Feature: Grammy-nominated Recording Artist Kalani Pe’a Will Present at the Premiere Ceremony

LGBTQ Hawaiian recording artist Kalani Pe’a, recently released his album, “No ‘Ane’i” (We Belong Here) that is Grammy nominated for this years “Best Regional Roots Album.” Kalani Pe’a is no stranger in The Recording Academy circle. In 2017, Kalani Pe’a’s debut album “E Walea” won the Grammy Award for “Best Regional Roots Music Album” and made history by being the first Hawaiian Recording Artist to ever win in the category.

In his 2017 Grammy acceptance speech, Kalani Pe’a spoke about how music was his lifesaver and helped him out of a speech impediment at four-years-old. The acceptance speech quickly became one of the most heartfelt moments of The 2017 Grammy’s. He also received the Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award (Hawai’i’s version of the Grammys) for “Contemporary Album Of The Year” and became the FIRST Hawaii Recording Artist to ever win a Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award & Grammy Award for the same album.

Kalani Pe’a is extremely excited to continue promoting his new Grammy-nominated album and is currently touring the United States. The album eloquently describes and defines his Hawaiian music compositions with the intention of explaining to the listeners the values of maintaining Hawaiian identity, language and arts, and building and retaining a strong foundation of Hawaiian cultural values and practices.

With had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Kalani Pe’a! The 61st Annual Grammy Awards will take place on February 10, 2019, 8:00 PM EST. Check your local listings. Kalani Peʻa will be a presenter at the 2019 GRAMMY Awards Premiere Ceremony.

Hi, Kalani! Thank you for granting the interview. Your music is amazing, and we’re excited to speak with you about. Your new album, “No ‘Ane’i” (We Belong Here), is Grammy-nominated for this year “Best Regional Roots Album.” What can you tell listeners about the album and the English translation of “No ‘Ane’i?”

My sophomore album No ‘Ane’i hits home for me. I am really focusing on Hawaiian cultural values and practices and how our values shape our Hawaiian identity. We all figure out our own identity. In this situation, I have composed and co-composed 8 original songs that talk about people I love, places I love, people that exasperate me or bring no value, cherished Hawaiian royalty and much more. No ‘Ane’i means “We Belong Here.” The intention behind this album is to teach people the significance of Hawaiian music and how my contemporary, soul and R & B influence through my music defines who I am as a Modern Hawaiian. I don’t mimic other artists or try to sound like other artists. I am in my own purple sock and purple bedazzled shoe. I am Kalani Pe’a. I am here to let people know that it’s important to know your identity, know that each of us our resources- profound and prominent resources for the communities we serve. No ‘Ane’i (We Belong Here). If we want to be Hawaiian language practitioners, educators, teachers, lawyers in Hawai’i- be it, be the resource, share that gift, and own it.

Tell us what inspired your new album.

My Hawaiian language and cultural background helped me create my second album. I pay tribute to my ancestors and forefathers, my grandparents on both sides of my family, my parents, my siblings, my friends, family, and friends. My fiancé, business partner, and lifetime partner of 10 years is my biggest inspiration. My mom inspired me to sing and just sing my heart out. I am inspired by people, music icons and legends, Hawaiian natural resources and cultural elements that surround me. I am inspired and aspired to write music about all aspects. My mom, Pua, inspired me because I had a speech impediment at four-years-old. Music saved my life. Music theory and ear training helped me stop my stammering as a child. Music saves us all.

You’re known as a popular LGBTQ recording artist. How important is representation for the community?

I am a proud Hawaiian, Gay entertainer, Hawaiian language and cultural practitioner, visual artist, educator, and producer. I am happy to be working side by side next to my best friend, my fiancé, love of my life, Allan, for 10 years. He is also CEO and co-founder of our independent music business, music label, and entertainment company. He and I run the show. We’re both Grammy winners and Allan is gifted in makeup artistry (working in New York Fashion Week in 2018), stage management, co-production and business/digital marketing he also helps me write as well. I am so happy that we tour together and do everything together. He is among the backbone of this company. He is my everything. I am so grateful to have him in my life. He believes in us. He and my mother Pua and my father Arthur are my biggest cheerleaders. We work so hard as independent musicians and producers. We are the label, and we have to work hard. We get huge support from our family and friends. We’re so proud of being out and about- proud and open-minded. We surround ourselves with like-minded people, people who bring value to our table, people who work hard and don’t sit around. We work 10-15 hours a day. We’re all about contributing to performing arts and education.

Tell us about your songwriting process. How do you choose a topic to sing about?

I can write a song in 5 minutes. I am a vocalist so I hear chords (harmonic and progression chords) in my head. Then I write out words, then I have lyrics, then I arrange everything in my head in 10 minutes and I come up with a song. I don’t grab an instrument to write a song. My voice, my brain and making spiritual connections to everything allows me to compose. Most of my songs are composed in 5-10 minutes. Then I sing what I composed and arranged in 10 minutes to my band or studio musicians and then we produce it, track it, record and master it.

What has been your biggest challenge as a singer?

