Clubbing 101

By Amit Kalra

For many of us club goers and music lovers who have arrived from the mainland for school, work or play, we come expecting nothing. Our expectations are a little better than the grass huts, grass skirts, people smoking grass on every corner, and any other grass oriented stereotype that seems to haunt these islands. It turns out that there might be huts on the island, but they cost about upwards of a couple hundred dollars to stay at for the night. Most of the grass skirts I have seen were at the Polynesian Cultural Center. There are lush forests here, miles of great hiking trails, and a music and club scene the mainland should take serious notes from.

Its past the first paragraph and I should really start somewhere, but its really difficult. There is a thriving Indie music scene, House music scene, Hip-hop scene, punk, Jawaiian/reggae (check out 100.3FM if you just moved here), jazz, and maybe two or three other genres I’m forgetting. When I was first hired to be co-editor for the music scene I thought that this would be an easy job. Find some local music and write somearticles. There is really no place that is fair to start. Indie music first came to our attention by chance, so our first issue is dedicated to this ever expanding genre in Honolulu. You will find, The Malcognitas (who’s first album just dropped), Trey’s Parade, and Hotsui featured.

 

(Aly from the band Explore and another Enterprise goer show Honolulu how to have a good time... )

 

A good show is always fun to see, but sometimes its the weekend and you want to just dance to non-stop beats till the early morning (or till 2am). Ara, lead singer of the Malcognitas, throws a monthly dance party called Enterprise. Let me reiterate, it is a DANCE PARTY, in all caps. Ara is just trying to create a space where people get buck wild without the sleaze. Eskae of the World Famous Nocturnal Sound Crew throws a family affair called Soul Clap once a month at Hotel 39. Be it local indie rockers Ekto Gamut or flying in the soulful Dj Lindsey from New York, you are guaranteed to hear the freshest music. Lover's of third wave ska and punk music should keep an eye out for the Unity Crayons Collective throwing the finest all ages shows. Nabahe throws Wormwood, an underground hip-hop night featuring the finest mcs local and from the mainland.

 

My point is this. If its your first few weeks in Hawai'i and you don't check out these dance parties you are missing out. There are many more. Keep your eyes here every two weeks for more information. And, to get you going, we interview the partymakers themselves.

 

ARA: The Enterprise

Ka Lamakua: What is your mission/vision for enterprise?

Ara: Well, I've been throwing small events on and off in Honolulu for about six years now--Helping with POPcorn Festivals, Avant POP to POPular and coordinating events for Ladyfest and now The Enterprise. I think my vision for all these events was to always help promote local indiependent music and art, to broaden people's musical tastes and to create a unique positive environment where like-minded people of all ages can come together and just have a good ol' time.

KL: Who goes there?

A:For the Enterprise, I would like to hope that this event can attract a variety of unique people who love good music and love to dance! I'm not just promoting to one particular group. But, you will notice several local musicians, artists, upcoming fashion designers and just plain happy people with smiles on their faces.

For the last two events, I've been inviting artistists and designers to come and promote their pieces and sell them at the Enterprise.--my idea is to always help promote local DIY talent.

KL: Can you describe the music being played there?

A: The music at the Enterprise is a mixed bag of indiependent rock, electro, 80's, RnB, Hip Hop and Dance. From Miss Kittin, Interpol , Blondie, Joy Division, De la Soul, the Beattles to Bjork--Music that makes everyone feel fantastic and want to dance.

KL: H ow did you get into this type of music?

A: Well, I grew up in a predominantly black community in PG County, MD so I've got a lot of R n' B and Hip Hop background. But, traveling and being around such wonderful interesting people have always broadened my perspective about music.

I am a fan of good music. I love it. It helps me get through that rough day at school and work. It's my therapy. Why not share that mood?

..............

Nabahe: wormwood

KL: What is your vision/mission with wormwood?

N: The mission of wormwood is to just give Hawaii a chance to gain exposure to Hawaii's underground music scene that either gets underplayed on the radio, or gets no air-time at all, or is misrepresented by other clubs and venues.

Also the whole crew is trying to get miserable ass danny tanga a girlfriend, and thurmen murmen to get laid.

KL: Where are you favorite places to kick it/go out?

N: Anywhere were Danny Tanga can get wireless internet, or any club where Danny Tanga won't get kicked out, my life seems to revolve around this little white boy. But honestly, this is the truth, there really is no one place to find me, I don't have just one spot I like to go to in particular, you ask me this, like I'm like im some fifteen year old wannabe scene ala moana mall rat.

KL: Who goes to wormood?

N: Members of the martian race, and a guy in a yellow bee costum, and oh yeah Creed Chameleon, anyone who is considered a social outcast, perhaps you should look into it.

KL: How did you get into hip hop?

N: I feel that I have always destined for hip hop, ever since I was a small child, I have been constantly rocking mics, and slaying ill emcees.

KL: What do you mean "how did I get into hip hop?"

N: Hip hop got into me if anything, it encircled me and gave me the answer of what I wanted to do with my life. Although it would be easier to get a normal life, I find it exilerating to live off of art and music.

P.S. Who else is writting about me?

..............

ESKAE: Soul Clap

KL: What is your mission/vision for the nights you put on and promote, namely Soul Clap?

S: To make people go home and make some babies.

KL: Who goes there?

S: My unpretentious, focused peers and friends. It's a family affair.

KL: Can you describe the music being played there?

S: All forms of street/ urban music; past, present, commercial, underground. Basically we play everything; hip hop (old, new), reggae/ dancehall, soul/funk/disco (A LOT OF IT), house, and regional dance classics (baltimore club music, Miami bass etc).

KL: How did you get into this type of music?

S: Listening to K-59 in my mom’s monte-carlo all throughthe 80’s, living in Waipahu all my life, and hanging out w/ dj Compose

KL: Where do you normally go out and kick it?

S: Point Panic, In4mation @ Ward, Next Door and Thirty Nine Hotel on Hotel St.