M i g h t y J

So over the weekend we heard some really GREAT news … Mighty J has been nominated for a NA HOKU HANOHANO AWARD as voted by our fellow music peers in HARA (Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts) for CONTEMPORARY ALBUM of the YEAR. How cool is that? We are so honored and excited to be considered for this award. Mahalo to our HARA ohana for recognizing what we ladies have been trying to do and the message we’re trying to get across with our “Calling Out” album. Mahalo also to our Label Daddy Records and our producer Dr. Trey for believing in us and our journey to play our style of music.

We’ve been labeled on may occasions as progressive and although this word is scary to some people, I think it is a true definition of Mighty J. The “progressive” label means we’re trying to advance and move forward from what people expect from us and from the music industry here in Hawaii.Yes, we are trying to be different … different from who we are in our original bands and from what’s out there now. Our music is not soooo drastically over the top that we’ve created our own genre, but it does have underlying sounds of our island influences with a more agressive edge than on our previous recordings with our other bands. We don’t fit the norm of a traditional Hawaiian trio or a Jawaiian band and thats really the beauty of how and why Mighty J came about. I think its been somewhat difficult for us to make an impact being labeled as a band that plays music thats outside of the current music scene’s “expectations” because the radio waves in the islands just perpetuate and glorify Jawaiian and reggae music. I love reggae music but there is so much more to island music that that style.

We just want people to know that music from Hawaii is vast and eclectic and not so pidgeon holed as it may be perceived … there are MANY outstanding artists and musical genres (ska, punk,acoustic, rock, jazz, etc.) being played here for live events and being recorded in the islands … and with open ears, minds, and a little research you will find them out there… cause on rotation you may not hear it. Which is sad in a way but that’s another blog.

And people … we are up against a slew of talented artists… yes we have an uphill climb ahead of us, but that hasn’t stopped us before and will not stop us now …we will just continue to PROGRESS …

as reported in the Honolulu Advertiser … Link to article

Contemporary Album of the Year
Best performance of music in a contemporary style

• BACK TO ROMANCE, Matt Catingub Orchestra of Hawaii (Mountain Apple)
• BACK TO THE ISLANDS, Sonya Mendez (Fat & Happy)
• CALLING OUT, Mighty J (Daddy)
• NO PLACE LIKE HOME, Manoa DNA (Roy Sakuma)
• ONE OF THESE DAYS, John Cruz (Lilikoi)

Last Side note … its interesting to read the comments on that Honolulu Advertiser’s article … Its nice to know that other people share similar thoughts and feelings as we do about the music in Hawaii and my assumption is that not all of them are in the music business … my 2 cents.

Technorati Tags: Mighty J, Mailani Makainai, Jenn Jroq Wright, Tiki Suan, Dr. Trey, Daddy Records, Calling Out, HARA, Na Hoku Hanohano, Jawaiian music, Hawaii Music, Honolulu Advertiser