Mugi the Cat

Mugi the Cat (むぎ(猫)) is a Japanese singer-songwriter. His main instrument is the xylophone. Born in Tokyo, he now lives in Uruma City, Okinawa, Japan.

Mugi the Cat
むぎ（猫）
Mugi the Cat
Background information
Born1997/2014
Tokyo, Japan
GenresJ-Pop
Instrumentsxylophone, drums, piano
Years active2014 -present
LabelsSpeedstar Records
Websitewww.mugithecat.com

History

Pre-music

The artist Mugi the Cat is based on a real cat that lived from 1997 to 2009. His owner, Yusaku, created Mugi in memory of that cat. As a reference, Mugi carries the sub-title "The Cat which came back from Heaven".
In 2014, he made his first appearance in his current form.

Initially, he had no plans to become a musician. He only wanted to go for walks and say hello to people.[1] But soon, he became popular on Twitter and was invited to events related to cats. To be more entertaining than just standing there, he started performing music, singing, talking and dancing.

As a musician

After that, his music career started, with performances at all kinds of events and festivals, including those with an international audience. In 2017, he was the first cat to ever play at Fuji Rock Festival.[2] Other festival appearances include Rising Sun Rock Festival,[3] Wild Bunch Festival and Matsumoto Ringo Festival.

2017 Oct.: joined SPEEDSTAR MUSIC[4]
2019 March: major debut album on SPEEDSTAR RECORDS, "君に会いに"[5][6]
2019 March: launch of official fanclub "Hachiware-Tengoku"[7]
2019 June/July: first nation-wide tour in Japan[8]
2019 April: started hosting the radio show "blanks", weekly on FM Okinawa[9]

Music

Creating music

Mugi writes and records his music at home, including playing the piano, the xylophone and the drums.
The guitar parts are played by his friend Satoshi (新垣智), who can also frequently be seen in the short films used during the live shows.
Mugi's music includes many different genres, like pop, rock, hip-hop, etc.
Most songs are about a cat's view of the world. All songs are suitable for children, but not made for children. The lyrics are simple at first glance but meaningful when looking deeper, and include many word-plays.[10]
Mugi is an advocate for kindness and peace, which is also reflected in his songs.[11] The pose he often takes after finishing a song (see photo) is a tribute to the peace statue in Nagasaki Peace Park.

Live performances

During the live performances, Mugi sings and plays the xylophone, sometimes also an Eisa drum. The rest of the music comes from the sound system.
He uses a lot of home-made accessories to underline his songs, and is also dancing to most of the songs.[12]
During the break in case of long concerts, home-made short films are played.
After many concerts, Mugi takes the time to say hello to his fans, have photos taken and give signatures.

Appearance on national TV
TV appearances
Song titleTV stationProgram nameSong used asDate
君に会いにFuji TVジャンクSPORTSending theme[13]April 2019
ねっこほってNHK Eテレねこねこ日本史ending theme[14]since November 13, 2019
るすばん天国Fuji TVLove Musiclive performance & greeting[15]May 11, 2020
12 different songsKids Stationうたのじかんライブlive performance broadcast[16]from June 6, 2020, 1 song per week
窓辺の猫TBSプレバト!!ending theme[17][18]August and September 2020

Coverage in print media
Nation-wide magazines and newspapers
Magazine titlePublisherEditionPage no.
ねこNeko Publishing Co., Ltd.No. 110, spring 2019[19]16-21
Rockin'On JapanRockin'on Holdings Inc.5/2019[20]270-271
ねこぱんち (Neko Panchi)ShonengahoshaNo.158[21]152-160 (Manga)
An AnMagazine House Ltd.No. 2179[22]139
ねこNeko Publishing Co., Ltd.No. 113, winter 2020[23]61-64
Asahi ShimbunAsahi ShimbunJan. 23rd 2020[24]?
music UP'sJapan Music NetworkVol. 190[25]14-15
MOEHakusenshaVol. Nov.2020[26]48


Regional magazines and newspapers
Magazine titleRegionEditionCoverage
おきなわ倶楽部 (Okinawa Club)OkinawaJan. 2018[27]cover photo & interview
箆柄暦 (piratsuka, Okinawa event guide)OkinawaMarch 2019[28]cover story
オキナワグラフ(The Okinawa Graph)OkinawaNo.690 (Sep.2019)[29]cover photo

Discography

Albums

『天国かもしれない』 （2017）
『君に会いに』 （2019、limited edition CD+DVD: VIZL-1547、regular edition CD: VICL-65132）

EPs

『ねっこほって e.p.』（2019、limited edition CD+DVD+plush-keyholder: VIZL-1666、regular edition CD: VICL-65266）
『窓辺の猫 e.p.』（2020、limited edition special packaging: VICL-65414、regular edition CD: VICL-65415）

Guest appearance

Schroeder-Headz 『ゲスト・スイート』（2019、VICL-65267）「Surface」

References
  1. "【Interview】 むぎ(猫)ちゃんにねほりはほり聞きました！". Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  2. "【Interview】 むぎ(猫)インタビュー". Fujirock Express. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  3. "Rising Sun Rock Festival 2018, timetable". Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  4. "Speedstar music official website". Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  5. "【Interview】むぎ(猫)、歌えて踊れて楽器も演奏できる「天国帰りのネコ」が待望の1stアルバム『君に会いに』リリース". BARKS. ジャパンミュージックネットワーク. 2019-03-29. Retrieved 2020-12-11.
  6. "Speedstar Records official website". Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  7. "Mugi the Cat official fanclub". Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  8. "むぎ(猫)、メジャー1stアルバムを引っ提げた初の全国ツアーを開催中！". Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  9. "FM Okinawa blank". Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  10. "むぎ(猫)音楽の楽しさを伝える"猫"のミュージシャンに迫る". MusicVoice. 2019-12-02. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  11. "むぎ(猫)が語る、メジャーデビューと音楽活動への思い　「やさしい気持ちにさせたい」". Real Sound. 2019-03-18. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  12. "他界した猫が生き返って歌い踊る　"天国帰りの猫"の音楽家「むぎ（猫）」は、異色なのに優しい". ITmedia Inc. 2017-08-11. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  13. "むぎ(猫)初ワンマン公演決定!". Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  14. "「ねこねこ日本史」新ＥＤテーマは【むぎ(猫)】さん！". Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  15. "「We love music". Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  16. "うたのじかんライブ". Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  17. "むぎ(猫)、新EP収録曲「窓辺の猫 feat. つじあやの」がTBS･MBS系全国ネット『プレバト!!』8・9月度エンディングテーマに決定". Spice. 2020-07-30. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  18. "むぎ（猫）×つじあやのコラボ曲「窓辺の猫」が『プレバト!!』EDテーマに". Billboard Japan. 2020-08-03. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  19. "ねこ110号　2019年5月号". 2019-04-12. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  20. "2019 5月号". 2019-02-25. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  21. "天国から帰ってきた猫ミュージシャン漫画化". 2019-10-15. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  22. "Vol.2179". 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  23. "ねこ113号　2020年2月号". 2020-01-11. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  24. "むぎ（猫）、２度目のニャン生で命を歌う". 2020-01-23. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
  25. "Vol.190". 2020-08-20. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  26. "MOE2020年11月号". 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  27. "麺食いてぇ！". 2018-01-01. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  28. "箆柄暦『三月の沖縄』2019 むぎ(猫)". 2019-02-25. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  29. "ワンはヤーニンジュ　―沖縄の動物愛護は今―". 2019-09-01. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
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