Kate Sikora

Last updated
Kate Sikora
Born(1980-09-05)September 5, 1980
Origin New Jersey
Genres Indie rock
alternative rock
Years active2005–present
LabelsPhantom Signals
Contrarede
Website katesikora.com

Kate Sikora is an American singer songwriter from New Jersey living in Japan. [1] [2]

Contents

Sikora released her debut album Grace in Rotation in America in 2005. Shortly afterwards, Sikora was discovered on Myspace by Japanese indie rockers Apartment and invited to perform in Japan, initiating a love affair with the country. [3] After permanently settling in Tokyo, she joined forces with Lindsay Lueders to form The Loyal We. Their indie folk music caught the attention of Japanese record label Contrarede [4] and they released their debut album Homes [5] in January 2010.

Only a few months before, in September 2009, Sikora's solo album Grace in Rotation had been rereleased in Japan on the same label. [6] The album drew comparisons to the music of Kristin Hersh, Sheryl Crow and Liz Phair , [7] but other artists known to have inspired Sikora include Cat Power and 90's American indie band Neutral Milk Hotel . [8] The album received positive reviews in Japan and she became the first female foreign musician to perform on the Rookie a Go Go Stage at the Fuji Rock Festival. [9]

Soon after she began working with Glaswegian producer David Naughton [10] and in December 2010 she released Aparto [11] on Phantom Signals Records. [12] The EP went on to form the basis of her second album, Just Enough Space. [13] The album was released in November 2012 by Japanese indie label And Records , [14] and included notable performances from British instrumentalist Nick Duffy, Japanese bassist Takeshi Horikoshi (OCEANLANE, Olde Worlde), and drummer Yoshinari Kishida, who performs with Shugo Tokumaru. Sikora's other musical collaborators include fellow Tokyo-based indie musicians, The Watanabes, for whom she appeared as a guest vocalist on their second album, You're Dancing I'm Absorbed. [15]

Sikora is based in Japan but also often returns to New York, where she has shared the stage with artists such as Liz Phair [16] and Gabby Young. [17]

Releases

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References

  1. ↑ Martin, Ian (October 2018), "Kate Sikora carves out a space in Tokyo's indie scene", The Japan Times, Kate Sikora is an odd sort of import. Brought up in New Jersey, cutting her musical teeth on New York's live curcuit...
  2. ↑ McCall, Tris (April 2011), "Boonton's Kate Sikora plans Bands for Japan benefit", NJ.com , Growing up in Boonton, pop singer and songwriter Kate Sikora didn't worry too much about seismic activity.
  3. ↑ Chiu, David, "Features: An interview with Kate Sikora", NewBeats, "Before I left for Japan," she says, "a really great Japanese indie band, Apartment, found me on MySpace and invited me to play a show with them in Tokyo. That show really set things in motion for me as it introduced me to a few great musicians and friends who have introduced me to other wonderful musicians, friends, labels, venues, etc.
  4. ↑ "Contrarede Artist: Kate Sikora". Contrarede.
  5. ↑ "Homes". Tower Records.
  6. ↑ "Grace in Rotation". HMV.
  7. ↑ "Grace in Rotation Review". Metropolis. Archived from the original on 2013-11-30. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  8. ↑ "Day Job: Kate Sikora". City Belt. Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  9. ↑ "Kate Sikora". Fuji Rock.
  10. ↑ Dave Naughton, Discogs
  11. ↑ "Aparto". Girly Sounds. Archived from the original on 2010-12-17. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  12. ↑ "Phantom Signals Artist: Kate Sikora". Phantom Signals.
  13. ↑ "Kate Sikora/ Just Enough Space". [And Records].
  14. ↑ "Kate Sikora: Just Enough Space". Cookie Scene.
  15. ↑ ユー・アー・ダンシング・アイム・アブソーブト [YOU'RE DANCING I'M ABSORBED], Disk Union, retrieved March 25, 2022, またゲストミュージシャンとして、ここ日本でも活動を行う女性SSW、Kate Sikora (The Loyal We) や、カナダでのライブも好評を博した東京のインディーバンド、「グーミ」 の小畑亮吾 (バイオリン)、UK出身のマルチプレイヤー、Nick Duffy (アコーディオン/オルガン) が参加。ギターポップやThe Smithsにも通じるシニカルな歌詞とメロディーを前作から引き継ぎつつ、前述のゲストミュージシャンや、M2/M7などで大胆に採用されたホーンセクション、兄弟でもあるフロントマン、Walsh兄弟のコーラスワークにより、今まで以上に鮮やかな色彩をまとった作品。映画 「The Cove」 に触発されて制作されたアコースティック (M6)、日本での生活を歌うM1/M12は日本人よりも日本人らしさを感じさせる楽曲。
  16. ↑ "Liz Phair and Kate Sikora". Time Out New York .
  17. ↑ "Gabby Young + Kate Sikora". Time Out New York . March 2012.
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