Tag Archives: Maui No Ka Oi Magazine

Are The Doobie Brothers Bringing Surprises

Posted by on March 31, 2011 No comments
One of the original Doobie Brothers, Patrick Simmons, rocks Maui's Whale Day Festival

Friday night’s April Fools Day concert with The Doobie Brothers and War on Maui promises to be a lot of fun. I recently chatted with band co-founder Patrick Simmons for my Rhythm & Views blog at Maui No Ka Oi Magazine.

What I didn’t include in the R&V post: there are unsubstantiated reports that the band has some special guests up its sleeves. Two thoughts immediately come to mind: Willie Nelson and former Doobie Michael McDonald. Both are part-time Maui residents and both perform on The Doobie Brothers’ new album, “World Gone Crazy.”

Guests or no guests, Friday’s concert at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center‘s outdoor amphitheater promises to be a great time.

Doobies Japan 2009 (1)

Photo copyright: The Doobie Brothers

Dave Bauss Turns Me On

Posted by on February 23, 2011 No comments

It never fails. David Bauss always turns me on to cool music. It could be any genre — from Grateful Dead-flavored shows to DJs from New York City — getting a tip from Milagro’s top bartender always leads to a great show. I ran into him the other night and by the next day, I was a fan of DJ Sabo, who is playing at Charley’s Restaurant and Saloon in Paia March 4. Check out my Rhythm & Views blog. And celebrate Mardis Gras with Bauss, Sobo and friends.

Distracted by Willie's Haircut

Posted by on May 24, 2010 No comments
willie 2 edit

Willie Nelson’s Haircut Takes My Mind Off The Music

As I prepared for my next Rhythm & Views blog, I began thinking about all of the things happening this past weekend on Maui. Slightly Stoopid was in Lahaina — and on my plane flight back from California. Jim Gaffigan was at the MACC — and on some plane flight from the Mainland to Maui. And The Reflectacles were going to play two shows — Friday night at Stella Blues and Saturday night at Charley’s — apparently flying in all the way from sunny Los Angeles.

I managed to make it to the MACC and Charley’s, hoping that a great blog idea would find its way into my brain before Sunday arrived.

I saw a good comedy show and several great bands between May 21-23; but the one thing that will always make the weekend stand out in my mind had nothing to do with comedy or a rock concert.

For me, the weekend — specifically, Saturday night at Charley’s — will always be memorable because it was the day I first saw Willie Nelson without his long braids.

Yes, Willie cut his hair. I thought of describing it like McDonald’s without the Golden Arches, Snoop Dogg not stoned or Courtney Love with a good attitude — but none of those capture the wallop upside my head when I spotted Willie without his long locks.

Maybe Bret Michaels without his bandanna would meet my needs.

As my mind processed the reality — it’s just hair, Zan — I think back on the music. There was some good stuff going down Saturday night in Maui’s little North Shore hippie town.

The evening opened with the Sugarcane String Band whose mix of bluegrass, country, rock, island and blues had people dancing and singing along as if they were listened to their favorite classic rock act.

Next up was Folk Uke, a duo that has not forgotten the importance of humor in music. The one song people kept telling me about, “S*#t Makes The Flowers Grow,” did not disappoint. With lyrics that explore the life-purpose of less-than-desirable people in our lives — Cathy Guthrie and Amy Nelson’s music has helped them carve out a niche of their own while growing up in the shadow of two very famous musician fathers, Arlo Guthrie and Willie Nelson.

You can read about The Reflectacles in my Rhythm & Views blog on Maui No Ka Oi Magazine’s website. They were pretty great on their own, and rocked when Willie joined them for a set.

By the way, Willie wails on the electric guitar. Having only seen him play his acoustic “Trigger,” I was delighted to see that Nelson can break out the rock chops on demand.

What a rock star, braids or no braids! His kids and their friends aren’t to shabby either.

You can find more information on The Reflectacles, Folk Uke and Sugarcane String Band on their respective MySpace. Facebook and web pages.

