RECAP Thanks so much to Kai Salus (bassist for the band ‘Painted Highways’) for taking pics at last night’s Kaleidoscope show. That’s me and Mike Pooley above. We played 4 songs and my sister sat-in and sang background vocals on 4 songs with me as well. It reminded me of when we were kids and we’d used to harmonize to top 40 radio.  The show was such fun! There will always be a special place in my heart for Thirtynine Hotel, since it was the first place I ever played my songs live back in 2006. The crowd is always wonderful and gracious, and the ambiance just makes me feel right at home. Saw so many familiar faces and my dear friend Gary Chun from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser was there. He was a vital part of me and Ryan’s trip to SXSW this year so it’s always a pleasure to have him attend a gig I also managed to fit in a quick interview and photo shoot with Eric Alcantra (from the band Itramonti) and writer for the 808 Scene Zine. As soon as I get the link to the interview I’ll be sure to share it with you all.  Coming up…First Friday, July 2, I’ll be playing for The Contemporary Museum exhibition opening at First Hawaiian Bank gallery in Downtown HNL. If you are headed to the rest of the First Friday festivities, come and enjoy some wonderful Contemporary art and music at FHB. It starts at 7pm.  Thanks again to everyone who came to the show last night. I hope to be able to play with Mike again soon and singing with my sister is always the greatest.

RECAP

Thanks so much to Kai Salus (bassist for the band ‘Painted Highways’) for taking pics at last night’s Kaleidoscope show. That’s me and Mike Pooley above. We played 4 songs and my sister sat-in and sang background vocals on 4 songs with me as well. It reminded me of when we were kids and we’d used to harmonize to top 40 radio. 

The show was such fun! There will always be a special place in my heart for Thirtynine Hotel, since it was the first place I ever played my songs live back in 2006. The crowd is always wonderful and gracious, and the ambiance just makes me feel right at home. Saw so many familiar faces and my dear friend Gary Chun from the Honolulu Star-Advertiser was there. He was a vital part of me and Ryan’s trip to SXSW this year so it’s always a pleasure to have him attend a gig

I also managed to fit in a quick interview and photo shoot with Eric Alcantra (from the band Itramonti) and writer for the 808 Scene Zine. As soon as I get the link to the interview I’ll be sure to share it with you all. 

Coming up…First Friday, July 2, I’ll be playing for The Contemporary Museum exhibition opening at First Hawaiian Bank gallery in Downtown HNL. If you are headed to the rest of the First Friday festivities, come and enjoy some wonderful Contemporary art and music at FHB. It starts at 7pm. 

Thanks again to everyone who came to the show last night. I hope to be able to play with Mike again soon and singing with my sister is always the greatest.

KALEIDOSCOPE, JUNE 29 I am super-duper-uber excited for my show this Tuesday, June 29 at Thirtynine Hotel in Chinatown. My sister is going to be joining me on background vocals for a few songs. And my friend Mike Pooley (a.k.a. Pink Mist and guitarist/vocalist/songwriter for Painted Highways) will be joining me on a few songs as well. I am not going to give away the set-list but it’s gonna good stuff. Make sure you come by at 9pm to see Bret Ramsey, me at 10pm, and then the Hollow Spheres at 11pm. What else would you want to be doing on a Tuesday night?

KALEIDOSCOPE, JUNE 29

I am super-duper-uber excited for my show this Tuesday, June 29 at Thirtynine Hotel in Chinatown. My sister is going to be joining me on background vocals for a few songs. And my friend Mike Pooley (a.k.a. Pink Mist and guitarist/vocalist/songwriter for Painted Highways) will be joining me on a few songs as well. I am not going to give away the set-list but it’s gonna good stuff. Make sure you come by at 9pm to see Bret Ramsey, me at 10pm, and then the Hollow Spheres at 11pm. What else would you want to be doing on a Tuesday night?

Mark Bright's workshop=amazing!

Mark Bright's workshop=amazing!

Katie getting ready for our first panel.

Katie getting ready for our first panel.

@ HiSam

@ HiSam

Eric, Me and Keala

Eric, Me and Keala

Me and Manu Boyd

Me and Manu Boyd

Katie Herzig's case...love it!

Katie Herzig's case...love it!

Me and Bob Di Piero

Me and Bob Di Piero

2ND ANNUAL MELE!!!

The 2nd Annual Mele Songwriting Workshop kicked off on Friday, June 25. Unfortunately, I missed the first day of the workshop but was ready for a full day of music yesterday, June 26. I had two discussions to lead about being an “Independent Songwriter.” Luckily I was paired with Katie Herzig, an “indie” pro from Nashville. Everyone in the discussions were wonderful and I was happy to share my story of being an indie artist from Hawaii. I hope I was able to contribute a few kernels of knowledge.

Later that day, I drove to the Hawaii State Art Museum for the songwriter rounds. I have to admit, I was a little nervous because I’ve been nursing a horrible allergy and sore throat this week. I was afraid my voice wouldn’t hold up. But it did okay!

