Maya Ongaku doesn¡¯t need to turn up the volume to make a statement. The trio ¡ª specializing in a mellow, hypnotic brand of psychedelic rock ¡ª has spent the past few years quietly making waves, both at home and overseas, while working outside what guitarist and vocalist Tsutomu Sonoda calls the ¡°rigid system¡± of Japan¡¯s music industry.
¡°There are bands doing things DIY-style who we think are cool, but most of them used to be signed to bigger labels, which is how they made their name,¡± he says. ¡°There aren¡¯t so many people who are taking the DIY route right from the start.¡±
The group¡¯s members, all in their late 20s, have been figuring things out as they go along, from self-recording their music to organizing their first U.S. tour last year.
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