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Difference between revisions of "TWO-MIX"

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[[Image:TWO-MIX.jpg|right|300px|thumb|TWO-MIX]]
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[[Image:TWO-MIX.jpg|right|250px|thumb|TWO-MIX]]
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'''TWO-MIX''' was a [[:Category:Electronic|Japanese electronic]] [[J-Pop|pop]] band that rose to popularity in the 1990s. It was formed in 1995 by [[Takayama Minami]] and [[Nagano Shiina]] after the breakup of their last band, [[ES CONNEXION]] the year before. They are well known for having produced songs for a wide variety of [[Anime|anime]] and television shows in Japan.
  
'''TWO-MIX''' is a [[J-Pop]] band that is widely known for their popular songs that feature on countless television shows and anime. It was formed in 1995 by [[Takayama Minami]] and [[Nagano Shiina]] after the breakup of their last band, [[ES CONNEXION|ES CONNEXION]] the year before.
+
==Members==
 +
* [[Nagano Shiina]] (lyrics, music arrangement)
 +
* [[Takayama Minami]] (vocals, music composition)
 +
===Other Members===
 +
* [[Takayama Miru]] ('''Takayama Miru and M★TWO -MinaMiru-''': vocals)
 +
* [[Joe Rinoie]] ('''II MIX ⊿ DELTA''': vocals, music composition)
  
It's almost impossible to have lived in Japan since 1995 and not know about TWO-MIX, especially because they have produced songs for a wide variety of anime and television shows in Japan.
+
==Information==
 +
When [[Abukawa Osamu]] left [[ES CONNEXION]] in 1994, [[Nagano Shiina]] and [[Takayama Minami]] both wanted to continue their music careers. Without Osamu, however, they could not keep [[ES CONNEXION]] from disbanding forever. Instead, they created a new band for the two of them. On April 25th, 1995, they released their first single, "[[Just Communication|JUST COMMUNICATION]]", under the name '''TWO-MIX''' and under [[KING RECORDS]]' prestigious distribution label.
  
==<span class="mw-headline"> Members </span>==
+
Together once again, Nagano and Takayama were unstoppable. They released song after song, hindered at first only by Takayama's other job as a seiyuu. Unfortunately, when ''[[Meitantei Conan]]'' became an [[Anime|anime]] in 1996 and Takayama was slated as the protagonist, her free time began to lessen as the years went on. In time, this would greatly influence the amount of time TWO-MIX could devote to releasing songs.
  
* [[Nagano Shiina]]<nowiki>: lyrics, music arrangement </nowiki>
+
In 1998, another catastrophe befell them. Not satisfied with [[KING RECORDS]]' treatment of them, TWO-MIX endeavored to terminate their contract and sign a five-year contract with [[Warner Music Japan]]. This prooved somewhat difficult since [[KING RECORDS]] possessed publication rights for TWO-MIX's earlier songs until at least 2001. Even though TWO-MIX was no longer part of [[KING RECORDS]], that didn't stop their previous distributor from producing two TWO-MIX compilations (one in 1998 and one in 2001). Since early TWO-MIX songs appeared in their final compilation under [[Warner Music Japan]] in 2002, it is safe to assume that [[KING RECORDS]]' publishing rights have since expired.
* [[Takayama Minami]]<nowiki>: vocals, music composition </nowiki>
 
  
==<span class="mw-headline">History</span>==
+
In 1999, TWO-MIX began to employ the talent of a totally unknown woman, [[Takayama Miru]]. Though she shared a surname with [[Takayama Minami]], it is merely a stage name, and no one is sure if the two bear any sort of relation. Three singles were released under the name '''Takayama Miru with TWO-MIX''' before the decision came to change the name of this group to '''M★TWO -MinaMiru-''', signifying that [[Takayama Miru]] was a new addition to the group. However, her participation was short-lived, having released only an additional single and an album before she left the group. Where she is today is unknown.
  
