This indie rock sextet from Portland is well primed for Hallowbaloo, their first ever show in Hawaii. Blitzen Trapper's sensational 2008 album, "Furr', received major praise from both Rolling Stone and NPR (see below). In addition, they've toured relentlessly over the past 12 months including shows at many of America's largest music festivals and separate summer tours with indie giants Wilco and Fleet Foxes.

Their unique sound has been described as ranging from "Of-Montreal-meets-Grateful-Dead" to "psychedelic Southern indie rock" ("All Music Guide'). Whatever labels you choose, it's a pleasure to witness them leap across genres, push boundaries and pay homage to true classics (Bob Dylan and Neil Young for starters) - often all in one album. At the root of everything, the foundation is rock solid: exceptional songwriting, alluring vocals and top-notch rhythm & tone. And even though the band has been together for years, there's a strong sense that their wild ride has just begun.

That's in part because their success to-date has all come from within. Lead vocalist, Eric Earley, has written nearly every song for their albums and also recorded and produced each album. With so much talent and their momentum building seemingly every day, expect to see Blitzen Trapper climb aboard larger and larger stages each year and inspire generations of music fans world-wide.

Rolling Stone Magazine: Ranked Blitzen Trapper's CD, "Furr", the 13tht best album of 2008.

National Public Radio (NPR): Listeners voted "Furr" one of the top 25 albums of 2008.

2009 Touring: Headlined at Coachella, Austin City Limits, Sasquatch!, Pitchfork, etc. Summer tour with Wilco and a second summer tour with Fleet Foxes.

Press:
Album Reviews - All Music Guide
Concert Review: Blitzen Trapper @ Pabst Theater "Songs with Big Teeth" - Denver Post

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Anders Osborne comes to Honolulu as one of the most respected and admired musicians in New Orleans (no easy feat). A brief review of his music and career reveals a freakish talent with the songwriting, vocals and musicianship to be a mega-star in America and beyond. When you listen to "Coming Down," the title track of his 2007 album, you can't help but feel the same emotion and warmth that made Jackson Browne a household name world-wide. Yet, despite being a hero in New Orleans, writing a #1 hit song for Tim McGraw and regularly performing on the Crescent City's biggest stages (e.g. Jazzfest), Osborne is little known outside of Louisiana. That odd fact is in no way a reflection on his musical prowess though. If you're a fan of Hawaii's John Cruz, Jackson Browne or New Orleans' rhythm and blues (Anders not only exudes great feel with an acoustic guitar but also pulls as much grit and funk out of his Stratocaster as anyone in New Orleans), this is a show not to be missed. Osborne will be joined by special guest, Kirk Joseph, the legendary and innovative New Orleans sousaphone player who co-founded the Dirty Dozen Brass Band.

Press:
National Public Radio (NPR)"Morning Edition' - Interview
"Coming Down' - Album Review

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From the late "80's through the following decade, Ernie Cruz, Jr. won over the hearts of Hawaii residents with his exceptional recordings and performances as co-leader of the Ka'au Crater Boys. During that period, no band in Hawaii was adored more than Ka'au. Since that time, his musicianship has continued to grow. In 2001, he released his debut solo album, "Portraits", a true masterpiece. The album earned Cruz his fifth Na Hoku Hanohano award for Contemporary Hawaiian Album of the Year and placed Cruz front and center. He not only produced the recording but also played nearly every instrument and sang every part. While Cruz has always shied away from heavy national touring, there's talk of his returning to the studio and supporting the release with major tours of North America and beyond. Perhaps Hallowbaloo will be the spark to move that inclination forward. Fingers crossed...

Press:
5-Time Na Hoku Hanohano Award Winner

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ESL Music's URSULA 1000 is the alter ego of Brooklyn, New York based producer/DJ Alex Gimeno. His albums and mix sessions have taken on a broad scope of retro tinged spy grooves, bumping latin disco funk , hints of post punk electro go go and sleazy glam rock. And he continues to evolve.

You can hear his unique perspectives in his remixes for the likes of Quincy Jones, Felix Da Housecat, The Faint, Fort Knox Five to a slew of television remodels for themes to Sesame Street, The Powerpuff Girls, The Incredibles and Yo Gabba Gabba. Scenes for Sex And The City, Greys Anatomy and Ugly Betty popped even more with a helping of a little Ursula, as have campaigns for AT & T, Samsung and Adidas.

His collaborations with Dr.Luke, Shag, Cristina, Los Amigos Invisibles, Misty Roses, Federico Aubele to name a few brought forth magic on the three albums: "The Now Sound of Ursula 1000', "Kinda Kinky" and "Here Comes Tomorrow'. "All Systems Are Go Go" and "Ursadelica" showed the world his dj skills and ear for the finest in hip shaking groovers. "Undressed" had it all re-imagined by electronicas finest-Deekline, Ladytron, Product.01, Malente and more.

