Good Vibez is proud to present the LARGEST 2-Day festival to hit the islands in years – The Kolohe Festival – March 2 & 3 at the Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park in Kapolei. Boasting a line-up of artists like no other, the Kolohe Festival will feature 30-year UK roots veteran, Steel Pulse, the last remaining Wailer of Bob Marley & the Wailers, Bunny Wailer, St. Croix reggae sensation, Midnite plus heavy-weights, Native Elements. On Friday, Ooklah the Moc, Humble Soul with Disorient Express, Paula Fuga, Most High, B.E.T. & Onward will all keep the crowds jumping ‘round both stages. Saturday, Natural Vibrations, Humble Soul with THC, Ten Feet, Isouljahs, Irie Souls & Bamboo will warm up the crowds across both stages. Please join us at THE festival of the year – March 2 & 3 at the Waterpark. 18 and over please.
The Kolohe Festival will establish itself as THE festival to be a part of every year, becoming renowned for the legendary artists who come from around the world, local reggae favorites, a Wave Rider Contest, green grass to dance on and arts, food and drink vendors as well as the BIG crowds it will annually attract. All international artists featured at the Kolohe Festival will be fresh from the RaggaMuffins Festival Tour, (Long Beach, San Diego, San Francisco and Santa Cruz, CA) which is the largest and longest running reggae festival on the Mainland, US.
Good Vibez Proudly Presents:
Kolohe Festival – Hawaii
Friday & Saturday, March 2 & 3, 2007
Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park – 400 Farrington Highway Kapolei, HI 96707
Featuring an all-star lineup of reggae’s greats on 2 stages:
Steel Pulse, Bunny Wailer, Midnite & Native Elements
Plus on Friday: Ooklah the Moc, Humble Soul with Disorient Express, B.E.T., Paula Fuga with Dubconscious, Most High & Onward
And on Saturday: Natural Vibrations, Humble Soul with THC, Ten Feet, Isouljahs, Irie Souls & Bamboo
Special Guest MC – Marty Dread
With Pacific Sounds Outernational on the 1s & 2s
Wave Rider Contest too!
Gates 7pm, Music til 3am!
18 + (Full bar for 21+)
$25 advance/$30 door
Limited $45 2-day passes & Special VIP passes available only at www.kolohefestival.com
Advance tickets available at: T&C Surf Designs (Ala Moana, Pearlridge, Windward Mall & Kahala Mall), Hungry Ear, UH Campus Center, Butigroove, Natural Rasta, Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park box office (during regular park hours), www.ticketweb.com or by calling 800-965-4827
More info at: www.kolohefestival.com
Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park Info:
Hawaiian Waters Adventure Park is in Oahu’s second city of Kapolei. The park is conveniently located just off the H-1 Highway. The site is on the mountain or mauka side of H-1 on Farrington Highway, approximately 35 minutes west of Waikiki. Take exit 1 off the H-1 Highway (Campbell Industrial Park, Barbers Point Harbor) and follow the signs. www.hawaiianwaters.com
Don’t miss out on the LARGEST 2-day festival of the year…..KOLOHE FESTIVAL!!!
More show info go to: www.kolohefestival.com
Press Inquiries – contact Amy Shapas of So You Can at 831-479-0711 or [email protected]
The two-day Kolohe Festival features eight full hours of music on two stages each day presenting international artists Steel Pulse, Bunny Wailer, Midnite, and Native Elements plus Ooklah the Moc, Humble Soul with Disorient Express & THC, Paula Fuga with Dubconscious, Most High, B.E.T., Onward, Natural Vibrations, Ten Feet, Isouljahs, Irie Souls & Bamboo.
Below are short bios on each artist. Click on the link to read more about these greats!
Steel Pulse: www.steel-pulse.com
Steel Pulse became one of reggae’s most successful bands in the late ’70s and early’80s. They first signed on with Island Records, and recorded the legendary "Handsworth Revolution" in 1978. Their contemporary blend of roots reggae and European pop combined with socially conscious lyrics made them an instant hit. Early gigs had them opening for acts as the Clash, Generation X, the Stranglers, XTC and the Police, and they had quite a following in the British punk movement of the late ’70s. Their next two albums "Tribute to the Martyrs" and "True Democracy" sealed their fate as inheritors of Bob Marley’s legacy.
