Hilo’s KukuAu Studio will kick off a new live music/talk show called Songs & Stories on November 17. Every third Saturday of the month host Steve Roby will sit down with Hawai’i Island’s top songwriters to discuss the stories behind their favorite songs and dive deep into their creative process. Each episode will air on YouTube, and there will be an extended podcast on SoundCloud. November 17th’s show will feature guests Ryan Hiraoka, Ydine, and Higgs.
Ryan Hiraoka
Ryan Hiraoka is a Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning recording artist and music producer from the Big Island of Hawaii. Born and raised in Honokaa on the Hamakua coast, Ryan has always been a small-town boy with big dreams.
Ryan has produced music for many of Hawaii’s top recording artists such as Bruddah Waltah, Ilona Irvine, Sudden Rush, Pomai Longakit, and Damon Williams. RSP has helped to launch the careers of Big island recording artists such as Maelan Abran, Mark Saito, Preston Lee, Micah De Aguiar, and Rappa Nui. Ryan is currently making a name for himself as a song writer and has co-written songs with national acts such as Katie Herzig, Brian Fennel, and Richard Harris.
Ydine
Ydine is a soulful songstress based out of Hawaii. She performs throughout the islands as a solo artist and with her band AnOtherEvolution, an ever-evolving ensemble of local musicians. The beautiful compilation of a Cuban mother and Norwegian father, Ydine has cultivated a uniquely diverse musical style that cannot be defined by any particular genre. Her family origins and experiences thus far, such as sailing extensively throughout the South Pacific, traveling abroad, and living on farms throughout Hawaii, have heavily influenced all aspects of her music.
Her lyrical poetry calls upon humanity to reach its fullest potential: to preserve our delicate ecosystems for future generations, to cultivate empathy and hold space in our hearts for those around us, and to go through this life fostering inquisitive and inspiring minds.
Higgs
Higgs has been honing his musical skills with various bands (and looping pedals) in Hawaii since 2005. Over the past 5 years his solo career has taken him around Hawaii, The Pacific Northwest, Los Angeles, and back home to Big Island where he now resides. Higg’s debut EP, “The Letdown,” was recorded in 2016. He has since released 4 singles: “CantPlease’, ‘Slow it Down’, ‘Pray’ (featuring fellow Hawaii rapper Illtalian), and ‘No Plans’ (off his upcoming album Autopilot). In 2018 he took first in the Hawaii songwriter’s competition for his song ‘No Plans’. He continues to collaborate with other Hawaii writers and artists and has garnered music placements on T.V. Shows The Flash and others, getting a 2014 Na Hoku nomination as a member of LifeinPursuit with their album “Nickel & Dimin’ It”.
Higgs can be seen at various venues and events around the Big Island trying out his new original material. His mixtape, currently in the works, is expected out late Fall 2018, with his first single off the album dropping at the end of August. His first full-length album is scheduled for early 2019.
Host: Steve Roby
Steve Roby is a music journalist, best-selling author, and originally from San Francisco. He’s been featured in the NY Times, Rolling Stone, and Billboard Magazine. Roby is also the Managing Editor of Big Island Music Magazine.
If You Go
KukuAu Studio is located at 43 Kukuau St, Hilo, and the show starts 6:00 pm. There’s a sliding scale donation of $5 – $10, and no one will be turned away. Find KukuAu Studio on the web at: https://kukuaustudio.com.
Watch all Songs & Stories episodes at youtube.com/kukuaustudio
Listen to the extended podcasts at https://soundcloud.com/bigislandmusicmagazine