VOL.115 more GARNET CROW life: GARNET CROW × MFM 1999～2004 年历程

From music freak magazine Vol. 115

more GARNET CROW life

GARNET CROW × MFM: 1999–2004

1999

December 4: Their first independent mini-album, *first kaleidscope 〜君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく〜*, was released. In February 2000, it ranked No. 1 on the independent music chart of Kyoto FM station α-station for three consecutive weeks.

December 10: music freak magazine Vol. 61 featured *first kaleidscope 〜君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく〜*, marking GARNET CROW’s first appearance in the magazine.

2000

March 10: music freak magazine Vol. 64 featured *Mysterious Eyes* and *君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく*.

March 29: Their major-label debut single, *Mysterious Eyes*, and their second single, *君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく*, were released simultaneously. *Mysterious Eyes* was selected as a featured recommendation by two FM stations, while *君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく* became the song most heavily recommended by FM stations nationwide in April, receiving broad support. *Mysterious Eyes* debuted at No. 20 on the Oricon singles chart and remained in the Top 100 for ten consecutive weeks, achieving long-term sales; *君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく* debuted at No. 40.

May 10: music freak magazine Vol. 66 featured *二人のロケット*.

May 17: Their third single, *二人のロケット*, was released.

September 10: music freak magazine Vol. 70 featured *千以上の言葉を並べても...*.

September 27: Their fourth single, *千以上の言葉を並べても...*, was released.

October 10: music freak magazine Vol. 71 featured an interview about *夏の幻*.

“If I were to describe this song with a color, I think it would be ‘a clear blue.’” (Yuri Nakamura)

October 25: Their fifth single, *夏の幻*, was released.

November 8: Hitoshi Okamoto’s first solo single, *First fine day*, was released.

November 10: music freak magazine Vol. 72 featured an article about *flying* and an interview about Hitoshi Okamoto’s *First fine day*.

November 29: Their sixth single, *flying*, was released.

2001

January 10: music freak magazine Vol. 74 featured an interview about *first soundscope 〜水のない晴れた海へ〜*.

“The title contains this wish: I wanted to make an album where, if you looked inside it, you could see all kinds of sounds and have all kinds of sounds come pouring out.” (Yuri Nakamura)

January 31: Their first album, *first soundscope 〜水のない晴れた海へ〜*, was released, debuting at No. 6 on the Oricon albums chart. AZUKI Nana’s official photo-and-poetry collection *80,0* was also released.

May 9: Their seventh single, *Last love song*, was released.

May 10: GARNET CROW appeared on the cover and in the opening feature of music freak magazine Vol. 78, which included an article about *Last love song*.

June 10: music freak magazine Vol. 79 featured Hitoshi Okamoto’s *Sweet×2 Summer Rain*.

June 20: Hitoshi Okamoto’s second single, *Sweet×2 Summer Rain*, was released.

August 8: Their eighth single, *call my name*, was released.

August 10: music freak magazine Vol. 81 featured *call my name*.

September 10: GARNET CROW’s serialized feature “word scope in M.F.M” began in music freak magazine Vol. 82!

October 10: music freak magazine Vol. 84 featured *Timeless Sleep*.

November 21: Their ninth single, *Timeless Sleep*, was released.

December 5: The compilation *GIZA studio R&B RESPECT Vol.1〜six sisters selections〜* was released, featuring Yuri Nakamura’s cover of Groove Theory’s *Tell Me*.

December 15: Yuri Nakamura appeared at “GIZA studio R&B PARTY at the hills パン工場［堀江］Vol.1,” where she performed Groove Theory’s *Tell Me*.

December 19: The compilation *GIZA studio Masterpiece BLEND 2001* was released, featuring *call my name*, *水のない晴れた海へ*, and Hitoshi Okamoto’s *Sweet×2 Summer Rain*.

2002

March 10: GARNET CROW appeared on the cover and in the opening feature of music freak magazine Vol. 88, which included an interview about *夢みたあとで* and an article about Hitoshi Okamoto’s *a first fine day*.

“The image this song brings to mind made me want a shower of flowers to fall.” (AZUKI Nana)

March 13: Their tenth single, *夢みたあとで*, was released, debuting at No. 6 on the Oricon singles chart.

March 15: They appeared on the TV Asahi network program *ミュージックステーション*, making their first appearance on a live television broadcast.

March 20: Hitoshi Okamoto’s first album, *a first fine day*, was released.

April 10: music freak magazine Vol. 89 featured an interview about *SPARKLE 〜筋書き通りのスカイブルー〜*.

“Many of the songs on this album have a moist, vivid quality, so we wanted a title that carried that same feeling.” (Yuri Nakamura)

April 24: Their second album, *SPARKLE 〜筋書き通りのスカイブルー〜*, was released, debuting at No. 4 on the Oricon albums chart.

May 10: Yuri Nakamura took part in music freak magazine Vol. 90’s “The Musician To The Musician” feature.