''For previous history, see [[RE-X|RE-X]] and [[ES CONNEXION|ES CONNEXION]].''
+
In 2000, TWO-MIX turned their eye towards dance music, the kind that played in clubs throughout all Japan. Wanting to push into this industry, they released more techno-based dance titles under the name '''TWO∞MIX'''. This included not only normal singles and albums but also dance compilation  CDs from [[Warner Music Japan]], produced by TWO∞MIX.
  
===<span class="mw-headline">The Birth of TWO-MIX</span>===
+
Their TWO∞MIX work went well, but ''[[Meitantei Conan]]'' severely required [[Takayama Minami]]'s attention, so the time she was able to devote to TWO-MIX declined steadily.
  
When [[Abukawa Osamu|Abukawa Osamu]] left [[ES CONNEXION|ES CONNEXION]] in 1994, [[Nagano Shiina]] and [[Takayama Minami]] both wanted to continue their music careers. Without Osamu, however, they could not keep [[ES CONNEXION|ES CONNEXION]] from disbanding forever. Instead, they created a new band for the two of them. On April 25th, 1995, they released their first single, [[Just Communication]], under the name '''TWO-MIX''' and under [[KING RECORDS]]' prestigious distribution label.
+
In 2002, when TWO-MIX's contract with [[Warner Music Japan]] ended, they became independent once again, creating both their own recording label, [[LITTLE STATION]], and their own distributor, [[BPM NEXT]]. However, this too was short-lived since they were only able to produce one single during this period.
  
Together once again, Nagano and Takayama were unstoppable. They released song after song, hindered at first only by Takayama's other job as a seiyuu. Unfortunately, when [[Meitantei Conan]] became an anime in 1996 and Takayama was slated as the protagonist, her free time began to lessen as the years went on. In time, this would greatly influence the amount of time TWO-MIX could devote to releasing songs.
+
Without any releases at all in 2004, TWO-MIX fans were in hysterics. No one seemed to know what exactly was going on. However, TWO-MIX refused to perish completely. In the middle of 2005, it was announced that both [[Nagano Shiina]] and [[Takayama Minami]] were putting "TWO-MIX" on an indefinite hiatus so that they could join with [[ROmantic Mode]]'s producer, [[Joe Rinoie]] to create a new band, '''II MIX⊿DELTA''' under Rinoie's label, [[JAWS RECORDS]].
  
 
+
Since ''[[Meitantei Conan]]'' still requires a lot of Takayama's attention, '''II MIX⊿DELTA''' is only able to make one release per year, in the early summer. They have released two six-track mini-albums so far, one in 2005, and one in 2006.
===<span class="mw-headline">The Switch to Warner</span>===
 
 
 
In 1998, another catastrophe befell them. Not satisfied with [[KING RECORDS]]' treatment of them, TWO-MIX endeavored to terminate their contract and sign a five-year contract with [[Warner Music Japan]]. This prooved somewhat difficult since [[KING RECORDS]] possessed publication rights for TWO-MIX's earlier songs until at least 2001. Even though TWO-MIX was no longer part of [[KING RECORDS]], that didn't stop their previous destributor from producing two TWO-MIX compilations (one in 1998 and one in 2001). Since early TWO-MIX songs appeared in their final compilation under [[Warner Music Japan]] in 2002, it is safe to assume that [[KING RECORDS]]' publishing rights have since expired.
 
 
 
<br />
 
 
 
===<span class="mw-headline">Takayama Miru and M★TWO -MinaMiru-</span>===
 
 
 
In 1999, TWO-MIX began to employ the talent of a totally unknown woman, [[Takayama Miru]]. Though she shared a surname with [[Takayama Minami]], it is merely a stage name, and no one is sure if the two bear any sort of relation. Three singles were released under the name '''Takayama Miru with TWO-MIX''' before the decision came to change the name of this group to '''M★TWO -MinaMiru-''', signifiying that [[Takayama Miru]] was a new addition to the group. However, her participation was short-lived, having released only an additional single and an album before she left the group. Where she is today is unknown.
 
