1 00:00:00,640 --> 00:00:03,120 Speaker 1: Taking a Walk. Hi, I'm Buzznight, the host of the 2 00:00:03,160 --> 00:00:08,080 Speaker 1: Taking a Walk Podcast. Now today, imagine some scenery, beautiful 3 00:00:08,119 --> 00:00:11,320 Speaker 1: scenery with somebody whose music has been the soundtrack to 4 00:00:11,440 --> 00:00:16,520 Speaker 1: countless Island sunsets, beach bonfires, and good times with friends. 5 00:00:17,160 --> 00:00:21,759 Speaker 1: Joining me today is Maoli, a multi talented singer, songwriter, 6 00:00:21,840 --> 00:00:25,120 Speaker 1: and producer who's become one of the most beloved voices 7 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:29,960 Speaker 1: in contemporary Hawaiian and Island reggae music from his breakout 8 00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:34,280 Speaker 1: hit No. One to chart toppers like Summertime and Get 9 00:00:34,320 --> 00:00:38,160 Speaker 1: You Home Safe. Mioli has some incredible ability to blend 10 00:00:38,200 --> 00:00:41,839 Speaker 1: traditional island sounds with modern R and B and reggae 11 00:00:41,880 --> 00:00:45,760 Speaker 1: in a way that just hits different. He's got this smooth, 12 00:00:45,960 --> 00:00:48,640 Speaker 1: soulful voice that can make you feel like you're sitting 13 00:00:48,640 --> 00:00:52,320 Speaker 1: on a beach in Hawaii. We'll talk to Mioli next 14 00:00:52,400 --> 00:00:58,680 Speaker 1: on Taking a Walk. Taking a Walk, Ioli, Welcome to 15 00:00:58,760 --> 00:01:01,640 Speaker 1: the Taking a Walk Podcast, My friend, Thank you for 16 00:01:01,640 --> 00:01:04,280 Speaker 1: having me. Man. Yeah, So we like to ask an 17 00:01:04,280 --> 00:01:07,560 Speaker 1: opening question just to kind of get things rolling here. 18 00:01:07,640 --> 00:01:11,119 Speaker 1: Since we call this show Taking a Walk, I want 19 00:01:11,160 --> 00:01:13,520 Speaker 1: to ask you if you can take a walk with 20 00:01:13,600 --> 00:01:20,560 Speaker 1: someone who would you take a walk with my wife. 21 00:01:22,160 --> 00:01:24,920 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, that's that's one I would take a walk 22 00:01:24,959 --> 00:01:25,440 Speaker 2: with right. 23 00:01:25,280 --> 00:01:27,759 Speaker 1: Now, smart man, where would you go? 24 00:01:30,959 --> 00:01:31,840 Speaker 2: Maybe down Broadway? 25 00:01:33,160 --> 00:01:34,240 Speaker 1: Broadway in Nashville. 26 00:01:34,600 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, Broadway in Nashville. 27 00:01:35,880 --> 00:01:41,160 Speaker 1: Man, Wow, that's a quiet place, right. 28 00:01:42,640 --> 00:01:44,760 Speaker 2: Yeah. I've been up here for the past three weeks 29 00:01:44,800 --> 00:01:47,680 Speaker 2: now and uh, we paid a lot of visits to 30 00:01:47,720 --> 00:01:50,120 Speaker 2: that Broadway. 31 00:01:50,760 --> 00:01:53,200 Speaker 1: So for people who might be discovering your music for 32 00:01:53,240 --> 00:01:56,080 Speaker 1: the first time, how do you describe what you do? 33 00:01:57,440 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 2: It's a that's a great question. It's just a mixture, man, 34 00:02:02,480 --> 00:02:07,000 Speaker 2: of my lifestyle, my culture. You know. I come from Hawaii. 35 00:02:07,680 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 2: There is you know, we have this island way of living, 36 00:02:11,200 --> 00:02:14,440 Speaker 2: you know, and so reggae music is very big there. 37 00:02:15,520 --> 00:02:18,240 Speaker 2: But the style of life I live at home is 38 00:02:18,320 --> 00:02:21,840 Speaker 2: very country. Like I fell in love with country music 39 00:02:21,960 --> 00:02:24,160 Speaker 2: for a long time, you know, and I've been doing 40 00:02:24,200 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 2: it for a while now. But it's just a mixture 41 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:32,880 Speaker 2: of country and storytelling mixed with the style of reggae music. 42 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:36,920 Speaker 1: It really makes you feel good. It puts you in 43 00:02:37,000 --> 00:02:40,520 Speaker 1: a place where if you're listening to it, it puts 44 00:02:40,520 --> 00:02:44,240 Speaker 1: a smile on your face and it takes you to 45 00:02:44,360 --> 00:02:49,880 Speaker 1: a place of beauty and relaxation. Is that intended, that 46 00:02:50,120 --> 00:02:54,040 Speaker 1: is intended. Yes, well you nail that every time for sure. 47 00:02:55,360 --> 00:02:57,520 Speaker 1: So take me back to the beginning. When did you 48 00:02:57,639 --> 00:03:00,919 Speaker 1: first know music was going to be you path in 49 00:03:00,960 --> 00:03:03,679 Speaker 1: your life? Was there a specific. 