Includes a candid review of his latest CD release, “Kane`ohe” from other local musicians and personalities.
Nathan Aweau’s talents have brought him much successes,
including a top selling recent CD release, Kane’ohe.
Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “Every man has his own vocation, talent is the call.” If that is true, Nathan Aweau, the subject of my column this month, has definitely recognized and honed in on one of the finest skills we can possess-loving what we do for a living! “Music is more than just a job, its part of my life, it’s my favorite hobby. I love picking up my guitar or bass everyday…I look forward to practicing. I love jumping on my keyboard, turning on my computers and just creating,” says Aweau.
Kane’ohe, released late last year, has topped CD
sales in Hawaii, and is truly mesmerizing.
I recently had the opportunity to catch up with Nathan Aweau, one of Hawaii’s finest musicians and songwriters. With a number one-selling recent release of solo album “Kane`ohe,” down his belt, currently touring the U.S. mainland with his musical group, “Hapa” (with fellow group members Charles Ka`upu and Barry Flanagan) you would think that this musician wouldn’t have time to kick back and talk stories with me. However, this gracious guy was not only willing, but also humble, down to earth, and definitely deserving of all of the accolades he’s acquired over the years. In 2003, Aweau was named Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year by the Hawaiian Academy of Recording Arts, for his “E Apo Mai” CD release. In June of the same year, he joined HAPA (Charles Ka`upu and Barry Flanagan). Thus gives you a brief background on my highlight this month, Nathan Kawai Aweau.
Nathan has been honored as the Male Vocalist of the Year, and
has been given other awards in his musical career.
Aweau was surrounded by music from a young age. Aweau,
pictured here, is one year old.
Music for Aweau, played an integral part of his life from a young age, coming from a musical family. “I guess like many other Hawaiian families, music played a main part in gatherings, like Christmas, New Years, birthday parties etc., and it was no different with our family. My grandmother use to lead everyone in Christmas carols, my dad and his 5 brothers would grab whatever instrument was around and joined in,” remembers Aweau.
At family gatherings and after church on Sundays, Aweau recalls
family around him, singing and playing instruments.
So you can say that influence for Aweau, surrounded him his entire life. Not just any type of music and influence, but something meaningful as well. “They all [my family] had beautiful voice,” says Aweau. He said that both sides of his family, regardless of ethnicity (Hawaiian or Filipino) immersed him in a love for music. “With all this going on, I couldn’t help but be fascinated with all the different instruments lying around,” recalls Aweau. He was surprised to hear a recording of himself at the age of 6, with good intonation and timing, recorded by his father. “I was playing ukulele and singing and to be honest with you, listening to it today surprises me,” says Aweau. However no matter how talented he seemed to be from a young age, or how immersed he was in music, it wasn’t until Aweau was a teen, that he started appreciating music more. “I really got interested only because my friends were learning guitar and ukulele, and it wasn’t until high school when I seriously thought about music being my life. But still, it wasn’t something that I thought passionately about,” recalls Aweau.
As a youngster, Aweau was more interested in “hot wheels” and
sports, until high school and college where he found his love
for music.
It was in high school that Aweau’s talents began to take shape and his interests in music sparked different passions. “When I was in high school I played 2nd guitar in a Heavy Metal band, and one day our bass player decided to quit. Being that I wasn’t the best guitarist in the band, I was designated to bass,” says Aweau. Whether by default, or by choice, however, he realized that the bass was the instrument, more than other instruments he played, including the saxophone, that he would truly come to love and enjoy. In high school, he performed with the Farrington High School Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, and the Instrument Ensemble.
Aweau is pictured here doing a bass solo on stage during a recent
performance on stage.
In college, Aweau studied the saxophone, double bass, and voice. He performed in the Leeward Community College and University of Hawaii’s Jazz Ensemble, and was a percussionist in the Wind Symphony. “It wasn’t until entering college when I got serious about the bass. I was actually a saxophone major, but during my freshmen year in college, while visiting a music store, I saw this guy playing bass, doing things that I’ve never seen and heard before from the bass guitar. Right then and there I said to me ‘that’s what I want to do.’”
Aweau and Don Ho, whom he performed with for 16 years.
Aweau’s musical career has taken him around the globe, both in genre as well as physically. He was the musical director for Don Ho for 16 years. In the early 1980’s, Aweau performed with Gabe Baltazar, Loyal Garner, Henry Kapono, and Nohelani Cypriano, and then was a member of Hoku award winning group Ka`eo (1984-1988), The Ali`i’s (1989-1994). Aweau has also worked with national artists such as Jerry Brown (drummer for Lionel Richie and Stanley Clarke), Ron Lee (drummer for Barry Manilow). Aweau is a seasoned music producer; who has spent much time in the studio producing, arranging, performing, for various large projects, commercials, and other artists. On top of his professional career, Aweau has also taught music at several different schools, a few colleges (seminars) as well as alternative learning centers.
Now on to matters of the moment … that being Aweau’s most current CD release, “Kane`ohe.” Topping sales ever since its release in late November 2007, it is a project near and dear to his heart. Aweau recalls the exact moment he decided he would write and record Kane`ohe. “I was Don Ho’s bass player for 16 years, and when coming back from one of our tours, our flight took us right over the northeast part of O’ahu, I looked out of the window and saw Kane’ohe and the Ko’olau mountains, I’ve never seen my home from this point of view. I thought to myself ‘Oh my god, that beautiful place is my home.’ I knew that this idea would be the catalyst of my next project,” reminisces Aweau.
Aweau got the idea for “Kane`ohe” while flying over the Windwad side
of the island.
Aweau is a man of many talents, with abilities to play different instruments,
although his specialty is the bass.
