Written by Leila Miranda | June 8, 2025

Based in Austin, Texas, Maru Haru is an Asian American indie rock band that blends orchestral sounds to create music that is emotionally powerful and sonically unique. Lead vocalist James Tabata laid the foundation for the band during a period of recovery from a physical injury, channeling that time into writing music. Influenced by genres ranging from indie punk and J-pop to classical, Maru Haru explores themes of Asian American and queer identity, self-discovery, and acceptance.

Before their performance, Nopality Magazine had the opportunity to speak with a few members of Maru Haru

Note: Responses have been edited for clarity

Q: Could you start by introducing yourselves and your roles in the band?

James: My name is James Tabata and I'm the lead singer of Maru Haru.

Sophie: My name is Sophie Mathieu and I play cello in the band.

Q: What three words best describe Maru Haru?

James: Spring circle nonsense. Maru Haru are japanese words. Haru means spring, and Maru by itself, means circle. A lot of these songs were also written in the spring and a lot of what we do feels like a bunch of friends doing nonsense and hanging out.

Q: Could you tell us about how you all got started in music individually and as Maru Haru?

James: The very first song I wrote was “Golden”. I wrote that in my college dorm with my bass and guitar. During this time I was injured and couldn't play so much. I created this song which kinda comes across as a love song, but really is more about coming out. A Lot of the members of the band are plugged into so many different groups, ensembles, and bands throughout austin. So all of these different things that we’ve been a part of was a way for me to meet everyone.

Q: What are some highs and lows that you’ve experienced as a band?

Sophie: One of the biggest highs of being in this group has been the friendships. I came into the band only knowing a few people, but over time, they’ve become some of my closest friends.

James: I think the lows mostly come from me, as the band leader, moments of doubt or frustration that I’ve carried internally. But even in those times, I’ve been able to lean on the rest of the band for support, advice, or simply reassurance.

Q: What are your hopes or visions for the future?

James: For me this is a very big personal project, I want to keep going for as long as possible. But between touring, getting the album out there and getting the band recognized and established, that's something that I really want to make happen.

Q: Last year in April you released “To the strongest”. Tell us about the creative process and the message behind the song.

James: I grew up in a conservative town, feeling isolated. A Lot of that came from being gay in an environment where I didn’t feel safe being open about who I was. When you carry those feelings and can’t confide in another for fear of bigotry and prejudice it weighs heavily on you.

When I left Waco and went to see “Toronto’s Creative Music Lab”, it was a turning point. That was the first time I met trans people in my life, and it was incredibly powerful. It was beautiful to see people who were so confident and proud of who they are, walking strong in their truth. That's the meaning behind the title ‘To the Strongest’. This is a song of regrets of having self-homophobia that prevented one from loving another as much as they could. But it's also about the strength I saw in others, and how that strength inspired me to start loving myself more.

Sophie: I wasn't involved with writing the song but it is one of the songs that resonated with me the most with my own coming out experience. As a straight passing bisexual person, I was able to move through straight spaces easily, but that also meant I often felt like I was hiding a part of myself. It wasn’t until I found the queer community that I truly felt like home. But It's always an emotional experience playing “To the Strongest” because of how beautifully it captures that journey.

Q: Being from Austin, what are some challenges you face in the music scene?

James: It's a lot of great, amazing and rough challenges. At the same time it's definitely a place where you got to be in the know. But for Austin’s classical music, that's actually the most welcoming environment we’ve experienced. Then live gigging for rock bands has been a lot more closed because there's something to protect.

Q: Do you think there's certain expectations when it comes to rock venues?

James: I think it’s very hard, because a band like us that tethers between classical and rock. One or the other may not actually know if we’re going to be a good fit. Austin is very much centered around genre and if you’re not really fitting into those cleanly, can they really take a chance on you? So sometimes that is the challenge.

Q: It’s the end of AAPI month. What actions do you think can be put forward so that more and more cultures and stories can be told and given the space to shine equally.

James: Some people grow up feeling too Asian. Others feel like they’re not Asian enough. As someone who’s half Japanese, I’ve felt that tension personally. That’s why it was so important to make it a part of the identity of the band. If you’ve ever felt like you’re too much or not enough of something, I hope you can see yourself in our music.

In the Austin live music scene, there aren’t many bands representing Asian identities, and I think it’s important that we don’t shy away from that. It’s part of who we are, and we want that to be reflected in what we create and share.

Q: Your first album is said to release on June 13th. Is there anything you can share with us?

James: So this album has been in the works since 2023. We were going to release it in 2024 but then we looked at it and felt like it needed to be polished more. So the Album comes out on June 13th, they can expect to see a mix between fun pop songs, ballads, dances, rock anthems to experimental. There's 11 songs on the track, it's about 55 minutes and we want to take people on a journey of self-acceptance and empathy.

Sophie: This album will make you cry, I already knew that, but when James sent me the final version, I was absolutely sobbing. The finished product is just stunning. The songs are so heartfelt, honest, raw, and emotional that it’s almost impossible not to feel something deep within yourself when you listen. I really believe a lot of people will connect with the themes and messages we’re sharing. I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve created.

This past Saturday afternoon, Austin's Downtown Public Library hosted a sold-out performance by Maru Haru, drawing an eager crowd of families, friends, and music lovers. Guests gathered early, lining up at the doors, excited for the chance to see the band. As the room filled with anticipation, attendees were treated to free ice cream from “Lick Honest Ice Creams” a local LGBTQIA+ owned family business. As showtime approached, everyone settled into their seats, finding a comfortable spot to enjoy the experience. The lights dimmed, the chatter faded and a hush fell over the room as the audience waited for the first note.

Maru Haru was joined by Panoramic Voices, a choir group whose rich harmonies beautifully complemented the band's sound. Together, they elevated each song, pushing every lyric to its fullest emotional potential. Guests were visibly moved, swaying side to side as the music echoed through the venue in a touching trance. When “Still Remember” began, the atmosphere deepened—each soft-spoken word was lifted by the choir’s dynamic harmonic highs and lows, creating a powerful and unforgettable experience.

Maru Haru creates a safe, affirming space for listeners navigating queerphobia, religious trauma, or the struggle to authentically be themselves. Their song “To the Strongest” features touching lyrics like “I was ashamed to know and love you” and “I didn't say enough to hold you.” Though it reads like a love song on the surface, as vocalist James Tabata shared, it’s deeply rooted in “regrets of having self-homophobia that prevented one from loving another.” This raw vulnerability echoes throughout many of Maru Haru’s songs, including “Golden,” “Realm of Lies,” and others, all of which explore themes of identity, acceptance, and healing.

As the night came to a close, Maru Haru and Panoramic Voices ended on a powerful note with “To the Strongest” and “You Will Be Found.” Maru Haru stood proud and strong, serving as a clear reminder that we should never be afraid to be ourselves and that there’s strength in owning who we are. With their new album Dearly Belated set to release on June 13th, Maru Haru continues to inspire.