Original
January 23, 2008 | 11:05 PM

"I find the bulk of the local music I’ve heard to be amateurish and formulaic, focusing on the entirely unoriginal topics of partying, lush island women and shallow promises of a true and all-conquering love."

TELL IT Mr. Article writer! Not that I haven't heard him play some of the music you are refering to, but, anyone who's heard him knows that he is about so much more than that. "amateurish" is a good word to use, because again, if you've heard him, you know Kanoa is no amateur. That kind of music for him is, dare I say it, too easy. Ah, but to be original and true to yourself, now that's a challenge some local musicians will probably find a little hard to do. I'm not saying NONE of them are true to themselves, and a lot of them are very talented musicians, but everyone is different and everyone is unique, it should come through in the music. Sadly, it isn't always the case when it comes to local, Island, music. You are also right in using "formulaic" to describe it. Like Kanoa says on the last track of the first Gomega album: "All you need is 3 chords and a "chank", sit back and watch your money bank .... this is how the story goes". Well, Kanoa, I'm sorry but you're wrong. Sometimes they use less than 3 chords.
And I agree with Jroq. Kanoa is the probably THE greatest, hardest working, Hawaii mucisian the majority has never heard of. When that changes, and it WILL change my bruddah, I for one will be proud to know full well that he most definately was NOT an overnight success. Love you cuz. Proud of you too.

Hekili