BROKE AESTHETIC!

It was about time to return from the long overdue update.  Here are two that I am more than excited to announce:

1. Alternative HI, an album released by the 'Aumakua Records record label, featuring local musicians within the underground music scene, produced by Brandon Apeles and Shawn Livingston Moseley, is to be released soon within the next month.  It features some of the best Hawaii has to offer including acts Mike Love, Sing the Body, Mano Kane, Erika Elona, Mantra, and Disaster Kit.  Sex Puppet will also be featured on the album as number 13 of this 18 track monster album.  It really was an honor to record with Moseley and Sex Puppet is glad to be a part of this amazing album.

2. BROKE AESTHETIC! That's the news.  Max Benoit on bass, Mike Nakamoto on drums, and myself on guitar. The three of us got together to form this new power trio of wonder.  Doing our first show at Apartm3nt this past Tuesday for Brandon Apeles 9th consecutive 21st birthday (hats off to the many musicians who performed), Broke Aesthetic did an almost full original set featuring full writing collaboration between the three of us.  For those of you who came down (so many to mention) who came down to support Broke Aesthetic's first performance, you guys rock and it really means a lot to look up after sweating out a song and seeing you folks.  You guys are the best! It's been such a great experience so far and looking forward to the next step (larger public debut in the future!).
Saving Cadence opening the night at Apartm3nt!




That's all...
                  ...I am glad to be back on the WWW. 

Rumbling and Tumbling

Here is a picture from the Erika Elona Band participating in first round of the Mai Tai Rumble on Nov 1st.  Advancing to the semi finals, we will be playing on Nov. 22 for a chance to participate in the finals.  Come down and shout because audience response is part of the score!  The $3 Blue Moons will help the encouragement.


The first round of the SXSW contest is finished!  Congrats to bands: Mano Kane, Saving Cadence, Move Minor Standard, Animal Mother, Bats In The Belfree, Intire Project, Delayed Resistance, Sing The Body, and Kings Of Spade.  I got to attend the second night and watch the amazing Sing the Body and Kings of Spade kill it into the ground.  The mixture of precise musicianship and pure energy really makes it a treat every time.  Thanks guys for representing Hawaii the right way!


If you guys have some time come down to Apartm3nt tomorrow (Nov.8) and check out Erika Elona @8pm! 





Go For Da Record!

This past Saturday was the first attempt to break the World Record for largest ukulele ensemble.  Held at the Waikiki Shell, visitors and locals alike came down to support the cause and take the title away from the current record holder Sweden.  Sweden holds the record at a little over 1,500 people.

When the doors opened at 10am people were already lining up to show support and be counted in this world record event.  Ukulele Hale had an instructional booth set up towards the back of the amphitheater teaching the "1, 2, 3 Song," by Jake Shimabukuro.   After Jake gave a small demonstration of the song and played a couple of tunes for the audience.  The crowd was then counted and then officially began and played the song.  Unfortunately the count was just a little over a 1,000 people.


The event was not in vane.  Main promoter Leo Daquioag said that they would give a hana hou for the event in the future.  Though it may not have been a new world record it definitely was a new one for Hawaii.  Being in part a benefit for Rainbow For Japan Kids (setting up relief for the children victims of the recent tsunami), I am sure people would be more than happy to donate and give the record another go!

For more information and updates about the hana hou go to http://gofordarecord.org/

Dukes Ukes Contest/Shooting with Uncle Kimo

I just wanted to send a congratulations to all the participants in this years Dukes Ukes contest.  Dukes Ukes is a amateur ukulele contest down in Waikiki @Dukes Restaurant.  After auditioning for the finals, participants are placed in age brackets with 5 per bracket.  To the right is Anton Banta from Ukulele Hale placing 3rd place in his division.  Ukulele Hale had a lot of students enter and a lot of students make it to the finals this past Saturday.  You guys did great and really stood up next to the Ukulele Hale name!  It is an honor to be an instructor with students like you guys!

Later on in the afternoon I went down to the Queen Kapiolani Hotel for the first day of shooting for a new ukulele Tv show coming out soon.  The show is hosted by legendary Uncle Kimo Hussey and is a focus on nurturing the ukulele.  The show will include interviews and performances with ukulele players, ukulele teachers, ukulele makers, and special interest people involved with ukulele.  This first episode featured Kalei Gamio as the ukulele player, Don from Korea as a special interest person and myself under the ukulele instructor category.  It was an awesome experience working and talking story with Uncle Kimo and glad to be part of this new beginning.  We talked about ukulele instruction and what it takes for a beginner to get started playing the ukulele.  Their website will go live soon and I will post it here when itʻs up.



Along side the tv show is going to be a new venue for ukulele players: The Queen Kapiolani Hotel every second Friday of every month.  The idea is to have a place where ukulele players can come together and experience each others music and build a stronger community.  Keep in touch and I will bring you the latest with these new developments in the ukulele community!