50 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:06,200 Speaker 2: Moment It was more like an on and off thing 51 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:10,160 Speaker 2: where at one point of my life I was like, yes, 52 00:03:10,200 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 2: this is what I want to do, and then another 53 00:03:12,880 --> 00:03:16,400 Speaker 2: point of my life maybe I should pursue something else. 54 00:03:18,840 --> 00:03:24,160 Speaker 2: But actually wasn't until I would say two thousand and nineteen, 55 00:03:24,400 --> 00:03:28,480 Speaker 2: like around the pandemic time. That's what I knew. It 56 00:03:28,520 --> 00:03:30,720 Speaker 2: was like, yeah, this is going to be something pretty big, 57 00:03:31,080 --> 00:03:33,160 Speaker 2: you know, and I knew that I have to pursue 58 00:03:33,160 --> 00:03:33,799 Speaker 2: this is my calling. 59 00:03:35,080 --> 00:03:40,160 Speaker 1: And tell me about these influences. There's a vast group 60 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:46,560 Speaker 1: of influences, I believe, people like Bob Marley and John Legend, 61 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:51,240 Speaker 1: Stevie Wonder are there are there more? 62 00:03:51,720 --> 00:03:55,840 Speaker 2: Oh yeah, that is course on and on man, the 63 00:03:56,640 --> 00:04:00,240 Speaker 2: Bob Marty, Peter Tosh touts in the maytows that when 64 00:04:00,280 --> 00:04:03,600 Speaker 2: it comes to the reggae side and the soul side, 65 00:04:03,640 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 2: man like Gard Brookes, George Straight you know those are 66 00:04:06,800 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 2: Alan Jackson, those are huge influences on this music. Kenny 67 00:04:10,600 --> 00:04:14,840 Speaker 2: Chesney you know, it was cool too. I just I 68 00:04:15,000 --> 00:04:17,000 Speaker 2: just went to the CMA's last night for the first 69 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:20,240 Speaker 2: time and I got to watch finally got to watch 70 00:04:20,320 --> 00:04:24,480 Speaker 2: Kenny Chesney perform. George Strait was there and it was 71 00:04:24,200 --> 00:04:27,400 Speaker 2: it was crazy. But those are huge influences on my 72 00:04:27,480 --> 00:04:28,520 Speaker 2: music for sure. 73 00:04:29,440 --> 00:04:32,640 Speaker 1: And walk us through your creative process, especially with your 74 00:04:32,839 --> 00:04:35,320 Speaker 1: with your new music, but in general, when you're writing 75 00:04:35,360 --> 00:04:37,920 Speaker 1: a song, where does it usually start? Is it a 76 00:04:37,960 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 1: melody first? Is it a bead? A lyric? Is it 77 00:04:41,040 --> 00:04:43,760 Speaker 1: a vibe? Take us behind the scenes. 78 00:04:45,080 --> 00:04:48,880 Speaker 2: It's it's multiple things. Man. Sometimes I'll just have a 79 00:04:48,920 --> 00:04:51,680 Speaker 2: title in my head and I kind of work off that. 80 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:56,240 Speaker 2: Sometimes it's a melody, just a melody. But when the 81 00:04:56,279 --> 00:04:59,359 Speaker 2: process of writing, I just don't like to get in 82 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:02,120 Speaker 2: the way of it because for me, it's spiritual. You know, 83 00:05:02,279 --> 00:05:03,880 Speaker 2: you just have to be at the right place, the 84 00:05:03,960 --> 00:05:07,800 Speaker 2: right time and just download what for me is like 85 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:11,640 Speaker 2: God says, hey, this is your song, and just accept it, 86 00:05:11,680 --> 00:05:14,120 Speaker 2: you know, and it kind of just flows. And I 87 00:05:14,120 --> 00:05:16,120 Speaker 2: don't know how to explain it, but it's it's it's 88 00:05:16,120 --> 00:05:19,520 Speaker 2: a very spiritual thing for me. So it's a it's 89 00:05:20,040 --> 00:05:23,359 Speaker 2: it's just a wonderful thing. To have happened, you know, 90 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:25,520 Speaker 2: and I just kind of let it be. So it 91 00:05:25,760 --> 00:05:27,560 Speaker 2: could be the melody, it could be the title, it 92 00:05:27,600 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 2: could be whatever inspires me at the time. Sometimes it's 93 00:05:30,560 --> 00:05:33,320 Speaker 2: just the music and I'll just kind of flow off 94 00:05:33,360 --> 00:05:36,640 Speaker 2: of that. But yeah, that's really what it is. Man. 95 00:05:36,839 --> 00:05:39,360 Speaker 2: I just I step aside and I let music do 96 00:05:39,480 --> 00:05:39,840 Speaker 2: its thing. 