Category Archives: radioblog

Many of us believe in the raw roots of swing, jazz and soul as one of our most fundamental bases for nearly all music today. As music has evolves in the digital age, we are fortunate enough to expand our horizons further into new genres but also keeping the most basic elements of our classics close to our hearts, and ears.

Like a vinyl record, our classic samples are delicate, vintage and deserve the utmost respect when sampled into our new age electronic music. Musicians like Boogie Belqique, Odjbox, and Proleter find this gentle balance between swing and soul samples to facilitate this new movement into our digitalized era.

Some have criticized in the most recent years that we have muddled our music with faux musicians that pollute the classics with unpleasant “womp womp” music and unappealing polyrythms. While every era of music certainly has misses, I do not believe this a standing argument for why we should not experiment and breach out into new genres that embrace technological change.

What is absolutely fascinating to me as a producer, something that was not even comprehendible in my young years as a musician, is that anyone with a musical ear, talent, or the desire to become a musician is no longer limited to the primary elements of a band or people to fill a band. Not only this, but distribution has become free and easy, leaving record labels behind for promotion purposes.

These elements alone have infused producers’ creativity around the world to taking risks. Risks alone breaks us into new sounds and exposes those who are incredibly creative and talented. I know for a fact music is only bound to become more interesting and innovative in the coming years.

By Genevieve Zasada, Hi On Air

Looking up at this burly, lumberjack-looking man with a stern face… I didn’t know what to expect. As soon as he began speaking, it was evident he was as unpretentious as can be. Just a sweet-natured guy with a robust mind and large appetite for music. He couldn’t hold in his excitement about being in Hawai’i, “I never thought I’d come to Hawaii… this feels like a movie.” His sincere delight was apparent when he was ranting and raving about his fascination with Oahu’s “architecture and foliage.”

Com Truise (Seth Haley) put on a remarkable show headlining at Next Door Febuary 9^th. Unraveling his magnetic beats, there was quickly a gravitational pull that had the crowd locked in. There was an unmistakable supersonic vibe in the room, which crowd-goers were feeding off of. His music has been described as 80’s synth-pop with a dark, new age flow. Although categorizing an artist like Cruise’s music is almost irrelevant, it’s much more affective to hear his songs in order to get an idea of his style. Let’s just say if one were to embark on a smooth, intergalactic voyage, they would jam to Com Truise. This type of artist isn’t what we regularly see in Honolulu, instead they’re more so listened to on the mainland. With that thought, it was really nice to see such a great turnout of Truise-loving fans! It could be an indication that Hawai’i’ is thirsty for something different… the music scene may heading towards a new direction filled with fresh artist and progressive beats.

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Aloha pumehana kākou e nā hoa o KTUH! If your ears are ever craving some ʻono Hawaiian music, there are some new voices hitting the Hawaiian music scene who come right out of UH Mānoa. Showcasing flawless three-part harmonies and unreal falsetto high notes, both of these groups are reminiscent of the best of Hawaiian music’s golden era, with a youthful twist that defies the norm.

Keauhou is a trio comprised of Kahanuola Solatorio and brothers Nick and Zachary Lum- all of whom are current UH Mānoa students. Literally translated, “Keauhou” means “the new generation”, which perfectly describes the fresh breath of air they are by perpetuating traditional Hawaiian mele in today’s Hawaiian music scene. Playing every other Sunday night at Imua Lounge from 6pm-8pm and Wednesdays at the Aulani Disney Resort and Spa from 5:30pm-9pm, their repetoire consists of Hawaiian mele that are not often heard anymore on mainstream Hawaiian radio. Kahanuola’s lofty but controlled high notes, Nick’s strong bass and Zachary with a familiar yet steady melody – are what makes Keauhou so recognizable and yet so fresh in a progessively changing mainstream Hawaiian music community. Check out their Facebook page under “Keauhou Music” to get updated on their other appearances and gigs.

