The six-man band NesianSoul has been offering up a mix of funk, pop, soul and R&B with a jazzy island feel since 2013. The group plays every Friday at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, as well as private events and parties.
Frontman Charles K. Grace recently took some time to tell Big Island Entertainment Scene about NesianSoul, which consists of himself on guitar and lead vocals; Victor Aranas on keyboard; Scotty Alcoran on bass and backup vocals; Jim Summey on drums; Michael Elam on trumpet and backup vocals; and Craig Keyes on keyboard and backup vocals.
Q: How do you describe your music to people?
A: “I’d describe our music to people as soulful, live, mainstream. Something everyone can relate to. We try to keep the music fresh and try not to play the same stuff. There is some really great bands out there. So we have a lot of work to do.”
Q: Who would enjoy your music and why?
A: “I think everyone that enjoys music in general would like our music. Everyone can relate something that happened in their lives to music. Music is a universal language and every song has its own special meaning to each individual.”
Q: When did you start playing and what inspires you to continue playing?
A: “I can’t speak for the other musicians who all has been playing music for a longtime as well, but I got into music back in 1994 playing mainly reggae and Hawaiian. We all love music and each band member brings something great to the mix, it’s like a big pot of stew! Keep adding flavors only makes that stew that much better!”
Q: What are your musical influences and why?
A: “Our musical influences are many: Motown, funk, rock, hip hop, jazz, pop, R&B greats like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Al Green, Ben E. King, Sam Cooke, Frank Sinatra, Temptations, O Jay’s, Tower of Power, Kool &The Gang, The Commodores, to greats like Michael Jackson, Sugarhill Gang, Run DMC, Jam Master Jay, Rolling Stones, Aerosmith to even today’s top artists, Bruno Mars, Pharrel Williams, Ceelo Green, Sam Smith, Michael Buble, Justin Timberlake, Outkast, and Jay Z.”
”It’s not just great music that makes an artist, it’s also the ability to entertain. Anyone can be a musician but it takes a musician that has stage presence to keep one entertained, which a lot of people seem to forget to add. That to me is what makes a band stand out from other bands and makes them different &exceptional.”
Q: How do you hope NesianSoul’s music makes people feel?
A: “I hope our music makes people want more! And makes them feel great about themselves. Music is that powerful.”
Follow NesianSoul at Nesiansoul.com; Instagram/LinkedIn: Nesiansoulmusic/charles grace. Contact NesianSoul at Nesiansoulmusic@gmail.com or 989-2374.”