97 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:46,880 Speaker 1: So since your music takes us to at least takes 98 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:51,000 Speaker 1: me and the audience to like an island sort of feeling, 99 00:05:51,640 --> 00:05:54,160 Speaker 1: you know, the concept of a desert island disc if 100 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,400 Speaker 1: you were stuck on an island and you had, Yeah, 101 00:05:58,480 --> 00:06:01,000 Speaker 1: what would your desert a desert island disc? P? 102 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:04,640 Speaker 2: What island would I want to be on? 103 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:09,120 Speaker 1: No? What which album desert island disc album would you 104 00:06:09,960 --> 00:06:12,320 Speaker 1: have to have with you to get you through that? 105 00:06:13,400 --> 00:06:15,560 Speaker 2: As far as mine goes, I would have to see 106 00:06:15,640 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 2: my MMO album. Yeah, that one, that one has all 107 00:06:19,440 --> 00:06:22,680 Speaker 2: the island feels on it. That was pretty much our 108 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:25,839 Speaker 2: most successful album so far, you know. 109 00:06:26,200 --> 00:06:28,839 Speaker 1: Yeah, I like that so far. And is there is 110 00:06:28,839 --> 00:06:31,479 Speaker 1: there a desert island disc from another artist that you 111 00:06:31,480 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 1: would have to bring with you? Or is that an 112 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:37,120 Speaker 1: impossible question like the taking a walk question? 113 00:06:38,240 --> 00:06:40,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, that's a hard one, man, that's a real hard one. 114 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:43,360 Speaker 2: I know. Probably Kenny would have to be up there, 115 00:06:44,600 --> 00:06:47,479 Speaker 2: Jimmy Buffett would have to be up there, Bob Marley 116 00:06:48,080 --> 00:06:50,560 Speaker 2: and I don't know, man, I can't do that's a 117 00:06:50,560 --> 00:06:50,960 Speaker 2: hard ONOK. 118 00:06:51,200 --> 00:06:53,360 Speaker 1: I know. I'm sorry. Don't think less of me for 119 00:06:53,520 --> 00:06:57,960 Speaker 1: asking such a difficult question. So you produced a lot 120 00:06:58,000 --> 00:07:00,800 Speaker 1: of your own music too, Now, how does this work 121 00:07:00,880 --> 00:07:04,360 Speaker 1: for you? Having two hats artist and producer? Does it 122 00:07:04,520 --> 00:07:06,679 Speaker 1: change your approach to a song? 123 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:11,960 Speaker 2: Sometimes? Yeah, But I've been working a lot lately with 124 00:07:12,000 --> 00:07:16,760 Speaker 2: this producer, j Vibe. He's based out of Miami. He's 125 00:07:16,800 --> 00:07:21,440 Speaker 2: been helping me a lot lately with the creative side 126 00:07:21,880 --> 00:07:26,040 Speaker 2: of the music. But I wouldn't take credit for that. 127 00:07:26,080 --> 00:07:28,920 Speaker 2: I would, I would. I would have to say that 128 00:07:29,280 --> 00:07:31,400 Speaker 2: Javibe has a lot to do with it, you know. 129 00:07:31,800 --> 00:07:36,160 Speaker 1: And uh, yeah, that's a pretty that's a pretty cool name. 130 00:07:36,200 --> 00:07:39,720 Speaker 1: I mean, Myoli is a pretty cool name. But Jay Vibe, God, 131 00:07:40,800 --> 00:07:42,400 Speaker 1: that says everything right there. 132 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:46,160 Speaker 2: Him and yeah, me and him have been doing it 133 00:07:46,200 --> 00:07:49,480 Speaker 2: for a while now, since a little bit before the pandemic, 134 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:53,960 Speaker 2: and it's been working out great. So, you know, I 135 00:07:53,960 --> 00:07:56,280 Speaker 2: don't want to fix something that's not broken. 