While traveling the world dj-ing at places like Fabric, The Big Chill Festival, Shambhala or even at his home residency at APT, he takes in all his experiences and turns out his turn ons into a psychedelic brain stew. And from this brew comes his latest release, "Mystics".

The 12 track album takes multiple journeys into outer space delivering an epic collection of psychedelic sonic sorcery. Zig-Zagging further away from the cheeky vintage breakbeat rhumba of previous records, "Mystics" delves out lethal doses of dirty booty breaks, gothic sexcapades, electro dancehall and disco-funk filth.

When the witching hour is nigh, Ursula 1000 will grab hold of Hallowbaloo's reins and unleash hearty portions of unadulterated fun. Have a quick listen to his music (posted above), and you'll surely see that it will be nothing but treats until the new day dawns.

Press:
BPM
Dr. Yes! - Modern Luxury
BLURT
URB

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Born and raised on a small island just outside of Detroit, DJ Benzi has separated himself from the competition over his 26 years. After picking up his degree in Business Economics at Western Michigan University, Benzi relocated to Ann Arbor to pursue a career in the entertainment field full time. He started growing his roots as a Club DJ at the age of 17, but it wasn't until he started producing and hitting the mixtape circuit that he really started gaining the attention he deserved.

In the past two years Benzi's buzz has skyrocketed on the strength of his patented "refixes," especially the refreshing work he has done with the Clipse and Lil Wayne on the popular "We Got The Remix" series. DJ Benzi is most known for his creative twist on bridging the club/DJ culture with that of commercial hip-hop.

The Detroit-area remix maven is rapidly gaining notoriety and in 2008 alone he was selected to URB Magazine's Next 100 list and has shown up in Fader Magazine, Rolling Stone, XXL, The Washington Post, and MTV. His buzz grew deafening at the end of 2008 when he released an official remix project with Kanye West & Plain Pat entitled "Sky High." The project received 350,000 listens within its first day of release, making it one of social networking site Imeem's most streamed media. Also in 2008, Benzi teamed up with his friend Diplo to produce the Paper Route Gangstaz "Fear & Loathing In Hunts Vegas" mixtape, which Pitchfork Media gave an outstanding 7.8 rating.

Along with the remix albums, his own debut album, "Get Right," on Amalgam Digital is in the works with a release date set for this summer. Over the last two years Benzi has also been on the road rocking shows all over the world and performing along side talent such as Diplo, the Clipse, the Cool Kids, Mick Boogie, and many other big names.

Press:
MTV News
XXL Magazine

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In September 2009, Black Square won their second Hawaii Underground Music Award for Best Ska Band. Their recordings are perfect accompaniment whether you're charging up for surf session or simply enjoying an ice-cold beverage under the sun. Place those songs on a live music stage, inject them with the band's extreme commitment and bucket-loads of passion, and you have a force to be reckoned with.

Black Square's sound can be described as a blend of ska and reggae delivered with the urgency and intensity of punk rock. As reggae music was the backdrop for these Hawaii raised punk rockers, the sound of Black Square came about organically from their musical and geographical upbringing. The band's name comes from the Russian artist Kasimir Malevich's 1915 painting of a black square. The theory behind the painting was that the material matter of art was without value and the true value in a work of art was in the feeling it expressed or provoked-without leading the viewer to a specific object based reflection. Black Square seeks to do the same with their music.

Black Square was formed as a Punk/ska trio in 2002 by Josh86, Little Brian Kim and Nick Danger. Influenced by bands like Operation Ivy, Bad Brains, and The Clash, Black Square's lyrical focus aimed at attempting to raise consciousness concerning political, environmental, cultural, and economic issues-many specific to Hawaii.

Black Square released their first CD "End the Cycle" in the summer of 2004. "End the Cycle's" basic punk and reggae sound is a great musical match to the lyrics and stands up to the test of time. Written during the start of the Afghanistan invasion and Iraq war, "End the Cycle" is an early, powerful indictment against Bush-America's global policy. After "End the Cycle" Black Square added a horn section and moved in a more complex musical direction.

Black Square released their second album, "One Glass of Water" in January of 2007. The album features songs covering such diverse concerns as teenage homelessness, globalization, militarization, and the Japanese internment camps during WWII). The added brass of T.R., G-bone, and Babyface make horns sound relevant again.

Their third cd "Onward" was released in June 08. In an era of digital perfection, "Onward" is refreshing in its organic musical feel and reflects Black Square's continued social focus. "Onward" is a groovy-rocksteady jam that showcases the band's evolution. Direct influence is shown to traditional ska music on this album without compromising any of their unique blend of punk fused reggae tones.

Recently Black Square has been touring the North America annually and garnering increased radio play. Black Square is located on Oahu. Despite their geographic isolation, local and internet support has allowed their activity to be achieved DIY. Black Square currently consists of Josh86 on guitar, Kat on Bass, Brian Kim on drums, T.R. on alto sax, and G-Bone on the trombone, and Babyface McEvans on tenor sax.


