2001.03.23] Heart wo Moyashite (ハートを燃やして; My Heart Is Burning) (DVD single)
- [2001.04.25] Shigatsu no Hero (4月のヒーロー; April Hero) (DVD single)
- [2001.06.20] 2224 (video clip DVD)
Compilation / Other
- [1999.05.01] Dragon Ash - "Grateful Days feat. ACO, ZEEBRA"
- [1999.06.09] MOOMIN - "Ride On" (#3 OH HONEY feat. ACO)
- [1999.07.23] Dragon Ash - "Viva La Revolution" (#14 Grateful Days feat. ACO, ZEEBRA)
- [1999.07.23] Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra - "JASTA RECORD COMPILATION Vol.1" (#22 ONE NIGHT feat. ACO)
- [2000.06.21] DJ KRUSH - "TRAGICOMIC feat. ACO, TWIGY"
- [2007.10.17] Rock for Baby (#1 Kung-Fu Lady (カンフーレディー))
- [2008.04.02] Takacha - "Namida feat. ACO" (ナミダ; Tears)
External Links
- Official Website (Japanese)
- Official Blog (Japanese)
- Oricon Profile
- Japanese Wikipedia: ACO
- Golden Pink Arrow♂ Official MySpace
- ACO Lyrics Page (Japanese)
Categories: Artists | Blood Type A | J-Pop | J-R&B | 1977 Births

