June 12, 2008

Aloha kakou,

Wanted to get a quick update out. Jake (Cubworld) and I will be hitting up WhySound in Logan Utah for a show this weekend. Anybody interested in the details hit me up.

I've added some tracks to my page from my first stab at some home recording. Previously I recorded some tracks straight into Garageband to try and get the ideas down.

This time around I've bought some condesor mics, Pro Tools, and found the "Record" button. I don't know a thing about editing, mixing, master, etc. but wanted to share these songs.

A hui hou,

Kimo

Dec. 24, 2007

It's been awhile since I last included an update here.

Since last time, we've been having some great jam sessions with various musicians over at the house usually every other week or so and some weekdays.

I've been fleshing out some new song ideas I've got and will post them here, but the recording quality isn't the greatest. I love the ideas for the songs though.

This new year should be a nice one from a performing perspective. I'll be playing more local gigs and hope to get back to Hawai'i to play some there as well.

Also, we're about ready to go to print with some awesome T-shirts that my brother in law Dan has put together. Check out his work at www.robatabrand.com and www.robotsandangels.com

I'll drop in some updates as far as shows are concerned as they come, but we'll be jamming at the house till then, if you're in the area and want to set something up just drop me a line.

A hui hou,

Kimo



Sept. 28, 2007

Just wanted to get the good news out. My wife just gave birth to our second child. Mamele U'ilani Suyeko came in at 9 lbs. 2 oz. She and my wife are healthy and I couldn't be happier. The baby is so far very amiable. She eats well, sleeps well, and doesn't cry too much. I've been pretty involved with things related to the baby and haven't done too much with the music these past couple of months outside of a gig at a local art joint downtown Salt Lake City a couple of weeks ago.

Many thanks to Jonnie for the additional parts. You're the man, I think we're getting closer on the shirts and I'll be shipping one your way when we finish them up.

Well, I'd better hele, but wanted to get a quick update out there.

Malama pono ia kakou,

Kimo

August 31, 2007

Benefit for Carly was great. It was well planned out, well attended and I believe that that raised some significant funds. It was a pleasure to be able to help.

Tonight I'm at Cup of Joe's in SLC. I'll be playing from 8:30 - 10:30 MT. The address and number are as follows:

353 W 200 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84101-1202
Phone: (801) 363-8322

A hui hou kakou,

Kimo

http://www.indieutah.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32&Itemid=1

My brother in law is an amazing artist. He was highlighted on this site. Check him out when you get a second.

August 23, 2007

Aloha kakou, just wanted to add a quick note. I'm playing at a benefit next Tuesday from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The benefit is to raise funds for a little baby who was born with some serious medical issues. Her Mom died giving birth and so the Dad's in a bit of a hard spot trying to care for the family.

The benefit is part of a series of fund raising events and will be a silent auction Tuesday Aug. 28 from 6:00 - 9:00 with a silent auction, dinner, music, polynesian dancing and remarks by the family. The event will be held at the Gardner Village "Gathering Place" 1100 West 7800 South in West Jordan Utah.

If you're in town we'd love to see you there.

Kimo

Aug. 16, 2007

Wow, it's almost been a month since I updated this. During that month, I've played some shows, had some further talks with a producer friend of mine who will be working on an EP with me. I've fleshed out some new songs (for the EP) and am still working on a T-shirt design with my brother in law at Struck design in SLC.

Many thanks to the new believers, and old. You're support means a lot.

On the home front, my wife is due next month (Sept. 18th) my cousin Reed and his wife just had a baby (Kamealohaoka'aulani aulani for short), my sister and her baby Harrison are visiting, and my cousin Melissa is also pregnant. Basically by October, there's going to be a grip of baby's in the family! We're excited for the new addition, and also for Sa to not be pregnant. The temperature has been hot and dry and for Sa being pregnant, that's been real rough.

Of interest I had the opportunity to assist while my cousin had some traditional tattoo work done by our friend Keone Nunes www.pauhi.com. You may have seen Keone on Miami Ink last year. He's done quite a lot to revitalize the art of the traditional Hawaiian kakau, and has tremendous knowledge when it comes to things Hawaiian.

