Dog Ear Records
Dog Ear Records came into existence in November 2006, when Nobuo Uematsu, the composer behind some of the most recognized video game music in history, decided to build a label of his own. Based in the Meguro area of Tokyo, the company set out to publish video game soundtracks and original albums, both on disc and digitally through iTunes. The questions worth asking are these: what shaped its identity, who gathered around it, and how did a boutique Tokyo label reach the stages of Stockholm and Yokohama within its first two years?
In February 2007, just a few months after the label opened its doors, the DERBLOG weblog went live, giving fans a bilingual window into the company's releases and live events. By October of that same year, Uematsu was hosting an online radio program called Inu Mimi Radio. The show brought in guests drawn from The Black Mages, the concert series Uematsu had long been associated with. Among those guests were Kenichiro Fukui, Michio Okamiya, and Arata Hanyuda. The radio program gave the label a community voice at a time when most small music companies had none.
On the 20th of October 2007, Dog Ear Records participated in its first international event, held in Stockholm, Sweden. The occasion was Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy, a touring concert series featuring selections from Uematsu's Final Fantasy compositions performed by the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra. Barely a month later, on November 19, the company organized a Tokyo event at the Bunkamura Orchard Hall titled Microsoft Presents 'Orchestral Pieces from LOST ODYSSEY and BLUE DRAGON'. The speed of that international footprint, from a label barely a year old, reflected the reach Uematsu's name already carried.
In March 2008, Dog Ear Records announced THE BLACK MAGES III Darkness and Starlight. A live concert supporting the album took place at the Yokohama Blitz in August of that year. That same month, the company expanded its distribution by launching international digital releases through the iTunes Store. The first Dog Ear Records live showcase followed on the 24th of November 2008, and it introduced pianist Keita Egusa, whose album KALAYCILAR the label had published.
The catalog Dog Ear Records built across its first several years tracked a range of composers and projects. The label's 2006 release was Blue Dragon. In 2007 it added Anata wo Yurusanai and Lost Odyssey. By 2010 it had published the Xenoblade Chronicles soundtrack, and in 2011 The Last Story and Earthbound Papas: Octave Theory. The Earthbound Papas project returned in 2013 with Dancing Dad, and 2012 brought Fantasy Life. Staff listed alongside Uematsu included Hiroki Ogawa, Itsuki Iwasa, Tsutomu Narita, and Michio Okamiya.
Common questions
Who founded Dog Ear Records?
Dog Ear Records was founded by composer Nobuo Uematsu in November 2006. Uematsu is known for his music from the Final Fantasy series and other video game soundtracks.
Where is Dog Ear Records based?
Dog Ear Records is based in the Meguro area of Tokyo, Japan.
What kind of music does Dog Ear Records release?
Dog Ear Records publishes video game soundtracks and original albums, available on disc and digitally through iTunes.
What was the first international event Dog Ear Records participated in?
The first international event was Distant Worlds: Music from Final Fantasy, held on the 20th of October 2007, in Stockholm, Sweden. The Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra performed selections from Uematsu's Final Fantasy compositions.
What is Inu Mimi Radio?
Inu Mimi Radio is an online radio program launched in October 2007 and hosted by Nobuo Uematsu. It featured guests including musicians from The Black Mages concert series.
What albums has Dog Ear Records released?
Dog Ear Records released titles including Blue Dragon in 2006, Lost Odyssey in 2007, THE BLACK MAGES III Darkness and Starlight and KALAYCILAR in 2008, Xenoblade Chronicles in 2010, The Last Story and Earthbound Papas: Octave Theory in 2011, Fantasy Life in 2012, and Earthbound Papas: Dancing Dad in 2013.