Contemode
Japanese record label founded by Yasutaka Nakata in 2003.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Contemode (stylized in all lowercase) was a Japanese record label launched in 2003 by producer Yasutaka Nakata. Its base was in Shibuya, Tokyo, and it released music spanning electropop, Shibuya-kei, lounge, dance, and hardcore house. The label was a subsidiary of Yamaha Music Communications, with distribution handled first by Pony Canyon (2003–2006) and later by Avex Trax (2006–2013). Contemode shut down in 2013.
Nakata founded the label mainly to support capsule, the electro band he started in 1997 with vocalist Toshiko Koshijima. He was deeply involved with the artists signed or working with the label, describing contemode’s output as an "accessory to fashion"—its music was often sold in fashion boutiques around Shibuya. Over time, the roster shrank until only capsule and Nakata himself remained active. In August 2013, Nakata moved to management company ASOBISYSTEM and Warner Music Japan’s label unBORDE, ending contemode’s operations.
Former artists included capsule (2003–2013), Yasutaka Nakata (2003–2013), COLTEMONIKHA (2006–2011), COPTER4016882 (2004–2006), and Nagisa Cosmetic (2004).
- born
- 2003
- died
- 2013
- field
- Record label
- nationality
- Japanese
- known_for
- Serving as the primary label for capsule and Yasutaka Nakata
Lore & Background
Contemode was created in 2003 by Yasutaka Nakata to primarily serve as a label for capsule, an electro band he formed in 1997 with vocalist Toshiko Koshijima. Nakata had significant involvement with the artists signed to or working with his label, and described the music from contemode as an 'accessory to fashion'; contemode artists' music was often sold in fashion boutiques located in Shibuya. Over its lifespan, fewer and fewer artists were signed, until the only remaining active artists were capsule and Nakata himself.
Reader's Guide
Contemode's significance lies in its role as a creative hub for Yasutaka Nakata's musical output, particularly for capsule, and its association with Shibuya's fashion scene. The label's music was marketed as an accessory to fashion, sold in boutiques, reflecting a close tie between music and style in early 2000s Japan. Its distribution shifted from Pony Canyon (2003–2006) to Avex Trax (2006–2013), and its parent company was Yamaha Music Communications. The label's gradual decline, culminating in its 2013 closure when Nakata moved to ASOBISYSTEM and Warner Music Japan's unBORDE, marks the end of a distinct era in Japanese electropop and Shibuya-kei. Former artists included capsule, Nakata, COLTEMONIKHA, COPTER4016882, and Nagisa Cosmetic.
Did You Know?
- Contemode was stylized in all lowercase.
- The label was based in Shibuya, Tokyo.
- Its parent company was Yamaha Music Communications.
- Contemode ceased operations in 2013.
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