I think people need to understand that there are independent musicians out there and they need to understand our value. We’re not just musicians. I am a touring musician and it’s important that we work in the capacity or articulating to other businesses our “value” in our work. We can’t settle for less. We always want to push the envelope while collaborating effectively with people and building relationships. I make a full-time living as a singer/songwriter going on tours and selling actual physical CDs and my personal merchandise. Digital downloading and streaming doesn’t make independent musicians rich at all. Independent musicians need to consistently market their own work and talk about your work on all social media platforms. We all have to. If we need to make a living in music as “Indies,” we need to create new content every day on social media and post our work, we need to make music videos within our budget, working on branding, marketing, and self-advertising in this time. We need to tour as musicians. We’re not in 1970 or 1990 and we can’t afford other labels to work for us. I think that is the challenge when most musicians don’t see the value on “promoting your own work as independent musicians.” Well, I am not sorry. We have a music business to run. I believe in creating your own digital marketing strategies and tactics, marketing and PR campaigns as an independent musician. It’s ok to talk about your work, accomplishments and upcoming tours on all social media platforms. When people talk about how “unethical” it is to promote your work, then they don’t know the value. We tell musicians, do “You.” Be the influencer, be the marketer, be the PR person for your own company and sell your product in order to make a living as full-time musicians. If you can’t afford anyone else to promote your work, who will? When people complain about your work, let them because you know you’re doing your job in order to survive in this tough music industry.

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In 2017, your debut album, “E Walea,” also won the Grammy Award for “Best Regional Roots Music Album” and made history by being the first Hawaiian Recording Artist to ever win in the category.  Tell us about the experience.

Note: Use this section to talk about the experience. What does “E Walea” translates to in English? Also, talk about overcoming your speech impediment.

I was overwhelmed with joy and love. I have been singing for 30 years (talent shows, singing for charities, etc) and in this music profession for 3 years. My life changed after winning the Grammy on my debut album. This accolade gave me a full-time job in music. It allowed me to network and collaborate with great and wonderful musicians worldwide. I am blessed beyond measure. I am even blessed to receive a second Grammy nomination on my sophomore album No ‘Ane’i. I have only been singing professionally for 3 years. I have been a teacher for 10 years and left that job full-time to tour the world and sing to people around the world. I am living my dream.

How can fans-to-be gain access to your music?

They can log onto my website at kalanipeamusic.com or pull up Kalani Pe’a Music on all social media platforms.

 What are your musical icons/influences?

I honor these artists and Hawaiian music icons in Hawai’i- Amy Hanaiali’i Gilliom, Willie K, Ho’okena 3.0, Makaha Sons of Ni’ihau, Henry Kapono, The Lim Family, Aunty Genoa Keawe, and Loyal Garner. They’re all amazing Hawaiian musicians and entertainers and I look up to THEM. I also love these music icons as well for their music- Luther Vandross, The Temptations, Carpenters and Luciano Pavarotti.

When looking back on the production of your music, what resonated with you the most and why?

My songwriting style because I consider myself being a Hawaiian, Contemporary R&B and Soul artist. I am different from the rest. I will wear an aloha shirt, black shorts, with a purple bowtie, or purple blazer and dress shoes while singing Superstar in Hawaiian/English facing the ocean. I am a Modern Hawaiian artist. I am all about entertainment and education.

In your opinion, how could a singer make an impact on the world?

Our music is stories to share. We tell our stories through our music. When we explain the poetry, storyline or what inspires us to write music we make our own personal connections. When we share our music and stories, we allow others to make their own personal connections to our music. This is how we build proactive relationships and create a spiritual connection between us as musicians with the world. It’s a fascinating experience and great memories are established in this way. Music brings us together.

If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose this career? Would you do anything differently?

In 5th grade, I wanted to be an illustrator and actually went on to illustrate and publish 5 Hawaiian language children stories for a Hawaiian language center at the University of Hawaii at Hilo. In 7th grade, I wanted to be a forensic pathologist. I find this funny. When I went to college at Colorado Mesa University, I took vocal lessons, enrolled in elite choirs, did musicals, etc. I left my sophomore year because I found out the pay for a full-time teaching position in music was low. So I majored in Mass Communications-Public Relations/News Editorial and received my BA in that degree in 2006. I left music-vocal performance training in college. Here’s one thing. I wrote in my yearbook during my senior year in high school that I wanted to win a Grammy. I have proof of this in 2001. After graduating from college in 2006, I became a preschool teacher and then got promoted to creating Hawaiian cultural/science curriculum for grades 6-12 for nearly 10 years at Kamehameha Schools. In 2016, we recorded my debut album which won a Grammy. I left teaching full-time and took the career in music. I never thought I would be singing and writing music full-time. What a quick turn in my career pathway and life has been great. I am grateful each day. Music is part of me.

Do you have anything else you would like to share about your music?

We need more music programs and performing arts programs in all educational systems- from the Department of Education to private institutions and higher education. Music is the key. We can create STEM curriculum on Music and Arts. People need to understand this and see this significance. Music is free medicine. Music saves lives. Music is here to help us heal. Music brings us together. Music allows us to build bridges, not walls. Music is life.

Connect with Kalani:

Instagram: @kalanipeamusic
Twitter: @kalanipeamusic
Facebook: @kalanipeamusic

Featured Image Credit: Antonio Agosto.

 

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