cloudscream
Newbie

YUI
About YUI (taken from blue cats' thread):
YUI is a Japanese singer/songwriter/musician (who plays both the acoustic and electric guitar). She was born in Fukouka, Japan, on March 26th 1987. Unlike many professional musicians who've played an instrument all their lives, it wasn't until the age of 16 when she started playing the guitar (and began to study singing and songwriting at a private music cram school in Fukuoka). In such a short time, YUI was able to master her skills at the guitar, and learn so much about singing and songwriting. This would prove her future success and launch her career as a professional artist at a young age.
At a Sony Music Japan audition in March 2003, she performed three songs: "Why Me," "It's happy line," and "I know". YUI was given the highest scores by all of the judges. This excellent audition allowed record labels to notice her and caused the labels to scramble around (in debating who would be able to sign her). In December 2004, "It's happy line" was released as indies single for Leaflet Records (and the song was coupled with "I know").

Soon after, YUI left Fukuoka for Tokyo and around this time she wrote (what would become her major debut single), "feel my soul". Originally the song was going to be released on an indi label until it grabbed the attention of FUJI TV producer, Mr. Yamaguchi. The song was eventually released as the theme song for the Japanese drama "Fukigen na Jiin" (which starred popular Japanese actress, Takeuchi Yuko).

After YUI was given a record deal by Sony Music Japan, she was originally signed onto Sony's rock label, GR8! Records (the same record label as such artists like ORANGE RANGE and UVERworld), but after the release of her debut single "feel my soul", she was then changed to the main Sony Records label (with such artists like ZONE, Tamaki Nami, Itou Yuna, and K).

In terms of YUI's fan base, she's had a relatively strong fan base in Japan since her debut (esp. due to her active BBS forum in her official website). But even though YUI is still a relatively new artist and isn't really known too well outside of Japan yet, it was her song "LIFE" (which served as the 5th ending theme to the popular anime series, "BLEACH") that attracted even more fans and allowed people all over the world to become aware (and love) her music.
for the whole article, click the link: http://www.jpopmusic.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=62556
www.yui-lover.com
search YUI in Wikipedia.org and YUI music videos in Youtube.com!
comment: all her songs are great!! J-pop, J-rock and acoustic.
spread the word!!