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

My turn again … hehe …

Yesterday Mai, Jenn and I had the pleasure of playing at my old Alma Mater … Iolani. I was ecstatic that Mighty J got to play at the annual Iolani Fair that happens every April. It was great to be back and I was overwhelmed with gratitude that I had the opportunity to play in front of some of my peers, current students, their parents and previous mentors. I got to see my former class president, my most dear friend Noli and her daughter Sunny, and one of my favorite teachers Mr. Hackler in the crowd. Many high school memories flooded back once I stepped foot on campus, and then I saw all of the new amenities that have been added over the years. Yes, I admit I felt a tinge of jealousy well up … especially seeing the new parking structure and the new amphitheater but I guess with time you have to stay current with your facilities to stay competitive with providing a well rounded education and safe area for parking … hopefully for the students those days of getting parking tickets along Date Street and the Ala Wai are over!

Overall I thought we had a great gig … personally .. it was a tough crowd but we came, we performed, we conquered… HAHAHA! Hats off to our boys who held it down and big kudos to Aaron for doing really well for a 1 rehearsal performance with us.

So bringing up a point that Mailani had made in her last blog about how important SOUND is … I must say that FRED from IOLANI was exceptional. He had all the necessary equipment, multiple monitors, amps, drum, wireless and amp mics, etc. to insure that sound would NOT be a concern of ours as vocalists and musicians. We’ve had gigs in the past where we couldn’t hear anything at all or there was excessive echo and feedback but not at this performance. SO … I want to send out a HUGE MAHALO to FRED LI and his Sound Crew.

Now I wish I had the opportunity to eat at the fair thats normally my most favorite part of any fair or carnival … cause I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanted a turkey leg and some andagi but at least Rai was able to get a tomato plant, basil plant, blueberries, squash, and snap peas for less than $12. What a steal!

A hui hou …

Technorati Tags: mighty j, mailani makainai, jenn jroq wright, tiki suan, dr. trey, Iolani fair, Iolani, Mr. Hackler, Noli

Let’s start February the MighTy J way….Head down to Tropics on FRIDAY night and Lily Koi’s on SATURDAY night!!!

Technorati Tags: Mighty J, Mailani Makainai, Tiki Suan, Jenn JROQ Wright, Tropics Bar and Diner, Auahi Street, Dave and Busters, Ward, Lily Koi Lounge, Aiea, Hawaii

Aloha all~
It’s official…MighTy J has been nominated for 2008 Hawaii Music Awards, so we need your help!!!!
Hawaii Music Awards is a people’s choice awards, so EVERY VOTE COUNTS!!!
Voting began TODAY at NOON and is worldwide on the internet. Anyone, anywhere in the world can vote, so please do so.
There are TWO sites to vote on!!!
Here’s what you need to do:
1) MTJ is up for ISLAND CONTEMPORARY category.
Go to: Hawaii Music Awards
**One valid email address per day can vote

2) MTJ is up for NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR. Aloha Joe’s worldwide listenership is voting and the award will be announced and presented at the Hawaii Music Awards - Saturday, 3/15/08
Go to : Aloha Joe’s Mini-Poll
**You can vote once per day per IP address (Once per day per computer)

We wanna send out multitudes of ALOHA and MAHALO to everyone that has continued to support Mighty J …we LOVE YOU ALL!!!

Technorati Tags: Mighty J, Mailani Makainai, Tiki Suan, Jenn Jroq Wright, Dr. Trey, Aloha Joe, Hawaii Music Awards, Island Contemporary, Artist of the Year

This past Wednesday, we were delighted to perform at Honolulu Hale as part of the “2007 Honolulu City Lights Concert” series. We brought new toy donations for the Toys for Tots campaign and entertained the families enjoying the beautiful, decorated christmas tree display. If you haven’t gotten down to view the city lights this year, I highly recommend you bring the family to view Christmas in Hawaii.

Special thanks to: Kanoa of Gomega for sharing his talents, Ipo, Virgil with Toys for Tots, Honolulu Hale, Mufi Hannemann, Linda Lingle, City and County of Honolulu.

Happy Holidays from MighTy J!!!

Technorati Tags: Mighty J, Mailani Makainai, Tiki Suan, Jenn JROQ Wright, Will Yokoyama, Kapono Na’ili’ili, Honolulu Hale, Honolulu City Lights, Toys for Tots, Christmas, Hawaii, Kanoa, Gomega, Mufi Hannemann, Linda Lingle, City and County of Honolulu