PICS: Christafari at Pipeline Cafe
August 17, 2010 by Star-Advertiser Staff
Filed under HNLNow.com, More from TGIF, Music, Picture Blogs
Photos by Malia Leinau / HNLNow.com
Star-Advertiser Staff
tgif@staradvertiser.com
Christian reggae band Christafari arrived in Honolulu last weekend to headline a fundraiser for Help the Hawaii Homeless as part of the band’s “Try Jah Love” tour at Pipeline Cafe.
The band was joined by local openers Isouljahs, SoulVibe and White Lines; Eden Entertainment promoted the 18-and-over concert.
PICS: ‘Rockers Island’ at Da Big Kahuna
July 18, 2010 by Star-Advertiser Staff
Filed under Clubland Pics, HNLNow.com, Nightlife, Picture Blogs
Photos by Malia Leinau / HNLNow.com
Star-Advertiser Staff
tgif@staradvertiser.com
Bonafide Sound System DJs Lukas, KonChus and Bone recently launched “Rockers Island,” an evening of dancehall, reggae and soca music with special live guest performances every Saturday at Da Big Kahuna in Waikiki.
Doors open at 10 p.m. every Saturday at the bar, with no cover charge until midnight. Between midnight and 4 a.m. it will cost $5 to get into the party. Read more
PICS: ‘The Green CD Release Party’
June 15, 2010 by Star-Advertiser Staff
Filed under Featured, More from TGIF, Music, Picture Blogs
FL Morris / fmorris@starbulletin.com
Rootikal Riddim performs on stage during “The Green CD Release Party” at Pipeline Cafe last weekend.
Star-Advertiser Staff
tgif@staradvertiser.com
It was a packed house at Pipeline Cafe last weekend for “The Green CD Release Party,” presented by Island Fire Productions and Ray Jr.
Local reggae bands Cease Fiyah and Rootikal Riddim opened the night; Natural Vibrations and Anuhea also performed alongside headliners the Green. The Green’s self-titled album is available now; visit www.reverbnation.com/thegreenband. Read more
Inside HILife: In the Mix
March 26, 2010 by Star-Advertiser Staff
Filed under Featured, In the Mix
Aloha, DJ Loriel
George F. Lee / 2002
Loriel “DJ Loriel” Macalma, far right, co-hosted “Rub-a-Dub” atop the Waikiki Hobron Ohana Hotel in 2002. The popular KTUH host moves to Thailand next week.
By Jason Genegabus
jason@starbulletin.com
ONE OF Hawaii’s biggest supporters of reggae music is saying goodbye to our islands after more than a decade on the air at college radio station KTUH-FM.
Loriel “DJ Loriel” Macalma graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa back in 1998 with a bachelor’s degree in geography, but dreams of becoming a lawyer (and later a teacher) kept him enrolled in school — and thus eligible to continue his gig at KTUH. He credits former station general manager Cedric Duarte with pushing him to switch his show, “The Friday Afternoon Bashment,” from Thursday afternoons to Fridays in 1999.
That all changes next week, however, when Macalma boards a flight to Thailand with his wife, Sawang. Ever since the two were married in 2004, the idea of relocating to Asia has always been in the back of his mind.
“I’ve actually planned this out from a while back,” he said. “I knew I was going to do this eventually, but I just didn’t know when.”
Macalma said that after the final installment of “Bashment” from 3 to 6 p.m. today, he’ll pack up his music and possibly take his talents online. While he plans to apply for a job teaching English in Thailand, he also hopes to step up his involvement with the reggae Web site English Pound Radio (englishpoundradio.com). His mentor, Brixton Hitman, is one of the site’s founders.
“They’ve been wanting me to join up since they started … seven years ago,” Macalma said. “We’ll see how club DJing goes, since there’s actually a growing reggae — or more specifically ska — scene in Thailand.”
Looking back on the local scene, Macalma recalls with pride the parties he threw at now-defunct venues like Auntie Pasto’s in Kapahulu, Nick’s Fishmarket in Waikiki and Grumpy’s in Kakaako. But even with the growing popularity of roots reggae in place of stereotypical Jawaiian music, he said the emphasis must always be on the quality of the tunes being played.
“My thing is that I’m all about the music,” he said. “I try to give everything a fair share as long as it’s quality.”
Say aloha to Macalma this weekend at two different parties — he’ll be a featured guest DJ at Tropics Cafe Bar & Lounge tonight between live sets by Ionz and Rootikal Riddim, then head to the Royal Hawaiian Center tomorrow for a final sendoff at Doraku Waikiki with DJs MetaLX, Sifu Jive Walker and Trav15. Local reggae artists Lion Fiyah and Ryan Mystik will also perform.
Cover is free for both events; add Macalma as a friend on Facebook.com (hsblinks.com/26t) to keep in touch. He’ll definitely be missed here in Honolulu …
Click here to read the rest of this week’s column.
