DeKalb-based emerging all-student band Boba Haus is on the rise in the NIU community. The group started in September 2023 and released their first single “The Solar Song” a year later.
Coming from a place of affinity, the group is named after the shared enjoyment of boba tea.
“Last year when we started we were thinking about names because we have to introduce ourselves because our first show is in a few weeks. So we realized we all like boba,” said Robin Diamzon, lead vocalist and guitarist for Boba Haus. “There’s a place in Schaumburg called the Coffee Haus; he’s popular for his Boba, so we’re like, then it should have just been called Boba Haus. So we thought it sounded great, at least to us.”
Bringing its name to life, Boba Haus often sells boba drinks at its concerts or events it plays at. With flavors like taro and strawberry milk and an assortment of boba pearls to choose from, every sip is packed with flavor just like the band members.
Boba Haus’ atmospheric music, good vibes and friendly personality have won the appreciation of many NIU students.
“They’re really good,” said Camila Vergara, a media studies student. “It’s fun, energetic and lively indie. Their last concert at the Holmes (Student) Center was pretty fun.”
Xander Guy, sophomore majoring in industrial management and technology, and Matthew Carominor in psychologymembers of Chi Sigma Tau, a fraternity with Asian interests, like Boba Haus for its uniqueness.
“Excited – different, their style is unlike anything I’ve heard. They put their own twist on already made songs,” Guy said.
Some fans also like to listen to Boba Haus when they relax.
“Calm, calm, you can listen to them when you’re hanging out in your own home,” Caro said.
As he frequently takes the stage at NIU’s Asian-American community events, such as the Asian Night Market held April 9 on the lower level of Founders Memorial Library, it’s fair to say that Boba’s unique performance and charisma Haus are staples in the community.
“Everyone loves coming to see their concerts, and all the members have a good reputation on campus, so everyone just wants to come out to support them,” Caro said.
While playing serious and good music, the band maintains a carefree attitude.
“They’re all very nice and a little goofy,” said Margaret Thomas, sophomore environmental engineering major. “They are all very hard workers with very different schedules, but they make Boba Haus a priority, so they are all very dedicated; they will put in the work.”
The group has five members, ranging from freshmen to first-year students.
Individually, the members come from jazz, rock, church, rap and hip-hop music. Together, Boba Haus tackles all these genres and explores others.
“At least for me, I don’t really identify us as an indie band because we do a lot of different genres,” Diamzon said. “I would probably describe our music as alternative rock.”
With the help of Oz Amaro, owner and sound engineer/producer of Soundhammer Studios in DeKalb’s first single, Boba Haus “The Solar Song” is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music and Soundcloud.
The text, written by Diamzon, describes a metaphorical love story about the sun and the moon.
Boba Haus’ smooth and confident instrumentals exude an ethereal and cosmic atmosphere.
The song shows that the feeling of love is larger than life.
Don’t miss your Boba Haus renovation. The band will play several more times before the end of the semester. They will appear at the Asian American Association Ball on Thursday, as well as other venues in DeKalb and around campus.
For more information on Boba Haus events or to invite them to an event, they are available via Instagram, @bobahaus.official.
