Sweet Velvet
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Defunct | 2001 |
| Headquarters | Japan |
| Products | Pop music |
| Parent | Being Inc. (via Giza Studio) |
Sweet Velvet was a Japanese pop group signed to the Giza Studio label, active from 1998 until 2001.
Biography
Established in 1998, Sweet Velvet's sound was influenced by French pop music from the 1960s. The band's name was inspired by the smooth, velvety quality of lead singer Mizuki Akimoto's voice.
In February 1999, they made their debut alongside fellow acts New Cinema Tokage and Grass Arcade, becoming the first "Number One Artists" (第1号アーティスト) launched by the newly created Giza Studio label, a division of distributor Being Inc.. Their major debut single, I Just Feel So Love Again ~Soba ni Iru Dake de~, was issued in both 8 cm and 12 cm maxi single formats. This track was featured as the ending theme for the anime Mamotte Shugogetten. Notably, composer Aika Ohno later recorded her own English-language rendition of this song on her album Shadows of Dreams.
By June 1999, Sweet Velvet released a mini album titled Sweet Velvet through the indie label Garage Indies Zipping Association, accompanied by the single Flame of Love, which also served as an anime ending theme. The broadcast (ON AIR) version of this song differed from the single release in terms of key and lyrics. The following month, they appeared on television for the only time on Tokyo Broadcasting System Television's music show CDTV. The track "Flame of Love" was subsequently included in the 2011 compilation album Giza Studio Presents: Girls.
Their last single, "Lazy Drive," came out in August 1999 and was selected as the opening theme for TV Asahi’s morning news program Yajiuma Wide, which aired from April through December that year.
In February 2000, Sweet Velvet launched their sole studio album, I Just Feel So "Sweet". The album reached number 100 on the Oricon Weekly Charts.
The band ceased activities without formal notice in 2001 and their official website was taken down thereafter.
Members
The lineup consisted of four individuals:
- Mizuki Akimoto – lead vocals and lyricist
- Shinichi Inoue – guitar
- Ryōsuke Shimizu – drums
- Naoyuki Tsukada – keyboards, bass guitar, backing vocals, synthesizer
Discography
Their catalog includes one studio album, one indie mini album, and three singles.
Singles
| # | Release Date | Title | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | February 10, 1999 | I Just Feel So Love Again ~Soba ni Iru Dake de~ | 25 |
| 2nd | June 23, 1999 | Flame Of Love | 46 |
| 3rd | August 23, 1999 | Lazy Drive | 79 |
Albums
| # | Release Date | Title | Peak |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | February 26, 2000 | I Just Feel So "Sweet" | 100 |
Mini albums
| # | Release Date | Title | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | June 12, 1999 | Sweet Velvet | ICR-003 |
Analogue
| # | Release Date | Title | Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | February 16, 1999 | SWEETER BABY/SO GOOD | IKR-003 |
Television appearance
- Count Down TV: Flame of love (1999/07/03)
Magazine appearances
Featured in issues of J-Rock Magazine (September and October 1999) as well as Music Freak Magazine (February, May, June, August 1999; February 2000).