Maui's Anuhea, Gail Swanson and The Throwdowns Among Na Hoku Nominees

Posted by on April 15, 2010 No comments
Anuhea

Anuhea, The Throwdowns and Gail Swanson are among the 2010 finalists for The Hawai’i Academy of Recording Arts Na Hoku Hanohano Awards.

Anueah Jenkins was nominated in the Most Promising Artist of the Year category along with Rodney Cazimero, Kolohe Kai, Kulewa and Alvin Okami. The Maui native’s debut album, “Anuhea,” also was nominated for Contemporary Album of the Year along with Cecilio and Kapono’s ”C & K,” Iolani and Natalie Ai Kamauu’s ”Love & Peace and Unity,” Nohelani Cypriano’s “Pulelehua..My Precious Butterfly,” and Don Tiki’s “South of the Boudoir.”

Rock Album of the Year nods went to Gail Swanson for “Simple Truths,” The Throwdowns for “Don’t Slow Down,” Kona for “Acoustic-Me,” David Tamaoka for “Canefield Hero” and Linus! for “White Marks on a White Wall.”

More on the Na Hoku awards nominees, ceremony and music festival in the next edition of Maui Zan’s blog.

Zan Throws Down in New R&V Post

Posted by on April 13, 2010 No comments

Maui No Ka Oi Magazine just published the newest edition of Rhythm & Views, the magazine’s new entertainment column. What is the difference between a blog and a column? Could it be a blogumn?

Oh wait, there’s a chicken.

Check it out. The Throwdowns are either the hottest band on the island or Suzanne was in a gushy mood when she wrote the piece.

Either way, it’s a lot of fun. Not as much as going to a Throwdowns concert–but fun none the less. Well, maybe a little less.

Random Bits

Posted by on April 1, 2010 No comments

My new Rhythm & Views column for Maui No Ka Oi Magazine came out on Monday (3/29). It would be cool if you checked it out. I went to the Maui Pops and admitted I’ve seen the Jonas Brothers in concert.

Enough about me, for now.

On Saturday, thousands of people lined the streets of Kihei for a chance to work as an extra in the upcoming Adam Sandler/Jennifer Aniston movie, which is being filmed in Wailea in late April/early May.

Apparently, it was madness with long lines, slow processing and hot sun. The casting directors may announce another opportunity for extras soon.

Speaking of casting, “Pirates of the Caribbean 4,” is casting extras on Oahu and Kauai for the upcoming filming on the islands. They are looking for men to play pirates, sailors and stand-ins for primary cast members.

For the pirates, the potential extras must be authentic-looking scavenger-types 18-60s, all ethnicities, especially extreme character types: thin, tall, short, emaciated, odd features, huge nose, eyes, ears, lazy eye, grizzled and wrinkles faces, odd body types, missing limbs, teeth, etc.

Sailors must be thin and average build, good looking to extreme characters, British types, Spaniards, and other ethnicities, ages 18- into their 50s.

The Oahu casting call is set for April 24 and Kauai April 25.

Additional information is available at Sande Alessi Casting.

So, us movie fans are asking, no “Pirates” on Maui? Maybe the cast will make Maui their secret get-away home during their time on the Islands. Johnny Depp, Maui No Ka Oi.

Speaking of celebs on Maui,  Cher was here this week. She apparently rented a house across from the beach in Wailea and spent one afternoon taking stand-up-paddle lessons.

Here’s a cool story/blog that Maui Surfer Girls posted about teaching Cher to SUP.

Those who are tweens, or parents of tweens, will know who I’m talking about when I say Jake T. Austin was on the island this week, too. “I want to find him,” my precious almost 10-year-old said. I didn’t have many details for her except that he Tweeted he was roaming the streets of Maui a few nights ago.

Jake T. Austin is one of the stars of Disney Channels “Wizards of Waverly Place.” He is now back in LA for the premier of his new movie “The Perfect Game,” which opens April 16.

The movie is based on a true story about a group of boys from Monterrey, Mexico, who became the first non-U.S. Team to win the Little League World Series in 1957. The film also stars Clifton Collins Jr., Cheech Marin, Moises Arias and Louis Gossett Jr.

