Biography
Eri Hiramatsu (平松愛理 , March 8, 1964- ) is a Japanese singer, lyricist, and composer. While working as a solo singer, she has also written music for other artists. She is best known for writing, composing, and producing the vast majority of her work.
Hiramatsu was born in the Hyogo Prefecture, and began taking music lessons with an electronic organ from the age of three, then learning piano from the age of four. She has commented that she began to take an interest in singing from the age of 10, influenced by her older brother who was an avid fan of The Carpenters and other western artists. It was in junior high school that she began to experiment with composing her own music on the piano, and in high school Hiramatsu joined as the lead vocalist of the all-girls band "Wipe Out". Soon after performing at a school festival with a song that Hiramatsu wrote and composed, her parents stopped opposing her band activities and instead encouraged a career in music.
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In 1982, Hiramatsu joined a band under the name "ERI & WONDERLAST", but in 1986 the band activities ended after graduation. Hiramatsu moved to Tokyo alone in order to work on her music, working part-time while writing music and applying to various record companies as a solo artist.
On February 1st 1989, Hiramatsu debuted under the Pony Canyon label with the song Seishun no Album (青春のアルバム, "Youth Album"), later following it up with her debut album, TREASURE.
Hiramatsu continued making music under the Pony Canyon, releasing Totteoki no 20byou (とっておきの20秒), MY DEAR, redeem and Erhythm in quick succession. It was three years after her debut, 1992, when Hiramatsu enjoyed her biggest and most well-known hit, Heya to Y-Shirt to Watashi (部屋とYシャツと私). Despite many requests for a sequel song, Hiramatsu refrained until 2019, which is when Heya to Y-shirt to Watashi - Arekara- (部屋とYシャツと私 〜あれから〜) was released as a musical and lyrical continuation. Hiramatsu commented that this sequel song was meant to be the "aftermath" of the original, and that the song was also released to celebrate her 30th anniversary since her debut.
Hiramatsu would continue to work with Pony Canyon through her 90s career, releasing Hitoyo Hitoyo ni Yume Migoro (一夜一代に夢見頃), 7 DAYS GIRL, Reborn, and fine day between 1993 and 1997. During those eras, Hiramatsu also married, and had a child in 1996. During this pregnancy Hiramatsu developed endometriosis.
In 1999, Hiramatsu signed with Universal Music, and released her only album with them, Usa-Bara, in 2000.
Later, Hiramatsu's earlier diagnosed endometriosis worsened and required surgery in 2001. In 2002, Hiramatsu was diagnosed with breast cancer, and suspended her music activities. During her recovery period she began to take up alternative activities like lectures and teaching.
In 2004, Hiramatsu signed with a new label again, and released Aki no Niji (秋の虹, Autumn Rainbow) through Rock Chipper Records (previously known as HeartFullMoon). In 2005, Hiramatsu filed for divorce, with the reason given being that the couple had grown apart due to work commitments. In statements given by both Hiramatsu and Nobuyuki Shimizu, they both continued to be jointly involved in the upbringing of their child and shared no animosity after the divorce was granted. Neither sought compensation.
Hiramatsu took a hiatus from releasing new music until 2012, which is when Hana to Taiyō (花と太陽, Flowers and the Sun) was released with the label Teichiku Entertainment. Hiramatsu's most recent album since then was a best-of collection in 2015, named Platinum Best: Eri Hiramatsu Single & Ballad Collection (プラチナムベスト 平松愛理 シングル&バラード コレクション ).
Hiramatsu has released a handful of singles since then: the aforementioned Heya to Y-shirt to Watashi - Arekara- in 2019, and then BLUE MOON, Byakuya, and PIRAFUNINARITAI in 2021. While Heya to Y-shirt to Watashi - Arekara- was released through the Universal Music label, Hiramatsu's most recent singles are listed as being released by the Hiramatsudo label.
She announced through her fanclub website SLOW ROOM that she intends to release one single a month for the rest of the year - however, this was put on hold after Hiramatsu was hospitalized with covid-19, with planned live concerts also postponed during her recovery.
Biography text from Last.fm, available under CC BY-SA.