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Hana Maru

New kids on the Indie block, Hana Maru, launch their debut album with a bang.
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Image: Hana Maru photograph by Yana Amur.


Self-described ‘chamber pop’ band Hana Maru launched their self-titled debut album with a glittery, shimmering bang at The Grace Darling last weekend. On a stage decorated with shiny silver foil, disco balls and golden-glitter mic stands, the five-piece band certainly put a champagne-cork ‘pop’ in ‘chamber pop’.

Lyra Will kicked off the night with sweet folk sounds and Open Swimmer followed with enchanting, melodious vocals. When Hana Maru finally took to the stage, there was a general call for hush while guest harpist Genevieve Fry tuned her many strings. It was an unassuming beginning, which completely belied the energy that was soon to erupt.

They say all that glitters is not gold, but singer/songwriter (and guitarist/keyboardist) Jill Farrar, resplendent in sequins, was the real stuff. Farrar’s tender, emotional vocals are full of colour and warmth, the poetry of her lyrics upheld by delicately-woven tunes. Conceived over the course of ten years, the songs on this album are the result of long tending, and it shows.

The current members of Hana Maru may not have been around for the full decade, but the band has put heart and soul into arranging Farrar’s tunes. Adding cello, violin, bass and drums to Farrar’s keys and guitar, Hana Maru push the boundaries of indie pop and folk with arrangements that swing from deceptive simplicity to jaw-dropping artistry.

Gregory Crocetti and Bec Blakeney play some mean strings, while Esala Liyanage and Andy Hazel take turn and turn about on drums and bass, and a bit of banjo. With other additions including guest harpist Fry on ‘Lady’, Hana Maru’s little surprises soon came to be expected. When Farrar started whistling and the strings played answering calls, the sudden transportation to the middle of a forest for ‘Birds’ was merely a mildly intriguing intro, typical of the Hana Maru shtick.

As the set drew to a close, Hana Maru gave us a taste of what’s to come on their pending EP. Turns out they’ll be pushing the boundaries even further with some very dance-worthy experimental tunes, including a spine-tingling violin solo from Blakeney on A Sign.

With such electric displays, the slightly wooden acoustics and moments of bad feedback couldn’t ruin the night. But, as Hana Maru continue to push against the boundaries of genre, it’s to be hoped they’ll find their way into an equally wider world where the stages are big enough, and the acoustics broad enough, to contain their collective artistry.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Hana Maru: Album Launch 

Jill Farrar – Vocals, Keys Guitar and Piano 
Bec Blakeney – Violin and Backing Vocals 
Gregory Crocetti – Cello 
Andy Hazel – Bass Guitar and Drum Kit 
Esala Liyanage – Drum Kit and Banjo

The Grace Darling Hotel 
June 11 2016 

Upcoming Hana Maru gigs:
Glasfrosch residency
The Evelyn Hotel
351 Brunswick Street Fitzroy VIC 5 July 8pm
Cat Power Tribute – “The Greatest” 10-year Anniversary Show
The Corner Hotel
57 Swan Street Richmond VIC
12 August 8pm



Jennie Sharpe
About the Author
Jennie Sharpe is a poet, freelance writer and editor. She has published a collection of poetry in the book Australia: Facing the South and is also a novelist and short story writer. Jennie studied literature and theatre and is a classically trained musician. She is passionate about film, theatre, opera and visual art and is currently a sub-editor and contributor for French Provincial magazine.