The opportunity to be share my music alongside these songwriter greats was such an honor. I got to play with Bob Di Piero (he’s written songs for Reba McIntyre, etc. etc. etc.) and Manu Boyd (Kumu and member of Hookena; who I grew up listening to). It was a great night of sharing music, stories and laughter. Thanks to Eric Lagrimas and Keala Chock who invited me to be a part of the event and who made me feel at home. Thanks to everyone who attended and who presented. I learned from each and every one of you.

FLUX Magazine Issue 3

Super excited to see how my article in FLUX Magazine Issue 3 comes out. Here’s a sneak peek on their website. Issue 3 hits stands July 12.

SUMMER MIXTAPE I’ve been addicted to Laura Veirs album “July Flame” for the past few months. When Margot Seeto (freelance writer extraordinaire) asked if I’d be interested in submitting a song for Lei Chic’s Summer mixtape I had to pick a Veirs song. I’m in good company too. Check out the awesome picks by other wonderful Hawaii musicians!

SUMMER MIXTAPE

I’ve been addicted to Laura Veirs album “July Flame” for the past few months. When Margot Seeto (freelance writer extraordinaire) asked if I’d be interested in submitting a song for Lei Chic’s Summer mixtape I had to pick a Veirs song. I’m in good company too. Check out the awesome picks by other wonderful Hawaii musicians!

That’s so dirty…

Playing @ Mercury Bar tonight for “Dirty Old Town.” Also playing, The Behaviorists, Warrior Class, DJ Ross Jackson, Black Sapote and Megum Pie. I think I go on after 10pm. Come at 8pm though and stay to check out the bands. Good acoustic music for the soul!

Had a blast playing at NextDoor lastnight as a part of Broadcast. Falcon Lord and Black Sapote rocked it after my set. Saw a bunch of friends an made some new ones. All around an awesome evening. Thanks to Ara Laylo for inviting me to be a part of the show.

Had a blast playing at NextDoor lastnight as a part of Broadcast. Falcon Lord and Black Sapote rocked it after my set. Saw a bunch of friends an made some new ones. All around an awesome evening. Thanks to Ara Laylo for inviting me to be a part of the show.

BROADCAST TONIGHT! Don’t forget…I’ll be playing as part of Broadcast tonight (6/16), 9pm, at NextDoor in Chinatown HNL. Falcon Lord (I absolutely love that name) and Black Sapote will be following my set. This is sort of a side note, but I’ve been having horrible allergies this week and decided to take a Benadryl last night since I’ve been so sleep deprived with the middle-of-the-night sneezing fits. Bad call on my part! It completely knocked me out and so I didn’t have a chance to practice. It was complete narcolepsy! Have no fear! I got up at the crack of yawn to make sure I got some time in. So now I’m psyched and ready! Just hope to see you all there cause it’s always nice to have friends and fans in the audience. Also, don’t forget to sign up for the 2nd Annual Mele Songwriters Workshop on June 25-27. I’ll be on the panel Saturday, June 26, discussing independent songwriting with singer/songwriter Katie Herzig and will be playing a songwriters in the round as a part of the Mele that same evening at the Hawaii State Art Museum. Details to follow. It’s gonna be a blast!

BROADCAST TONIGHT!

Don’t forget…I’ll be playing as part of Broadcast tonight (6/16), 9pm, at NextDoor in Chinatown HNL. Falcon Lord (I absolutely love that name) and Black Sapote will be following my set.

This is sort of a side note, but I’ve been having horrible allergies this week and decided to take a Benadryl last night since I’ve been so sleep deprived with the middle-of-the-night sneezing fits. Bad call on my part! It completely knocked me out and so I didn’t have a chance to practice. It was complete narcolepsy! Have no fear! I got up at the crack of yawn to make sure I got some time in. So now I’m psyched and ready! Just hope to see you all there cause it’s always nice to have friends and fans in the audience.

Also, don’t forget to sign up for the 2nd Annual Mele Songwriters Workshop on June 25-27. I’ll be on the panel Saturday, June 26, discussing independent songwriting with singer/songwriter Katie Herzig and will be playing a songwriters in the round as a part of the Mele that same evening at the Hawaii State Art Museum. Details to follow. It’s gonna be a blast!

DIRRRTY OLD TOWN, June 23 Coming up….headlining “Dirty Old Town” on June 23 at Mercury Bar in Downtown HNL.

DIRRRTY OLD TOWN, June 23

Coming up….headlining “Dirty Old Town” on June 23 at Mercury Bar in Downtown HNL.

Thanks to Tracy Chan for taking this pic of Ryan Miyashiro and I at Mercury Bar this past Saturday. Total spur of the moment having Ryan sit in. It’s been 3 months since playing together…but I think it went pretty well. Thanks to everyone who was there. Definitely had fun playing the F*ck First Fridays event. Don’t miss “Dirty Old Town” at Mercury Bar coming up on June 23!

Thanks to Tracy Chan for taking this pic of Ryan Miyashiro and I at Mercury Bar this past Saturday. Total spur of the moment having Ryan sit in. It’s been 3 months since playing together…but I think it went pretty well. Thanks to everyone who was there. Definitely had fun playing the F*ck First Fridays event. Don’t miss “Dirty Old Town” at Mercury Bar coming up on June 23!

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