Moumoon

Last updated
Moumoon
OriginJapan
Genres Pop
Years active2005 (2005)-present
LabelsGate Records (2006)
Avex Trax
(2007 to 2020)
Village Again Association (2021 to present) [1]
MembersYUKA
Kousuke Masaki
Website www.moumoon.net

Moumoon (stylized as moumoon) is a Japanese pop duo comprising YUKA (vocals) and Kousuke Masaki (guitar). The band's name is a portmanteau of the French word "mou" (soft) and the English "moon".

Contents

The duo met at a summer rock festival in 2004; after swapping demo tapes, the pair decided to work together professionally. The band self-produced and arrange the vast majority of their songs, with Masaki composing the music while YUKA writes the lyrics. 

Both band members were brought up on classical music, with Masaki playing piano and YUKA a keen violinist. Their present musical style covers various types of music such as pop, alternative rock, electronica, folk and indie rock.

A popular band in their native Japan and elsewhere, many of their songs have received massive amounts of radio airplay, and been used in TV commercials and television soundtracks. They tour regularly (including a sequence of "Fullmoon Live" shows every full moon night), and are best known for their 2010 top-ten single, "Sunshine Girl".

Biography

2004–2006: Formation and indies

Yuka and Masaki met in summer 2004, but it was not until 2005 that they formed Moumoon. [2] In October 2005, the duo held their first live performance at the Omotesando FAB. [2] In 2006, they signed with the indie label Gate Records and released their debut single "Flowers/Pride". [3] The single charted on the Oricon single charts at number 106. [4] Soon after, Moumoon released their debut mini-album, Flowers (September 2006), which debuted at number 63 on the Oricon album charts. [5]

Major debut

On May 12, 2010, they released their eighth single, "Sunshine Girl", which entered the Oricon single charts at number 12, a first for the group. [6] The following week the single rose to number 10, becoming their first Top 10 single. [7] The duo released their fourth mini-album, titled Spark, on July 7, 2010. [8]

In 2015, moumoon performed at the SXSW music festival in Austin, Texas, as part of the Japan Nite showcase. [9]

2021–present: Back to indies

On November 30, 2020, it was announced that their contract with Avex Trax had expired and the duo decided to not renew it, and they will be working independently again after 13 years of contract with Avex. [10] The band signed a new contract with indie label VAA in July 2021. [1]

On March 27, 2022, it was announced via the group's official Instagram account that Masaki and Yuka had married. [11]

Discography

Studio albums

No.ReleaseTitle
12008.11.08moumoon
22011.03.0215 Doors
32012.02.08No Night Land
42013.01.30PAIN KILLER
52014.01.29LOVE before we DIE
62015.08.12It's Our Time
72017.03.14Flyways
82019.03.06Newmoon

Concept albums

No.ReleaseTitle
12014.06.18ICE CANDY

Mini-albums

No.ReleaseTitle
Indie2006.09.06Flowers
12007.08.22love me?
22010.03.24Refrain
32010.07.27SPARK

Singles

No.ReleaseTitle
Indie2006.07.26Flowers / pride
12007.12.05Do you remember?
22008.06.04Tiny Star
32008.10.15more than love
42009.02.25EVERGREEN
52009.07.22On the right
62009.11.25Aoi Tsuki to Ambivalence na Ai
72010.05.12Sunshine Girl
82010.11.10moonlight / Sky High / YAY
92011.08.03Chu Chu
102011.12.14Uta wo Utaou
112012.03.14"Love is Everywhere"
122012.05.02Wild Child
132012.08.29Hanabi
142012.12.12DREAMER DREAMER / Doko e mo Ikanai yo
152014.05.08Jewel
162014.08.27I'm Scarlet
172015.02.25Hello,shooting-star

Special singles

No.ReleaseTitle
12010.06.25Let's dance in the moonlight
22010.12.01my Secret Santa

Digital singles

No.ReleaseTitle
12007.11.28Do you remember? (moumoon exclusive Ver.)
22008.06.04Tiny Star Exclusive
32008.10.15more than love ~Special Edition~
42009.09.16Destiny
52009.11.25Aoi Tsuki to Ambivalence na Ai + Acoustic version
62010.10.13One Step
72012.10.10Vanitas
82013.10.25 Lovin' You
92013.11.06Emerald no Oka
102013.12.17winter fall
112014.01.15I say You say I You
122014.04.16Jewel
132014.08.06I'm Scarlet
142014.10.02BF

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References

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  2. 1 2 "インタビュー:moumoon「色褪せない音楽を作りたい」(livedoor) - livedoor ニュース". Livedoor (in Japanese). 2008-06-08. Retrieved 2010-05-30.
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  9. "moumoon at SXSW 2015". SXSW Music. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
  10. "moumoonより大切なお知らせ". moumoon's avex website. Retrieved 2020-11-30.
  11. "男女ユニット「moumoon」YUKAとMASAKIが結婚「これからは家族として支え合い」". Nikkan Sports. Retrieved 2022-10-13.