This week’s batch of Big Island music includes new singles from Hero Alea, David Williamson &Sonni Shine, and Blaire. All tracks are available to enjoy now on streaming platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.
Big Island musician Hero Alea’s new single “Work From Home,” incorporates her Polynesian roots into a bass-filled, sensual reggae/pop song. This blend is evident from the beginning of the song, as the distinct Polynesian toere drum tone and rhythm are featured prominently and shape the song’s feel.
Produced by FosterChild, Isaiah Hill, and Eli Mboho, it is the first track of Hero’s five-single EP, to be released later this year, including the tracks “Emotional Affair” and “Human Being.”
Hero was born and raised in Kealakekua and grew up dancing at a luau show with her parents, brother, and extended ‘ohana while attending a Hawaiian immersion school called “Ke Kula ‘o ‘Ehunuikaimalino.”
The singer’s love for Pop music (thanks to her mother from Tacoma, WA) and her passion for Polynesian sounds (thanks to her dad from Samoa) have given her the power to create one cohesive sound that represents who she is as well. “Work From Home” can be found on Spotify.
Hilo-based producer David Williamson and alt-soul singer Sonni Shine have collaborated on a soulful, thoughtful new single, “Seeds Will Grow.” The single will be released digitally on all streaming platforms today, April 15.
This is the first collaboration between the two, who met through mutual artist-friends on O’ahu and decided to work together on a song. After sending demos back and forth, they settled on an R&B flavored track that Williamson had written on guitar. Shine assembled the lyrics from a poem she wrote.
Echoes of jazz and R&B can be heard in “Seeds Will Grow.” It’s a song about the legacy of love and the ripple effect that love between two people can have throughout lifetimes. Williamson and Shine share many of the same influences, which made the collaboration easy and fluid. Asha Azama of Aguamelon is also featured here, rounding out the song with atmospheric piano and synth sounds. You can find this single on Band Camp.
Hilo singer/songwriter Blaire will release her debut single, “God’s Liquor Store,” on April 22. It’s a pop-punk song about dating misadventures in Hawaii. The single was produced by David Pichard of DWP Sounds and recorded at Iliki Music Studios in Hilo.
“God’s Liquor Store” is a tune about the ups and downs of being single, dating, and unrequited love. “I was truly alone for the first time,” Blaire says. “It was an equally exciting and heartbreaking time, adjusting to a new life in the city. This song looks back at the fun, mistakes, loss, and lessons learned of dating on an island.”
Initially an acoustic piece, Blaire and Pritchard worked together to create a more punk vibe to the song, adding a ‘bubble gum synth’ sound, layers of vocals, and even whistling to bring a more robust feel to the piece.
Currently, Blaire streams her music on platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube under her actual name Blair Langston, and Instagram, under the handle @music_by_blaire. In addition, she established her publishing company, Blue Dog Records, in 2022 to release independent music recordings.
Steve Roby is the editor of Big Island Music Magazine.
