Stereopony
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 in Okinawa, Japan |
| Defunct | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Okinawa , Japan |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
| Owner | Sony Records |
was a Japanese pop rock group established in Okinawa, Japan, in 2007 and dissolved in 2012. The ensemble comprised Aimi Haraguni (lead vocals and guitar), Nohana Kitajima (bass guitar), and Shiho Yamanoha (drums). Affiliated with the Sony Records label, they produced 11 singles alongside three full-length albums.
Members
- Date of birth: September 4, 1990
- Place of origin: Naha, Okinawa, Japan
- Date of birth: September 16, 1989
- Place of origin: Shimabara, Nagasaki, Japan
- Date of birth: October 18, 1990
- Place of origin: Nago, Okinawa, Japan
2007–2010
Originally called Mixbox, the band secured the top prize at the 2007 Young People Music Festival before adopting the name Stereopony. In 2008, they took part in the Okinawa Sound Stage performing "Sayonara no Kisetsu," which was slated as their debut single but ultimately never released. Their official major debut was confirmed in June 2008. The single "Hitohira no Hanabira," issued on November 5, 2008, was featured as the 17th ending theme for the anime Bleach, achieving a peak position of No. 25 on Oricon’s weekly singles chart and placing second in Rocochoku's Newcomer Competition.
Their follow-up single "Namida no Mukou," released February 11, 2009, served as the second opening theme for season two of Mobile Suit Gundam 00. The third single "I Do It," a collaboration with Sony artist Yui and produced by Hisashi Kondo, was launched on April 22, 2009. In March that year, they showcased their music at SXSW in Austin as part of the Japan Nite event.
The debut album Hydrangea ga Saiteiru entered Oricon’s weekly album rankings at No. 7. The track "Seishun ni, Sono Namida ga Hitsuyou da!" was featured in a television commercial for Lipton iced tea. After completing their inaugural tour titled "A Hydrangea Blooms," they released "Smilife" in August 2009 as the theme song for the anime film Yatterman: Shin Yatter Mecha Daishūgō!. Their fifth single "Tsukiakari no Michishirube," which came out November 4, 2009, was used as the opening theme for Darker than Black: Ryūsei no Gemini, reaching No. 8 on Oricon charts.
In 2010, singles such as "Hanbunko," a cover of a Bivattchee track; "Over Drive," selected as the opening theme for the drama Pro Golfer Hana; and "Chiisana Mahō," released December 8 and used as the first opening for anime Tegami Bachi: Reverse, were issued. Their sophomore studio album Over The Border arrived on June 9 and ranked No. 12 on Oricon. They performed at AnimeNEXT in the United States; however, their nationwide tour had to be postponed due to Shiho’s tendinitis.
2011–2012
At the start of 2011, Stereopony planned a joint concert with labelmates Scandal at Shibuya-AX titled , which was delayed until June because of the Tōhoku earthquake. In April, they appeared as special guests at Anime Boston and contributed a theme song to the film .
In August 2011, they collaborated with Kariyushi58 to release "Tatoeba Utaenakunattara" and recorded a cover of Zone's "Akashi" for a tribute album. Aimi launched an official blog that July. Their tenth single "Arigatō," featuring actor Hiroshi Abe in both its music video and version B cover art, was released September 28. The third studio album More! More!! More!!!, issued December 7, included the track "I Am A Hero," which served as an ending theme for Pokémon Smash!.
The eleventh single "Stand By Me," released May 30, 2012, was used as an ending theme for Eureka Seven: AO. That year they performed at Anime Festival Asia Indonesia and contributed a cover of Yui's "Again" to her tribute album She Loves You. Following a month-long hiatus due to Aimi’s throat polyp surgery, Stereopony disbanded in October 2012. Their final split single featured Evanpony—a collaboration with Evan Taubenfeld—and a compilation album titled Best of Stereopony was released November 21. Their farewell concert occurred on December 27 at Akasaka Blitz in Tokyo.
Discography
- Studio Albums
- (2009)
- Over The Border (2010)
- More! More!! More!!! (2011)
- Compilation Album
- Best of Stereopony (2012)
Further Reading
- Conversation with Stereopony, Nippon Project, August 5, 2010
- Stereopony Interview, Anime Herald, May 1, 2011
- Stereopony Interview at Anime Boston, Nippon Project, May 13, 2011
- Very Good Days Interview with Stereopony at Anime Boston 2011, May 24, 2011 (archived)
- Very Good Days Interview with Stereopony at Sakura-Con 2012, April 7, 2012 (archived)