 
 
===<span class="mw-headline">TWO∞MIX</span>===
 
 
 
In 2000, TWO-MIX turned their eye towards dance music, the kind that played in clubs throughout all Japan. Wanting to push into this industry, they released more techno-based dance titles under the name '''TWO∞MIX'''. This included not only normal singles and albums but also dance compilation [[omnibus|omnibus]] CDs from [[Warner Music Japan]], produced by TWO∞MIX.
 
 
 
Their TWO∞MIX work went well, but [[Meitantei Conan]] severely required [[Takayama Minami]]'s attention, so the time she was able to devote to TWO-MIX declined steadily.
 
 
 
===<span class="mw-headline">Contract's End</span>===
 
 
 
In 2002, when TWO-MIX's contract with [[Warner Music Japan]] ended, they became independent once again, creating both their own recording label, [[LITTLE STATION|LITTLE STATION]] and their own distributor, [[BPM NEXT|BPM NEXT]]. However, this too was short-lived since they were only able to produce one single during this period.
 
 
 
 
 
===<span class="mw-headline">A New Beginning</span>===
 
 
 
Without any releases at all in 2004, TWO-MIX fans were in hysterics. No one seemed to know what exactly was going on. However, TWO-MIX refused to perish completely. In the middle of 2005, it was announced that both [[Nagano Shiina]] and [[Takayama Minami]] were putting "TWO-MIX" on an indefinite hiatus so that they could join with [[ROmantic Mode|ROmantic Mode]]'s producer, [[Joe Rinoie]] to create a new band, '''II MIX⊿DELTA''' under Rinoie's label, [[JAWS RECORDS|JAWS RECORDS]].
 
 
 
Since [[Meitantei Conan]] still requires a lot of Takayama's attention, '''II MIX⊿DELTA''' is only able to make one release per year, in the early summer. They have released two six-track mini-albums so far, one in 2005, and one in 2006.
 
  
 
In 2009, Shiina wrote in his blog that TWO-MIX would be revived later that year.
 
In 2009, Shiina wrote in his blog that TWO-MIX would be revived later that year.
  
==<span class="mw-headline">Style</span>==
+
==Style==
 
 
 
TWO-MIX has a very interesting and unique style. It is definitely a sort of "electronic pop", or pop-type music in which many of the instruments are either synthesized or electronic-sounding. Many times, they enlist the aid of other instrumentalists to add real violins, cellos, flutes, and other instruments to their songs.
 
TWO-MIX has a very interesting and unique style. It is definitely a sort of "electronic pop", or pop-type music in which many of the instruments are either synthesized or electronic-sounding. Many times, they enlist the aid of other instrumentalists to add real violins, cellos, flutes, and other instruments to their songs.
  
Though most of their music sounds fairly similar, they often have different sub-styles. For example, some of their songs are techno dance songs, some are slow ballads, then there's the fully orchestrated [[Baroque Best|Baroque Best]] album, and still other songs are wholly different altogether (for example, "Mission: Cinderella" and "Do That Dance" have a distinctly Spanish feel). It seems that they often enjoy experimenting with different styles to achieve something unique. Though the casual listener might not realize it, TWO-MIX's true afficionados can certainly tell that each song has it's own particular feel, style, and rhythm.
+
Though most of their music sounds fairly similar, they often have different sub-styles. For example, some of their songs are techno dance songs, some are slow ballads, then there's the fully orchestrated [[Baroque Best]] album, and still other songs are wholly different altogether (for example, "[[Mission: Cinderella]]" and "[[Do That Dance]]" have a distinctly Spanish feel). It seems that they often enjoy experimenting with different styles to achieve something unique. Though the casual listener might not realize it, TWO-MIX's true aficionados can certainly tell that each song has it's own particular feel, style, and rhythm.
 