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Honolulu Advertiser
July 17, 2009
Headline: Johnny Helm a name you'll be hearing more. Singer/guitarist is getting noticed beyond the Islands.

"A few weeks ago we in TGIF did a spread on 23-year-old Maui native Anuhea, whose self-titled CD reached No. 7 on iTunes' most-downloaded-albums list.

Here's another one to watch: singer/guitarist Johnny Helm. We're not saying the 36-year-old Connecticut transplant is about to go viral Anuhea-style, but we will tell you he is a hidden gem on the Waikiki circuit who may be on the verge of something big.

Helm recently recorded five demos at the Great Divide Recording Studios in Aspen, Colo., and at Nightbird Recording Studios in Los Angeles with Jed Leiber and drummer John Michel, who has played with, among others, Billy Joel and John Oates.

"The initial plan was to shop the demos to booking agents on the Mainland, but the response has been so good we're heading back to the recording studio to cut five more songs and have an album ready to go, hopefully for this fall," Helm said. "You could say we're heavily invested in this project and it's going to go ahead."

It's been a long time coming for Helm. He came to O'ahu in 1993 for college and has been a fixture on the music scene ever since. He's also huge into surfing, and his first two CDs are definitely of the easy-listening variety. The simplicity of them was as much because of resources - or lack of - as it was because of his style.

"They were done with zero budget and from my bedroom," Helm said, laughing. "You can still get them at Borders and after my shows, but with Jed and John on board, we bought some serious studio time. I've got more of a world sound. They've made the songs better. I think one track, 'Charity,' is going to hit home for Hawai'i."

If all goes well, Helm's story of catching a break will start with Michel contacting him after a performance at Tiki's Grill & Bar, one of Helm's regular Waikiki gigs. Michel was so impressed with Helm's sound he introduced him to Leiber and the trio first recorded in L.A., then Aspen. The Leiber name carries a lot of weight in the music industry. Jed is the son of legendary songwriter Jerry Leiber, who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for writing songs like "Hound Dog" and other Elvis Presley hits, as well as "Stand By Me" and dozens of other golden oldies.

While Helm's future looks bright, you can still catch him at 9 p.m. Thursdays and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays at Tiki's, 8 p.m. Mondays at Lulu's Restaurant and Bar, and at The Cheesecake Factory on Fridays and Sundays at 8 p.m. He'll do mostly covers while he plays in Waikiki, but if you ask him to play his originals, he's more than happy to oblige.

You also can check him out on Facebook, under Johnny Helm." -Honolulu Advertiser, July 17, 2009


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This Hawaii electro-pop indie sensation became an instant hit at their second ever show this past July - a battle of the bands affair with the winner being awarded an opening act gig for a national indie rock giant. They climbed aboard the stage, fidgeted with their equipment to the point of irritation....and then unleashed irresistible dance-heavy beats. Their reward - opening for Modest Mouse in what would be just the third live performance of the band's young career. Fast-forward a few months, and Girlfriends finds themselves helping to close-out Hallowbaloo 2009 in what is one of the most anticipated shows of the festival.

Bio:
It's a long and complicated story about how the punks took over the dance floor and the dance floor took over the punks. They had been in many bands before - Shoko Kono, Le Tenia, Life In The Iron Lung - but none of them were like THIS. In early 2009, Jacob Achitoff (aka Aesthete) and Alex Kaiser (Le Tenia) were programming electro bangers under the moniker Gaza In Neon and in May, were invited to participate in a Battle Of The Bands to open for MGMT. However, Gaza was a bedroom studio project between two similarly minded friends and hardly a 'live' band. Eager for notoriety and the chance to open for a fun, dance-y indie/electro act Alex and Jake entered into Battle Of The Bands as GIRLFRIENDS - a band that had yet to exist and had just over a month to prepare to 'battle' the best and brightest bands in Hawaii.

The con went down like this: Alex and Jake recruited Nick Ross and Nate Mccurdy (both having played in Le Tenia, Shoko Kono and Less Than Zero) on guitar and drums and with Alex as the singer and Jacob behind a Micro Korg they attempted to play dance music with the frantic energy, passion and instrumentation that they had honed in punk bands for almost a decade. Taking influence from the indie/post-punk revival of the early 2000's (Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Strokes, Interpol) and the artists at the forefront of the recent electro craze (Justice, Soulwax, LCD Soundsystem, M83) as well as first wave punk and post punk (The Clash, Joy Division, New Order) GIRLFRIENDS wrote 4 songs and debuted them at the Battle Of The Bands in June.

