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Kai (musician, born 1993)

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Kai
海
Kai playing with The Sisters of Mercy in 2024
Kai playing with The Sisters of Mercy in 2024
Background information
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, composer, producer
Instrument(s)Guitar, vocals, bass, piano
Years active2010–present
Member ofEsprit D'Air, The Sisters of Mercy
Websitewww.espritdair.com

Kai (Japanese: 海) is a rock singer, musician, producer, and leader of the British-Japanese rock and alternative metal group Esprit D'Air as a multi-instrumentalist. He[a] is also one of the current guitarists for English rock band The Sisters of Mercy.[2]

Early life

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Kai was born in England and grew up in East Finchley, North London. He attended the University of Westminster and graduated with a First Class Honours degree in music.

Kai's first guitar was gifted from his mother, but he recounts that his father was not supportive of his musical aspirations. When his father caught Kai skipping school to practise guitar, he smashed his guitar against a wall in an act of frustration.[3][4][5]

Career

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Esprit D'Air

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At the age of 17, Kai founded Esprit D'Air in London in 2010 as the lead guitarist. The band shortly split up in 2013 when most members returned to Japan.[6]

Esprit D'Air later reformed as Kai's solo project in 2016 and has since produced a catalogue of albums and singles as lead vocalist, composer, and producer, regularly entering the Official Charts in various top ten positions.[7][8]

Kai also books and promotes tours and concerts for Esprit D'Air without the help of booking agents and promoters.[9]

The Sisters of Mercy

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In mid-October 2023, Kai joined The Sisters of Mercy, as a guitarist and backing vocalist and has since toured extensively in Europe. After being introduced to the band by Ben Christo, Kai was brought in as the replacement guitarist for Dylan Smith with only a few days' notice.[10]

Despite his background as a progressive metal guitarist, Kai introduced a less heavy metal influence, bringing back a live sound closer to the band's earlier work.[11] Kai also performs female-sounding vocals to The Sisters of Mercy's live performances in songs such as "Dominion", "This Corrosion", and "Temple of Love", which had not been present in live performances for decades.[12]

As of 2024, Kai is touring with The Sisters of Mercy in Europe and North America and has contributed new guitar parts for unreleased material.[13]

Other projects

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In 2016, Kai played bass for Stereo Juggernaut and went on a UK tour supporting The Birthday Massacre, as well as shows with 3Teeth, Hed PE and Warrior Soul.[14]

Between 2018 and 2019, Kai was a frequent guest vocalist for London-based project Shot Through The Heart, a "monthly night of live hard rock, AOR and glam metal covers" presented by Ben Christo. The live sets featured guest musicians from various rock/glam/metal groups, including Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden), Rainbow, Michael Schenker, Gun, Marco Mendoza, Jettblack, and Lauren Harris.

On 15 October 2022, Kai was asked to perform guitar for original Tigertailz vocalist Steevi Jaimz on a one-off show to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Tigertailz debut album Young and Crazy alongside Bruce Dickinson (Iron Maiden) and Rachel Stamp drummer Robin Guy and former BulletBoys bass player Rob Lane.[15]

Equipment and endorsements

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Kai performing with a white Fender American Stratocaster

Kai uses a white Ibanez S-Series guitar with Seymour Duncan pick-ups, a white Fender American Stratocaster, an Ibanez YY20 (Yvette Young signature model), a Hagström Siljan II Grand Auditorium CE 12-String, and a blue Schecter Omen Extreme-6.

Kai is also a Vocalzone endorsed artist, using it prior to rehearsals, warm-ups, and mid-performance.[16]

Kai using an Ibanez YY20 (Yvette Young Signature)

Musical influences

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Kai named X Japan, Luna Sea, L'Arc-en-Ciel, and Dead End as some of his favorite bands from Japan in an article for Loudwire.[17]

Kai is also inspired by the games of Final Fantasy, specifically Final Fantasy VII, and wanted to create music that sounds like it is from another world.[18]

Personal life

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Kai follows a vegan diet and does not drink alcohol.[19] He has two cats, named Zack (named after Final Fantasy VII's Zack Fair) and Pan (named after the Japanese word for bread).[20]

Kai uses both he/him and they/them pronouns and has an androgynous appearance.[1]

Philanthropy

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In March 2016, Kai performed at a charity event in London, where all proceeds went to Aoba-gakuen, an orphanage in Fukushima, Japan.[21][22] Through ticket, merchandise, food sales, and donations, the event raised over £1,100 for the orphanage.[23]

Kai supports LGBTQ+ rights and donates a percentage of record sales to Stonewall. Kai has also donated a percentage of record sales to Black Lives Matter, and Razom, a non-profit in Ukraine to provide humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the ongoing war.[24]

In 2024, Kai donated over $1,200 to Palestine Children's Relief Fund to aid humanitarian crisis facing Palestinian youths.[25]

Other work

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Kai Koffee

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Kai created his own coffee brand called Kai Koffee with products named after Esprit D'Air song titles such as 'Leviathan', and 'The Awakening'. Each batch is freshly roasted weekly from a carbon-neutral coffee source.[26]

