Miyavi

Miyavi is technically classified as a Visual Kei musician. However, his musical style ranges from a urban-legend inspired sludge metal, to sappy acoustic-pop love songs, to guitar-slapping funky rock, to jazzy ballads. He got his start playing lead guitar for the Visual Kei band Due Le Quartz, but after the band split up in 2002, he quickly became one of Japan's most popular Indie artists.

After putting out several successful singles and albums, Miyavi took a six-month break somewhere in 2005 and 2006, and returned with his now iconic style of percussive slap guitar. Since then, a video of him showcasing his talent went viral, and Miyavi gained international recognition as one of Japan's premier guitar players.

In 2007, it was revealed that Miyavi would be taking part in the Japanese superband S.K.I.N, alongside Gackt, Yoshiki, and Sugizo.

Miyavi is currently married to JPOP singer Melody. and has two daughters.

His current sound features only Miyavi on the electric guitar and vocals, and a drummer (@BOBO Drums).

After the Great East Japan Earthquake, Miyavi stayed on Twitter almost nonstop, tweeting information and trying to help victims and raise awareness of the earthquake. Some have noted that he was constantly posting for 36 hours from the disaster's beginning, went offline for six hours, then returned to post more about the quake and relief efforts.

Album Discography

Gagaku (2002)
Galyuu (2003)
Miyavizm (2005)
MYV Pops (2006)
Miyaviuta - Dokusou (2006)
This Iz The Japanese Kabuki Rock (2008)
What's My Name? (2010)
Live in London (2011)

Miyavi provides examples of the following tropes:

Album Filler - The instrumentals on Galyuu.
Audience Participation Song - What's My Name and Are You Ready To Rock?
B-Side - Most of his singles.
Big Rock Ending - He has a few, especially in his early work.
Bishonen
Breakup Breakout - After Due Le Quartz split up, the rest of the band faded into obscurity, and Miyavi is currently an international superstar.
Cloudcuckoolander - He has his moments.
Cover Version - He recorded a cover of Nirvana's Blew.
Dude Looks Like a Lady - Played with in his Due Le Quartz years and Neo Vizualism era.
Engrish - Lots of it in his early days. A little bit of it now, but at least he knows what he's saying.
Epic Instrumental Opener - Jikoai, Jigajisan, Jiishiki, Kajou from the album Miyaviuta - Dokusou.
Even the Guys Want Him - So many youtube comments along the lines of "I'm male and I think he's hot". So many....
Evolving Music - Miyavi's Due Le Quartz covers and the 7 Samurai Session EP
Fan Nickname - Many fans have adopted the name "Meevers" for Miyavi.
Genre Shift - He started with what can be called sludge-metal, turned to art rock, then punk pop, then acoustic pop and acoustic rock, then hip-hop, and then multiple styles that are near unclassifiable.
Greatest Hits Album 3 of them.
I Am the Band - Miyavi did this for his early albums, programming the drums and bass, while playing the guitar and singing.
Neoclassical Punk Zydeco Rockabilly - At one point his band included a beatboxxer, a DJ, a tap-dancer, and a painter. Yes, a painter.
One-Man Band - Miyavi has done several live shows where he plays guitar, sings, and plays drums on this thing called a GigPig
Rearrange the Song - Miyavi has done this with his own music a couple of times. Specific examples include Are You Ready To Rock? and Are You Ready To Love, as well as his entire 7 Samurai Sessions album.
Self-Titled Album - MYV Pops, Miyaviuta, Miyavizm. Gagaku and Galyuu are written with the same kanji as his name. Inverted and played straight with What's my Name
Something Blues - Aa, Kanashiki kana Yatoware no Mi no Blues and Chillin' Chillin' Money Blue$ 21st Century Tokyo Blues, Ame ni utaeba, Pichipichi chappuchappu ran ran blues
Xtreme Kool Letterz - 2 B Wiz U, Thanx Givin' Day, and Kabuki Boiz to name a few.