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No longer chasing Amy, his
entertainer sister, singer Eric Gilliom's
career is finally set to take off with
the release of his CD,
'Like Chow Fun'Review: Tasty bit of 'Chow Fun'
By John Berger
BONUS: Full-length MP3
of 'Back To Honopo'
Special to the Star-BulletinWHERE do you go for air play when you're a Hawaiian recording artist who doesn't record reggae, Jawaiian or traditional Hawaiian music?
Eric Gilliom is going to the world. He introduced several songs from his second album, "Like Chow Fun," during the Pixelworld Aloha Jam '99 live cyber-cast concert last November at the Pier Bar and says the response has been "unbelievable."
"The e-mails I've gotten from people who see it have been overwhelming. I think it's important that the rest of the world has the opportunity to partake in our music here in Hawaii and I think we have what it takes to get our own level of recognition," Gilliom says.
"The Internet thing levels the playing field ... and I'm really excited about that because if you go the old-fashioned way, you have to go to L.A. and convince somebody there that your music is worthy of exposure on a national level."
ON STAGE
What: Eric Gilliom performs songs from his new CD, "Like Chow Fun"
Gilliom adds that while the new opportunities are open to all local artists, the Internet is particularly valuable for those whose music doesn't fit into a traditional Hawaiian or reggae-based "island music" radio format.
"A challenge here in Hawaii is the idiosyncrasies of the music industry here. It's a Jawaiian (and) reggae-based market. I wish that Hawaiian music was perpetuated here as (strongly) as mainland music. That's a hard equation to understand."
"Like Chow Fun" is being officially released next week. Gilliom will be a guest when Robi Kahakalau performs beginning 8 p.m. at Don Ho's Island Grill next Wednesday. He returns to Don Ho's Thursday for a semi-private CD release party, then performs a couple of free shows Feb. 25 and 26 at Borders stores.
"I'm ready to have some fun. The dam has broken, the clouds are parting and it's taking off."
This is as good a place as any to mention that, yes, Gilliom is the brother of multiple Hoku Award winner Amy Hanaiali'i Gilliom, and that the two have more than family ties in common. Both have extensive musical backgrounds, and both saw their first albums -- Amy's sophisticated "Native Child" and Eric's "Into the Mystic" -- totally ignored by local radio. Amy has since been "discovered," while Eric waits his turn in the limelight.
"Like Chow Fun" offers a diverse and engaging mix of musical genres that reflect a part of Eric's musical experience. Gilliom attended a performing arts school in Chicago, did film and television work in Los Angeles, danced professionally for "about 14 years," and appeared in the rock-musical adaptation of Stephen King's "Carrie" in London and on Broadway.
Gilliom eventually decided to return to L.A. for more film and television work. His L.A. experiences included performing with Dave Koz in a neo-rockabilly band, Danny Turbo & The V-8s.
BONUS! FULL-LENGTH
CD QUALITY TRACK
4.6 megabyte download©2000 Eric Gilliom, all rights reserved. Used with permission.
May not be republished in any medium without explicit written consent.
Quicktime | MPEG-3 info
Gilliom returned home for a visit, got involved with a production of "A Chorus Line," and ended up staying and teaming up with Amy to produce local productions of "Evita," "Godspell," "Greater Tuna" and "The Rocky Horror Picture Show."
"That was the point when I decided that I really wanted to investigate producing and directing my own projects," said Eric. "After those shows I went to L.A. and then came back to start my next band, the Eric Gilliom Project, which was an R&B band that did mostly cover tunes. When I decided that I didn't want to be in a cover band anymore, that's when I started doing my own music."
He and his writing partner, Joel Kira, spent "about 18 months writing the record."
"We spent 18 months mulling over songs. We went into the studio on a nightly basis and treated it like a job. I didn't want to settle on anything until the tune was right. My goal for this record was to make a contribution to the world of song-writing.
"It's one thing to do a cover song. It's another thing to write a tune. You can't say 'I'm going to write a hit song,' but to even try to get yourself into that league requires an enormous amount of dedication."Gilliom lists Steve Wonder, Sting and fellow local entertainer Jerry Santos, as writers who have inspired him over the years. He says praise from other writers is the pay-off for creating original songs.
"Bonnie Raitt told me that had she not recorded 'Nick of Time' she would have recorded 'Never Enough Time.' That kind of feedback is invaluable. Brother Noland telling me how he appreciates my song-writing -- to me that's the pay-off ...
Gilliom isn't giving up on Hawaii.
"This an island-style record in the same category as Brother Noland or Hawaiian Style Band. It's definitely more island-style than my first album (and) just because it's a little different doesn't mean that it isn't good or that people won't like it. Hawaii has great potential to promote more diverse styles of music."
Gilliom serves tasty
bit of ‘Chow Fun’By John Berger
Special to the Star-BulletinTHE title track of Eric Gilliom's "Like Chow Fun," a catchy blues-rock celebration of a popular local food, seems like the obvious pick for local radio play but there's a lot more going on with his second album.
Like a blossom opening to the sun, Gilliom's depth of talent is fully revealed with repeat plays.
The most noticeable song is "Beach Boys and Hula Girls" a neo-hapa haole tune inspired in part by the colorful life of Gilliom's Hawaiian grandmother. It's a delightful vignette. A production trick or two adds to the old-time ambience of the number.
"This Time it's Love" displays Gilliom's technical skill and romantic perspective with a jazz-tinged pop ballad. It will certainly become a love theme for some fortunate couples.
"Voice of Change" adds an inspirational social message. "Back to Honopo" is the most beautiful of several songs marking Gilliom's Native Hawaiian roots, and "Aloha No Molokai," with guests Amy Hanaiali'i and Willie K, is also noteworthy.
Mpeg Audio Clips:
BONUS: Full-length 'Back To Honopo.'
http://www.ericgilliom.com
Email: egilliom@yahoo.com, meleproductions@hawaii.rr.com
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