Beamer-Helm CD inspires
POSTED: Friday, April 23, 2010
THE ATMOSPHERE was light and jovial when I entered the Mountain Apple Co.'s Kakaako offices on Monday. After a short walk through the company's warehouse space, an open door led to a studio where Keola Beamer and Raiatea Helm had just finished up a photo and video shoot in support of their new collaboration, “;Keola Beamer and Raiatea.”;
The album, set for release May 4 in stores and online, was the result of 14 months of work in Honolulu, San Francisco and Beamer's home island of Maui. The project was incredibly personal for both artists, albeit for different reasons.
“;I lost my mom about two years ago, and she was also an artistic collaborator, so I was dealing with this huge loss and how to go forward,”; said Beamer.
“;This is a new Raiatea,”; said Helm. “;It's a new journey for me ... (and) I took a risk to get out of the box and try something new.”;
Beamer and Helm first met in 2008 when one of the coordinators for the annual Lantern Floating Festival asked them to share a stage. The two “;clicked,”; according to Helm, and they decided to start working together. Eventually, months of touring in Japan, China and the continental U.S. led to them deciding to record a full-length album.
“;For me, she has a voice I can journey with,”; said Beamer of Helm's vocal ability. “;Words fall short, but there's a quality of light in her voice that I see. ... I sort of thought maybe we could work together and I could paint with that light.”;
The results of Beamer's “;painting”; are impressive. “;Keola Beamer and Raiatea”; spotlights the strengths of both artists—Beamer's slack key talents are impossible to ignore, his playing blending seamlessly with Helm's silky smooth voice.
Tracks like “;Hilo Hanakahi”; and “;I Kilohi Aku Au”; allow both artists to showcase their singing voices in Hawaiian, while “;Ina (Imagine)”; is a beautiful remake of the John Lennon classic, using both Hawaiian and English lyrics. “;You Somebody”; and “;Days of My Youth,”; which showcase each artist individually, are other songs worth putting on repeat in your iTunes.
After years of scratching my head at some of the nominees and winners of the Best Hawaiian Music Album category at the Grammy Awards, it seems like a no-brainer to consider this release as a front-runner to win in 2011. Just don't expect Beamer and Helm to jump on that bandwagon anytime soon.
“;I'm a Buddhist, so I'm not attached to any of that stuff,”; said Beamer. “;The music is good and we want to get it out there. Whether it has anything to do with the Grammys or not, we don't know.”;
“;We make music to make people happy,”; added Helm. “;Everyone can relate to it.”;
According to the folks at Mountain Apple, “;Keola Beamer and Raiatea”; will be available at all Oahu Longs Drugs, Wal-Mart and Borders locations. Beamer and Helm expect to tour extensively on the mainland and in Hawaii this fall in support of the new album; Maui fans will be able to celebrate its release on May 22 at the Maui Theatre.
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ANYONE WHO regularly parties in Chinatown will want to check out “;VarieTease: Alice in Chinatown,”; which presents its final three performances this weekend at The ARTS at Mark's Garage.
“;VarieTease”; is the annual stage production by the ladies of Cherry Blossom Cabaret, who have been trying to expand their repertoire by incorporating additional dance styles. The efforts are definitely noticeable, with elements of ballet and jazz in addition to Cirque de Soliel-esque moves on a swatch of fabric suspended from the ceiling.
While there are a few instances where the performers are nearly nude—Miss Catwings' “;Wonderland Hibiscus”; performance is probably the most racy, and Alice (played by La Femme Rikita) also strips down at one point herself—I would consider this production more “;burlesque-inspired”; than a bona fide burlesque show. It's definitely not for those under 18 years old, but I also wouldn't feel too uncomfortable taking my own mother to check this one out.
Tickets for this weekend's final shows are $20 and are expected to sell out; call (800) 838-3006 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com to purchase $15 pre-sale tickets. Be sure to get there right when the doors open at 7 p.m. for a complimentary slice of cheesecake from Otto Cake.
Check out Page 11 in HILife for another review of the show ...
WANT TO be in a movie? The producers of Disney's ”;Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”; are looking for men to cast as pirates and sailors on the film, which will be shot on Oahu and Kauai this summer.
According to casting agents, the producers are looking for “;authentic-looking scavenger types”; who are anywhere from 18 to 60 years old. In particular, “;extreme character types”; are needed—if you've got a lazy eye, missing limbs and/or teeth, a huge nose or appear emaciated, you're exactly the type of person they're looking for.
Casting is scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Waikiki Community Center at 310 Paoakalani Ave.; bring a current photo and a pen/pencil to fill out paperwork. Visit www.hsblinks.com/2bd for more info ...
WEEKEND PICKS: The United DJs kick off a new weekly party at the bar also known as Sand Island R&B. “;The Love Club”; at the Tunnel will feature resident DJs Daniel J, Cin, Scarrd, Technique and friends, with a special opening night set tonight by Canada's DJ Vivi Diamond. Doors open at 9 p.m., 16-and-over welcome ... Robot That Dance presents a new party at thirtyninehotel for robots and the people who dance with them. “;Robot Love”; features free cover for those dressed as a robot (but, according to a press release, “;real robots half price!”;) and DJs Timo, Ross Jackson and Capecod on the decks. Doors open at 10 p.m. tomorrow ... Chinatown is also the place for an “;official”; Kokua Festival afterparty at NextDoor tomorrow. JRadio is the special guest; admission is free after 9 p.m. with a Kokua Fest ticket ...
In the Mix drops Fridays in HILife. Contact Jason Genegabus by e-mail at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