The original members of Steel Pulse, keyboardist David Hinds, bassist Ronald "Stepper" McQueen, guitarist Basil Gabbidon, and Selwyn Brown, are all from West Indian immigrant families the Birmingham Ghettoes of Handsworth, England. Steel Pulse may have explored various styles of music since they started out in 1975, but when it comes to the message, the UK’s Grammy-winning reggae band has remained close to their roots. They have continued their commitment to fighting injustice, educating the masses, and promoting positive messages through spiritually uplifting music.
Bunny Wailer:
Born Neville O’Riley Livingston, in Kingston, Jamaica, Bunny Wailer’s relationship with Bob Marley and Peter Tosh, the two other principal members of the Wailers in the 60s and early 70s, stretches back to his childhood, when Marley and Wailer lived under the same roof in Trench Town (a notorious Kingston ghetto). As teenagers, Peter, Bob, and Bunny would spend their evenings practicing harmonies tutored by Joe Higgs (veteran reggae superstar). In the early 60s, as the nascent Jamaican recording industry began to gather strength, the trio formed the Wailers, recruiting other friends into the fold.
With Island Records founder, Chris Blackwell’s understanding of contemporary rock markets, and the emphasis on albums and live shows, the Wailers brought the sound of roots reggae to an international audience with Catch a Fire (1973) and Burning (1973), the latter featuring two fine songs from Bunny, ‘Hallelujah Time’ and ‘Pass It On’. These albums broke the Wailers outside of Jamaica gaining a new worldwide respect and focus for reggae music. However, this success had taken its toll on the group. Bunny, for largely unspecified reasons, seemed reluctant to take part in the endless globetrotting necessary to consolidate success in Europe and America. By 1974, just prior to the release of Natty Dread, both Peter and Bunny left the group to concentrate on their solo careers.
Bunny inaugurated his own Solomonic label upon which all of his recordings have since appeared in Jamaica. His first solo records, Searching For Love had emerged in limited quantities in the early 70s. Wailer’s subsequent albums continued with varying degrees of success, until he adapted to incorporate aspects of the burgeoning dancehall style, hitting big with records like Riding. An album of Bunny’ covers, Bunny Wailer Sings The Wailers, garnered further critical plaudits, followed by a similar collection entitled Tribute To the Hon. Robert Nesta Marley, in honor of the passing of his old spar. He has won a Grammy-Award three times.
Midnite: www.midniteband.com
Hailing from the Island of St Croix, Midnite is one of the most promising roots reggae bands of the millennium. They are vanguards of conscious reggae whose profound and innovative lyrics are sincere and deeply rooted. Their cd recordings and live performances will have reggae and non-reggae listeners open to the messages they bring.
Lead singer Vaughn Benjamin’s electrifying voice seems an amalgamation of many great voices in reggae–soulful, chanting, edgy. Vaughn’s potent lyrical style and his brother Ron’s exquisite musical directorship and outstanding bass lines form the nucleus of this group. Sticks man Christian ‘Sly’ Molinna-Curet layes down crucial one-drops on drums, while Ankh Watep bubbles on keyboards. Edmund Fieulleteau and Kenny Byron round out the crew with their excellent guitar work. Midnite weaves the cultural lyrics of "old school" roots music with modern day experiences to create a unique listening encounter. Reggae – naked and raw is an apt description for Midnite’s musical style, in which they forgo the frills of extensive remixes, overdubbing and other musical refinements.
Midnite explodes in live performances with sets that often exceed 3 hours. Their vigorous, weighty sound, driven by the punchy bass lines creates a vibe that penetrates straight to the heart. These epic musical communions have earned Midnite an enormous following throughout the roots community.