+
</div>
==<span class="mw-headline"> Discography </span>==
+
==Discography==
 
+
===Albums===
===<span class="mw-headline">[[KING RECORDS]] (1995-1998)</span>===
 
 
 
====<span class="mw-headline">Singles</span>====
 
 
 
* [1995.04.29] [[Just Communication]]
 
* [1995.11.22] [[Rhythm Emotion]]
 
* [1996.03.23] [[T*R*Y ~Return to Yourself~]]
 
* [1996.07.24] [[Love Revolution]]
 
* [1996.10.02] [[Rhythm Generation]]
 
* [1997.01.15] [[White Reflection]]
 
* [1997.06.04] [[True Navigation]]
 
* [1997.09.03] [[Summer Planet No.1]]
 
* [1997.11.21] [[Living Daylights]]
 
* [1998.01.21] [[Time Distortion]]
 
* [1998.05.08] [[Beat of Destiny]]
 
* [1998.07.23] [[Last Impression]]
 
 
 
====<span class="mw-headline">Albums</span>====
 
 
 
 
* [1995.08.23] [[BPM 132]]
 
* [1995.08.23] [[BPM 132]]
 
* [1996.01.24] [[BPM 143]]
 
* [1996.01.24] [[BPM 143]]
* [1996.11.21] [[BPM 150MAX]]
+
* [1996.11.21] [[BPM 150Max|BPM 150MAX]]
* [1997.12.22] [[Fantastix]]
+
* [1997.12.22] [[Fantastix|FANTASTIX]]
 
 
====<span class="mw-headline">Mini-Albums</span>====
 
 
 
* [1998.03.04] [[Fantastix II (Next)]]
 
 
 
====<span class="mw-headline">Remix Albums</span>====
 
 
 
* [1996.03.23] [[TWO→(RE)MIX|TWO→(RE)MIX]]
 
* [1997.03.26] [[BPM "Dance ∞"|BPM "Dance ∞"]]
 
 
 
====<span class="mw-headline">Compilation Albums</span>====
 
 
 
* [1997.03.13] [[BPM "Best Files"]]
 
* [1998.12.21] [[Super Best Files 1995-1998|Super Best Files 1995-1998]]
 
* [2001.01.01] [[20010101|20010101]]
 
 
 
 
 
===<span class="mw-headline">[[Warner Music Japan]] (1998-2003)</span>===
 
 
 
====<span class="mw-headline">Singles</span>====
 
 
 
* [1998.11.26] [[Truth ~A Great Detective of Love~]]
 
* [1999.05.12] [[Body Makes Stream]]
 
* [1999.05.12] [[Justice ~Future Mystery~|Justice ~Future Mystery~]] (as '''Takayama Miru with TWO-MIX''')
 
* [1999.08.25] [[Maximum Wave|Maximum Wave]]
 
* [1999.08.25] [[Kiss (Two-Mix)|Kiss]] (as '''Takayama Miru with TWO-MIX''')
 
* [1999.10.27] [[Side Formula|Side Formula]]
 
* [1999.11.10] [[Rhythmic Youth|Rhythmic Youth]] (as '''Takayama Miru with TWO-MIX''')
 
* [2000.02.23] [[37°C ~binetsu senki~|37°C ~binetsu senki~]] (as '''M★TWO -MinaMiru-''')
 
* [2000.03.08] [[Naked Dance|Naked Dance]] (as '''TWO∞MIX''')
 
* [2001.08.29] [[Gravity Zero|Gravity Zero]]
 
 
 
====<span class="mw-headline">Albums</span>====
 
 
 
 
* [1998.09.23] [[Dream Tactix]]
 
* [1998.09.23] [[Dream Tactix]]
* [1999.11.25] [[Rhythm Formula]]
+
* [1999.11.25] [[Rhythm Formula|RHYTHM FORMULA]]
* [2000.03.23] [[Single & Single]] (as '''M★TWO -MinaMiru-''')
+
* [2000.03.23] [[Single & Single]] ('''M★TWO -MinaMiru-''')
 
* [2001.10.11] [[0G]]
 
* [2001.10.11] [[0G]]
  
