This is not the first time drummer Haruki Matsuo is featured. Months ago, this young man was introduced by Mendira on its Facebook page. This earned tremendous positive reactions from his friends and followers. A few months passed and we are seeing a more confident musician with a wider reach and engagements on social media. Hence, he deserves a bigger platform.
“I am Haruki and I am an aspiring musician, and Christ-Centered”, he says. His introduction came unexpected for someone with a wider influence on his own YouTube Channel. Haruki remains to be that down-to-earth teenager, unfazed by his popularity on social media.
“Una sa lahat kaya natuto ako magplay ng instruments kasi bata pa lang ako ay nagkaroon agad ako ng interest because of my Dad. He is a Japanese and has too many friends here in the Philippines. And he has a band too.” Thus, musicality runs in his blood.
While his mom is supportive of her talented son. “Si Mommy kasi ay araw araw niya kina-kumusta ang career ko. Like nakikita ko talaga na todo support siya sa gusto ko. I’m so happy every time I see her smiling. Pag may natatapos akong cover or pag may good news na naman sa akin about my music ay nagbibigay din siya ng advice na – ‘pag chance na talaga, go na dapat agad’.”
“I started playing drums when I was 5 years old. Pero nagstop muna ako dahil nagfocus ako sa aking pag-aaral. Naging part din ako ng marching band sa school. Grade 6 ay nagtuturo na ako sa mga mas nakatatanda sa akin on how to play instruments.”
He was an active student in school activities. “Ako ang nagtuturo sa drummers. I’m not only teaching them how to play instruments in school. But I first explain to them kung paano sila matututo. Sabi ko discipline – because it is the bridge between goals and accomplishments. Nalaman ko lang yan… so yeah it’s true naman.”
“Grade 6 to 10 ay naging leader ako sa marching band sa school. Nag compose din kami ng music entitled ‘Co builders and defenders’ and ‘Soldiers of Christ’. Actually nasa YouTube po.”
After graduation, he started doing covers. “Naisipan ko na gumawa ng covers. I tried to post some videos sa YouTube at Facebook. Nagpost din ako ng drum cover sa Facebook and I was shocked – kasi nakakuha ako ng 539 shares and 7.3k views. So nasabi ko sa sarili ko na ‘eto na ata yung umpisa’.”
Haruki further honed his craft. “I practiced more and mas pinahirapan ko pa ang sarili ko. Nagfocus talaga ako sa music career ko. Naging inspiration ko ang IV of Spades, which for me – they are perfect. Kaya mas ginaganahan ako gumawa ng covers. Post lang ako ng post hanggang sa marami nang nakakapansin sa akin.”
It is in music that Haruki finds fulfillment. “Masarap talaga maging musician kasi I can express myself through music – sadness, joy, anger, lahat! Listening to music is one of the most relaxing ways any human being can ever imagine.”
One thing noticeable is that Haruki does not have a band. “Kung mapapansin ninyo ay wala akong band at dito ko sasabihin. I don’t want to have a band because I want to practice more. Then gusto ko yung magiging ka-bandmates ko ay same genre rin sa gusto ko.”
His genres are pop rock, independent music, funk rock, indie rock. “I just posted covers para maging inspiration din ako sa iba. Hanggang sa napansin ako ng Mendira.net at doon ko nakilala ang mga amazing artists. Hindi ko na imention kasi marami kayo hahaha. At madami na ako nakikilalang sikat na artists na gusto din makipagkilala sa akin.”
Now comes his heartfelt message. “I want to say thank you to our ‘Mendira dad’ VP Ragus na naging daan para makilala ko sila. Sobrang thankful ako sa non-stop support ng Mendira. At naniniwala ako na sa lahat ng pagdadaanan ko ay kasama ko si God. “
Likewise, Haruki has also become an expert playing ‘Real Drum’, an application that is downloaded to transform into a drum set the user’s Android devices. “Madami po kasi nagre-request ng cover sa real drums so pag wala talagang time na magplay sa actual ay dinadaan ko na lang sa real drum application. Hahahaha.”
Haruki is thankful to all his followers and supporters. “I want to say thank you so much. Salamat po sa mga nagbibigay lakas sa akin. Sana ay patuloy ang pagsuporta ninyo sa akin. God bless you all! Love ko kayo!”
His message for aspiring artists: “Kung gusto ninyo talaga matupad ang pangarap ninyo ay pagsikapan ito. Huwag sayangin ang oras. Basta may kasama kayo lagi – just trust God.”
More good things are happening right now for Haruki. “Wala pang gig so online gigs na muna. Nakakahelp naman po through online para sa mga frontliners kasi habang nagpe-play kami ay may mga nagdo-donate. Iyan ngayon ang focus ko. Tapos nagsusulat ng songs para irelease pag ready na.”
Many are supportive of this young artist from Leyte. He is also a member of the Quaranteam Band composed of other Mendira featured artists, doing online collaborations. “Yes, nagsimula talaga sa Mendira ‘to, hahahaha!”
Haruki is just starting his colorful journey in the music scene. Nevertheless, Mendira is his homecourt where he can just be himself. Expect also that he will have a bigger name in the music industry.
(Disclaimer: NO copyright infringement intended. Lyrics and Music belong to its rightful owners. Posted for public fair use only. Video is purely for entertainment purposes only.)
