The Official MAA Thread

[koumori]

More information on MAA's old band MarBell, just from a random wiki-search:

"Marbell was formed in 2006 by vocalist Mar and Tsunoda Takanori, the producer and arranger of the band. They were later joined by Azusa and Yu-Ya before releasing their debut studio album Sister on May 14, 2008. The band has toured throughout Japan, mainly performing live in Tokyo, and performed at the Otakon 2008 convention in the United States. Four of the songs from their debut album were performed by the band at the Hide Memorial Summit from May 3, 2008, which was "an amazing opportunity for Marbell to play for a huge audience" but also to commemorate Hide who the band draw inspiration from. The band remained unactive from 2009.

On March 10, 2010 it was officially announced that Marbell had disbanded after four years together. Vocalist Mar has since began a solo project under the name MAA."


I was looking for any information to see if MAA had written lyrics since MarBell, but I can't find any evidence of that, but I did learn that MarBell's debut album was produced by Tsunoda Takanori. It seemed he was the band's producer as well as lead guitarist I might ask her on Twitter though...since she wrote the lyrics for Monkey Kingdom, I don't see why she wouldn't as the main vocalist to an independently-signed band.

But I'm surprised to read they'd also performed in the US. I guess she wouldn't be as adverse as other Japanese-based singers to extending her career in the West if she got a steady fanbase.

[y_nathz]

Originally Posted by Koumori

Whether I'm biased or not idk, but I wish they'd released another album before they broke-up

ikr! they're awesome as a rock band!

[emi♡]

they really are O_o

it's just mind blowing cause there's so many rock bands everywhere, let alone in Japan, that are just...boring.

They really switch up their tunes, and styles and influences, and it's awesome. Maybe...idk maybe they can do another song one day...

[y_nathz]

^I hope so too..

[Corvina]

I really like the Marbell stuff as well, but her singing voice isn't that good in those songs, it's troubling me. A pity, cause the songs are great.

[ayufan-]

Marbell has some greats song, but in general i don't really like rock music, still Marbell keeps my attention

[koumori]

Originally Posted by Corvina

I really like the Marbell stuff as well, but her singing voice isn't that good in those songs, it's troubling me. A pity, cause the songs are great.

I've heard her sing live last year and her voice seems really good. But I hear also that she's straining a little in some of the MarBell songs. Probably didn't have the money to put that complete "CD tune-up" on it

[waterballoon]

^ I like it like that, cos it sounds raw

The MarBell album is pretty solid!

[yuki_unmei]

Just now listening to the MarBell album. It's pretty good. and it's kinda nice to hear how her voice is without the autotone/whatever it's called.

[koumori]

Originally Posted by waterballoon

^ I like it like that, cos it sounds raw

Yeah, it's cool to hear a practically live performance

Originally Posted by yuki_unmei

Just now listening to the MarBell album. It's pretty good. and it's kinda nice to hear how her voice is without the autotone/whatever it's called.

I think when it's used purposely to fit in with the electro-dance genre, kind of how Perfume do it but not to their extent, it's called vocal-manipulation. I think auto-tune is to fix bad notes and off-key singing.

[ayufan-]

information about Marbell:

Members

Vocalist: Mar
Guitarist: Tsunoda Takanari
Bassist: AZUSA
Drummer: Yu-ya


Characterized as gothic and shoegaze, visual band MarBell's music is earnest, dark, and mixes edgy with melodic elements in a perfect balance. From straight punk-ish rock numbers to swing-like shuffle tracks and sorrowful ballads, the band's potential seems unlimited.

Adorned with gothic jewelry and tattoos, female vocalist Mar is often dressed in the immediately identifiable outfits of the world renowned fashion brand, h.NAOTO, and to date she has proven to be not only a talented and unique singer, but also a charismatic and mesmerizing live performer. Depending on the song, her voice will move you to tears or compel you to dance, and each track will leave you wanting more.

Biography

Tsunoda (guitarist) met Mar (vocals) in Tokyo during the summer of 2006 while he was a DJ. One day looking down from his booth he noticed her as she was the only girl there. Ill-matched with the summer and black music in a long black skirt, she didn't blend in with the scenery. Her expression was sad and she said to Tsunoda, "I want to sing." To express her thoughts, he wrote lyrics that rescued her words one by one, and eventually a song had been written.

When Mar was young, she'd invented a big sister who was her constant companion. She had two older brothers who'd left, and the one who aimed to be a racer was the person who understood her the most. Recording progressed bit by bit and her brother looked forward to its completion more than anyone. Before she knew it, that relationship with her brother had made the existence of a big sister unnecessary.

But in the midst of recording the first album, her brother left and didn't return. Her desire to sing, the loneliness that made her need a big sister, the loss of her brother. She still hasn't found suitable words to explain all of these things.

Mar carved her brother's name into her body, and sang out everything in the songs on her first album. Watching her sing while thinking of the brother whose short lifetime had ended, the DJ Tsunoda pictured again his own musical roots. Removing the needle from the turntables, he picked up his guitar and formed MarBell with her.


Though MarBell formed originally with Mar and Tsunoda who is also the producer and arranger, they've now been joined by bassist AZUSA and drummer yu-ya. Their first full album, Sister was released in May this year. Four of the songs from the album were performed by the band at the hide Memorial Summit in early May, which was not only an amazing opportunity for MarBell to play for a huge audience, but also to commemorate hide who has so greatly inspired Tsunoda.

The band has made a video for the song Miss All Birthday, which aired on the television shows "GIRLS WAVE" and "MUSIC FIGHTER," and in April and May Mar appeared in visual kei magazine Cure. Now the band is focusing on live activities; already scheduled are the Rock Kingdom 2008 vol.3 -Rock day Special!!- show and a Like an Edison store "SPECIAL LIVE" in June, followed by Night of Goth N' Romanesque in July. We hope these will be followed up by many more lives and releases in the future from this talented band.

source: http://www.soompi.com/forums/topic/239487-marbell/


So basicly her brother died?

[prussian blue]

She had two older brothers who'd left,

that must be really hard for her. Anyway happy b'day MAA-chan

[koumori]

Originally Posted by ayufan-

So basicly her brother died?

Yeah, we think so - she's mentioned him on twitter, his name was Frankie, or that's what she calls him

Thanks for sharing the article as well, a very interesting read.

And yeah~ Happy 25th birthday MAA

[y_nathz]

oh, thanks for sharing

and happy birthday MAA

[ayufan-]

Originally Posted by Koumori

Yeah, we think so - she's mentioned him on twitter, his name was Frankie, or that's what she calls him

Thanks for sharing the article as well, a very interesting read.

And yeah~ Happy 25th birthday MAA

She used that name in the lyrics of Monkeybone City!

__________

HaPpY BirThdAy 25th MAA

[koumori]

Originally Posted by ayufan-

She used that name in the lyrics of Monkeybone City!

Well..yes..she said the album was for 'people in heaven', so it'd make sense at why his name would be there.

[NintendoHTF1242]

Wow, I never knew all this about the mini-album lol. Makes me appreciate it even more.

[GREENsora]

Happy Birthday MAA!

[Cherry Dynamite]

I'm late but happy birthday MAA <3

[koumori]

For anyone interested, this is MAA appearing in KERA magazine when she was still in MarBell. Credit to VioletMoonlight @ MAAworldwide.