Natural Vibrations: www.naturalvibrations.com
Natural Vibrations, a dynamic, energetic fusion of pop, rock and reggae, is not satisfied with just being Hawaii’s most requested live band, are now rousing audiences round the world with their high-energy performances. Their blend of lovers’ reggae, infectious rhythms and lush harmonies makes it hard not to shake your hips and feel that warm Hawaiian breeze blowing through the air.
Natural Vibrations has a style all their own that makes it impossible to categorize them as “just” reggae. Their music contains elements of many influential musicians they have performed with over the years as well as the inspirations from the Hawaiian culture they all grew up amongst. One of their most memorable stage-sharing moments happened in 2003 when Prince (yes THE Prince) sat down in the corner at one of their shows, listened for a while, then jumped up on stage and ripped an impromptu guitar solo to one of their originals, “1 on 1”.
Catching waves on their days off, the band has close ties to the Hawaiian surf community and has performed not only for international surf competitions, but also at pro-surfers’ private parties including world surf champ, Andy Irons. Drawing from the creative spirit of everyone from Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff to Carlos Santana and U.B. 40, Natural Vibrations is an amalgamation of reggae rhythms, Hawaiian pop harmonies and country-western lyrics with a twist of surf rock.
Ooklah the Moc: www.ooklahthemoc.com
Ooklah the Moc is a strictly roots dub reggae band from Palolo Valley, O`ahu, Hawaii and are at their best live and direct in concert. The group started as a hard-core punk band with guitarist Asher Philippart, drummer John Davis and bassist Ryan Murakami forming an open-minded trio back in 1996. Their willingness to expand their musical horizons put them in good standing with singer Jimbo LaPierre, who shared Murakami’s passion for hard-core reggae, and the four of them transformed and solidified themselves as a reggae band.
Bearing such a goofy-sounding moniker, you’d think the band’s music and stage presence would be equally entertaining. Well, they are, but in a serious and earnest manner out of a commitment to present Jamaica’s music in a right and honorable way. Ooklah the Moc has performed all over the country, performing alongside all the greats including Midnite, Yellowman, Don Carlos, Bunny Wailer, Luciano, Mikey General, Dean Fraser, Michael Rose, Steel Pulse, ASWAD, Lucky Dube, Yami Bolo, Wailing Souls, Freddie McGregor, Gregory Isaacs, The Wailers…the list goes on…..Ooklah the Moc is now nine members strong, with keyboardist Brad Watanabe, horn players Gary Nakano and Tony Bush, and vocal trio Jimbo LaPierre, Sista Mickey Huihui and Nicholas Navales and have never sounded tighter!
Native Elements: www.native-elements.com
Without a doubt, San Francisco’s own Native Elements are one of the hardest working and most respected bands in the Northern California reggae scene. With a myriad of musical influences ranging from classic r&b soul to the deepest tradition of Jamaican and English dub, Native Elements delivers a dynamic sound that appeals to all music lovers. The culturally diverse music scene of the San Francisco Bay Area has fueled their creative flow from the start. After explorations with rock, funk, blues, and r&b, Native Elements has set their repertoire firmly in the roots-reggae tradition. They combine their colorful influences into an amalgamation of positive, vibrant music that speaks from the heart.
Native Elements has been reaching audiences around the globe with their conscious music. Their contagious harmonies and powerful rhythms have won over praise from musicians, fans and critics alike. Even some of the most discriminating Jamaican ears have found Native Elements’ sound to be as authentic and genuine as their staple of music back home.
Humble Soul: www.myspace.com/humblesoul1
Encompassing the spirit of aloha and the soul of reggae music, Hawaii’s own Humble Soul continues to warm the hearts of music lovers from the shores of the Pacific rim to the blazing tip of South Africa with his distinctive style of honest "Hawaiian-Roots-Music". His poetic anthems and understated melodies have been consistently celebrated by concert and festival goer’s of all kinds. Thankful in every way, Humble Soul feels very blessed by the tremendous support of his family of growing fans. He keeps a low profile off-stage, however, Humble Soul’s passionate live delivery and recorded music speaks volumes.