BIG NEWS:  Snoop Dogg is coming to Maui in July! At least that’s what Brian Evans posted on his Facebook page. Brian is the man behind The Maui Celebrity Series, a new entertainment offering that already has brought the likes of Roseanne Barr, William Shatner and Paul Rodriguez to the Valley Isle.

Next up for The Maui Celebrity Series is David Spade April 30 in Lahaina. There are rumors of surprise guests.

Also a couple of cool things: Zofia, my daughter, and I got to go with our friends to take their son Jaxon to see Jake Shimabukuro last weekend at the MACC. Jaxon, who is an 8-year-old ukulele player, was celebrating his birthday and got to perform a few of his original tunes for Jake. Then Jake gave a shout-out to Jaxon during the concert. More about the adventures of Zofia and Jaxon to come.

Also, Sebrina Barron and Gail Swanson are playing Upcountry Sundays Acoustic Style Sunday April 4 at Casanova in Makawao. It is a benefit for Mana’o Radio, the only listener-supported radio station on Maui.

More on these and other tid-bits of info coming soon.

The Throwdowns Opening For Sammy Hagar?

Posted by on March 11, 2010 No comments

Rumor has it that The Throwdowns will be the opening act at Sammy Hagar‘s April 9 show at the Castle Theater in Maui. The band recently dropped a less-than-subtle hint on its Twitter page; the post, dated March 5, read: “sneak peek at the posters for Sammy Hagar. So sic! Heard a rumor that the opening band is pretty smart. And funny. And rhymes with slowdowns.”

The Throwdowns' Erin Smith chats with Sebrina Barron backstage at BarryFest. Photo by Joyce Chin

Today (3/9), another post flowed from Twitter land that apparently was a response to a question that was posted by @eggfooyoung. “Yes, we are blessed with stage warm up duties for Mr. Hagar,” the band tweeted.

The Throwdowns’ official website does not list a show with Hagar and the Wabos. However, the band’s MySpace page kind of confirms the rumor, if there was much doubt left at this point. According to the MySpace page, the The Throwdowns are scheduled to play “MACC Castle Theatre With Sammy Hagar! TBA.” TBA? Does that mean tentative or not officially announced? Probably the latter.

If it falls through, the band’s fans can catch Erin Smith, Kimo Clark, Ola Shaw and Ian Hollingsworth April 10 opening for 311 and Iration at Lahaina Civic Center. The band recently wrapped up a support slot on Matisyahu’s Hawaiian tour which included a February 28 show at the Lahaina venue.

Off island, the band is throwing a “National CD” release party April 30 at The Pipeline Cafe in Honolulu. The band’s debut album, “Don’t Slow Down,” originally was released in August 2009 but is gaining well-deserved national exposure with a re-release edition courtesy of a distribution deal with ADA/Warner.

In addition to Matisyahu, The Throwdowns have opened for The Fray, Panic at the Disco, Bad Brains and The English Beat.

So let’s shoot an email to Erin and see if she’ll confirm the Sammy Hagar gig. As if there’s much doubt.

Fine Art Photographer Turns to Music

Posted by on March 10, 2010 No comments

Maui resident Joyce Chin recently turned her photographic talents around to focus on live music and the results have been overwhelmingly positive for the photographer and her partner-in-musical-crime, Suzanne Kayian.

Suzanne recently launched a new column, Rhythm & Views, at Maui No Ka Oi Magazine and despite the fact that she considers herself a fairly good photographer, decided to bring Joyce into the fold.

“I love taking concert photos,” Kayian said. “But to be honest, Joyce is far better behind the lens. So I started asking her to bring her camera along when we go to shows and the result has been phenomenal.”

Joyce’s website, Joyce Chin Photography, showcases a wide variety of her photographic styles, in addition to her concert shots.

Both women also are working behind the scenes to help Maui singer/songwriter Sebrina Barron take her career to the next level. Sebrina’s new website, www.SebrinaBarron.com, will launch soon but until then, you can visit her Facebook page for more information on this talented young woman.

Videos of Sebrina performing also can be found at Suzanne Kayian and Joyce Chin’s YouTube channels.