The reaction from the crowd and the judges was unanimously positive however the band lost the contest to their esteemed peers in the Jump Offs by only 2 points (out of 50). Despite losing there was a mutual understanding for the members of the band and the scenesters present that night - GIRLFRIENDS was a force to be reckoned with. A month later with another few more songs on their belt, the band was invited back to play a second Battle Of The Bands, this time with the chance to open for Modest Mouse - a great honor for any Hawaii band. GIRLFRIENDS took the prize that night, and on Sept. 9th, for a thousand-strong crowd, with only a few small shows under their belt, the band debuted their first full-set. Hands were raised, jaws were dropped, girls got flustered and everybody knew GIRLFRIENDS had arrived.

To further mark their arrival GIRLFRIENDS are getting ready to release their first self-produced EP 'ADULT OFFENDERS ARE YOUNG LOVERS' for free, digital download. The EP consists of 5 dance-punk/post-punk/electro anthems born out of desperation - desperation to get noticed, desperation to be the best, of being desperately high, desperately horny and desperately wanting to dance.


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Come check out this unique, entirely entertaining outfit while you can! They'll soon be heading off to Portland to take advantage of the sea of opportunities and praise they've received from music industry executives and others since forming just a short while ago.

Haberdashery has adopted a new name, "All the Apparatus', but their music remains the same. Ukulele, melodica, glockenspiel, accordion, omnichord and about five other interesting instruments join together to propel one of the most interesting and energetic sounds (klezmer, gipsy, etc.) Honolulu has ever seen. Witnessing their show is like traveling to crowded bizarre in a far away land, curious sights and sounds buzz about punctuated by songs that demand a response - dancing, smiling, singing-along or all of the above. It's a perfect way to engulf yourself in the dreamland that is Hallowbaloo 2009.


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Seductive, provocative, and at times outlandish, Cherry Blossom Cabaret (CBC) is Honolulu's ticket to a surreal and exotic adventure that will captivate you from beginning to end.

CBC debuted in July 2006 at Ong King Arts Center as a modest duo known as "Cherry Blossom Burlesque;" the group has since "bloomed" into an ten member troupe that regularly leaves audiences begging for more. Not wanting to be strictly regarded as a "burlesque" troupe, the group recently changed its name to "Cherry Blossom Cabaret" to highlight that the performers do more than shimmy and shake out of their costumes; they also dance, act and sing. Those who see CBC perform will be amazed by the group's diverse jaw-dropping repertoire. The Honolulu based cabaret has various influences ranging from classic vaudeville-style theatre, b-grade horror and science fiction, film noir, kitsch, historical and political satire, comedic sketches, retro fashion, an eclectic array of music, and of course the classy yet sassy art of tease. CBC also regularly performs with a number of local acts including the charming and alarming Dave Noodle, The Hell Caminos, Black Square, and the Cherry Bomb Boys to name a few.


What is Burlesque?

Burlesque means "in an upside down style," turning social norms head over heels. It was a form of musical comedy popular from about 1840 through the 1960s. Performances in the early years were parodies performed primarily for the middle and lower classes of society in which actors would poke fun at the social habits of the upper class. In the late 1860s burlesque was brought to America, it focused on theatrical spoofs featuring women playing men's roles wearing costumes considered revealing for the time. Vaudeville, cabaret, striptease, the follies of the twenties and thirties, and the girlie shows of the forties and fifties have their roots in burlesque.

The Neo-burlesque revival exploded in the early 1990s in Los Angeles and New York City, and the art form is continuing to grow in different varieties from classy to raunchy, kitschy to political, gender bending to straight laced tease, and a whole lot more. CBC is bringing this revival to Honolulu by captivating, entertaining and enticing audiences island wide. Come to a show and see why Honolulu loves CBC.


Members:

Members of CBC include: Megan Meyham, Lola Love, Miss Fortune, Mishy Le Fleur, Catwings, Mabsy, Violetta Beretta, Nina Rose, Kitty Chow, and Vivian Vallo.


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Take Stevie Ray Vaughan's dirty blues guitar stylings, add-in vocals that recall Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin, and on occasion, toss in some hip-hop, turntables, djembe, or didgeridoo. Formerly known as X Factor, Kings of Spade is Hawaii's freshest fusion of original funk, soul, blues, and rock. The band just returned from a 2 year stint in Los Angeles recording their debut studio album "Crave" (released in September 2009) and playing regularly at LA's hot spots including The Avalon, Sunset Strip's Viper Room, and The House of Blues. Their song "Boys In The Band" is featured in the film and soundtrack for the Warner Brother's released "Utopian Society."

Video:
Boys in the Band

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Since adding world-touring drummer, Steve Howells, to the line-up earlier this year, the Doolin Rakes live performances have been as driving and inspiring as any band in Hawaii. Formed in 2003 in Honolulu, Hawaii, the band focuses on Celtic rock and roll. Their debut full-length album, "Irishman in Paradise" (independently released), sold out its first pressing in a scant few weeks and earned the band a Na Hoku Hanohano nomination for rock album of the year. The CD showcases the band's songwriting talent and reverence for the traditional songs that first brought them together.

