M i g h t y J

Below you will find the bonus track for you all to download and enjoy. This track is entirely free and can only be found here. It’s a great way to “deluxify” your Mighty J CD. The song is called “No More Tears” and is written by Tiki Suan. She is also the lead vocalist on this one. Mahalo all!

click here for the download link

click below to listen:

I know it’s been awhile since you’ve all heard from me, but I just wanted to send out an apology as we are trying to update the engine that runs this site. I know it’s been tough to access this site lately, but we are trying to improve your experience when visiting mightyjmusic.com. Thanks for bearing with us and rest assured that we are close to completing our upgrade.

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

Hi peeps…
Early this morning, Tiki had an interview with our friends at KAPA radio, promoting MTJ’s visit to the Big Island this weekend. To hear the interview click on the link: Tiki KAPA Podcast or visit kaparadio.com

Mai and Jenn will interview with Aloha Joe this morning around 10:30am in Waikiki at the Miramar Hotel. Unfortunately, the ladies will not be able to attend the 2008 Hawaii Music Awards ceremony to accept their award for “Best Island Contemporary Album,” due to their performance in Keahou, however, MTJ did shoot a video acceptance award that will be played at the ceremony. Thank you again to the HMA and Johnny Kai for allowing us to film a Video Acceptance Speech. We will post the acceptance video soon, so hang tight…
With that said.. MighTy J hits the Big Island again THIS Saturday, March 15^th for the King Kamehameha III’s Birthday Celebration Concert held on the grounds of the Sheraton Keahou Bay Resort. So for all those that live on the Big Island, please head down to Keahou on Saturday!!! What a perfect opportunity to head to Kona side of the island..It will be worth the drive..the concert is FREE and there are complimentary shuttles that will transport you from Keahou Shopping Center from 4pm-10:30pm.
The Ladies of MighTy J perform from 5-6pm on the lawn of the Sheraton Keahou grounds, followed by a excellent line up including: Ladies of “Na Lei O Kaholoku”, and Hawaiian music from Sonny Lim, Weldon Kekauoha, Brudda Smitty, Kaukahi, Mike Ka’awa, Beverly Noa (legendary hula soloist), Marlene Sai and more..
Please note: No coolers or outside food or drink allowed. Beach chairs and mats welcome. Free concert shuttle from Keauhou Shopping Center from 4 to 10:30pm.
Hope to see you there!!!!

-Rai

Technorati Tags: Mighty J, Mailani Makainai, Tiki Suan, Jenn JROQ Wright, KAPA Radio, Aloha Joe, Artist of the Year, Hawaii Music Awards, Johnny Kai, Island Contemporary Album, Calling Out, Dr. Trey, King Kamehameha, Sheraton, Keahou, Big Island, Kona, Keahou Shopping Center, Na Lei O Kaholoku, Sonny Lim, Weldon Kekauoha, Brudda Smitty, Kaukahi, Mike Ka’awa, Beveryly Noa, Marlene Sai, KAPA radio, Miramar Hotel, Waikiki

Aloha and welcome!

I have to apologize for not blogging lately, kala mai peeps.  However, within this past week, Hawai’i’s most cherished legendary majestic icons have passed.

Aunty Genoa Keawe.  Uncle Raymond Kane.

With Aunty’s falsetto and in depth spirit, she continued Hawaiian music without compromising or conforming what Hawaiian music is and what it means to be a Hawaiian and to do just that is soul breaking~!  Mahalo Aunty for giving to Hawai’i and to your ‘ohana, to everyone that you encountered your generous aloha (that’s sort of redundant :)) , but truly what a beautiful life you have shared with us all!  We bid you the warmest farewell and our love goes to your ‘ohana and to Papakolea!

And to Uncle Raymond, a legendary master of ki ho’alu and Hawaiian song, Hawaiian culture and our stories of old.  Mahalo nui for sharing and all you have given!  For much of the world, Ki Ho’alu is still something new and still in its introductory stages, but years ago when the kika (guitar) first came to this island, Hawaiians grabbed hold of this instrument and put our own tuning to it.  Who knows how and why, we just heard something centuries ago and thought this is what it needs to sound like, and played everyday as our family rested after an evening’s meal, with story telling, the sharing of each others’ days, all this surrounding family life, love, music, and the knowledge to give it up to God, where every single action and thought was done with consideration and regard for Akua, a higher purpose than ourselves.

Although this is something extremely small and insufficient and not good enough to honor these two ali’i that have gone beyond the depths of our human understanding, we wish your families our love and extend such an exalted ‘ihi,  aloha ‘oe, a sweet farewell, I believe we truly will all see each other again, and it is then when the best jam session EVER will again take place.

M.