I wanted to know the process; getting into the mind and heart of such a humble yet talented songwriter. I wanted to know how he figured out what would go into the Kane`ohe recording. “Composing music comes to me fairly easy…it’s the lyrics that I have to spend some time with. My process usually starts with hearing a melody, putting chords to it, figure out what ‘groove’ works best with the melody. After listening to the music over and over again, the melody will usually dictate what to write about,” says Aweau. After six months, Kane`ohe was released and brings me to my next part –the Kane’ohe CD review by a few of Aweau’s musical peers and collaborators, local well-known musicians and personalities.
Billy V., Radio Personality and UH Game Day Activities Coordinator
“Its awesome to see such musicianship and drive come out of just one individual. Nathan knows who he is, what he's about, and it shows up in his music. It's an identity that is all his, and with the exception of one song where Barry shows his guitar prowess and it immediately reminds you of Hapa; it's all Nathan. It's a nice release to slip into the CD player and let play. From a cultural standpoint, here's someone who has done things right, like learning about where he lives, finding out about the different things about the 'aina like the name of the wind and rain for Palolo; coupled with one who Produced, wrote all the songs, recorded, mixed and mastered it all by himself...truly an inspiration for anyone who wants to put his or her ALL into whatever he/she does. My favorite songs off of this cd are: Kane'ohe" - I liked the harmonies, the mood...found myself humming along with the music...I should learn the words so I can sing along with Nathan on the cd. I also liked Me Ku'u One Hanau E" - I like the song, I was humming along with this one too. It's also nice to hear Barry Flanagan's influence on this song with his guitar.”
-Billy V.
- 2007 Honorary Celebrity Chairperson - Visitor Industry Charity Walk 2006
Mornings - Hawaiian 105 KINE & http://www.hawaiian105.com/
Game Day Activities Coordinator - University of Hawai'i Athletics
BVO Productions/Hawai'i Reach International
Official Website: http://www.billyv.net/ & http://www.myspace.com/billy_v
also:
Host - Outrigger Television / Outrigger Enterprises Group
Host - Hawaiian Airlines Transpacific Inflight Program
Billy V is officially handled by the ADR Talent Agy with permission by Hawaiian 105 KINE / Cox Radio Hawai'i
Herb Ohta, Jr., Musician
“Nathan Aweau's latest recording ‘Kane'ohe’ is his follow-up solo recording to his award-winning ‘E Apo Mai’ and showcases his love for music. This recording takes the listener on a roller-coaster ride of emotion that only the voice and musicality of Nathan can achieve. Nathan performs all instruments and sings with a voice that has garnered him many Nā Hokū Hanohano Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year. Nathan shares his love for his hometown Kane'ohe in the title cut. ‘Ku'u Momi Makamae’ is a song that he wrote for his daughter while she was a young child. Hear and you will feel the love and care that he has for his ‘Precious Pearl.’
As a fellow artist, I have the highest respect for Nathan. I had the honor of touring with him late last year and heard him perform songs from this recording and I have to say, he truly deserves every accolade the music business has to offer. He has touched many hearts throughout the world with his music. His love for people, his love for Hawai'i, and his own humble humanity is infectious. When you listen to ‘Kane'ohe,’ you will feel the same way.”
-Herb Ohta, Jr.
-Ukulele extraordinaire, award-winning Hawaii musician (scheduled to tour musically with Aweau later on this year)
John Koko, Makaha Sons
“Nathan Aweau ... Incredible Bass Player … Irresistible Voice... Incomparable Entertainer! The CD ‘Kane`ohe’ will take you on a musical journey that is Haunting...Refreshing... Powerful and Exciting.”
-John Koko
-Long time member of multiple-award winning Hawaiian music group The Makaha Sons.
Kane’ohe includes a song written for Aweau’s wife, Donna, pictured here.
Aweau’s views on music, or any talent for that matter, has to do with three big things in his life. “I believe that God each and every one of us a gift for three main reasons. To support oneself and family, to bless others, and to praise His name,” says Aweau. For a man so successful in the Hawaiian music scene, its also important to note that his aspirations behind his music lie far beyond the latest trends and/or popular genres of the time. “When writing music, I don’t think about what’s popular at the moment or what will sell…I just go with the flow, what ever I come up with. The people that like what I do, I believe it’s because they know that I’m sincere and honest with my compositions,” says Aweau.
Nathan performs here with his musical partner in HAPA, Barry Flanagan,
at a recent Na Hoku Hanohano Awards Ceremony.
What’s in store for Aweau? Well, HAPA fans should delight in the fact that Barry (Flanagan) and Aweau are working on their next CD project, which will focus on hula. Aweau is also planning a tour in China in July, as well as touring to promote “Kane`ohe” and also with Herb Ohta, Jr., later in the year. Despite his world-touring schedules and various projects and famous people he’s worked alongside with, Aweau still pinpoints moments with family as his most special experiences. “Every Sunday after church, my whole family would all get together at my parents home and have lunch and sometimes dinner. One of the few places where I feel comfortable, safe, love…a place where everything is REAL,” reflects Aweau. “God blessed me a thousand full…I have no complaints. I have a great family that supports me 100%, I’m part of a great band (HAPA), I meet awesome people all the time, and I get to travel. I’ve performed with greats such as Don Ho, Henry Kapono, Loyal Garner etc., and I look forward to tomorrow …” contemplates Aweau. What do I see for tomorrow? Tomorrow, after knowing what Aweau’s been up to, brings greatness and continued success, as far as I can see, for this down-to-earth local guy. Whether its touring, recording, performing, or producing, Aweau’s recipe to success will carry him a long way.