====<span class="mw-headline">Remix Albums</span>====
+
===Mini-Albums===
 
+
* [1998.03.04] [[Fantastix II|FANTASTIX II]]
* [1998.11.26] [[Baroque Best|Baroque Best]]
+
* [2005.07.27] [[Delta One|DELTA ONE]] ('''II MIX⊿DELTA''')
* [2000.08.09] [[BPM Cube|BPM Cube]] (as '''TWO∞MIX''')
+
* [2006.06.21] [[Delta Two -Universe-|DELTA TWO -UNIVERSE-]] ('''II MIX⊿DELTA''')
* [2001.11.21] [[BPM "Dance ∞" II|BPM "Dance ∞" II]] (as '''TWO∞MIX''')
 
 
 
====<span class="mw-headline">Compilation Albums</span>====
 
 
 
* [2002.04.24] [[7th Anniversary BEST|7th Anniversary BEST]]
 
* [2002.11.20] [[TWO-MIX Collection Box ~Categorhythm~|TWO-MIX Collection Box ~Categorhythm~]]
 
 
 
===<span class="mw-headline">[[BPM NEXT|BPM NEXT]]</span>===
 
 
 
====<span class="mw-headline">Singles</span>====
 
 
 
* [2003.05.03] [[Before The Ignition|Before The Ignition]]
 
 
 
===<span class="mw-headline">[[JAWS Records|JAWS Records]]</span>===
 
  
====<span class="mw-headline">Singles</span>====
+
===Best Albums===
 +
* [1997.03.13] [[BPM "Best Files"|BPM "BEST FILES"]]
 +
* [1998.12.21] [[Super Best Files 1995~1998|SUPER BEST FILES 1995~1998]]
 +
* [2001.01.01] [[20010101]]
 +
* [2002.04.24] [[7th Anniversary Best (TWO-MIX)|7th Anniversary BEST]]
 +
* [2002.11.20] [[Categorhythm]]
 +
* [2011.06.08] [[TWO-MIX Perfect Best]] (TWO-MIX パーフェクト・ベスト)
  
* [2007.06.06] [[Jikuu wo Koete|Jikuu wo Koete]] (as '''II MIX⊿DELTA''')
+
===Remix Albums===
 +
* [1996.03.23] [[TWO (Re)MIX|TWO→(RE)MIX]]
 +
* [1997.03.26] [[BPM "Dance Infinity"|BPM "Dance ∞"]]
 +
* [1998.11.26] [[Baroque Best]]
 +
* [2000.08.09] [[BPM Cube|BPM CUBE]] ('''TWO∞MIX''')
 +
* [2001.11.21] [[BPM "Dance Infinity" II|BPM "Dance ∞" II]] ('''TWO∞MIX''')
  
====<span class="mw-headline">Mini-Albums</span>====
+
===Singles===
 +
* [1995.04.29] [[Just Communication|JUST COMMUNICATION]]
 +
* [1995.11.22] [[Rhythm Emotion|RHYTHM EMOTION]]
 +
* [1996.03.23] [[TRY -Return to Yourself-|T・R・Y -RETURN TO YOURSELF-]]
 +
* [1996.07.24] [[Love Revolution|LOVE REVOLUTION]]
 +
* [1996.10.02] [[Rhythm Generation|RHYTHM GENERATION]]
 +
* [1997.01.15] [[White Reflection|WHITE REFLECTION]]
 +
* [1997.06.04] [[True Navigation|TRUE NAVIGATION]]
 +
* [1997.09.03] [[Summer Planet No.1|SUMMER PLANET No.1]]
 +
* [1997.11.21] [[Living Daylights|LIVING DAYLIGHTS]]
 +
* [1998.01.21] [[Time Distortion|TIME DISTORTION]]
 +
* [1998.05.08] [[Beat of Destiny|BEAT OF DESTINY]]
 +
* [1998.07.23] [[Last Impression|LAST IMPRESSION]]
 +
* [1998.11.26] [[Truth ~A Great Detective of Love~|TRUTH ~A Great Detective of Love~]]
 +
* [1999.05.12] [[Body Makes Stream|BODY MAKES STREAM]]
 +
* [1999.05.12] [[Justice ~Future Mystery~|JUSTICE ~Future Mystery~]] ('''Takayama Miru with TWO-MIX''')
 +
* [1999.08.25] [[Maximum Wave|MAXIMUM WAVE]]
 +
* [1999.08.25] [[Kiss (Takayama Miru with TWO-MIX)|Kiss]] ('''Takayama Miru with TWO-MIX''')
 +
* [1999.10.27] [[Side Formula|SIDE FORMULA]]
 +
* [1999.11.10] [[Rhythmic Youth|RHYTHMIC YOUTH]] ('''Takayama Miru with TWO-MIX''')
 +
* [2000.02.23] [[37 C ~Binetsu Senki~|37°C ~Binetsu Senki~]] (37°C ~微熱戦記~) ('''M★TWO -MinaMiru-''')
 +
* [2000.03.08] [[Naked Dance|NAKED DANCE]] ('''TWO∞MIX''')
 +
* [2001.08.29] [[Gravity Zero (TWO-MIX)|Gravity Zero]]
 +
* [2003.05.03] [[Before the Ignition|BEFORE THE IGNITION]]
 +
* [2007.06.06] [[Toki wo Koete]] (時空(とき)を超えて) ('''II MIX⊿DELTA''')
 +
* [2007.09.14] [[A Runner at Daybreak]] ('''II MIX⊿DELTA''')
 +
* [2009.08.20] [[Lightning Evolution / I'm Yours|LIGHTNING EVOLUTION / I'M YOURS]]
 +
* [2013.02.06] [[T.R.Y -Next-|T.R.Y -NEXT-]]
  