The well traveled and loosely affiliated five-piece group was assembled after guitarist Jamie Winpenny was asked by a besotted master carpenter to find an Irish band for the pending nuptials of a mutual friend. After two rehearsals, one night of matrimonial and musical abandon, and countless libations, it was decided by the members that to fail to continue making music together would be a lamentable disservice to themselves and to others keen on the mournful and ecstatic vibrations of Celtic music.

Since that first fateful show, the Rakes have developed a large and loyal following by performing at Honolulu's Irish pubs and headlining at high-profile community events throughout Hawaii. The band never fails to captivate their audience, and their joy onstage is inescapably infectious.

Singer and guitarist James McCarthy, an accomplished stage and screen actor and prolific singer/songwriter, fronts the band at a towering six-foot-five. Fiddler Lesley Kline spent years playing mariachi music with French miscreants from Calais to Nice during a decade-long stint in France. She saves souls each time she plays with a quiet worldliness and a torrid intensity. Guitarist Winpenny originally cut his teeth with a ska band, touring the U.S. for years on end with pathological drive. He provides a rock and roll prankster slant on the Rakes repertoire of original and traditional Celtic songs. Bassist Geoffrey Red hails from the hills of California, and brings a low end groove informed by the rhythms of rock, funk, and reggae. He also has brought some originals composed on the mandolin to the band's repertoire. Drummer Steve Howells is an accomplished international recording artist. He has toured extensively throughout Africa with bands that have opened for luminaries such as Johnny Clegg and Savuka. He was born in Wales and raised in South Africa, which has given him a keen understanding of the nuances of Celtic and world music.

With nearly 100 collective years of professional musicianship and unanimous devotion to their craft, Doolin Rakes has become Hawai'i's premiere Celtic rock band. When it comes to Celtic rhythms, there is simply no other group in the Pacific delivering such joyfully intense music night in and night out.


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One of Hawaii's hottest new bands bringing a Big sound with touches of Springsteen, Americana and hard rock. Listen closely for melodies that remind of The Pixies, arrangements and big guitars that bring nostalgia of Dinosaur Jr. and ambient sounds that hint at Radiohead. If you've never heard of "Painted Highways" have no fear. They formed just this past summer and have performed just a handful of shows. But make no mistake about it, their buzz is Huge. The band's Hallowbaloo performance is sure to be action packed!


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Dub Phylum's music has strong appeal with roots reggae enthusiasts, but pigeon hole them at your own peril. Time and again, they're called on to perform at non-traditional reggae shows and for good reason. Their infectious grooves include a serious dose of funk along with searing guitar solos and silky smooth vocals. The result is a sound that has high impact with a diverse audience and consistently gets the dance floor burning.


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Listening to the AM radio while being driven to elementary school in his mom's Monte Carlo is how @ESKAE was first exposed to music. In high school, his music interest grew when he started sneaking out of the house to go to clubs like "After Dark" and "Euphoria".

Late nights spent listening to other DJs influenced experimenting with scratching, which led to the collaborative formation of the Nocturnal Sound Krew (other members include DJs Compose, Logoe and Solution). With a common love for hip-hop and turntablism, the Krew has been a dominant force in Honolulu's club and DJ battle scene for years.

ESKAE's mission is to get people from different scenes together, enjoying the same party. His signature style easily transitions between hip-hop, dancehall, hipster electro rock, classic funk and soul. Regarded as one of Hawaii's most versatile DJs, ESKAE has rocked everything from underground parties to exclusive, invitation-only events. He continues to break down genre barriers and gets people dancing to music they didn't realize they liked.


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The deadbeats are a funky, jazzy hip-hop band currently residing in Honolulu Hawaii. The band formed in 2005 as a duo but numerous musicians/friends have joined the ranks since. Five creative minds now lead the charge: Harumi the Hymn [emcee], Brett Robinson [bass/ vocals], Ethan 'Honky-tonk' Capone [keys], Micah McLaughlin [drums] and Matty Wong [saxophone].

With all the right pieces now in place, The deadbeats are quickly becoming a Hawai"i favorite. The Honolulu Weekly voted them "the best up-and-coming local group", and additional praise has abounded from near and far. The Honolulu Star-Bulletin said: "There's attitude, there's irony and there's imaginative vocabulary...worth hearing...The deadbeats' album positions them as potential winners in at least two categories at the 2010 Hoku Awards." Hand in hand with the kudos have come offers to open for national music stars including Mos Def, Blue Scholars and Eric Hutchinson. As the Hallowbaloo party moves from the streets to the clubs, few are better equipped to turn up the heat than The deadbeats.


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In the summer of 2009, Honolulu lay witness to an explosion of great new indie-influenced bands. Clones of the Queen is undoubtedly one of the best. Their modern, experimental music transports listeners with atmospheric synth sounds and ethereal vocals from sexy singer, Ara Laylo.