Keone also brought some cool music from Niu Sila. The Waiata of Bob Marley in particular was really good. Bob sung in Maori. Cool stuff. Anyway, I'd better hele, if you're in the area though I'll be playing at a charity event next week, a coffee house the next, and at some house party's in between.

A hui hou kakou,

Kimo



July 18, 2007

Aloha kakou,

Just about ready to take off for beautiful Midway Utah. I don't know how many of you have been to Utah let alone Midway, but if you ever get the chance to head out that way. Midway is a beautiful Swiss settlement (I'm part Swiss by the way on my Beyeler side who are from Bern) in Utah situated in a valley above Park City. I know that people really love Park City, and it's nice, but for my money, Midway is where it's at. Pine trees, flowers, green everywhere, natural springs, and a much more kick back feel.

Till next time,

A hui hou,

Kimo


July 12, 2007

Just wanted to get in another update. I don't know if I'd mentioned this or not, but a couple of weeks ago we got together with Jake and family (from Cubworld) and some other friends and got to kanikapila with everybody. Kanikapila essentially means that we get together and play music.

We love to have people over to share food and music. In Polynesian culture, family, food, and music are really where it's at. It was fun to kick around some songs and pass around the instruments. We had a bunch of guitars, ukulele's, djembe drum, and bass and passed around the instruments for different songs. Jake did a cool Citizen Cope song on the ukulele, and we played some island roots music that was good fun for everybody.

I love to kanikapila with family and friends and so if any of you are in Utah, hit me up and we'll get together, eat some food, talk story, and play some good music. Much thanks to Brett and Namor for the latest parts. I'm scheduling some time in the studio next week or the week after (depending on the studio's schedule) and will be sure to post the songs produced.

Malama pono ia kakou (take care everybody),

Kimo


July 3, 2007

Just wanted to get out a quick update. I've been writing a bunch of new songs and am excited to get them recorded. I've been really getting into Ben Harper's music lately and love the way he writes. I've written a lot of love songs in the past and have really enjoyed getting them out there, but I've also wanted to "say more" with my music.

To that end, I've been focusing more on different topics and have been experimenting with different sounds and instruments.

I've written a cool song about Oppression that draws on some of Peter Tosh's work by way of exploring what my music sounds like when I write about various world issues.

I put together what was meant to be a nice little lullaby for my daughter, that turned into a rambling country ballad by way of experimenting with different sounds (typically I'm not a fan at all of country music. I am; however, a big Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash fan and that might be where this song comes from.

I've picked up an acoustic Hawaiian lap steel guitar and Tahitian ukulele by way of experimenting with different instruments and look forward to writing on them as well.

I've got some shows coming up this month and next that I'm looking forward to and will also be making some shirts and an EP that I hope to have by August, let me know if you're interested in either and I'll provide more info.

A hui hou,

Kimo

March 31, 2007

Aloha kakou,

Just wanted to drop in and send out a big Mahalo a nui loa to everybody who's checked out and is checking out this music. I appreciate everyone's comments and everyone who's bought parts. I've been working on some new music and have hooked up with some old friends of mine who I think should be able to add some real nice touches to some songs I've had kicking around for awhile. Hopefully, I'll be switching out these songs in a bit.

Kimo

March 7, 2007

Aloooha,

Just Wanted to drop in and say mahalo to everybody who's checked out the music and commented and purchased parts. I'm humbled that people are digging this music.

Kimo

Aloha kakou,

I'm Kimo Watanabe, and just play music that feels good to play. I like to keep my arrangements simple and soulful. To me the best music is music that you feel every bit as much as you hear and that's the type of music I try to produce. I hope that you're able to feel and enjoy the music.

Morning on Haleakala Hwy offers a new take on what can be down in a slack key guitar tuning.

Won't Let Down is a song I wrote for my sister U'ilani and her then fiance Al. You've GOT to check out the lead guitar track from Grant Beardsly out of Norwich in the UK. I get chicken skin everytime I hear that solo.

Only You for Me is a love song written for my wife. I relaly like this one a lot.

Aloha no,

Kimo