Paula Fuga: www.paulafugamusic.com
If you had to peg Paula Fuga into a certain music genre, it would be almost impossible. But if you had to? Something like modern Hawaiian soul might suffice. Paula is fueled by the grit and glamour of love. She is as tortured by it as she is inspired. And this is why everyone can relate to her. She is complex, intelligent and real with the depth and passion to become an icon. In 2006, Paula released her self-produced, all original debut album, Lilikoi – a blend of tradition and evolution, soul and jazz–infused lyrics sprinkled with Hawaiian language, organic instruments like the nose flute and ‘ukulele, and a voice filled with so much soul, you’re guaranteed to become an instant fan.
Internationally, Paula is known as the “Hawaiian Songstress” wearing the “Big Girls Rock” shirt, strumming her ‘ukulele all the way to Hollywood on American Idol. Locally, she is known as Paula, solo artist and singer for Hawaiian roots reggae band DubKonscious, regular at Hawaii Poetry Slams, educational interpreter at Bishop Museum and active member of Hawaii’s cultural community. In the recording industry, Paula is a rising star who has been likened to a Hawaiian Lauryn Hill, and is endorsed as a fresh sound by established artists like Jack Johnson, Jason Mraz, and Nick Hexum of band 311. Paula’s performance at the 2006 Kokua Festival induced chicken skin throughout the audience. She recently recorded a song she wrote with Jack Johnson called “Country Road” for the Mana Maoli CD, which benefits Native Hawaiian public charter schools. She is a representative of Hawaiian culture in her music and daily life, but at the same time possesses a unique sound that is universally appealing.
Most High: www.myspace.com/mosthigh7
Ten Feet: www.myspace.com/tenfeet
Five guys…two feet each…equals… well you get it, right? Formed in 1995, Ten Feet released their first album in 2000 to great acclaim – being awarded “Song of the Year”, “New Artist of the Year”, and “Most Promising Artist of the Year” from the Hawaii Music Awards. The same year they received the “Contemporary Album of the Year” from the Na Hoku Hano Awards (Hawaii’s Grammy’s).
B.E.T.: www.bigeverytime.info
B.E.T. is the one of the top duos in local hip-hop and reggae scenes in the area. Papa-T covers the ever-popular Jamaican style roots reggae sound to perfection while J.D. represents the soulful traditions of "urban" r&b ballads. Both have developed their own styles within those often exploited genres and brought the opposing traditions of Afro-Jamaican reggae and African-American r&b together in ways that work and appeal to local audiences. With four albums to their credit B.E.T. is Polynesian P-funk at its best. Their music is a mix of G-funk from the streets of L.A. with the dancehall and island sounds of Jamaica.
Isouljahs: www.isouljahs.com
Hawaii is the home base of the roots reggae army, Isouljahs. After playing for numerous years throughout California, the Isouljahs have chosen to help the movement grow by planting roots in the Hawaiian Islands. Isouljahs saw a need to come nurture the reggae seeds that have been planted in Hawaii over the years with the life-giving waters of Rastafari message. Known as a "homegrown" reggae bands, their ethnic backgrounds are hardly homegrown to America. Rastafarian, Jamaican, Ethiopian, & African vibrations are prominent in their trademark sounds along with the influence of their Filipino, Hawaiian, Japanese, Puerto Rican, Mexican, Native American, African, European, & American roots. Originally formed in 1992 by Ras Mikey Gamboa, Isouljahs have come a long way with their own positive original sounds. They are true to the conscious roots rasta reggae that they play and love, and continue to deliver a conscious message to their fans gaining a large following nationally and internationally. Their influences are far and wide, and can be recognized within their large catalog of original material.
Irie Souls: www.myspace.com/iriesouls
Don’t miss out on the LARGEST 2-day festival of the year…..KOLOHE FESTIVAL!!!
More show info go to: www.kolohefestival.com
Press Inquiries – contact Amy Shapas of So You Can at 831-479-0711 or [email protected]