* [2005.07.27] - [[DELTA ONE]] (as '''II MIX⊿DELTA''')
+
===Digital Singles===
* [2006.06.21] - [[DELTA TWO -UNIVERSE-]] (as '''II MIX⊿DELTA''')
+
* [2009.07.28] [[Lightning Evolution / I'm Yours|LIGHTNING EVOLUTION / I'M YOURS]]
 +
* [2013.01.25] [[T.R.Y〜NEXT〜 / Across The End〜Platinum Stream〜]]
  
==<span class="mw-headline">Trivia</span>==
+
=== Compilations / Others ===
  
Throughout their history (even as far back as [[RE-X|RE-X]]), they have tended to stay away from using Japanese song titles. Up until their [[DELTA TWO -UNIVERSE-]] release, any albums that contained Japanese song titles contained ''only'' one:
+
* [1995.07.21] ''[[Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W Operation 1|Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W OPERATION 1]]''
 +
* [1995.10.05] ''[[Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W Operation 2|Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W OPERATION 2]]''
 +
* [1995.12.21] ''[[Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W Operation 3|Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W OPERATION 3]]''
 +
* [1996.03.23] ''[[Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W Operation 4|Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W OPERATION 4]]''
 +
* [1997.05.21] ''[[Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W Operation S|Shin Kidou Senki Gundam W OPERATION S]]''
 +
* [1998.08.26] ''[["Setsunai" Original Album]]'' (#4 ''CALLIN’ YOU'')
 +
* [1999.07.02] ''[[Gundam-Singles History-3|GUNDAM-SINGLES HISTORY-3]]''
 +
* [1999.07.28] ''[["Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo" Shuudaikashuu]]'' (#10 ''JUSTICE ~Future Mystery~'')
 +
* [2000.03.23] ''[[Jibaku-kun Sound Collection]]''
 +
* [2000.05.17] ''[[Dance Infinity Vol. 1 Supervised By TWO-MIX|DANCE INFINITY vol.1 supervised by TWO∞MIX]]''
 +
* [2000.05.17] ''[[Anipara]]''
 +
* [2000.09.27] ''[[Club Anipara Presents "Anipara 2"]]'' (#18 ''TRUTH ~A Great Detective of Love~'')
 +
* [2000.10.25] ''[[9 Love J CD Vol. 2 Dance Infinity Presents|9 LOVE J CD vol.2 DANCE INFINITY PRESENTS]]''
 +
* [2000.12.13] ''[[Euro Infinity|EURO∞INFINITY]]'' (#5 ''NAKED DANCE'')
 +
* [2001.03.22] ''[[Anipara 3 ~Techno Remixes File~|Anipara 3 ~TECHNO REMIXES FILE~]]''
 +
* [2001.05.23] ''[[Lupin the Dance ~Hyper Groove Energy~|LUPIN THE DANCE ~HYPER GROOVE ENERGY~]]''
 +
* [2001.07.25] ''[[Lupin the Third DJ Battle ~Non Stop Hyper Groove Mix~|LUPIN THE DJ BATTLE ~Non Stop Hyper Groove Mix~]]''
 +
* [2001.11.14] ''[[Lupin the Hyper Groove "Best"|LUPIN THE HYPER GROOVE "BEST"]]''
 +
* [2010.02.24] ''[[GUNDAM Songs 145|GUNDAM 30th ANNIVERSARY GUNDAM SONGS 145]]''
 +
* [2010.08.11] ''[[Age Son ~Agaru Ani Song Conbi~|Age★Son ~Agaru Ani Song Conbi~]]''
 +
* [2011.03.23] ''[[Terebi Asahi Anime Song -Silver-]]'' (#4 ''JUST COMMUNICATION'')
  
