One of the more enigmatic figures on the Japanese popular music scene, Cocco juxtaposes a girlish voice with emotionally complex, often disquieting subject matter, wrapping it up in an eccentric, fragile persona. Born Satoko Makishi in Okinawa in 1977, Cocco got her nickname from her sister, eventually taking it as her stage name. She released her 1996 eponymous debut EP on Victor's Speedstar Records imprint to minimal fanfare, but caught a break when Tower Records chose the track "Sing a Song - No Music No Life" to launch what has turned out to be a long-running and highly successful promotional campaign. A slot at Austin's prestigious indie music showcase South by Southwest and US distribution of the EP through Tower in 1997 added fuel to the fire that was starting, and later that year Cocco released her first long-player,
Bouganvillia. The album was a hit in Japan, and the subsequent single
Tsuyoku Hakanai Monotachi sold over 200,000 copies. After the release of her second album,
Kumuita, which also posted very strong sales, Cocco hinted at retirement, but continued to tour, make appearances, and record. Her obvious desire to get out out the limelight, driven by her naturally sensitive and reclusive nature and the stringent demands of the music industry, became yet another reason that fans were drawn to the artist, and her popularity continued to skyrocket. In 2000, Cocco released
Rapunzel, which rocketed to n...
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One of the more enigmatic figures on the Japanese popular music scene, Cocco juxtaposes a girlish voice with emotionally complex, often disquieting subject matter, wrapping it up in an eccentric, fragile persona. Born Satoko Makishi in Okinawa in 1977, Cocco got her nickname from her sister, eventually taking it as her stage name. She released her 1996 eponymous debut EP on Victor's Speedstar Records imprint to minimal fanfare, but caught a break when Tower Records chose the track "Sing a Song - No Music No Life" to launch what has turned out to be a long-running and highly successful promotional campaign. A slot at Austin's prestigious indie music showcase South by Southwest and US distribution of the EP through Tower in 1997 added fuel to the fire that was starting, and later that year Cocco released her first long-player,
Bouganvillia. The album was a hit in Japan, and the subsequent single
Tsuyoku Hakanai Monotachi sold over 200,000 copies. After the release of her second album,
Kumuita, which also posted very strong sales, Cocco hinted at retirement, but continued to tour, make appearances, and record. Her obvious desire to get out out the limelight, driven by her naturally sensitive and reclusive nature and the stringent demands of the music industry, became yet another reason that fans were drawn to the artist, and her popularity continued to skyrocket. In 2000, Cocco released
Rapunzel, which rocketed to number one on the Oricon charts the week it was released, certifying Cocco as a full-fledged star. Holding it together for the 2001 release of
Sangrose, Cocco made good on her plan to retire and return to her native Okinawa shortly thereafter, much to the disappointment of legions of loyal fans. In 2002, Cocco published a book of original art entitled
Minami no Shima no Hoshi no Suna. In late summer 2003, she organized a rally to bring attention to the worsening plight of Okinawa's beaches, performing her first new song since her retirement, entitled "Heaven's Hell". A like-titled DVD documentary on the subject was released the followiong year. Cocco published her second book of art,
Minami no Shima no Koi no Uta, in 2004. A limited edition single entitled
Garnet was also made available for people who purchased the book. Despite being officially retired, Cocco's various creative outlets keep her in the public eye, and many fans continue hope for a full-scale comeback. In fact, there may be hope. In late 2004, Cocco reappeared as vocalist of a new band,
Singer Songer, with early summer 2005 seeing the release of their highly anticipated first album. In further good news to fans who might have given up on ever seeing Cocco as a solo act again, she announced the release of an upcoming new single, "Onsoku Punch", on February 22, 2006.
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