Joelle (non-Kajiura works)

[Saber]

If they were only doing Kalafina with no other musical exposure they might not have grown as much. Hikaru was the one who didn't get to really drink from the well of Yuriko and Kaori on an ongoing basis. It might have helped her to absorb and maybe improve some more in her technique.

I'd argue Hikaru was the best Kalafina live performer when they started. She actually had good intonation and wasn't off key as much as she is now. They had TV show appearances which didn't pitch correct their performances and fancams of their Asia tour out there, and Hikaru was actually good in them - no random shoutiness, good dynamics, projection and pitch. Wakana, despite her tone, was flat 90% of the time in their early days and Keiko really didn't blend her lower harmonies, and really only took off in 2012, which was ironically when Wakana and Hikaru started having vocal issues (Hikaru more so in late 2013).

What Hikaru lacked was access to her mixed voice, because she basically doesn't a have head voice. She could have been on par with Kaori if she developed her mix, because Hikaru could already flip between light and heavy vocal weights without sounding like her larynx is pushed down to the basement. She had the most dynamics when singing and always mixed up her approach for every song. Funny how, currently, Keiko who has the lowest voice (definitely a dramatic mezzo or lyric contralto) has the smoothest mix with basically 0 flip between chest and head voice, Wakana relying on flips and Hikaru making 0 use of even a falsetto nowadays.

Hikaru did backup vocals for Yuuka in vol. 4 and 11 with Yuriko, but that was probably more of a standalone thing.

 

[CloisteredFlame]

I'd argue Hikaru was the best Kalafina live performer when they started.

Their very first "Oblivious" performance I suspect was the one where they dressed like in the MV for the song. Hikaru was chill in that video and seemed a little less confident, but already had the smooth movements during the Keiko/Wakana duet section.

What Hikaru lacked was access to her mixed voice, because she basically doesn't a have head voice. She could have been on par with Kaori if she developed her mix

Completely right. She didn't have a concept or awareness of mixed voice (most people never do, naturally). She had a falsetto and it was weak. Kajiura's music (and expectation, I suspect) was for her to sing those top notes with power as they were written, and as she probably advised them in the recording booth, which Hikaru achieved by "pulling" chest voice up and going more mask-y or nasal.

I've seen a Kalafina interview where she said that she sang in school choir (?), which I suspect wasn't classical but just group signing. So, she never had training for her falsetto/head voice on the classical side, or mix training on the contemporary side.

Keiko who has the lowest voice (definitely a dramatic mezzo or lyric contralto) has the smoothest mix

I would take Keiko to be a lyric contralto just because of how low she can go (though in a hooty sound). though Kaori's not too far behind.

Wakana relying on flips

Wakana's voice usually wilted a bit when she went to head voice for softness, or for notes that were too high, then would drop down into her nasal "mix" a bit lower, and into her warmer sound the lower she went, eventually into breathy low notes.

Hikaru making 0 use of even a falsetto

Yeah... She doesn't even have it any more. I don't think she can even vocalize in that place anymore since it was so weak from the beginning. She seems to have lost her natural upper tessitura as well. The tension-based way of singing is now throughout her mid-to-upper range. It's only in lower notes when harmonizing that she sings warmer and with little tension.

 

[CloisteredFlame]

View attachment 25484

Stoked that there's going to be a 2024 Revo Halloween Party and he's getting the gang back together!

Joelle's going to be there but also MIKI (Miki Masuda) and possibly other names (I can't read the Japanese)! It's possible other faves from the past are also included, though, sadly Joelle and MIKI won't be performing on the same day. No REMI either it seems. KAORI might have returned but she'd tending to her little one.

If anyone can translate further it would be nice.

https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1PP411m7Ja/?spm_id_from=333.337.search-card.all.click

I wonder if they will do songs from this performance... Unlike Kajiura, Revo has a lot of songs with despair and darkness as their themes, so he can definitely do a fully Halloween-themed show.

MIKI acted at the beginning of the show. I would like to have them to do a duet if it was at all possible.

 

[CloisteredFlame]

Pics from Joelle's website (brand new, I believe) for her September Birthday live!

Regular collaborator, Gaku Ninomiya on guitar, and a recent discovery for me, jovial keyboardist, Kanako Hara (https://www.instagram.com/kanako_hara_/).

I am curious if the last photo isn't with her dad. That's a daughter-like hug... Mr. Strother?

 

[CloisteredFlame]

Oh, and the website is https://www.joellevoice.com/.

 

[CloisteredFlame]

So I found Joelle's Threads page, and some cool photos.

Hikaru B-day LIVE 2024 -love Begets love-

 

[CloisteredFlame]

FJS Talk & Live in Nagoya​

 

[george1234]

Setlist ?

 

[CloisteredFlame]

Setlist ?

I don't get your question. I was just posting pics from the site.

 

[CloisteredFlame]

 

[CloisteredFlame]

This is the same studio where Keiko recorded her solo studio acoustic live the other time.

Live collab team.

Isn't she lovely?

 

[CloisteredFlame]

insta_joelleofficial 3d
"Revo's Halloween Party 2024" Thank you so much for today!
I was very happy to have the opportunity to experience Revo's music again and to create so many memories with everyone at the venue.
Once again, congratulations to Sound Horizon on their 20th anniversary We wish you even more success in the future

(Translated from Japanese on Joelle's Threads page)