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The Green, The Expanders

Arcata Theatre Lounge

The Green’s latest album, Hawai’i ’13, opens with a chant.

“From the times of ancient Hawai’i and even up to present day, chanting has been a part of our culture,” says JP Kennedy, guitarist, vocalist, and one of the band’s five songwriters.  “It’s a way to start something important. When we chant, we ask for blessings, knowledge, and guidance so that we can be ‘pono’ or righteous in whatever we do.”

The chant of “He Mele No Ku’u Hawai’i” prepares the album’s listener as much as the band.  Hawai’i ’13 dances through roots reggae, soul, and R&B.  The album charts a journey through Hawaiian life and music in 2013, reflecting The Green’s musical upbringing as much as their vision for the future of Hawai’i and its musical output. Following The Green’s usual modus operandi, the album was written by the group’s five separate songwriters (Kennedy, guitarist-vocalist Zion Thompson, vocalist Caleb Keolanui, keyboardist-vocalist Ikaika Antone, and bassist/multi-instrumentalist Brad Watanabe); the band’s four singers (Kennedy, Thompson, Keolanui and Antone) take turns on lead vocals, sometimes trading off with each other within a song.  Once you listen to this record, there is little doubt that the chant served its purpose, as the results show the band has been righteous in their hard work.

The Green formed on O’ahu, Hawai’i, in 2009.  The group began as a vehicle for six different members of Hawai’i’s tight-knit music scene to record a few songs and have a bit of fun along the way.  Their self-titled debut album, released in 2010, earned both critical and commercial acclaim, and was awarded iTunes Best Reggae Album of the Year.

Afterwards, the band jumped on a plane to the mainland and started a heavy touring cycle.  On the strength of their debut album, The Green struck a record deal with ground-breaking independent reggae label Easy Star Records to record their sophomore album, Ways & Means.  Ways & Means hit #1 on the iTunes and Billboard Reggae charts and the band embarked on more intense touring; supporting acts like Rebelution, Iration, SOJA and Damian Marley. They also played at acclaimed festivals including Vans Warped Tour, Wakarusa, Sierra Nevada World Music Festival and California Roots Festival.

The Green struck the reggae community hard with their debut in 2010.  Their sophomore LP Ways & Means solidified their status as a force in reggae music.  With Hawai’i ’13, the band aims higher.  The album collects 13 stellar tracks by a group with an insatiable urge to push their music onto the global stage.  Some songs punch and some songs sway, but ultimately they all blend to form a new shade of Green. ~ Official Website.

 

DATES/TIMES

WHERE

• Arcata Theatre Lounge

PRICE

• $5