Do It: Rebelution
March 18, 2010 by Star-Advertiser Staff
Filed under Music
Rebelution promotes new album at Pipeline
Star-Bulletin Staff
features@starbulletin.com
Santa Barbara, Calif.-based reggae quartet Rebel u tion returns to Hono lulu next week.
On a mission to spread “positivity,” unity and awareness, the band originally formed in 2004 and consists of vocalist/guitarist Eric Rachmany, keyboardist Rory Carey, drummer Wes ley Finley and bassist-leader Marley D. Williams. They’re currently touring in promotion of their latest album, the sophomore effort “Bright Side of Life,” and will be recording an iTunes Live exclusive at the Palms in Las Vegas later this year.
Local roots reggae veterans Ooklah the Moc will be the opening act.
>> Place: Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohu kaina St.
>> Time: 8 p.m. Thursday
>> Cost: $22 general admission, $45 VIP (all ages; under 18 must be accompanied by adult)
>> Info: (877) 714-7668 or www.groove tick ets.com
Inside HILife: Matisyahu
February 18, 2010 by Star-Advertiser Staff
Filed under Featured
Olympic glory
Associated Press
MATISYAHUwith local openers » Where: Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pokukaina St. |
By Jason Genegabus
jason@starbulletin.com
After seemingly fading out from the mainstream music scene in recent years, Jewish reggae star Matisyahu is back in the spotlight thanks to the 2010 Winter Olympics.
His single “One Day,” off the 2009 release “Light,” has been used extensively in commercials for the Games, and Ma tis yahu himself flew to Canada to perform at concerts in Whistler and Vancouver this week. Those shows came on the heels of a trip last week to Israel, where he headlined a concert in Tel Aviv on Feb. 11.
Matisyahu kicks off a four-island concert tour at Pipeline Cafe on Thursday; he’ll follow up with a Feb. 27 show on Kauai, Feb. 28 show on Maui and March 1 performance on the Big Island.
The Star-Bulletin caught up with the singer Tuesday, minutes after he landed in Colo rado. He said he had “about six more stops” before arriving in Hono lulu next week.
QUESTION: Before “Light” came out last year, it really seemed like you disappeared from the music scene for a bit.
ANSWER: I guess you could say that. I basically kept doing the same stuff. I think that’s the way it goes for the most part — it’s like a wave. I took about a year off to record my rec ord … (and) I continued to play shows, mostly in America.
Q: What do you think of American television network NBC using your song “One Day” to help promote the 2010 Winter Olympics?
A: I think it’s a cool thing to be a part of, (and) that countries can come together even though they have squabbles and might not always get along. The whole idea of moving beyond for a higher cause is a good idea. To have a song that speaks to that idea is a good thing (because) the Olympics is about more than just sports.
Click here to read the rest of this story.
Inside HILife: The Aggrolites
December 10, 2009 by Jason Genegabus
Filed under Featured
Energetic Aggrolites
Courtesy the Aggrolites
THE AGGROLITESwith local openers Go Jimmy Go and Black Square » Where: NextDoor, 43 N. Hotel St. |
Go ahead and bring your skanking shoes to NextDoor tonight, but don’t be surprised if a mosh pit breaks out during the Aggrolites’ headlining set.
When the Los Angeles-based reggae quintet touches down in Chinatown, they’ll bring with them a unique style that blends punk-rock attitudes with a sound normally associated with roots music. Local bands Go Jimmy Go and Black Square will serve as the night’s opening acts.
Aggrolites lead singer Jesse Wagner checked in with the Star-Bulletin last week as the band made its way to a concert in Berkeley, Calif. They arrive in Hawaii after playing more than 150 shows this year, and plan to do it all over again in 2010.
QUESTION: How did you come up with the band’s name?
ANSWER: There’s a ton of stories, but pretty much the name fits the style of music (we play). “Aggro” is a popular word that was used in the late ’60s on a lot of ska songs.
Q: Listening to the new album, however, makes me wonder how much of a ska influence there is to your sound.
A: That’s just because people don’t know the difference between ska and reggae. I think we’re more of a cross between old-school reggae and ska with a soul influence. We call it “dirty reggae” because we’re doing our own thing. We’re not on any bandwagon of someone else’s.
Q: It seems like 2009 has been all about touring for the Aggrolites.
A: This summer we did 12 weeks straight. We did a lot of festivals in Europe, Japan and the U.S. We started off in Europe but also made it to Russia and Portugal. (We also visited) Brazil this year, in April.
Q: “Dirty Reggae” came out in 2003 and was followed by your self-titled album in 2006. Why the three-year gap between the debut and sophomore release?
A: It took some time to get known, to get recognized. In 2003 we were doing everything on our own. Then we got our contract with Hellcat to do three albums.
Click here to read the rest of this story.
Inside HILife: In the Mix
November 5, 2009 by Jason Genegabus
Filed under In the Mix
Cameras jiggle Joe’s nerves
Even though he has years of radio and live event experience, Island 98.5’s Phat Joe (pictured) still gets nervous working on his latest proj ect, “Live at the Reggae Cafe.”
