Written by Leila Miranda | July 3, 2025

photos by Leila Miranda

On a rainy, cloudy day, Maru Haru hosted their album release party in Austin, Texas, at Captain Quacks — a cozy, dimly lit coffee house that doubles as a live music venue and bar. As the doors opened, attendees quickly made their way toward the bakery, grabbing fresh pastries and a warm cup of coffee to complement the mellow weather that set the tone for the night.

The evening opened with performances by Woodwork and Jessy Eubanks, each setting a unique tone that tied into Maru Haru’s artistic character.

Woodwork began their set by slowly unfolding in methodical layers — euphoric, ambient, and comforting sonic waves echoed through the room. The trio introduced a range of unexpected instruments, such as the marimba, asalato, and oboe, occasionally switching between the oboe and an electronic wind instrument. In between the set, they broke into a duet titled “Lucky Nashville,” displaying their wide range of artistic ability and welcoming all listeners into an immersive sonic experience, gently transporting them to another world.

Next up, Jessy Eubanks delivered a raw and emotional performance. Leaning into singer-songwriter territory, her song “Rosefield” brought tears to the audience’s eyes — a dedication to her grandfather. Another standout track, “Dear Body,” was originally written as a letter to herself about the parts of her body she wished she could change. The vulnerability displayed that night echoed Maru Haru’s own themes of self-acceptance and emotional bravery.

When Maru Haru finally took the stage, attendees eagerly shifted their focus, anticipating the first few notes from their new album, Dearly Belated. They opened with “Summer Child,” the second track off the album.

“This song is about the expectations that fall apart when you chase perfection and lose yourself in the process,”

James explained. The track captures the feeling of breaking free, rediscovering love, and waking up to reclaim something once lost.

Another new song, “The Earth Is Alive,” followed. After the song, James funnily mentioned that they had intended to play the new introduction but accidentally went into autopilot mode and played the original version instead. The lighthearted moment made the crowd giggle.

“Maybe you’ll get to hear the new one if I remember to play it right this Sunday at Antone’s!”

Maru Haru also treated the audience to a few unreleased tracks that aren't on the new album but are currently in the recording process — so keep an eye out for some sneak peeks later this year!

Before wrapping up the set, James took a brief moment to thank the creative team behind the scenes:

“I want to give a big thanks to Lisa who did the mixing, and Sam and Nick, who couldn't make it tonight, for mastering and recording the album. This took a community, so thank you so much for all the contributions and for being here with us tonight.”

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause. A few friendly faces, including members of Panasonic Voices, were spotted showing their unwavering support, alongside family, friends, and fans holding hand-cut paper cutouts of the band members’ faces — a true testament to the wonderful, loving community Maru Haru has built over the years.

That night at Captain Quacks was more than a concert — it was a celebration of artistry, community, and authenticity.

Don’t miss their upcoming show on July 6th at Austin’s Antone’s, where they’ll be performing more from their new album, Dearly Belated, including fan favorites like “Golden,” “To the Strongest,” “Still Remember,” and many more!