July 17: The compilation *GIZA studio MAI-K&FRIENDS HOTROD BEACH PARTY* was released, featuring Yuri Nakamura’s cover of JAN AND DEAN’s *THE LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASADENA（パサデナのおばあちゃん）*.

July 26 to September 10: At “SEA BREEZE PRESENTS MAI-K&FRIENDS HOTROD BEACH PARTY,” Yuri Nakamura joined Mai Kuraki, Rina Aiuchi, and other female GIZA artists to form the 9 sisters. Together with musicians including Experience, they took part in outdoor performances for the first time, at venues including Awaji Yumebutai and Zushi Marina. Nakamura performed a cover of JAN AND DEAN’s *THE LITTLE OLD LADY FROM PASADENA（パサデナのおばあちゃん）*. Including the indoor dates, the event visited five venues across Japan.

Schedule: July 26, Awaji Yumebutai / July 30, Zushi Marina / August 26, Hokkaido Koseinenkin Hall / September 2, Nagoya Century Hall / September 10, Fukuoka Sunpalace.

From music freak magazine Vol. 115

“more GARNET CROW life” was a project launched by music freak magazine in support of GARNET CROW. To commemorate the group’s fifth anniversary, it presents their activities year by year and selects the issues in which they appeared. Let’s look back together.

August 10: GARNET CROW appeared on the cover and in the opening feature of music freak magazine Vol. 93, which included an article about *スパイラル*.

August 14: Their eleventh single, *スパイラル*, was released, debuting at No. 7 on the Oricon singles chart.

October 10–31: They held their first tour, *GARNET CROW LIVE TOUR 2002 〜first livescope〜*. Every show sold out on the day tickets went on sale, demonstrating the tour’s tremendous response and success.

Shows: October 10, Namba HATCH / October 21, Akasaka BLITZ / October 31, Zepp Fukuoka.

Setlist: 1. call my name; 2. 夏の幻; 3. Last love song; 4. 君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく; 5. flying; 6. wish★; 7. 水のない晴れた海へ; 8. スカイ・ブルー; 9. Holy ground; 10. Timeless Sleep; 11. Naked Story; 12. Rhythm; 13. 二人のロケット; 14. Mysterious Eyes. Encore: 1. 夢みたあとで; 2. スパイラル.

November 10: music freak magazine Vol. 95 featured a report from *GARNET CROW LIVE TOUR 2002 〜first livescope〜*.

November 10: They performed at Kobe University’s campus festival, “Rokkosai,” where the outdoor stage drew an audience of 5,000.

November 25: They held *MITSUBISHI MORTORS "COLT" presents FM Festival '02 GARNET CROW Special Live* at Nagoya Club Quattro.

November 27: The concert DVD *GIZA studio MAI-K&FRIENDS HOTROD BEACH PARTY Vol.1〜2002 夏〜* was released.

December 10: music freak magazine Vol. 97 featured an interview about *クリスタル・ゲージ*.

“A great deal of it was drawn out by her voice. When I was actually writing, I mostly surrendered myself to her voice.” (AZUKI Nana)

December 11: Their twelfth single, *クリスタル・ゲージ*, was released, debuting at No. 10 on the Oricon singles chart.

December 11–16: Additional performances of *GARNET CROW LIVE TOUR 2002 〜first livescope〜* were held: December 11, SHIBUYA-AX / December 16, Namba HATCH.

2003

January 10: music freak magazine Vol. 98 featured a report from the Akasaka BLITZ show of *GARNET CROW LIVE TOUR 2002 〜first livescope〜*.

January 29: Together with Mai Kuraki and Rina Aiuchi, they took part in “Windows Media 9 Series DIGITAL MEDIA Night,” held at Akasaka ACT Theater. The performance served as a public dress rehearsal for a Valentine’s concert and was streamed live over the internet.

February 10: Hitoshi Okamoto took part in music freak magazine Vol. 99’s “Player's rhapsody” feature.

February 13–18: In *MITSUBISHI MORTORS "COLT" presents GIZA studio バレンタインコンサート*, they performed with Mai Kuraki and Rina Aiuchi, appearing for the first time at major venues including Nippon Budokan and Osaka Festival Hall.

Shows: February 13 and 14, Nippon Budokan / February 17 and 18, Osaka Festival Hall.

GARNET CROW setlist: 1. 水のない晴れた海へ; 2. 千以上の言葉を並べても...; 3. flying; 4. Timeless Sleep; 5. Holy ground; 6. 夢みたあとで; 7. 未完成な音色; 8. Mysterious Eyes; 9. 二人のロケット; 10. スパイラル.

February 26: Their first concert DVD, *first live scope and document movie*, was released. GARNET CROW’s first DVD documented their first tour in autumn 2002. Including behind-the-scenes footage, it ran for 100 minutes and ranked No. 2 on the music DVD chart.

