This week’s batch of Big Island music includes singles from Sarah Bethany, Kelly Hyde, and a full album from The Red Water Trio. All tracks are available to enjoy now on streaming platforms like Spotify.
Sarah Bethany “Someday” (Indie)
Multiple Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winner Sarah Bethany has released her first single titled “Someday.” Bethany co-wrote the song with Big Island artist Drew Daniels, award-winning producer/engineer Michael Surprenant, and multi-Grammy and Tony award-nominated composer/orchestrator Bryan Crook. The music video can be viewed on YouTube and was shot and directed by Becky Yee in New York City. Michael Surprenant of Mana Music and Media produced both the song and the video.
“Someday,” tells the true story of Bethany’s struggle to realize her dream of being a successful recording, performing, and songwriting artist. One of her musical passions is to combine modern music production with acoustic, orchestral, and world music instruments. “Someday” features an unexpected example of Bethany’s unique sound utilizing live flutes, strings, and percussion.
The music video for “Someday” was shot on a cold and rainy day in New York City, with Bethany and crew outside, freezing and wet, with the Manhattan Bridge as a backdrop. Then, unexpectedly, the clouds parted, the sun came out, and they finished the remainder on the roof of Bethany’s loft. During the last part of the music video, viewers can see Bethany was genuinely feeling the happy and powerful emotions that the final part of the song conveys.
Kelly Hyde with Peter Rowan “Seminole Wind” (Indie)
Big Island musician Kelly Hyde’s first cover song, “Seminole Wind” is out now. It’s a collaboration with Grammy award-winner Peter Rowan (“Bluegrass Boy”). The song also features Hilo-based singer-songwriter Ydine on background vocals. Na Hoku Hanohano award nominee David Williamson Pichard brought Hyde and Rowan together after hearing Kelly and Ydine sing the tune acoustically.
“Seminole Wind” is an original piece by country singer John Anderson that speaks to the struggle and displacement of the Seminole Tribe in Florida caused by war, destruction of natural resources, and the draining of the everglades for financial gain.
Although the original song is in the country genre, this new version features a beautiful folk/bluegrass arrangement with layers of harmonies, exceptional fiddle playing, tasteful guitar, ukulele plucks, and a haunting lap-steel guitar, all carried by a steady, upright bass groove. The other musicians in the production are Hawk Devi on fiddle, Jacob Staron on pedal steel, Ethan Jones on upright bass, Kelly Hyde on ukulele, and David Williamson Pichard on acoustic guitar.
The Red Water Trio Synesthesia (Studio Kumau)
The Red Water Trio has just released its second album, Synesthesia, hoping to evoke the feelings of synesthesia: the visions of colors and images felt through the sounds of music. It’s available on CD and streaming platforms.
The Red Water Trio recorded Synesthesia at the beginning of the pandemic, in March 2020 — when live performances were being curtailed everywhere, and they were looking for something positive to focus on. The 11-track album was produced by Richard Russell and recorded and mixed by Joey Bradley primarily at Studio Kumau Barn and Gold Door Studio (both in North Kohala) with additional recording at Truth House Studio by Luke Clebsch (Kailua-Kona).
Synesthesia features a guest appearance by Andrea Lindborg, along with classic tunes such as “The Shadow of Your Smile,” “Besame Mucho,” and “Watch What Happens.”
The Red Water Trio performs smooth jazz, bossa-nova tunes, jazz standards from the Great American Songbook, and a few originals. They have been together for about 10 years and the trio features Jesse Snyder (horns/percussion), Brian McCree (acoustic bass), and Richard Russell (guitar).
Red Water Trio’s first album, Jazz Angle, was released in 2016 with Richard Russell, Jesse Snyder, and Luke Clebsch on fretless bass &harmonica – with special guests Andrea Lindborg-trumpet, Joey Bradley-vocals, and jazz treasure Slyde Hyde on trombone.
Steve Roby is a music journalist, bestselling author, and editor of Big Island Music Magazine.