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Singer and cellist Kanon Wakeshima had a busy July jetting across the U.S. to perform and party with her manga-, music-, and anime-loving fans. The highlight was an in-store performance at San Francisco's Amoeba Music, where she sat down with VIZ Media's Akane Matsuo to discuss a thriving career, whose hits include VAMPIRE KNIGHT and VAMPIRE KNIGHT Guilty theme songs "Still Doll" and "Suna no Oshiro." (No surprise that she won the 2009 Shojo Beat Music Award for Best Newcomer.)
Earlier that month, Kanon sang at Baltimore's Otakon 2009 convention and had a spot of tea with the winners of the Kanon Wakeshima Tea Party Sweepstakes. The next day, she flew to southern California for a whirlwind appearance at the Royal/T café and art gallery. See the photos below.
And if you haven't heard the news, VIZ Media has acquired the North American rights to the VAMPIRE KNIGHT anime. While you're waiting for the release, catch up on the story with the VAMPIRE KNIGHT manga. Volume 8 is available now, and don't forget to check out the free preview if you're new to the series.
Kanon at Amoeba Music*
Akane Matsuo: Mysterious, melodramatic songs like "Still Doll" and "Suna no Oshiro" were chosen for the ending theme songs. How were they chosen?
Kanon Wakeshima: When "Still Doll" was first produced, I didn't know that it would be used for the ending, but the producers of VAMPIRE KNIGHT liked "Suna no Oshiro," and then it was decided it would be used as the ending song.
AM: VAMPIRE KNIGHT is available as both a manga and an anime-what is your favorite scene in either one?
KW: Let's see, the first scene in the snow where [Kaname] Senpai saves Yuki.
AM: Other than VAMPIRE KNIGHT, are there any shojo manga that you like?
KW: Of course I like VAMPIRE KNIGHT, but I also like Ai Yazawa's works. I read NANA and PARADISE KISS.
AM: In the First album "Shinshoku Dolce," you worked with Mana-san.
KW: To produce one song, Mana-san gives himself wholeheartedly to music. He never compromises anything, and he tries to better himself every time and produce his best work. Seeing that kind of attitude toward music was a very good learning experience for me.
AM:Shojo Beat readers voted you best newcomer in the 2009 Shojo Beat Music Awards. How do you feel?
KW: America is very far away, so I was really happy that there are so many people there who know me and listen to my music.
AM:Today was your second of three performances in America. What kind of connection with the fans do you think you have made?
KW: This was my first time in America and I was able to perform. Everyone got really excited for my performance, and it was a lot of fun, so I'd like to come back again. I hope to do more performances in the future. I know there are a lot of people who don't know me yet, so I hope that some new people, even if it's only a small number, will listen to my music.
Kanon at Otakon
Right: Before Kanon's concert at Otakon, she had time for a spot of tea! Here she is with the winners of the Kanon Wakeshima Tea Party Sweepstakes.
Kanon at Royal/T
Above: Kanon also made a whirlwind appearance at Royal/T in Culver City, California, the very next day! There, she indulged the part-café, part-gallery with her hauntingly beautiful melodies and enchanting doll-like performance.
For more Kanon Wakeshima please visit these other great sites!
www.kanonweb.jp
www.myspace.com/kanonwakeshima
www.facebook.com/marumusic
www.myspace.com/marumusic1
www.marumusic.com
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