July 10: music freak magazine Vol. 104 featured an interview about *泣けない夜も 泣かない朝も*.

“The flow of the lyrics and melody sometimes brings about major changes in the arrangement, but GARNET CROW has always managed to fit those elements together in a wonderfully mysterious way.” (Hirohito Furui)

July 23: Their thirteenth single, *泣けない夜も 泣かない朝も*, was released, debuting at No. 13 on the Oricon singles chart.

September 10: Their fourteenth single, *君という光*, was released, debuting at No. 7 on the Oricon singles chart.

September 10: music freak magazine Vol. 106 featured an interview about *君という光*.

“When I sang the chorus of this song, I almost cried. The melody and lyrics fit together so perfectly that singing it is genuinely painful.” (Yuri Nakamura)

October 8: TAK MATSUMOTO featuring Mai Kuraki’s *イミテイション・ゴールド* was released, with a bonus track featuring Yuri Nakamura’s cover of Carmen Maki & OZ’s *私は風*.

October 10: music freak magazine Vol. 107 featured an interview about *Crystallize 〜君という光〜*.

“The song is always the protagonist. I hope everyone will feel the world of the song itself.” (Yuri Nakamura)

November 12: Their third album, *Crystallize 〜君という光〜*, was released, debuting at No. 5 on the Oricon albums chart.

November 16: TAK MATSUMOTO’s *THE HIT PARADE* was released, featuring Yuri Nakamura’s cover of Carmen Maki & OZ’s *私は風*.

December 10: The compilation *THE BEST OF DETECTIVE CONAN2 〜名探偵コナンテーマ曲集2〜* was released, featuring *夢みたあとで* and *君という光*.

December 17: The compilation *GIZA studio MAsterpiece BLEND 2003* was released, featuring *泣けない夜も 泣かない朝も* and *永遠を駆け抜ける一瞬の僕ら*.

2004

January 10: music freak magazine Vol. 110 featured an interview about *僕らだけの未来*.

“We are going to hold concerts soon, too. This song is also a way of encouraging ourselves, and I hope we can use its momentum to keep running forward.” (Yuri Nakamura)

January 14: Their fifteenth single, *僕らだけの未来*, was released, debuting at No. 7 on the Oricon singles chart.

January 22: “OKAMOTO NIGHT” was held as part of THURSDAY Live at hills パン工場. Hitoshi Okamoto was the main performer, with Yuri Nakamura, AZUKI Nana, and Hirohito Furui taking part as guests. It was a special performance featuring all of GARNET CROW shortly before their nationwide tour.

Setlist: Hitoshi Okamoto’s vocal numbers were 1. Interlude-click me; 2. First fine day; 3. Say Something（haven）; 4. Midnight Caller（Bad Finger）; 5. 翼; 6. 千以上の言葉を並べても...; 7. 未完成な音色. Yuri Nakamura’s vocal numbers were 8. Mysterious Eyes; 9. 君という光; 10. call my name; 11. 水のない晴れた海へ; 12. Timeless Sleep; 13. 夢みたあとで; 14. 二人のロケット. Encore: 1. 僕らだけの未来.

January 27 to February 13: They held the tour *GARNET CROW livescope 2004 〜君という光〜*. Their second tour added more cities and recreated the now-mature sound world of GARNET CROW.

Shows: January 27, Osaka Koseinenkin Hall Grand Hall / February 2, Mielparque Hall FUKUOKA / February 4, Hiroshima ASTER PLAZA Grand Hall / February 7, Aichi Koseinenkin Hall Grand Hall / February 13, Shibuya Kokaido.

Setlist: 1. Timeless Sleep; 2. 泣けない夜も 泣かない朝も; 3. flying; 4. Endless Desire; 5. 水のない晴れた海へ; 6. 未完成な音色; 7. 君という光; 8. 今日の君と明日を待つ; 9. Marionette Fantasia; 10. 永遠を駆け抜ける一瞬の僕ら; 11. 千以上の言葉を並べても... (Hitoshi Okamoto on vocals); 12. 夢みたあとで; 13. 永遠に葬れ; 14. 君の家に着くまでずっと走ってゆく; 15. 夏の幻; 16. Mysterious Eyes; 17. 僕らだけの未来; 18. スパイラル. Encore: 1. 雨上がりのBlue (new song); 2. Holy ground; 3. 二人のロケット.

March 10: music freak magazine Vol. 112 featured a report from *GARNET CROW livescope 2004 〜君という光〜*.

May 10: music freak magazine Vol. 114 featured an interview about *君を飾る花を咲かそう*.

“This work strongly conveys the wish that everyone will reaffirm the presence in their lives of the people they cherish—their family, friends, benefactors, and lovers.” (Yuri Nakamura)

June 16: Their sixteenth single, *君を飾る花を咲かそう*, and their second concert DVD, *GARNET CROW livescope 2004 〜君という光〜*, were released.