136 00:07:57,280 --> 00:07:59,800 Speaker 1: How does he make you a better artist? 137 00:08:00,200 --> 00:08:05,480 Speaker 2: H I would have to say is honesty. He's very 138 00:08:05,520 --> 00:08:08,600 Speaker 2: honest with me. Is not too much people are driving 139 00:08:08,680 --> 00:08:11,720 Speaker 2: the studio with them, they're just like, hey, you need 140 00:08:11,760 --> 00:08:14,800 Speaker 2: to redo that line, you know. But he's one of 141 00:08:14,840 --> 00:08:16,600 Speaker 2: those people where are here, you know? And I and 142 00:08:16,640 --> 00:08:19,840 Speaker 2: I'm I'm a person that could take constructive criticism. So 143 00:08:20,320 --> 00:08:22,480 Speaker 2: I would have to say that it's his his honesty 144 00:08:22,520 --> 00:08:26,520 Speaker 2: and our friendship. That's that's the key to having this 145 00:08:26,640 --> 00:08:28,880 Speaker 2: type of success or whatever you want to call it. 146 00:08:29,840 --> 00:08:33,000 Speaker 1: And if I walked into you guys in a studio session, 147 00:08:33,720 --> 00:08:36,600 Speaker 1: what would the overall vibe be? I mean, is there 148 00:08:36,920 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 1: is there, uh you know, some some laughter that's going on? 149 00:08:41,000 --> 00:08:44,320 Speaker 1: Is it a complete intensity? Is it a balance? What's 150 00:08:44,400 --> 00:08:47,160 Speaker 1: what would I sense when I walked in? 151 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:51,320 Speaker 2: Oh Man, to be completely honest, there's a lot of 152 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:55,440 Speaker 2: laughter going on, a lot of jokes. It'll get serious, 153 00:08:56,360 --> 00:08:59,360 Speaker 2: and uh, there's there's kind of a lot of drinking 154 00:08:59,400 --> 00:08:59,760 Speaker 2: going on. 155 00:09:03,320 --> 00:09:05,840 Speaker 1: What's the the drink of choice. 156 00:09:06,559 --> 00:09:10,440 Speaker 2: I'm a tequila guy. I gotta have I'll just sip 157 00:09:10,559 --> 00:09:14,320 Speaker 2: on that the whole time. And uh, it's funny because 158 00:09:14,320 --> 00:09:17,400 Speaker 2: sometimes we'll, you know, we'll hit something where the song 159 00:09:17,440 --> 00:09:21,320 Speaker 2: feels amazing and let's getting on the shop there. I 160 00:09:21,400 --> 00:09:25,640 Speaker 2: got it. I love it. It's just a fun process. 161 00:09:25,679 --> 00:09:29,760 Speaker 1: Man, Is there a time of day that you feel 162 00:09:29,760 --> 00:09:30,640 Speaker 1: most creative? 163 00:09:31,920 --> 00:09:38,080 Speaker 2: I would say, nah, manybe the morning, like the afternoon time. 164 00:09:38,600 --> 00:09:41,760 Speaker 2: You know, I'm not really like a late night studio 165 00:09:41,840 --> 00:09:43,560 Speaker 2: guy like I like, I like to work in the 166 00:09:43,600 --> 00:09:47,240 Speaker 2: morning to like late afternoon, like a nine to five almost. 167 00:09:47,360 --> 00:09:49,640 Speaker 2: That's what I love about Nashville, Like Nashville is like 168 00:09:49,840 --> 00:09:53,360 Speaker 2: cockwork here, Like everybody wakes up in the morning nine o'clock, 169 00:09:54,160 --> 00:09:57,200 Speaker 2: leaves the studio five and it's like big clock eight 170 00:09:57,280 --> 00:09:58,800 Speaker 2: clock out. I love that stuff. 171 00:09:58,840 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 1: But so let's talk about the new music and how 172 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:07,560 Speaker 1: it all unfolded. So tell us about it and tell 173 00:10:07,640 --> 00:10:10,400 Speaker 1: us what the process was like in terms of creating 174 00:10:10,440 --> 00:10:12,680 Speaker 1: it with Jay Vibe and the rest of your crew. 175 00:10:13,600 --> 00:10:18,200 Speaker 2: Yeah. Well, the last country album I did last EP 176 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 2: A summer the country version of it. I linked up 177 00:10:21,840 --> 00:10:26,760 Speaker 2: with the producer Dan Huff, who's a phenomenal for producer man, 178 00:10:27,400 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 2: really really good. I was blessed to be working with 179 00:10:29,880 --> 00:10:33,360 Speaker 2: that man. Him and his brother David Huff. They found 180 00:10:33,360 --> 00:10:35,200 Speaker 2: me at a show that I was doing in Nashville, 181 00:10:35,240 --> 00:10:37,520 Speaker 2: and they came. They came to the show and just 182 00:10:37,559 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 2: you know, kind of introduced themselves and I kind of 183 00:10:41,400 --> 00:10:43,400 Speaker 2: knew immediately, like I think, these are the guys I 184 00:10:43,440 --> 00:10:44,760 Speaker 2: really want to work with when it comes to that 185 00:10:45,240 --> 00:10:50,080 Speaker 2: country side, you know. And it wasn't too late. Wasn't 186 00:10:50,080 --> 00:10:53,040 Speaker 2: that much after I would say, maybe like six six 187 00:10:53,080 --> 00:10:56,240 Speaker 2: months maybe we ended up coming. I flew up to Nashville. 