Mai Hoshimura

Mai Hoshimura (Hoshimura Mai) is a Japanese artist currently under the Heart Voice Studio label after her contract with Sony ended in 2009. She writes and composes all of her music. She is known for her famous standing crouched stance while playing the piano.

Mai Hoshimura was born on April 18, 1981 in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Hoshimura began to learn to play the piano at the age of four. Her mother, a teacher, had hoped she would become a classical pianist, but it was her father; also a teacher, who had influenced her with popular music. While attending university, Hoshimura learned of a SONY Record contest on the internet and set in a demo tape, she had passed the screening, but was unable to attend an in-person interview and did not make the final cut. However, she tried once again and then passed. With the release of Sunao ni Narenai, Hoshimura introduced the world to her new hairstyle; a very short one. It was a very big change from her long straight hair, that can often be a huge risk for stars in Japan. Nearly after a year since the release of the second album, her official website recently announced the news for a new single during early 2007. The song, Sakura Biyori, is the tenth ending theme of the anime Bleach.