March 26, 2005

By Dave Garcia

Houston, TX - It’s safe to say that every concert goer was actually there to see the Jpop sensation — Kumi Koda. With the opening announcements out of the way, the only thing left between the masses and Kumi Koda was Kumiko Kato. Before the show, I actually did a small bit of research on who she was. I found nothing substantial… However, as the lights behind her began to glow, and she began to sing – I knew that wouldn’t be the case for long.

She had a great voice, and a look that would rival any other idol singer out today. I even heard a couple of nearby girls continually tell each other “She’s so cute.” After her first song she introduced herself and mentioned that this was her third performance here in Texas. Performing at Ushicon and in Dallas. I later learned that she only had one song when she performed at Ushicon the year before, and this time she sang four. Yes, she’s been active in the past year. She sang some songs in Japanese and some in English. For the most part they were pretty slow songs, but most managed an upbeat feel. And her performances were superb. She was light on the dancing, but she did it with such freedom, you could tell she was doing out of pure joy – not prescribed choreography. She had some pretty emotional lyrics in one song (that she sang in English) and she was definitely feeling the emotion in it as she sang, as her voice yielded to the emotion at just that right moment.

I later learned she is actually doing all of her songs in English — which is something no other Japanese artist has attempted to do. Even after “making it”, very few manage to record more than 1 or 2 songs in English. Even Kumi has done at least 3 recordings in English, yet she did not attempt any English in concert for her English speaking audience. Kumiko didn’t give any of her plans for the future beyond mentioning that she would be releasing a single “Thinking of You” this summer. She did however let us know about her website, kumikokato.com. On which many posters have been giving public appreciation and commitments to purchase her upcoming single.

Kumiko’s performance was terribly short, and at the announcement of her final song of the evening was received with a disappointing “Awwwww!” That simply never happens for any opening act.

After Kumi Koda’s main performance and encore closed the evening’s concert and the house lights illuminated, I soon found myself trying to figure out what was it about Kumiko Kato that was so captivating. Was it the pure joy that glowed in her onstage presence? Could it be her cute ‘engrish’ mistakes? Was it her innocent desire to connect with the audience both on stage and at her picture signings?

Easter Cosplay Signing

After taking the above picture, I spoke with the head of security – who also seemed to be smitten by Kimiko’s charm. He told me that earlier Friday morning Kumiko had spent the morning with our Local Children’s Hospital’s Cancer Children – who had exclusive access to the dealer rooms before it was open to the public. “Yeah, she even stayed a while and played some games with them in the games room too,” he added.

There’s one common element about Japanese entertainment that keeps me wanting more: It’s going into something expecting one thing, then being totally broadsided by something totally unexpected and wonderful. Kumiko Kato is a perfect example of that. Kumi Koda drew me in, and at the end of the night, I wanted more of Kumiko Kato. We don’t have much information about her plans for the future at this time, nor specifics on her single to be released this summer.

Be sure to look for her to be featured in the Charter issue of Morning Magazine to be launched soon.

Update: Morning Magazine is now online

March 26, 2005

By Dave Garcia

Houston, TX - It’s safe to say that every concert goer was actually there to see the Jpop sensation — Kumi Koda. With the opening announcements out of the way, the only thing left between the masses and Kumi Koda was Kumiko Kato. Before the show, I actually did a small bit of research on who she was. I found nothing substantial… However, as the lights behind her began to glow, and she began to sing – I knew that wouldn’t be the case for long.

She had a great voice, and a look that would rival any other idol singer out today. I even heard a couple of nearby girls continually tell each other “She’s so cute.” After her first song she introduced herself and mentioned that this was her third performance here in Texas. Performing at Ushicon and in Dallas. I later learned that she only had one song when she performed at Ushicon the year before, and this time she sang four. Yes, she’s been active in the past year. She sang some songs in Japanese and some in English. For the most part they were pretty slow songs, but most managed an upbeat feel. And her performances were superb. She was light on the dancing, but she did it with such freedom, you could tell she was doing out of pure joy – not prescribed choreography. She had some pretty emotional lyrics in one song (that she sang in English) and she was definitely feeling the emotion in it as she sang, as her voice yielded to the emotion at just that right moment.

I later learned she is actually doing all of her songs in English — which is something no other Japanese artist has attempted to do. Even after “making it”, very few manage to record more than 1 or 2 songs in English. Even Kumi has done at least 3 recordings in English, yet she did not attempt any English in concert for her English speaking audience. Kumiko didn’t give any of her plans for the future beyond mentioning that she would be releasing a single “Thinking of You” this summer. She did however let us know about her website, kumikokato.com. On which many posters have been giving public appreciation and commitments to purchase her upcoming single.

Kumiko’s performance was terribly short, and at the announcement of her final song of the evening was received with a disappointing “Awwwww!” That simply never happens for any opening act.

After Kumi Koda’s main performance and encore closed the evening’s concert and the house lights illuminated, I soon found myself trying to figure out what was it about Kumiko Kato that was so captivating. Was it the pure joy that glowed in her onstage presence? Could it be her cute ‘engrish’ mistakes? Was it her innocent desire to connect with the audience both on stage and at her picture signings?

Easter Cosplay Signing

After taking the above picture, I spoke with the head of security – who also seemed to be smitten by Kimiko’s charm. He told me that earlier Friday morning Kumiko had spent the morning with our Local Children’s Hospital’s Cancer Children – who had exclusive access to the dealer rooms before it was open to the public. “Yeah, she even stayed a while and played some games with them in the games room too,” he added.

There’s one common element about Japanese entertainment that keeps me wanting more: It’s going into something expecting one thing, then being totally broadsided by something totally unexpected and wonderful. Kumiko Kato is a perfect example of that. Kumi Koda drew me in, and at the end of the night, I wanted more of Kumiko Kato. We don’t have much information about her plans for the future at this time, nor specifics on her single to be released this summer.

Be sure to look for her to be featured in the Charter issue of Morning Magazine to be launched soon.

Update: Morning Magazine is now online