During Hallowbaloo, Halloween decorations will transform the Loft into a Space Odyssey. With Clones of the Queen kicking-off the night and Ursula 1000 bringing it to a climatic conclusion, the journey through the cosmos will surely be a wild and highly entertaining ride.


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Dj Sovern-T (aka Taharba James) continues to blaze his own trail in Hawai'i and his large throng of followers remains as impassioned as ever. That is of no surprise to anyone who has witnessed his command of the tablas. Whether he is warming-up a crowd for a world-renowned drum n' bass Dj, closing a concert following a performance by Ozomatli (two-time Grammy winners & latin/hip-hop/funk extraordinaires) or headlining in one of the many Honolulu clubs where he holds residence, Dj Sovern-T delivers music that moves you. He does so by maintaining a tight grip of a vast array of musical styles and tempos.

Thanks to the diverse line-up of the Hallowbaloo street festivities, Dj Sovern-T will not be penned into any particular genre or mood. Instead, at 7pm when he takes over the decks of the Dance Cauldron on Hotel Street, he will have carte blanch to take the groove wherever he sees fit, and for anyone who has a stitch of dance in them, that is something to be truly excited about. Expect an even more enthralling set at midnight, when he takes over The Mercury Bar and has a full two-hours to shake it to and fro.


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Hailing from Honolulu, Dj Mr. Nick is an off the beaten track type of selector, specializing in laying down eclectic mixes of jazzy, style bending beats alongside Downtempo, House, Breaks, and Drum & Bass. A typical set will pull from the far corners of the world with music ranging from a sexy, jazzy sax solo, to a gently swaying samba, to a spinning sitar driven house number. As the divergent sounds of Mr. Nick's international mix go in his listeners' ears and straight to their souls, his overriding message rings loud and clear: through sound, we are all interconnected, and through communication, honesty, and harmony we can flatten the world.

It is that energy which has quickly propelled Dj Mr. Nick to becoming one of Honolulu's premier Dj's and made him a seemingly constant presence at Honolulu's biggest dance events. Those events include his opening for international luminaries like Ursula 1000, Fort Knox Five, Doc Martin, Dj IRA and the Greenskeepers. His talents have also made Dj Mr. Nick easy to find on a weekly basis. He's done residencies throughout the Honolulu Arts District including NextDoor, 39 Hotel and Bar 35. The one constant on his schedule is Wednesday night at 6pm. Each week during at that time, he takes over the controls at KTUH (90.3 fm) and shares his musical visions for three straight hours.

As the masses bounce from one Hallowbaloo club to another, they may not spot Dj Mr. Nick's diminutive frame, but they will certainly pick-up on his music, sounds that will at once put them at ease while simultaneously lifting their spirits through irresistible rhythms.


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Family Dinner serves up hearty portions of creative music. With a large & potent horn section and talented, seasoned musicians laying down the one's and two's, the band cooks up a smorgasbord delectable treats. The top-notch grooves demand attention and certainly deserve it as Family Dinner repeatedly take their audience on a virtual world tour. It is not uncommon for listeners at live shows to be transported from New Orleans to Israel to Cuba and to Outer Space in a single set. Like a master chef, the band blends a unique mixture of Hip Hop, Funk, Latin, Ska and Dixieland with a touch of Country and a dash of Heavy Metal to create a delicious musical gumbo. While this blend of sounds and styles may seem disparate, it is deftly held together by the musical dexterity of the band, all with the singular goal of making people dance.

Family Dinner was formed in by Joel Spiral, Reggie Padilla and Alfredo Rivera when all three met and discovered common musical interests at a weekly family dinner hosted by Padilla on Fridays. As Spiral shared his songs describing a lighter side of life in Hawaii, it was decided on the spot that the three would form a band. Within a week, the group's line-up was completed and rehearsals begun (Line-up: Joel Spiral [Vocals], Reggie Padilla [Piano/alto sax], Johannne Montero [Guitar], Eric Folk [Drums], Troy Swanson [Bass], Chris Guarino [Tenor Sax], Jason Emanuelson [Trumpet], Quincy Dunker [Tuba], Alfredo Rivera [Tenor Sax]). Live performances throughout Oahu followed soon thereafter. In the fall of 2008, Family Dinner self-released an EP entitled "Come and Get It" and attracted the attention of Pass Out Records founder Eric Lagrimas. While continuing to gig and write music, Family Dinner began work on their full length debut, to be released by Pass Out Records in late 2009. Family Dinner has been steadily feeding audiences throughout Honolulu and will soon bring their unique flavors to distant shores. Dinner is served. Come and get it!


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Honolulu Weekly
August 05, 2009

Headline: Here kitty
Byline: Kalani Wilhelm

"Regulars of Chinatown's eclectic night scene have become obsessed with the swanky styles of DJ Kitty Lee. By all accounts the feeling is mutual. Some just go to visit the music-rich area on occasion, but Lee calls it home.