* "Itsumade mo" (as '''[[RE-X|RE-X]]''', released on [[Gin no Yuki Furu Furu|Gin no Yuki Furu Furu]] Drama CD)
 
* "Soshite Futari wa Kayoubi ni..." (as '''Minami Takayama''', released on [[Endless Communication]] album)
 
* "Koukyou Kumikyoku 'TWO-MIX'" (as '''TWO-MIX''', released on [[Baroque Best|Baroque Best]] remix album)
 
* "37°C ~Binetsu Senki~" (as '''M★TWO -MinaMiru-''', released on [[37°C ~binetsu senki~|37°C ~binetsu senki~]] single)
 
* "Kibou no Shizuku" (as '''II MIX⊿DELTA''', released on [[DELTA ONE]] mini-album)
 
  
==<span class="mw-headline">External Links</span>==
+
===VHS / DVD===
 +
* [1999.09.22] [[Vision Formula|VISION FORMULA]]
 +
* [2000.03.08] [[Naked Dance|NAKED DANCE]] ('''TWO∞MIX''')
 +
* [2000.03.23] [[Vision Formula|VISION FORMULA 2000 -DVD-]] ('''TWO∞MIX''')
 +
* [2001.08.08] [[White Reflection the Movie|WHITE REFLECTION THE MOVIE]]
  
* [http://www.little-station.co.jp/ TWO-MIX's Official Website]
+
==External Links==
* [http://ca.geocities.com/kaijyuu_m/two-mix/index.html The TWO-MIX Electronic Library]
+
* [http://www.little-station.co.jp/ Official Website]
* [http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Springs/6946/ TWO-MIX Little Planet]
+
* [http://www.cubic-m.net/two-mix/ The TWO-MIX Electronic Library]
 +
* [http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Springs/6946/ Little Planet]
 
* [http://www.geocities.co.jp/MusicStar-Guitar/8394/data.html TWO-MIX Release Data]
 
* [http://www.geocities.co.jp/MusicStar-Guitar/8394/data.html TWO-MIX Release Data]
  
[[Category:Groups]]
+
[[Category:Japanese Bands]]
 
[[Category:J-Pop]]
 
[[Category:J-Pop]]
 +
[[Category:Electronic]]
 +
[[Category:Two-Member Bands]]

Latest revision as of 04:16, 25 December 2017

TWO-MIX

TWO-MIX was a Japanese electronic pop band that rose to popularity in the 1990s. It was formed in 1995 by Takayama Minami and Nagano Shiina after the breakup of their last band, ES CONNEXION the year before. They are well known for having produced songs for a wide variety of anime and television shows in Japan.

Members

Other Members

  • Takayama Miru (Takayama Miru and M★TWO -MinaMiru-: vocals)
  • Joe Rinoie (II MIX ⊿ DELTA: vocals, music composition)

Information

When Abukawa Osamu left ES CONNEXION in 1994, Nagano Shiina and Takayama Minami both wanted to continue their music careers. Without Osamu, however, they could not keep ES CONNEXION from disbanding forever. Instead, they created a new band for the two of them. On April 25th, 1995, they released their first single, "JUST COMMUNICATION", under the name TWO-MIX and under KING RECORDS' prestigious distribution label.