Discography

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Main article: Esprit D'Air discography

Albums

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List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
UK
Albums Sales
[27] 		UK
Album Downloads
[28] 		UK
Rock & Metal Albums
[29] 		UK
Independent Albums Breakers
[27] 		UK
Independent Albums
[30] 		UK
Physical Albums
[27] 		Scottish Albums
[31]
Constellations
  • Released: 7 July 2017
  • Label: Starstorm
 — 45 33 16 48 – 81
Oceans
  • Released: 18 February 2022
  • Label: Starstorm
 25 5 8 5 12 80 19
Seasons
  • Released: 8 November 2024
  • Label: Starstorm
 – 13 20 5 45 – –

Notes

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  1. ^ Kai uses he/him and they/them pronouns.[1] This article uses he/him for consistency.

References

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  1. ^ a b "What is the gender of Kai from Esprit D'Air?". Esprit D'Air. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  2. ^ "The Sisters Of Mercy - Interview". Terra Relicta. 26 November 2023. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  3. ^ " "TokyoNoise intervista Kai degli Esprit D'Air: l'importanza della musica eterea nella vita". TokyoNoise.
  4. ^ Daniel Leigh (18 February 2022). "Daniel Leigh Podcast with Kai from Esprit D'Air". youtube.com (Podcast). Daniel Leigh.
  5. ^ "Kai". SoundBetter. 12 December 2023. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  6. ^ Bob Smith (12 December 2020). "Esprit D'Air Unleash The Massive "Leviathan"". Static Dive. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  7. ^ Peter Dennis (15 February 2023). "AVO Magazine Interview: Kai from Esprit D'Air – Always in motion". AVO Magazine.
  8. ^ "ESPRIT D'AIR songs and albums". Official Charts. 7 March 2024. Archived from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Esprit D'Air / Exciting 17-date Leviathan Tour announced". MetalTalk. 7 April 2023.
  10. ^ Kirky (9 February 2024). "Interview with Kai from Esprit D'Air". spotify.com (Podcast). Gigs Up North. Archived from the original on 12 May 2024. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  11. ^ Von Lars Fischer (15 January 2024). "Der Niedergang der Sisters of Mercy". Weser Kurier.
  12. ^ Maartje Kunnen (14 June 2024). "Sisters of Mercy Reloaded: zanger is bijwerkingen rode pil te boven". Eindhoven Rockcity. Archived from the original on 16 June 2024. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
  13. ^ Gregory Adams (6 May 2024). "THE SISTERS OF MERCY announce fall North American tour". Revolver.
  14. ^ Metal Temple. "ESPIRIT D'AIR: Support at "The Birthday Massacre" in London". Metal Temple. Archived from the original on 9 November 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  15. ^ Blabbermouth (9 June 2022). "Original TIGERTAILZ Singer STEEVI JAIMZ To Perform Entire 'Young And Crazy' Album At One-Off London Concert". Blabbermouth. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  16. ^ "Esprit D'Air". Vocalzone. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  17. ^ "10 Best Rock + Metal Bands From Japan by Esprit D'Air's Kai". Loudwire. 22 June 2021. Archived from the original on 9 May 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  18. ^ "From Glaciers to Oceans: An Interview with Esprit D'Air". Beyond Senpai. 14 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 October 2023. Retrieved 12 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Kai Interview". Music-News.com. 15 June 2024. Archived from the original on 17 June 2024. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
  20. ^ "A chat with Kai – lead singer and founding member of Esprit D'Air". McGig Music. 26 February 2024. Archived from the original on 11 June 2024. Retrieved 11 June 2024.
  21. ^ "MCM BUZZ – Movies, TV, Comics, Gaming, Anime, Cosplay News & Reviews » Esprit D'Air to headline Origami: A Charity Gig". MCM BUZZ – Movies, TV, Comics, Gaming, Anime, Cosplay News & Reviews. Archived from the original on 4 May 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  22. ^ "Live music and Japanese food for a great cause!". Kakkoii Club. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  23. ^ edohsama. "Report on Esprit D'Air at the Pipeline, London". SR : JRock News. Archived from the original on 26 March 2016. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  24. ^ "Esprit D'Air Supporting LGBTQ+ Rights". Virtue. 29 May 2022. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  25. ^ "Kai from Esprit D'Air and The Sisters of Mercy donate to support Palestinian youths". 3 June 2024. Archived from the original on 3 June 2024. Retrieved 3 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Introducing: Kai Koffee by Esprit D'Air". Esprit D'Air. 29 May 2022. Archived from the original on 5 February 2024. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  27. ^ a b c "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2022.
  28. ^ "Official Album Downloads Chart: 24 February 2023 – 02 March 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  29. ^ "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart: 24 February 2023 – 02 March 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  30. ^ "Official Independent Albums Chart: 24 February 2023 – 02 March 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
  31. ^ "Official Scottish Albums Chart: 24 February 2023 – 02 March 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 25 February 2023.
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