"Chinatown is where it's at as far as the underground music scene. I'm super stoked to be part of this dope scene," said the NextDoor and Bar 35 resident spinstress. "I'm also stoked on new clubs opening such as Loft, SoHo, and soon-to-come The Manifest. All together they make for great bar hopping and have a little something for everyone." Thank Herbie Hancock for getting her hooked on techno. Exploring the rave scenes in Arizona and Oregon showed her the power of electronica first hand and eventually played a part in her drive to perpetuate dance music in Kona.

The wonder chick's appeal begins with her innate ability to completely capture the mood of a place and translate that into the perfect vibe to rock out to. The end result is always a win-win situation for her and the crowd.

"You got to play for the people. Otherwise you're just playing what you want to hear and not paying attention," she said. "My personal goal every night that I play music is to keep people dancing and drinking, and to not get any requests. To me that means I played the perfect tracks at the perfect time." Honolulu Weekly, August 05, 2009


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Honolulu Weekly
February 25, 2009

Headline: Logoe my ego
Byline: Kalani Wilhelm

"DJ Logoe and the Nocturnal Sound Krew / There is one word that sums up the accomplishments of DJ Logoe and the Nocturnal Sound Krew's status in DJ circles both locally and worldwide. Untouchable.

Balancing his career outside of the music world with his hip-hop passion has kept him away from the 1s and 2s more than he would like, but Logoe has never had a problem getting busy with the best of them.

Credit the "Rock of the Noc" for building the brotherhood and collective focus that has kept the NSK prominence poppin' and dance floors moving for over 10 years. "He brought the crew together," said fellow Noc Boy DJ Eskae. He's the first one of us to start DJ-ing."

World DJ titles aside, Logoe headlines "Reload: Murder Mainstream" at Loft with fellow boom bap wrecker DJ Packo as the duo brings something new to the scene. "[It's] taking music to the next level by taking what's mainstream and cutting it up to a whole different sound," says Logoe. "It's the next evolution of creating music live in front of people." Honolulu Weekly, February 25, 2009


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Honolulu Advertiser
December 30, 2007

Headline: BUZZ BUILDING FOR SOUND KREW CD
Byline: Lacy Matsumoto
Nocturnal Sound Krew is releasing a CD, "Can't Noc the Hustle," on Friday - a mix that works over tracks by notables Mark Ronson and Lily Allen, Common and Talib Kweli. Buzz is building about the recording, which includes an exclusive track with Ho-nolulu MC Emirc. They're calling it Vol. 1 of a planned series. Find the CD locally at Kicks/HI, In4mation, DIG lifestyle, Stussy and other great local boutiques.

Krew members Jami and Compose, there since the beginning, are out on a national tour now, playing in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Atlanta and New York. We talked with Jonathan Ablan, aka Compose, who put this CD together.

Q. Where did you get your DJ name?
A. Being influenced by a lot of the original turntablists, one thing that caught my ear was not so much all the tricks of the DJ, but the actual manipulating and creating of sounds using the turntable ... somewhat like a composer for an orchestra ... thus "DJ Compose."

Q. And the name of your new CD?
A. "Can't Noc the Hustle" is derived from a classic song from Jay-Z by the same name. "Hustle" could mean anything - to me, it means to stay busy and stay hungry ... to get anywhere in this world, you have to stay hungry. You have to always want more and also think of new and fresh ways to do it; that is my hustle.

Q. What inspired you to produce this mix?
A. Coming up, mix tapes were my "Internet" - it was the way to get in the loop ... in music, clothes, styles, everything. Nowadays, it seems as if there are new DJs popping up every day with the same style they see on the latest blog on MySpace. I wanted to stay away from all the trends - mash-ups, '80s - and come with a real soulful mix of joints I like right now. Mainly hip-hop, but infused with other great music. No frills.

Q. What are you listening to?
A. Man, that Chicago sound is absolutely killing it right now! Kid Sister, Cool Kids, Kanye (West), Lupe (Fiasco), Common; it's pretty ridiculous. I listen to everything, really, there is a time and place for everything. ... so I get my Souljah boy on as much as I get my Daft Punk on.

Q. Where are you spinning?
A. I am pretty much all over the place on the weekends (The W, Living Room, Indigo, Tsukiji's). I want to big up to all the promoters paying my rent. All you young DJs, there is a difference between "keeping it real" and "keeping it broke" - make money!


