Chara learned piano at age four and performed an original song, “Sayonara,” at her elementary school recital. ∙ Influenced by the New Romantic scene and the film American Graffiti, she played keyboards in different bands and worked part-time as a roller-skating waitress. ∙ Her 1992 album, Soul Kiss, won Best Pop/Rock Album at the 1992 Japan Record Awards. ∙ Chara’s starring role in the crime film Swallowtail Butterfly earned her a 1997 Japanese Academy Awards nomination. ∙ She collaborated with JUDY AND MARY singer/songwriter YUKI on the eclectic 2020 mini-album Echo.