56 The Woman Behind the Voice of the Shinkansen: A Chat w. Voice Actor & Singer Donna Burke

56 The Woman Behind the Voice of the Shinkansen: A Chat w. Voice Actor & Singer Donna Burke

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Tony has a chat with the owner of a voice that anyone who has ever ridden the Shinkansen (bullet train) will have heard numerous times: voice actor and singer Donna Burke.

About Donna Burke

Donna Burke is an Australian singer and voice actor based in Japan. Her voice can be heard in numerous high profile projects, including major Japanese commercials and highly successful video games such as Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Donna is also widely known as the person who does the English language announcements for Japan's famous Shinkansen (bullet train).

Topics Discussed
  • How Donna uses her "Shinkansen voice" to surprise people in Japan
  • How it was that Donna ended up living in Japan
  • On being a wedding singer in Japan in the mid-90s
  • Making the transition to doing songs for Japanese commercials
  • What it was like producing demo tapes in the '90s and 2000s
  • Donna's experience doing voice work for Shenmue
  • The importance of getting a good recommendation as a voice actor
  • Whether it has become more competitive to be a voice talent in the Japanese game industry in recent years
  • Working on the Metal Gear Solid franchise
  • Dealing with the success and fame that came with working on the Metal Gear Solid franchise
  • "Glassy Sky 2020"
  • Donna's drive to always be working on new projects and creating
  • Working as a lyricist
  • The importance of letting go of one's ego when creating and writing
  • What it has been like working with the Tokyo Philharmonic and performing with orchestras in the U.S.
  • How Donna started selling heat pads via her company Hotteeze
  • Donna's ideas for an ad campaign to promote Hotteeze
  • How freqyently Japan Railways has Donna do new recordings for the Shinkansen
  • And much more!
Support on Patreon

If you enjoy Japan Station and want to ensure that we're able to produce more episodes, then please consider becoming a patron on Patreon.com. For a minimum pledge of $1 a month you'll get early access to all JapanKyo podcasts, bonus content, and more. And for $3 a month, you'll get access to Japanese Plus Alpha, a podcast produced by me (Tony Vega) that focuses on the Japanese language and all of its fascinating quirks. Also, all pledges get a shout-out on the show and my undying gratitude. Thank you in advance!

Links, Videos, Etc.

To stay up to date with all of Donna's projects, make sure to follow her on Twitter. Also, you can find more information about her on her official website.

Donna regularly uploads videos to her YouTube channel, so don't forget to check it out.

If you'd like to learn more about Donna's kairo (heat pad) business, then check out the Hotteeze website via the link below.

If this episode got you curious about what it's like being a fake priest in Japan, then you'r ein luck because there's an episode of Ichimon Japan exactly about that topic. The episode features an interview with a Canadian who has experience working as a fake priest at Japanese weddings.

Check out the two latest episodes of Ichimon Japan via the link below.

If you would like to check out the Kimito Designs shop, then use the link below.

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi)
To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Featured image: Courtesy of Donna Burke

Follow Japankyo on Social Media Full Show Notes

Jaksot(214)

What it's like running a bar in TOKYO! (Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky) | Japan Station 150

What it's like running a bar in TOKYO! (Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky) | Japan Station 150

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk to Kyle Broyles of Pintology Craft Beer & Whisky in Tokyo. In this interview we talk about what it's like running a bar in Tokyo, starting a business in Tokyo,...

22 Maalis 202543min

The ORIGINS of "NEKO!" Digging into the ETYMOLOGY of the Japanese Word for "CAT" | Japan Station 149

The ORIGINS of "NEKO!" Digging into the ETYMOLOGY of the Japanese Word for "CAT" | Japan Station 149

On this episode of Japan Station, I examine the mysterious origins of the Japanese word for cat: neko. Trust me, there's a whole lot more to say about the topic than you might think! 👉Topics Discusse...

6 Maalis 202530min

Murakami Haruki on FILM: A Guide to the Movie Adaptations of Japan's Most Famous Novelist (Marc Yamada) | Japan Station 148

Murakami Haruki on FILM: A Guide to the Movie Adaptations of Japan's Most Famous Novelist (Marc Yamada) | Japan Station 148

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the many film adaptation of the works of Haruki Murakami, Japan's most well-known and commercially successful novelist. 👉Topics Discussed Why is Haru...

1 Maalis 202533min

What is ODEN? A Deep Dive into a Classic Japanese Winter Food | Japan Station 147

What is ODEN? A Deep Dive into a Classic Japanese Winter Food | Japan Station 147

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about oden, one of Japan's most popular winter foods. 👉Topics Discussed What is oden? Where to buy oden in Japan? What are the common igredients of oden? T...

21 Helmi 202547min

This CLOSED Kyoto Hotel Let Me Stay the Night! Here's What Happened! | Japan Station 146

This CLOSED Kyoto Hotel Let Me Stay the Night! Here's What Happened! | Japan Station 146

On this episode of Japan Station, I talk about what it was like staying at a new Kyoto hotel before it opened. 👉Topics Discussed About Fushigina Yado Where Fushigina Yado is located About the theme...

21 Helmi 202513min

3 Obscure Japanese Dishes You MUST Try! | Japan Station 145

3 Obscure Japanese Dishes You MUST Try! | Japan Station 145

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about three obscure Japanese dishes you need to try next time you're in Japan. 👉Topics Discussed What is teppan spa (teppan supa, 鉄板スパ)? What is teppanyak...

2 Helmi 202544min

A Guide to Japanese Hotels! Tips & Tricks for Japan Travelers | Japan Station 144

A Guide to Japanese Hotels! Tips & Tricks for Japan Travelers | Japan Station 144

On this episode of Japan Station, we're talking about hotels in Japan! This episode will give you all the information you need to know before you come visit Japan. Plenty of tips, tricks and basic inf...

22 Tammi 202558min

The Senkaku Islands: What You Should Know (Robert D. Eldridge) | Japan Station 143

The Senkaku Islands: What You Should Know (Robert D. Eldridge) | Japan Station 143

On this episode of Japan Station, we talk about the Senkaku Islands with Dr. Robert D. Eldridge. 👉Topics Discussed What and where are the Senkaku Islands? (尖閣諸島, senkaku shotō) About the history of...

2 Tammi 202549min

Suosittua kategoriassa Koulutus

rss-murhan-anatomia
psykopodiaa-podcast
voi-hyvin-meditaatiot-2
adhd-podi
rss-narsisti
rss-rahamania
rss-vapaudu-voimaasi
psykologia
rss-liian-kuuma-peruna
rss-valo-minussa-2
rahapuhetta
kesken
jari-sarasvuo-podcast
ihminen-tavattavissa-tommy-hellsten-instituutti
rss-duodecim-lehti
rss-turun-yliopisto
uskonnon-pitka-oppimaara
rss-niinku-asia-on
aamukahvilla
rss-tietoinen-yhteys-podcast-2