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Tiki Taboo makes sure that Hawaii, the birthplace of surfing, maintains a close connection to the pop surf culture that made the sport an international sensation in the 1950's. Purveyors of vintage surf music, their self-titled debut album places them in the same ballpark as the iconic Dick Dale & the Del-Tones. Whether covering classics such as the Surfaris' "Wipeout" or Dale's "Miserlou" or firing through their quality originals, Tiki Taboo transports listeners to a memorable era worth celebrating. In the process, the band reminds us that this style of music stands quite nicely on its own sans nostalgia. With timeless melodies and driving beats, it's no surprise that vintage surf music influenced so many in the past (e.g. Jimi Hendrix). Thanks to Tiki Taboo, the music has potential to impact future generations to come.


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DJ 45 Revolver's name hails from his penchant for spinning strictly vinyl with heavy emphasis on 45s. In a DJ world increasingly dominated by hard drives, 45 Revolver knows the analog sound will never be beat, and he brings it each and every night. Holding down multi-year residencies at Indigo, Bar 35 and Living Room to name a few, 45 Revolver is a stalwart in the Honolulu dance scene. He focuses on hip hop, reggae and old school dance.


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80's Flashback! The Ferris Bueller Band kicks off Hallowbaloo 2009 by dialing it back to the decade when hits like Jenny Jenny (I got your number) and Jessie's Girl ruled the airwaves. What better way to step into the dreamland that is Hallowbaloo ! "Summer of "69" (Bryan Adams), "Pour Some Sugar on Me" (Def Leppard), "Blister in the Sun" (Violent Femmes), "Melt With You" (Modern English).....all brought to life in fine fashion by a crew of seasoned musicians that includes an ace rhythm section with Konrad Kendrick on drums (Fiji, Sean Na'auao, a nine-year stint with Stomp!, etc.) and Andrew McLellan on bass (Henry Kapono, Plush Nugget, etc.).


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An Oahu native, Toki has been DJ-ing in Honolulu since 2002 breaking in at the legendary Treehaus parties and quickly joining the island's popular all-female DJ colllective "Sisters In Sound". During that time, her promo mixes "Isis" and "Isis - 1 Year Anniversary" garnered major attention and airplay from local radio station KTUH (90.3 fm). In 2005, Toki began a two-year weekly residency at Electro-Lyfe at Indigo (Saturdays) in collaboration with DJ Monkey.

Never content to restrain their mixing exploration to a single genre, they made each Saturday night in the Opium Den a study in UK and European breakbeats, electro, dance punk, indie pop and drum & bass, and hosted an assortment of local and mainland talents from the famous (Bassnectar, Cheb i Sabbah, Q-Burns Abstract Message, Maneesh the Twister) to the obscure (CA electro artist Mr. Rogers, HI dubstep scientist DJ Thread, SF's A:Dubl and Sol).

Eventually the desire to make each event unique led to collaboration with Saya and the Pacific Jungle crew for a string of top-notch D & B one-offs dubbed Echoplex. Echoplex brought the lion's portion of Honolulu's D & B DJs together for a couple of memorable 8-way tag-team sessions and went on to host notable producer/DJs Killjoy (1/2 of Concord Dawn) from New Zealand and Red One from England (all firsts for Hawaii's small but close-knit jungle scene).

Since 2008, Toki's bookings expanded beyond Electro-Lyfe. She's shared the stage with vocalist Jennifer Johns at NextDoor and has been a frequent featured guest at Subphonix, Amplify/Audiolab and Lift Sessions at Lotus, as well as the nationally-famous Hawaii Poetry Slam at Hawaiian Hut. Presently, her consistent focus comes in the form of two monthly's: a strictly UK night at Mercury Bar and "Broken Liquid" - held every third Saturday at Bar 35 featuring drum & bass, dubstep, UK garage, electro and more. At Hallowbaloo, expect Toki to deliver an interesting soundscape filled with breakbeats, fidget house and big bass.


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Soul Selector, Cookiehead Jenkins (Joey Salazar), became a fixture in the Honolulu music scene thanks to his exploits at the helm of KTUH 90.3fm every Friday night from 9pm to midnight. He held that time slot for seven glorious years (2000-2007). His initial show, "Vinyl Grooves", dished out healthy portions of tasty funk from around the globe and brought classic soul tracks back to life such as "Between the Sheets" by the Isley Brothers, "Going Down for the Third Time" by Phoebe Snow, and "Mary Jane" by Rick James. After delighting Oahu with that focus for many years, Cookiehead brought the mix forward to include recent releases with his show, "Solid State Deluxe". The show continued to air from 6-9pm on Friday nights, but his spins expanded to any and all music rooted in soul - nu & old school soul, jazz, funk, hip-hop, afrobeat, samba, salsa, electro and reggae. While Cookiehead has since stepped away from the studio at KTUH, he continues to entertain by Dj-ing live sets at select gigs around Honolulu.

Cookiehead Jenkins has spun at nearly every Halloween extravaganza hosted by T-Rx Entertainment (producer of Hallowbaloo). If you're looking for soul-drenched sounds that make you feel Good from head to toe, make a beeline for Bar 35 as soon as the street music winds down at Hallowbaloo.


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