It has been 15 years since w-inds made their debut, and they don’t seem to show any signs of stopping yet. These guys are currently global, with their activities stretching from Japan to overseas. Throughout the years and months of their 15-years, just what kind of music style have these guys been pursuing? Let’s retrace their steps and see how they have developed.

The Origins of their Story: The Curtains Rising for w-inds

w-inds is a 3-member dance and vocal unit made up of vocalist and dancer Tachibana Keita and chorus, rappers and dancers Chiba Ryohei and Ogata Ryuichi.

The boys made their debut back in 2001 with the release of their single “Forever Memories” on March 14th. However, their story actually begins on the streets. w-inds started their music in the Autumn of 2000, performing on the streets in places such as Yoyogi Park and around Shibuya. Back then they didn’t have many fans, but were able to grow to the extent that they played to 8,000 people in Shibuya’s mall.

They released their first album “1st Message” during the same year which peaked at 1st place on the Oricon Charts, and they also won the award for Best Newcomer for the 43rd Japan Record Awards. The group had a glorious start during their debut and were able to obtain many achievements. The relentless advance of w-inds continues to this day.

During those days, the guys also had innocent, child-like expression, and before their voices changed they had high-pitched voices that sounded like idols, which earned them popularity. As they matured with age, so did their songs and dancing too advance. However, it wasn’t an easy process. There was the particularly big crisis of their voices changing, an issue that a lot of middle-teen vocalists have to carry with them. It was a difficulty that even w-inds couldn’t escape from and had to fight against. It’s something that they were able to overcome which paved the way for new fields as a result.

The three of them have continued to support each other for the past 15-years, never forgetting how it all started. As the months and years have gone by, it might be the very case of the group’s music having continued to stay true and pure that they have been able to advance.

Towards being a part of the true artistry realm, armed with their singing and dancing skills

w-inds.’s image has undergone huge changes since the group’s inception, perhaps spanning around 10-years.

For example, their 2012 album “MOVE LIKE THIS” was the first of theirs to make use of the popular genre EDM, while their 2014 record “Timeless” is a “retro-modern” piece as well as being a comfortable listen for adults. The group’s 2015 album “Blue Blood” is a fusion of funk and dance music, allowing for people to be able to hear a completely new kind of sound.

Their music videos draw you in without you even thinking with the group’s cool dance moves and their voices. Their current sound and performance is something you couldn’t have imagined from them back in the day. People who heard w-inds. by coincidence can confirm to you that they became fans without even thinking. The moment someone listens to a song, they will automatically let out a roar of “Huh…!? This is so cool!”, regardless of who they are.

The group admirably cut all ties with their debut image of “a cute boy group” and have since developed into full-scale and genuine artists.

During their teens, they were still young and could only express through the music the things in their immediate surroundings. But now, they are true creators who put feeling into their poirsition, and who constantly search for new possibilities.

Leaping out into the world: w-inds., the now & future

w-inds.’s musical activities are growing overseas; they have played in Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Vietnam and more. In Taiwan, their album reached No.1 in the charts for the 4th time in a row. In Hong Kong, they have featured and won the IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Award for Best Sales Release 12 times in a row, which has been marked a brilliant and historical achievement.

Moreover, they took the 19th China Music Award for “Asian Most Influential Japanese Singer” in 2015 at the Venetian Macao Cotai Arena. It is clear to say that they are creating a whirlwind that is sweeping across the world, gaining them ever-increasing popularity.

At the root of their desire to keep challenging themselves is both their strong love for their music as well as the members’ self-confidence in their achievements they have piled up to now. What they want is not simply to go up in the charts, but to keep creating music that everyone can love. This is something that is evident in the confidence and pride they have in their work.

Also, the place you can most feel their strong passion is at their shows. The group are scheduled to embark on their anniversary year tour “15th Anniversary LIVE TOUR 2016 「15th Anniversary LIVE TOUR 2016 “Forever Memories”」 from July 22nd～September 22nd where they will be performing 15 concerts. This is sure to be a turning point for them as they go all out to perform their best shows yet.

The 3 members of w-inds. have grown into sexy grown men, and they are sure to continue polishing that charm of theirs. You too should use this opportunity to see the group’s best-ever performances.

w-inds.  http://www.w-inds.tv

Original Writer: Kurasawa Rei （SHUTTER）