A 'Deep' and 'glossy' voice rides upon on a simple piano. Sometimes soft, sometimes brave, her unforgettable melodies knock directly on people's hearts and in an instant draw them into her world.
Born in Utsunomiya, Japan in 1980, Yoko has been in music since she was 2 years old under the influence of her father. She was devoted to classical piano such as Bach, Beethoven and other great composers and participated and often with reward in many contests.
It is no wonder that defining Yoko's life would be to describe her passion for music. Composing her own pieces since she was 7 and an aspiring singer-songwriter at the age of 12. She believes in making the most of her time and life by writing, singing and performing in every community of which she is part.
Moving to Kyoto in 1999, she began her career as a musician in real earnest. In May, she was awarded the grand-prix at the Avanti Acoustic Live contest broadcasted and sponsored by Kyoto TV.
From August 2000 to April 2001 while studying in Vancouver, Canada, she continued performing in various bar venues and at Japanese community/multi-cultural events. Vancouver Japanese television ICAS went as far as to introduce her unique existence as the only 'Japanese student musician in Canada' by broadcasting a documentary interview with her in April 2001. Although only for a short time of 9 months, her experiences abroad manifested a musical energy within her, which remains strong to this day.
After coming back to Japan, maxi single "One more day, and I'll be free" has released in 2002 and the follow up album 'Traveler' has released in January 2003. This album challenged arrangement and programming beyond her conventional style of piano and vocals, granting her international singer-song-writer status by collaborating with Australian singer-songwriter Jill Button on 'Untouchable' which was also produced by David Hannan of Super Sonic Productions, Melbourne.
Chances encounter with English artist Gary McLeod, led to the realization of 'Untouchable' as her first music video and an even wider audience.
Moved to Brighton, UK in September 2007, she currently studies songwriting at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music. Her recent interests cross over various mediums of art on an international scale. Yoko Nagai is an artist of many passions, yet she believes that the best is still to come.
Hi Yoko! Thanks for you kind comments on my page. You are as dedicated to it as me as you are at all the friday sessions too. I always feel that it is too good an opportunity not to go! I always enjoyed watching you play at Live and Lyrical and at the Komedia. Good luck with everything. Take Care. Tony x
Thank you, was great to have you supporting! We will have to meet up at some point and talk in person about writing together if you are still up for it?
Hi! Great music... your voice is incredible. I hope we can work together sometime soon... Have a great christmas break, I will see you next term! I wish you all the luck, you are an amazing and talented woman. ;) Peter
If your free on thursday night I am playing at the pressure point with The Lullaby Band.. we are on at 10. Would be great if you could make it!.. Hope your good.
