Shina Ringo (椎名林檎) is a Japanese singer, guitarist, and pianist born on November 25, 1978. Her real name is Yumiko Shina.

Early Life

Shina Ringo was born in the Fukuoka prefecture to Koutarou Shina, an employee of an oil company, and Akiko Shina, a full-time housewife. Yumiko was born with an illness in which the esophagus becomes more narrow as it gets closer to the stomach, resulting in many surgeries.

Her understanding of the arts began with her father's interest in jazz and classical music. Also, her mother majored in dance in college and practiced ballet. In her house were a large collection of music, a piano, and a guitar. Yumiko's father was also devoted reader of music magazines. The young girl began practicing piano at age 5, as well as starting classical ballet.

While Yumiko was a very outgoing girl in her early child life, she later became a shy and quiet girl. The meaning of Ringo, meaning apple, comes from how she would blush a bright red like an apple when she was in front of people, as well as her love of Ringo Starr of the Beatles.

Her parents remember has a mostly trouble-free child, except that she cannot stand being alone, throwing tantrums if she doesn't have a friend to play with.

By age 15, she had become involved in several bands as well as performing solo. In 1995, she received recognition from the Teens Music Festival as a member of the all-girl band Marvelous Marbles. Later on, she received an Award of Excellence as a solo artist in the finals of the annual Music Quest competitions.

Solo Career

Her first official single came at the age of 20 in May 1998, entitled Kofukuron. Next came the release of her first album, Muzai Moratorium, in February 1999, and then her second album, Shouso Strip, released in March 2000. She took a short hiatus when she was expecting a child, but returned a year later with a two-disc compilation of international covers entitled Utaite Myouri.

Shina is an accomplished musician and song writer who writes very original music ranging different genres. She is well known for her strange way of doing things, rolling her r's and doing music videos with the strangest visuals.

When she turned 24, Ringo had married Junji Yayoshi, a guitarist, and had a child. The two divorced 14 months later. Towards the conclusion of her solo career, she had her trademark mole removed, as well as releasing Ringo no Uta, which can be described as a vivid summation of her career, including a music video with references to all of her previous videos.

New Band

On May 31, 2004, the artist announced that she would no longer be recording solo, instead joining Tokyo Jihen (Tokyo Incident), who had toured with her during her Sugoroku Ecstasy tour. The band consists of Seiji Kameda on bass, Toshiki Hata at drums, Masayuki Hiizumi at keyboards, and Mikio Hirama on guitar.

Note: Her name can be romanized many ways, including Shena Rinngo, Sheena Ringo, Shiina Ringo, and Shéna Ringö.

Albums

  • Muzai Moratorium (1999)
    1. Tadashii Machi
    2. Kabukichou no Joou
    3. Marunouchi Sadistic
    4. Koufukuron (album version)
    5. Akane Sasu Kiro Terasaredo
    6. Shido to Hakuchuumu
    7. Tsumiki Asobi
    8. Koko de Kiss Shiite
    9. Onaji Yoru
    10. Keikoku
    11. Morphine
  • Shouso Strip (2000)
    1. Kyogensho
    2. Yokushitsu
    3. Benkai Debussy
    4. Gibusu
    5. Yami ni Furu Ame
    6. Identity
    7. Tsumi to Batsu
    8. Stoicism
    9. Tsuki ni Makeinu
    10. Sakana
    11. Byoushou Public
    12. Honnou
    13. Izonshou
  • Utaite Myouri (2002)
    1. Haiiro no Hitomi
    2. More
    3. Chiisana Kinomi
    4. I Wanna be Loved by You
    5. Chiisai Kobato
    6. Love is Blind
    7. Momen no Handkerchief
    8. Yer Blues
    9. Nobara
    10. Kimi wo Aisu
    11. Jazz a go-go
    12. Autumn Leaves
    13. I Won't Last a Day Without You
    14. Carnival (Manha de Carnaval)
    15. Mr. Wonderful
    16. Tamanegi no Happy Song
    17. Starting Over
    18. Komori Uta
  • Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana (2003)
    1. Shuukyou
    2. Doppelgenger
    3. Meisai
    4. Odaijini
    5. Yatsutsuke Shigoto
    6. Kuki
    7. Torikoshikurou
    8. Okonomide
    9. Ishiki
    10. Poltergeist
    11. Souretsu
  • Zecchoushuu (3 Mini-CD Set) (2000)
    1. Yattsuke Shigoto
    2. Gamble
    3. Onaji Yoru
    4. Mellow
    5. Fukou Jiman
    6. Mo Koukyuudo
    7. Fukuran de Kichatta
    8. Hai Hai
    9. Kougousei

Singles

  1. Koufukuron (1998)
  2. Koufukuron (Maxi) (1999)
  3. Kabukicho No Jyoou (Maxi) (1998)
  4. Koko De Kiss Shite (Maxi) (1999)
  5. Honnou (Maxi) (1999)
  6. Gibusu (Maxi) (2000)
  7. Tsumi To Batsu (Maxi) (2000)
  8. Mayonaka Wa Junketsu (Maxi) (2001)
  9. STEM - Daimyou asobi hen (Maxi) (2003)
  10. Ringo No Uta (CD + DVD) (2003)

Videos

  1. Seiteki Healing Sono 1 (VHS) (1999)
  2. Seiteki Healing Sono 1 (DVD) (2000)
  3. Seiteki Healing Sono 2 (VHS) (2000)
  4. Seiteki Healing Sono 2 (DVD) (2000)
  5. Gekokujyo Xstasy (VHS) (2000)
  6. Gekokujyo Xstasy (DVD) (2000)
  7. Hatsuiku Status - Gokiritsu Japon (VHS) (2000)
  8. Hatsuiku Status - Gokiritsu Japon (DVD) (2000)
  9. Hyaku Iro Megane (DVD) (2003)
  10. Baishou Ectasy (DVD) (2003)
  11. Seiteki Healing Sono (DVD) (2003)

External Link

Useful Link