POiSON GiRL FRiEND

POiSON GiRL FRiEND is a solo musical project by Noriko Sekiguchi, also known as nOrikO. Born in Yokohama, Japan, she spent her childhood in Rio de Janeiro, where she was exposed to Brazilian rhythms and French chanson, thanks to attending a French-language elementary school. This multicultural upbringing significantly influenced her diverse musical foundation. Raised in Tokyo during her teenage years, she developed an affinity for British New Wave music. Her time in London and Paris in the late '80s introduced her to the European club scene, which later shaped her signature sound.

POiSON GiRL FRiEND began as a group called The Poison Girl Friends in 1990 but became a solo project by the end of 1991. Her debut mini-album was self-produced, and her major-label debut, *Melting Moment*, was released in 1992 on Victor Entertainment. This album featured the standout track "Hardly Ever Smile (Without You)," which combined ambient house with classical strings. Throughout the '90s, she collaborated with artists like Momus and Simon Fisher Turner, solidifying her position within the Shibuya-kei movement. After a hiatus, she returned as POiSON GiRL FRiEND in 2014 with *rondoElectro*, followed by *Das Gift* in 2018. Recent years have seen a resurgence in her popularity, with reissues on digital platforms and successful tours in the U.S. and China.

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