Kan Mikami is a Japanese singer-songwriter whose career stretches back to the early 1970s, renowned for his distinctive voice and idiosyncratic folk style. Born in March 20, 1950, in Aomori Prefecture, he developed a fervent following in Japan's underground music scene with his introspective lyrics and a raw, emotive performance style that often defies the conventions of traditional Japanese music, blending narrative songwriting with avant-garde, blues, and improvisational influences. Mikami's work resonates with the spirit of protest and a starkly personal poetic vision, leading him to be considered a troubadour of the Japanese everyman, akin to Bob Dylan's early image in America.

Over the decades, Kan Mikami has continued to prolifically record and perform, becoming something of a cult figure far beyond the borders of Aomori or even Japan. His recent albums such as "I'm The Only One Around", "寛 (Kan)", and "青い炎 (Blue Flame)" demonstrate an unyielding commitment to exploring the depths of human experience through song. With a career that encompasses collaboration with experimental musicians and appearances in films, Mikami remains an influential and respected presence in Japan's music and arts landscape, admired for his ability to capture the zeitgeist of the disenfranchised and articulate the raw textures of life through his poignant storytelling and enigmatic stage presence.