Hosting a television show is “a lot different” from being on the radio, he said. “I can rock a crowd in front of thousands of people, but put cameras in front of me and it all changes.
“Even to this day, you put a camera on me and I’m nervous at first.”
Still, Phat Joe has been able to settle down and work with Kai Media on the half-hour program that airs at 10:30 p.m. Sundays on KHON. After a two-week hiatus, “Live at the Reggae Cafe” returns this weekend with 82Fifty; remaining guests for first season include Root i kal Riddim on Nov. 15, Ekolu on Nov. 22 and Aipo haku on Nov. 29.
Local reggae heavyweights Ooklah the Moc were in the Roadrunner Music Hall at Clear Channel Hawaii’s Iwilei studios on Oct. 23 when your columnist spoke with Phat Joe. He was especially excited about getting the opportunity to help them film a music video.
“A lot of these bands that we’ve brought on, this is the first time they’re actually shooting music videos,” he said. “Ooklah is one of the forefathers of the reggae scene out here, so to have them on here is a real treat.”
Following 2009’s final episode on Dec. 12, “Live at the Reggae Cafe” will return in January for a new season. Along with an planned appearance by Soldiers of Jah Army, Phat Joe is excited about branching out beyond Dole Cannery.
“We might bring the filming to the clubs,” he said. “It’s nice and private (at the Hall), but we have some clubs out there that need to be rocked as well” …
Click here to read the rest of this week’s column.
Inside HILife: Ekolu
October 15, 2009 by John Berger
Filed under Featured
Jawaiian in Hawaiian
Cindy Ellen Russell / crussell@starbulletin.com
‘RISE UP MUSIC FESTIVAL’with The Wailers, Third World and Ekolu Where: Waikiki Shell, 2805 Monsarrat Ave. |
Call it Jawaiian or island music or local-style reggae. Call it what you will, musicians here have been writing and recording music with Jamaican rhythms for more than a quarter-century.
Henry Kapono rocked with Stand in the Light in 1981. Brother Noland hit with Coconut Girl in 1983. After that came the deluge!
What Hawaii hasnt seen is a local band that plays music with Jamaican rhythms and lyrics in the indigenous language of Hawaii. Tongans, Samoans, Tahitians, Fijians, Maori and the peoples of Papua New Guinea have all been playing reggae-style music in their indigenous languages, while Hawaiian reggae has remained English-only.
Lukela Keala, founder and leader of Ekolu, two-time Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winners and a longtime presence in Hawaiis reggae music scene, said his group is ready to step up and meet the challenge of recording Hawaiian-language reggae.
Were definitely looking to put out more Hawaiian-based stuff maybe an entire Hawaiian language album, and maybe take it to the Hokus, Keala said as he and group members Makapu Hoopii and Kamakoa Lindsey-Asing signed autographs for fans earlier this month at the Road Runner Music Hall.
The trio and their sidemen were at the hall for a live performance on Island 98.5 FM promoting their new album, Ekolu Music II: Anthem, and two upcoming concerts.
Ekolu joins the Wailers and Third World at the Rise Up Music Festival tonight at the Waikiki Shell. Theyll celebrate the recent release of the album Nov. 6 at the Pipeline Cafe.
I dont think anybody expects us to do a full-length Hawaiian album, Keala said. For me its a big pressure because I want to make sure that the music is right. But we know how to do it, (and) now we have Kamakoa to make sure that all the lyrics are right.
Click here to read the rest of this story.
Inside HILife: All Natro
May 22, 2009 by Jason Genegabus
Filed under Featured, Latest News
All Natro drops first CD
Cindy Ellen Russell / crussell@starbulletin.com
‘ALL NATRO CD RELEASE PARTY’With openers Ooklah the Moc, Konfrontation, Pohaku, Thrive and Kahakea Where: Pipeline Cafe When: 8 p.m. today Cost: $20 to $23 (18 and over) Call: 589-1999 |
After years of ducking the question from fans, the seven members of All Natro finally have an answer when someone asks, “Where can I pick up a copy of your album?”
Originally formed in 2001, the Mililani-based band relied on word-of-mouth promotion and profiles on social networking Web sites like MySpace.com to inform fans about upcoming gigs. A series of lineup changes also affected the group as they developed their sound at house parties and smaller venues around Oahu.
“It took about three years to produce this first CD,” guitarist Toby Fujihara said last week following band practice at his Mililani home. “We had a dead zone for about a year, trying to find people for the band.”
That was in 2004, after All Natro lost four out of its original seven members. Fujihara, fellow guitarist Isaac Amado and lead singer B.J. Crisostomo were eventually joined by Amado’s brother, Gabby Amado on drums, bass player Chad Soueira, keyboardist Rockwell Rapada and percussionist Kawika Samson. In 2005 the band entered “Brown Bags to Stardom” and placed third behind a dance team and a rock band.
“We were still positive about it,” Crisostomo said. “At the beginning we was just Jawaiian music … but we started finding out why we play music and what sound we wanted to go with.”
Click here to read the rest of this interview.
