maya ongaku on the Road: A Glimpse into Their Evolving Philosophy Abroad

A New Generation’s Take on the Challenges of Overseas Touring

Your yearly schedule includes Southern Germany, Fuji Rock, tours in China, and the US — do you think the groundwork laid by Guruguru Brain and Kikagaku Moyo has helped you travel the world like this?

Sonoda: Yeah, we go straight from China to the US, so around three weeks in total. Then after we return, there’s an Asia tour, so we’re basically always on the move. I believe a lot of it comes from Kikagaku Moyo spreading the message that “you can do it.” We feel like we’re following their path.

Copenhagen and Stockholm will be your first time performing there, right?

Ikeda: Yeah, we’re really excited. We have no clue how the audience will respond, so it’s just about going with the flow and seeing what happens.

What advice would you give younger bands about the challenges and toughness of touring overseas?

Sonoda: Honestly, it’s more doable than people think. I truly believe anyone can do it—it’s mostly about handling the basics well.

Ikeda: We want to break the myth that “music is difficult.”

Sonoda: When people praise major artists for their “complex chord progressions,” that’s a kind of overly rigid, authoritative mindset. Western music evolved around chord theory, celebrating geniuses like Bach and Beethoven. But before that, music all over the world was mostly repetitive rhythms. That got academicized and turned into this idea that music is only for geniuses. Rock broke that, but now the mainstream scene is getting complicated again. We want to tear that down. Our music is mostly loops, and even just one chord works. Complexity isn’t necessary.

Ikeda: Honestly, it feels simpler than today’s popular trend of making tracks alone at home. Playing live together creates harmony and is more fun than solo home recording. Also, the idea that “you need a drummer” is outdated. Bands can work perfectly fine without one.

Sonoda: Ultimately, it’s about “doing it or not.” Don’t overthink if you can or can’t—just go for it. There are countless ways to enjoy what you have. Grab every opportunity and make the best of it. That’s it.