Interview with Moja: The Unconventional Sound
Moja, a Japanese extreme rock duo established in 2007, features Masumi Sakurai on drums and Haru Higuchi on bass and vocals. Renowned for their intense live shows, they have performed at significant festivals such as SXSW in Texas and FOCUS Wales. The duo’s electrifying performances are driven by Masumi’s vigorous drumming and Haru’s heavy basslines and raw vocals, often resulting in energetic mosh pits.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Me6XvWhoVDo
Despite the male-dominated music industry, Masumi’s education at Berklee College of Music in Boston stands out as a major achievement, making her one of the few female drummers from Japan. Following the disbandment of their previous band, Gorilla, in 2005, they formed Moja and have since become a prominent Japanese musical export, performing internationally and collaborating with various local bands.
Their music prioritizes sound over lyrics, as evident in their album “Super Ultra Gold 79.” Embracing modern consumer trends, their innovative release strategy includes offering music in mp3 and vinyl formats, bypassing traditional CDs.
How did you each first become interested in music, and what drew you to your respective instruments?
Masumi: I think I first became interested in music probably because of my mother. She always listened to music, such as when she was driving. So, for me, a life with music became the norm. I was simply drawn to the coolness of the drums as an instrument.
Haru: I first became interested in music when I had the chance to play with my friends in middle school. I started playing bass guitar because I lost a game of rock-paper-scissors when choosing instruments with my friends.
Can you describe the moment when you decided to form Moja?
The birth of the band Moja was very simple. Haru and Masumi’s band disbanded after the vocalist and guitarist left.
Can you describe the atmosphere of the Tokyo underground music scene when you first started? What are some memorable moments from your early gigs in Tokyo?
When we first started in the early 2000s, many bands were influenced by the overseas indie scene. There were unique events where these bands connected, creating a very vibrant underground music scene unique to Tokyo. We wanted to feel the audience’s energy more intimately at those events. In pursuit of that, we were setting up drums and amps in the middle of the audience and performing floor live shows.
Read the full interview with Moja at Retrofuturista.com