Keauhou

Another must see up and coming group is ʻUheʻuhene (literally, “tra-la-la”). ʻUheʻuhene consists of current UH Mānoa students Paul Robins and Jordan Aina Asing along with Heather Kapuaokamakahala Kalua. Despite being “on-call” at Chiko’s Tavern, everytime ʻUheʻuhene plays there they pack the place in. True to their name, listening to them sing is like taking a stroll down the lane of Hawaiian mele…well, more like a skip-hop-frolic down the lane with a falsetto kick in your step and cha-lang-a-lang ukulele background music, if you catch my drift. Going to see ʻUheʻuhene play is a guaranteed good time. You’ll find yourself taken aback with awe when Aina hits that first note of “None Hula”, or when Paul slides easily into a falsetto power note in his “Manu ʻŌʻō”, or my personal favorite (and I recommend you request of them) is Kapua’s “Punaluʻu” – I can tell you right now, you’re jaw will drop. You can catch them and request the above songs at their next gig on December 9th at Club Ke Kai Lounge on Hotel Street from 6pm-9pm.

But of course, one of the BEST places to hear great traditional Hawaiian music, is on the Kīpuka Leo show every Sunday from 3pm-6pm right here on KTUH! The only show currently done completely in the Hawaiian Language – e komo pū kākou i ke Kīpuka Leo!
–Kalāokananikiʻekiʻe

At the Kaleo Arts festival I had the pleasure of meeting Jared, the president of the South Asian Student Association. He mentioned they were going to have a festival the wk after thanksgiving in the cc ballroom. I tried to find some info on it on the UH website, but there wasn’t much. I took my chances and just showed up, sure enough there was a lively event taking place filled with music, food, and dancing. I hit the food first, there was a plethora of ethnic food provided by Da Spot. I was so happy to see there was a delicious vegan option, Chickpea curry…mmmm mm mm. There was also iced tea and orange blossom water available. After the positive and high-energy dancing, the UH Napoli Ensemble performed (our very own Alex Kelley on sitar.)

The purpose of this event was to promote diversity through informing people about Indian pop culture (aka Bollywood) and to provide a forum for unification of various cultures. They were promoting not just India, but all 9 South Asian countries. There are several events through out the year, to get on the e-mail list just send your name to lsacl-l@lists.hawaii.edu.

Guaranteed good time, check out one of their events! 

My first time attending the market was last Saturday, I heard good things about it and it definitely seemed worth checkin out. I have to say it completely surpassed my expectations and was nothin but greatness. About 1 minute after entering we were offered free shaved ice. That’s right, free. HOPA (House of Pure Aloha) was putting the operation on and each shaved ice had been previously paid for by a kind person out there. They would hand you a card letting you know who had paid for your shaved ice and on the back there was a little note from your sponsor! Mine said, “let the flavors explode in your mouth.” All of the syrups were all natural and made from local cane sugar, and there were even toppings! I got the green tea flavor w/ azuka beans. Heavenly my friends, absolutely heavenly. We then paroosed the area and wandered into the warehouse which was filled with local vendors selling their trasures. They had decorated with xmas lights which illuminated the back wall with an image of Marilyn Monroe’s face. And who do I see spinning? None other than our very own Mr. Nick, what a nice surprise. Outside they had a beer garden which also featured alcoholic popsicles and hookah provided by the ever so wonderful Burning Tree. There was a reggae band performing live who incorporated some rock into their music, quite a show. We even got to see some crazy guy get arrested, he was very dramatic about the whole situation. All in all, great time and definitely going next time, you guys should too!

Sophia

Dj Jem

Changing up the typical music fest scene, SG is music fest that is held in South Lake Tahoe. It takes place under the redwoods which most likely will be covered in snow by that time. The line up has been released and there are some incredible artists playing at the fest. Those going are stoked for some awesome music in the snow.  Some artists playing: Beats Antique (never fail to put on a good show), Gramatik (what a beast), Polica, Flosstradamus, BoomBox, Poolside, Big Gigantic, and Zion I. If you’re gonna be up in Nor Cal Dec. 29-31 check it out, gonna be a good one.

http://www.snowglobemusicfestival.com