Maya Ongaku have known each other since their school days – or rather, from hanging out together on the beach in a coastal town not far from Tokyo. It’s no surprise, then, that their sound has such a laid-back vibe, which they’ll be bringing to Berlin’s Gretchen on 23 September 2026. Their nature-inspired debut album Approach To Anima (2023) was created during joint jam sessions in the back room of a vintage shop. Alongside gentle guitars and subtle percussion, it is characterised by field recordings and soothing vocals.
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A longing for tranquillity
The EP Electronic Phantoms (2024) sounds distinctly more rhythm-driven. As they had lost their drummer at the time, they relied more heavily on electronic beats. Their latest album, Nothing Space Music (2026), on the other hand, conveys a longing for silence. As varied as their songs sound – at times ambient, at others krautrock-inspired or pop-oriented – a common thread is clearly recognisable. In a live setting, this consistency could create a productive tension with their penchant for improvisation.
