Manabu Yamaguchi (山口学, Yamaguchi Manabu, born August 29, 1984), better known by his alias Mabanua (stylized in lowercase; Japanese pronunciation: [mabaꜜnɯa]), is a Japanese music producer, drummer, and singer. He released his first album Done Already in November 2008, and has participated in production for artists including Kenshi Yonezu, Gen Hoshino, Imase, and Official Hige Dandism. He is also member of the three-person band Ovall.
Mabanua | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Manabu Yamaguchi (山口学) |
| Born | August 29, 1984 Saitama Prefecture, Japan |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument | Drums |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | Origami Productions |
| Member of | Ovall |
| Website | mabanua |
Early life and career
editManabu Yamaguchi was born in Saitama Prefecture, Japan, on August 29, 1984.[1] His alias, Mabanua, is an anagram of his real name.[2] Yamaguchi described both of his parents as music fans, which resulted in the first CD he bought being "Totsuzen" by Field of View, since his father was a fan of composer Tetsurō Oda who had written it. Yamaguchi began listening to the rock bands Mr. Children and the Beatles, who he grew particularly fond of. A Sigma by Martin acoustic guitar from his grandfather was Yamaguchi's first instrument, though he had become interested in drums after watching live recordings of the Beatles' Ringo Starr. His first band experience was with friends in middle school, who together frequently played covers of Oasis.[3] In his second year of high school, Yamaguchi transferred to NHK Gakuen—a distance education school operated by the public broadcaster NHK—after hearing of its music club. After graduation, he attended a music school for around two and a half years.[4]
In 2006, Yamaguchi joined the band Ovall. Signed to Origami Productions, he launched a solo career in 2008 and released his debut album Done Already.[2][5] Apart from his solo and band activities, Yamaguchi has particpated in recordings by other artists, such as on Official Hige Dandism's "Bedroom Talk" (arrangement; 2021),[6] Original Love's Music, Dance, & Love (drums; 2022),[7] Imase's "Utopia" (drums; 2023),[8] and Kenshi Yonezu's "Lady" (drums; 2023).[9] Yamaguchi is a recurring collaborator of singer-songwriter Gen Hoshino, for whom he has co-arranged and programmed songs.[10][11]
Personal life
editIn 2012, Yamaguchi moved to Kiryū, Gunma. He established a home studio there in 2019, where he is still based as of January 2022.[1]
Studio albums
editUncharted works adapted from Oricon.[12]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPN Hot [13] | |||||||||||
| Done Already |
|
— | |||||||||
| Only the Facts |
|
— | |||||||||
| Blurred |
|
52 | |||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not eligible to chart. | |||||||||||
References
edit- ^ a b "音楽プロデューサーMabanua (マバヌア) 氏の自宅兼スタジオに市長が訪問します。" [The Mayor Visits Music Producer Mabanua's Home Studio] (PDF) (in Japanese). Kiryū City Government. January 4, 2022. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "Mabanua (Profile)". CDJournal (in Japanese). March 6, 2013. Retrieved September 8, 2024 – via Tower Records Japan.
- ^ Yamaguchi, Manabu (September 19, 2020). "Mabanuaのルーツをたどる" [Mabanua Traces His Roots]. Natalie.mu (Interview) (in Japanese). Retrieved September 9, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Yamaguchi, Manabu (July 21, 2021). "Mabanuaさんインタビュー NHK学園創立60周年記念" [Interview with Mabanua – NHK Gakuen 60th Anniversary] (video) (Interview) (in Japanese). NHK Gakuen. Retrieved September 9, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ Itou, Sadamasa (December 2008). "Mabanua — Done Already". Bounce (in Japanese). Retrieved October 24, 2024 – via Tower Records Japan.
- ^ "Official髭男dism、初の全編イラストレーション「Bedroom Talk」リリックビデオ公開" [Official Hige Dandism Releases Lyric Video for "Bedroom Talk", Their First Fully Animated Video]. Billboard Japan (in Japanese). November 29, 2021. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ "Drummer's Disc Guide — 2022-23 Winter". Rhythm & Drums Magazine (in Japanese). Rittor Music. January 24, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ "鳥山明 伝説の名作、映画『SAND LAND』主題歌に新曲「ユートピア」を書き下ろし! 7月7日に配信決定!" [Imase's New Song "Utopia" to Serve As Theme Song to the Film Sand Land; Releases July 7] (in Japanese). Universal Music Japan. June 23, 2023. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ "近年の米津楽曲を支える名うてが集結! 米津玄師『LOST CORNER』が発売" [Kenshi Yonezu's Supporting Musicians Over the Past Years Gather on New Album Lost Corner]. Rhythm & Drums Magazine (in Japanese). Rittor Music. August 23, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ "星野 源ニュー・シングル「光の跡／生命体」はmabanua＆石若＆カースケが参加!" [Mabanua, Shun Ishiwaka, and Kasuke Feature on New Gen Hoshino Single "Why" / "Life"]. Rhythm & Drums Magazine (in Japanese). Rittor Music. December 29, 2023. Archived from the original on February 26, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
- ^ "星野源の新曲は今回もmabanuaとのタッグ! 打ち込みが紡ぐダンス・グルーヴ!" [Gen Hoshino Again Partners with Mabanua for Dance Groove]. Rhythm & Drums Magazine (in Japanese). Rittor Music. October 24, 2024.
- ^ "mabanuaの作品" [Works by Mabanua] (in Japanese). Oricon. n.d. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
- ^ "Mabanua Chart History (Hot Albums)". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). n.d. Retrieved October 24, 2024. Select Hot Albums on the dropdown menu under 週間チャート