Together once again, Nagano and Takayama were unstoppable. They released song after song, hindered at first only by Takayama's other job as a seiyuu. Unfortunately, when Meitantei Conan became an anime in 1996 and Takayama was slated as the protagonist, her free time began to lessen as the years went on. In time, this would greatly influence the amount of time TWO-MIX could devote to releasing songs.

In 1998, another catastrophe befell them. Not satisfied with KING RECORDS' treatment of them, TWO-MIX endeavored to terminate their contract and sign a five-year contract with Warner Music Japan. This prooved somewhat difficult since KING RECORDS possessed publication rights for TWO-MIX's earlier songs until at least 2001. Even though TWO-MIX was no longer part of KING RECORDS, that didn't stop their previous distributor from producing two TWO-MIX compilations (one in 1998 and one in 2001). Since early TWO-MIX songs appeared in their final compilation under Warner Music Japan in 2002, it is safe to assume that KING RECORDS' publishing rights have since expired.

In 1999, TWO-MIX began to employ the talent of a totally unknown woman, Takayama Miru. Though she shared a surname with Takayama Minami, it is merely a stage name, and no one is sure if the two bear any sort of relation. Three singles were released under the name Takayama Miru with TWO-MIX before the decision came to change the name of this group to M★TWO -MinaMiru-, signifying that Takayama Miru was a new addition to the group. However, her participation was short-lived, having released only an additional single and an album before she left the group. Where she is today is unknown.

In 2000, TWO-MIX turned their eye towards dance music, the kind that played in clubs throughout all Japan. Wanting to push into this industry, they released more techno-based dance titles under the name TWO∞MIX. This included not only normal singles and albums but also dance compilation CDs from Warner Music Japan, produced by TWO∞MIX.

Their TWO∞MIX work went well, but Meitantei Conan severely required Takayama Minami's attention, so the time she was able to devote to TWO-MIX declined steadily.

In 2002, when TWO-MIX's contract with Warner Music Japan ended, they became independent once again, creating both their own recording label, LITTLE STATION, and their own distributor, BPM NEXT. However, this too was short-lived since they were only able to produce one single during this period.

Without any releases at all in 2004, TWO-MIX fans were in hysterics. No one seemed to know what exactly was going on. However, TWO-MIX refused to perish completely. In the middle of 2005, it was announced that both Nagano Shiina and Takayama Minami were putting "TWO-MIX" on an indefinite hiatus so that they could join with ROmantic Mode's producer, Joe Rinoie to create a new band, II MIX⊿DELTA under Rinoie's label, JAWS RECORDS.

Since Meitantei Conan still requires a lot of Takayama's attention, II MIX⊿DELTA is only able to make one release per year, in the early summer. They have released two six-track mini-albums so far, one in 2005, and one in 2006.

In 2009, Shiina wrote in his blog that TWO-MIX would be revived later that year.

Style

TWO-MIX has a very interesting and unique style. It is definitely a sort of "electronic pop", or pop-type music in which many of the instruments are either synthesized or electronic-sounding. Many times, they enlist the aid of other instrumentalists to add real violins, cellos, flutes, and other instruments to their songs.

Though most of their music sounds fairly similar, they often have different sub-styles. For example, some of their songs are techno dance songs, some are slow ballads, then there's the fully orchestrated Baroque Best album, and still other songs are wholly different altogether (for example, "Mission: Cinderella" and "Do That Dance" have a distinctly Spanish feel). It seems that they often enjoy experimenting with different styles to achieve something unique. Though the casual listener might not realize it, TWO-MIX's true aficionados can certainly tell that each song has it's own particular feel, style, and rhythm.

Discography

Albums

Mini-Albums

Best Albums

Remix Albums

Singles

Digital Singles

Compilations / Others


VHS / DVD

External Links