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Makainai steps out with her solo debut
The former Mighty J member releases a new album that taps into her Hawaiian roots
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Jul 03, 2009
More than a decade after getting her start as one half of the island contemporary duo Keahiwai, singer-songwriter Mailani Makainai returns to her Hawaiian roots this week with the release of her self-titled solo debut album.
It's a return for Makainai because her previous effort, as part of rock/funk/R&B trio Mighty J, was a creative departure from anything she had ever worked on before. Without her experiences working on that album, she said, it would have been impossible to get to the point she's at today.
"When some people gravitated towards the idea of Mighty J, I thought I'd better do this now while I'm young," Makainai said last week. "I don't think I would have been courageous and bold enough to do this new (album) without them.
"Just having that faith in myself -- that's something that Jenn (Wright) and Tiki (Suan) gave to me."
Makainai, who was raised in Kailua and graduated from Maryknoll School in 1998, has always been in touch with her Hawaiian roots. In 2003 and 2004, while still active with musical partner Lei Melket as Keahiwai, she participated in the annual Merrie Monarch Festival as a musician for Halau Mohala 'Ilima. Before heading into the studio with Mighty J in 2006, she had already written and recorded three Hawaiian language tracks that would eventually find their way onto "Mailani."
"I've always wanted to do Hawaiian music," she said. "There's a lot of responsibility, being that this (new album) is a contemporary Hawaiian music project. Not enough of the youth is taking interest ... (and) that makes me fear for the Hawaiian language and Hawaiian music.
"My hope is that the album and the music and my way with the crowd ... I hope I haven't lost my touch."
WITH THE release of "Mailani," Makainai also recorded three songs she didn't write herself -- a first for someone used to having complete control over the creative process.
By including "Penei Iho, Penei Ae, Penei No," "Hihia Ke Aloha" and "He Mele no Kahaluu" on the album, she forced herself to grow as an artist and develop the ability to convey the kaona, or hidden meaning, within the compositions.
"Keola Donaghy helped me a lot, (because) my songwriting skills are limited," said Makainai. "Growing up in this generation where Hawaiian isn't my first language, it's hard at times. But these songs ... are able to help me write and perform better, especially after going to these places and seeing what the song is talking about.
"When you do mele aloha aina, it's important for an artist to go and see the aina. If you're going to sing about it, you'll make your performance so much stronger if you go and see what you're singing about.
"I think that there's just so much mana ... that you can bring to an audience when you've been there and then sing about it."
Likewise, working with the Mountain Apple Co. to record her solo debut was a learning process that showed Makainai how important it is to have a support team. Despite the gossip she heard before signing, she has absolutely no regrets about teaming up with the local music industry heavyweights.
"I have to say, I love working with them," Makainai said. "They know their stuff, and when it comes to Hawaiian music these days ... you gotta work with people who know what they're doing."
Along with a dedicated Web site to promote the new album and the distribution and marketing resources Mountain Apple is known for around the world, Makainai said the partnership should also help cement her position as a leading artist of her generation.
"This album, for me, is about securing my place in the local music industry," she said. "I love doing this (and) I want to survive.
"I don't mind the pressure. For me, it makes things a little more fun. It's a challenge to see what my next move is going to be."
For additional video of Mailani Makainai's interview, visit hilife.starbulletin.com.
'FRIDAY NIGHT LUAU'With special guest Mailani Makainai» Where: The Shack Waikiki, 2255 Kuhio Ave. » When: 10 p.m. today » Cost: $5 » Call: 921-2255 » Web site: www.mountainapplecompany.com/mailani
|
More than a decade after getting her start as one half of the island contemporary duo Keahiwai, singer-songwriter Mailani Makainai returns to her Hawaiian roots this week with the release of her self-titled solo debut album.
It's a return for Makainai because her previous effort, as part of rock/funk/R&B trio Mighty J, was a creative departure from anything she had ever worked on before. Without her experiences working on that album, she said, it would have been impossible to get to the point she's at today.
"When some people gravitated towards the idea of Mighty J, I thought I'd better do this now while I'm young," Makainai said last week. "I don't think I would have been courageous and bold enough to do this new (album) without them.
"Just having that faith in myself -- that's something that Jenn (Wright) and Tiki (Suan) gave to me."
Makainai, who was raised in Kailua and graduated from Maryknoll School in 1998, has always been in touch with her Hawaiian roots. In 2003 and 2004, while still active with musical partner Lei Melket as Keahiwai, she participated in the annual Merrie Monarch Festival as a musician for Halau Mohala 'Ilima. Before heading into the studio with Mighty J in 2006, she had already written and recorded three Hawaiian language tracks that would eventually find their way onto "Mailani."
"I've always wanted to do Hawaiian music," she said. "There's a lot of responsibility, being that this (new album) is a contemporary Hawaiian music project. Not enough of the youth is taking interest ... (and) that makes me fear for the Hawaiian language and Hawaiian music.
"My hope is that the album and the music and my way with the crowd ... I hope I haven't lost my touch."
WITH THE release of "Mailani," Makainai also recorded three songs she didn't write herself -- a first for someone used to having complete control over the creative process.
By including "Penei Iho, Penei Ae, Penei No," "Hihia Ke Aloha" and "He Mele no Kahaluu" on the album, she forced herself to grow as an artist and develop the ability to convey the kaona, or hidden meaning, within the compositions.
"Keola Donaghy helped me a lot, (because) my songwriting skills are limited," said Makainai. "Growing up in this generation where Hawaiian isn't my first language, it's hard at times. But these songs ... are able to help me write and perform better, especially after going to these places and seeing what the song is talking about.
"When you do mele aloha aina, it's important for an artist to go and see the aina. If you're going to sing about it, you'll make your performance so much stronger if you go and see what you're singing about.
"I think that there's just so much mana ... that you can bring to an audience when you've been there and then sing about it."
Likewise, working with the Mountain Apple Co. to record her solo debut was a learning process that showed Makainai how important it is to have a support team. Despite the gossip she heard before signing, she has absolutely no regrets about teaming up with the local music industry heavyweights.
"I have to say, I love working with them," Makainai said. "They know their stuff, and when it comes to Hawaiian music these days ... you gotta work with people who know what they're doing."
Along with a dedicated Web site to promote the new album and the distribution and marketing resources Mountain Apple is known for around the world, Makainai said the partnership should also help cement her position as a leading artist of her generation.
"This album, for me, is about securing my place in the local music industry," she said. "I love doing this (and) I want to survive.
"I don't mind the pressure. For me, it makes things a little more fun. It's a challenge to see what my next move is going to be."
For additional video of Mailani Makainai's interview, visit hilife.starbulletin.com.
'FRIDAY NIGHT LUAU'With special guest Mailani Makainai» Where: The Shack Waikiki, 2255 Kuhio Ave. » When: 10 p.m. today » Cost: $5 » Call: 921-2255 » Web site: www.mountainapplecompany.com/mailani
|
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