Ichiko Aoba

Ichiko Aoba was born on January 28, 1990, in Urayasu, Chiba, and raised in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. She began playing classical guitar at 17, drawing early musical inspiration from Disney and Studio Ghibli. Her mentor was Japanese singer-songwriter Anmi Yamada, whose gentle, jazzy guitar melodies and airy vocals influenced Aoba’s musical development. Despite initial reluctance to pursue a music career, she released her debut album, “Razor Girl” (“Kamisori Otome”), in 2010 at age 19. Her early albums, including “Kamisori Otome” and the subsequent three, featured blank canvases for their covers, reflecting her preference for anonymity over visibility.

Aoba’s career progressed with collaborations and significant album releases. In 2012, she formed the duo Nuuamm with Gezan frontman Mahito the People, releasing two studio albums: “Nuuamm” (2014) and “w/ave” (2017). She contributed to theater productions, such as Go Aoki’s “9 Days Queen” in 2013, and Shūji Terayama’s “Lemmings,” where she played “The Girl.” Her 2019 arrangement was featured in the soundtrack of the Nintendo Switch remake of “The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening.” Aoba has collaborated with artists including Ryuichi Sakamoto, Taylor Deupree, Cornelius, and Mac DeMarco. In 2020, she established her independent record label, Hermine, through which she self-released the album “Windswept Adan.

Her discography includes eight studio albums, with “Windswept Adan” (2020) being a critically acclaimed work inspired by her experiences in Okinawa and featuring orchestral arrangements and ambient textures. Her upcoming album, “Luminescent Creatures,” is scheduled for release in February 2025. Aoba has toured globally, with the “Across The Oceans 2026 Tour” and “Luminescent Creatures World Tour” announced for 2025-2026. She also maintains an official fan community, Atóllba, powered by Patreon, which offers exclusive content and benefits to members.