Interview with Maya

Bassist Maya has been actively pursuing his music career since leaving Zeke Deux in March 2025. Taking a new step as an artist, he performs for fans on TwitCasting Live and participates in session lives, building a growing number of fans. His next session live is the “Haruka Birthday Session Band” on September 16, 2025, at Ikebukuro Black Hole, featuring Agato (Gertena), Mime (Lyrica), Haruka (Zeke Deux) and Seira (Orseas). In addition, Maya also runs an online shop offering exclusive merchandise designs. And starting from September 1, 2025, Maya officially began full-scale band activities as the bassist of “ROCK AND ALCOHOL”  In this interview, we take a closer look at his current activities and future plans. From his past work to what’s coming next, it’s clear that Maya’s career continues to be one to watch.

■ ■ ■ INTRODUCTION ■ ■ ■

■ Please introduce yourself.

Maya: I‘m Maya, I play the bass. My birthday is the same as Marilyn Manson and my height is the same as Joey Jordison from Slipknot. 

■ Do you have a favorite Japanese mascot character?

Maya: Lloromannic, Clodsire (Pokémon), Bad Badtz-Maru and Kuromi. I haven’t bought character goods for myself, but I often receive them as gifts. Thank you!

■ What inspired you to become a band member? Also, could you tell us about people or events that have influenced you so far?

Maya: I think the reason I became a band member was because my mom and relatives introduced me to LUNA SEA. At first, I bought a red electric guitar.
As for people who influenced me: First of all, my family. Then, Jack Johnson’s approach to music and lifestyle, and Keanu Reeves’ humility have had a strong impact on me.
Other influences include: Lemmy Kilmister, Kurt Cobain, GLAY, LUNA SEA, Dir en Grey, X JAPAN, Toshiyuki Terui, Yoshio Suzuki, Jaco Pastorius, Slipknot, Marilyn Manson, Kaya, MALICE MIZER, Korn, Arch Enemy, METALLICA, Dream Theater.
French painter Bernard Buffet, film director Tim Burton, comedian/YouTuber Hiroshi, Akihiro Miwa and of course, all my Maya fans.

■ Could you tell us the origin of your stage name? Does it have any special meaning or story behind it?

Maya: My real Name + Kaya = Maya

■ Why did you choose the bass?

Maya: I think it was fate. Compared to the guitar, I was able to practice the bass with a higher level of focus.

■ If you could master another instrument (besides the bass), what would you choose, and why?

Maya: Probably the Chapman Stick. It’s a difficult instrument, but it looks fun.

■ How would you describe your personality in one word?

Maya: I‘d say I‘m easygoing.

■ Do you have any hobbies outside of music? Please also tell us how you usually spend your days off.

Maya: Ever since I was a kid, I’ve loved fish, so visiting aquariums is one of my favorite things to do.

■ Do you have a motto or any words you value in life?

Maya: No sleep, No life.

■ What has been the scariest experience you’ve ever had?

Maya: One time I accidentally dropped a three-meter iron pipe from the fourth floor of a building. Thankfully no one was underneath. That was really scary.

■ If you had 100 million yen, what would you do with it?

Maya: I think I’d use it to help protect the natural environment.

■ What has been the farthest place you’ve traveled to? And do you speak any languages besides Japanese?

Maya: Germany 🇩🇪 and Switzerland 🇨🇭I only speak Japanese, though.

■ ■ ■ PET ■ ■ ■

■ How many pets do you currently have?

Maya: I currently have 15 pets.

■ I’ve heard you have a lot of pets like fish and reptiles. What is it about these animals that attracts you?

Maya: I’ve loved them ever since I was a kid, and honestly, I don’t even know why.

■ If you don’t mind, could you introduce 2–3 of your pets? It would be great if you could also show us some photos.

Maya: 
・Corn snake Madara (マダラさん)
・Leopard Gecko Mon-chan (モンちゃん)
・Protopuerus dolloi Dolloi (ドロイさん)

■ ■ ■ LAST BAND ACTIVITY ■ ■ ■

■ Since graduating from Zeke Deux, what have you been doing?

Maya: I’m still playing the bass, nothing’s changed there.

■ How difficult was the decision to graduate from Zeke Deux?

Maya: Hmm… probably something like a brain teaser.

■ You officially graduated from your role as a support member of Zeke Deux on March 25, 2025, together with GERTENA’s guitarist Satsuki. What was the most memorable or emotional moment from that live performance?

Maya: For me, the most memorable part was how warmly all the fans sent us off.

■ Do you sometimes feel nostalgic about the time you were active in a band?

Maya: I guess in about ten years, I’ll probably look back on it with nostalgia.

■ ■ ■ RECENT MUSIC ACTIVITY ■ ■ ■

■ What inspired you to start doing regular TwitCasting live shows? Do you only perform cover songs or original ones too?

Maya: I didn’t want to make the fans feel lonely, so I started doing it. I also play my original songs from time to time.

■ How do you choose the setlist for your TwitCasting performances?

Maya: It depends on my mood and requests from fans.

■ When creating songs as a solo artist, what has changed compared to when you were in a band?

Maya: Since I write my own lyrics, I usually create the melody to match the words. In a band, the vocalist often writes the lyrics after the melody is completed.

■ What is your usual process for composing music?

Maya: When I come up with a melody, I add chords on the guitar. Then I tried adding drums and bass. After that, I watch the audience’s reaction during live shows and make further changes.

■ Could you tell us about a song you’ve recently made? (Title, theme, mood, etc.)

Maya: ‘Bloody Lullaby’… (ブラッディー子守唄)

■ When writing a new song, how do you usually get your inspiration?

Maya: I seem to get inspiration more easily in the morning.

■ You also sell merchandise for your solo project. Is it possible for fans from overseas to purchase Maya goods? Which items would you recommend?

Maya: I’d love for overseas fans to buy them too, but I’m not sure how. I could use some help in this case. As for recommendations, probably the T-shirts.

■ ■ ■ FUTURE ■ ■ ■

■ What is something you want to value most in your future music activities?

Maya: I want to be able to perform in a way that I feel really good about.

■ Do you want to form a band again in the future? If so, what kind of style would you like the band to have?

Maya: I want to be in a band where we can just focus on making music, purely and honestly.

■ Are there any artists you’d like to form a band with? If so, who and why?

Maya: Brief and Trunks (ブリーフ＆トランクス). Because they look so fun.

■ In a few years, how do you want your music to have evolved?

Maya: I want to create music that’s simple and stripped down with nothing extra.

■ Musically, is there anything you want to challenge yourself with in the future?

Maya: I’d like to cultivate a simple, natural charm.

■ As a solo project, do you have any plans or goals? For example, are you thinking about creating new songs, music videos, or an album?

Maya: First of all, I just want to focus on doing live performances!

■ ■ ■ MESSAGE ■ ■ ■

■ Lastly, is there a message you’d like to share with your fans, especially those who have been with you since the beginning?

Maya: I think a lot of Maya fans are very sensitive. So I just want them to relax. I always want to say thank you to everyone for their support.