| Tommy heavenly6 | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Kyoto, Japan |
| Genres | Rock, Pop, and Punk |
| Years active | 2005 – Present |
| Labels | DefStar Records (2005-2009) Warner Music Japan (Current) |
| Website | http://tommyheavenly6.jp/ |
| Members | |
| Tomoko Kawase (Vocals) Jimi Aoma (Guitar) James MacWhyte (Bass) James De Barrado (Drums) |
|
Tommy heavenly6 is an alter-ego pseudonym created by Tomoko Kawase. Under the name she has released ten singles, three albums, and one compilation album.[1] The persona features a more punk sound than Kawase's previous works.
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After a performance as Tommy february6 in 2003, Kawase took off her glasses and donned a much more alternative look to create Tommy heavenly6, a brand new character with a modern rock sound that takes influences from punk acts. Kawase would later explain that Tommy heavenly6 was born from a dream that Tommy february6 had, in which she embraces all the elements of her personality she had previously been repressing.
Kawase claims that the invention of Tommy heavenly6 occurred due of her disappointment in Tommy february6's character, but far from being a replacement, Kawase chose to keep the two characters' careers separate. During 2003 and 2004, Tommy heavenly6 released only two singles ("Wait till I Can Dream" and Hey My Friend) whilst Tommy february6 went on to release her second full album. It would be in August 2005 (nearly two years after her first single) that Tommy Heavenly6 would finally release her third single Ready?, which was shortly followed by her own long awaited eponymous debut album.
In 2006 and 2007 Tommy heavenly6 had a very busy period, releasing five new singles which led to her second album Heavy Starry Heavenly. She finished this productive phase with the Heavy Starry Tour, four live performances as Tommy heavenly6 during March 2007. She incorporated most of her songs into this live format, which lasted for an hour and a half, complete with her now regular backing band, and even her band mates from The Brilliant Green made guest appearances for some songs.
On February 25, 2009, Kawase released two best-of albums under both the Tommy aliases, Strawberry Cream Soda Pop Daydream (as february6) and Gothic Melting Ice Cream's Darkness Nightmare (as heavenly6). Both albums collected the Tommy singles and certain album tracks, as well as having a new track each.
In April 2009, Tommy heavenly6 released a new concept album, titled I Kill My Heart, which was composed mostly by Chiffon Brownie. Two of the promotional songs for her third album were accompanied by music videos that had two versions each: one as Tommy heavenly6 and one as Tommy february6. After the release of I Kill My Heart, both Tommy heavenly6 and Tommy february6's contracts with DefStar Records expired, and were not renewed.
In 2010 Tommy heavenly6, Tommy february6, and the brilliant green were all picked up by Warner Music Japan. In May 2010, the song "I'm Your Devil" was used in a CM for MODE, in which there are two versions of the CM was released. The song was released as a digital download on October 7, 2010. In August 2011, Tommy stated via Twitter she is currently working on demos for Tommy heavenly6. After a year of inactivity, Tommy heavenly6 preformed her song "Pray" at the 2011 Cherry Blossom Festival in Japan, and released exclusive "Pray" themed merchandise through Lightvan Company, including a kimono style robe and plush toy. Finally, in September 2011 Tommy announced her next single for Tommy heavenly6 as "Monochrome Rainbow", with an October 26, 2011 release date. "Monochrome Rainbow" was also used as the second season ending song for the anime, Bakuman. Previews for the Monochrome Rainbow and I'm Your Devil music videos premiered October 28, 2011.
On November 11, 2011 Tommy announced during an interview with J-Wave Circus Circus she is in the process of recording a double album featuring both Tommy heavenly6 and Tommy february6, set for release in 2012. Warner released a press release on December 1, 2011, stating the albums release date as February 29, 2012.[2] The unreleased full length videos for Monochrome Rainbow and I'm Your Devil will be included on a DVD with the album.[2]