188 00:10:56,240 --> 00:10:59,320 Speaker 2: We started working with them for the first time too. 189 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:02,320 Speaker 2: I never did this before, but it's kind of like 190 00:11:02,360 --> 00:11:05,120 Speaker 2: the way they record up here, where they'll get a 191 00:11:05,160 --> 00:11:08,120 Speaker 2: bunch of the musicians. I'm so used to, like, you know, 192 00:11:08,440 --> 00:11:10,640 Speaker 2: I'll work out an idea and send it to my 193 00:11:10,640 --> 00:11:13,000 Speaker 2: my producer, and my producer sends me something back. But 194 00:11:13,120 --> 00:11:15,640 Speaker 2: with this one, I was like, I'm actually in the 195 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:19,240 Speaker 2: room with all of the musicians and they're so great 196 00:11:19,360 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 2: that they that they can just one take, you know. 197 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:25,920 Speaker 2: And I was a little intimidated in the beginning because 198 00:11:25,960 --> 00:11:28,320 Speaker 2: it was like a new thing for me. But after 199 00:11:28,320 --> 00:11:29,920 Speaker 2: a while they made me so, you know, I was 200 00:11:29,960 --> 00:11:33,520 Speaker 2: super comfortable after after I got to know everybody. But 201 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:36,200 Speaker 2: that was that was a fun experience. I never recorded 202 00:11:36,200 --> 00:11:38,640 Speaker 2: that way before in my life and then what we 203 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:41,000 Speaker 2: did with that was but that was more country style. 204 00:11:41,559 --> 00:11:44,319 Speaker 2: And then from there I brought in my producer J Vibe, 205 00:11:44,640 --> 00:11:47,280 Speaker 2: who is really good at that that reggae solum, and 206 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:50,160 Speaker 2: we just now you got Dan Huff, one of the 207 00:11:50,200 --> 00:11:53,719 Speaker 2: legends of country working with J Vibe, who is one 208 00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:56,600 Speaker 2: of the legends in reggae music. That sound. That was 209 00:11:56,640 --> 00:11:59,040 Speaker 2: the last album that I just did, the Island Vibes. 210 00:12:00,240 --> 00:12:04,840 Speaker 2: That's what you hear. So it's the writing, the storytelling 211 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:08,200 Speaker 2: of country music, the guitars of country music mixed with 212 00:12:09,120 --> 00:12:12,480 Speaker 2: the foundation of drum and bass when reggae music, and 213 00:12:12,520 --> 00:12:14,920 Speaker 2: that's kind of what you get right there, you know. 214 00:12:16,280 --> 00:12:21,280 Speaker 1: I might you must have multiple, if not all, favorite 215 00:12:21,280 --> 00:12:23,880 Speaker 1: tracks off of it, and tout a few of them 216 00:12:23,920 --> 00:12:26,360 Speaker 1: that really pop to the top for you. 217 00:12:27,679 --> 00:12:33,760 Speaker 2: I would say, uh damn good Night and uh Last 218 00:12:33,800 --> 00:12:36,160 Speaker 2: of the Summer. I mean I would say those two. 219 00:12:36,320 --> 00:12:37,440 Speaker 2: Those two really it on me. 220 00:12:37,880 --> 00:12:39,480 Speaker 1: Oh, I love that was my favorite. 221 00:12:39,559 --> 00:12:42,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, And I usually don't say that because I'm like, 222 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:44,680 Speaker 2: every one of them is my favorite. Of course. 223 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 1: Yeah, of course, how do you think your sounds has 224 00:12:48,320 --> 00:12:51,400 Speaker 1: evolved with these with these new tracks? I know you're 225 00:12:51,440 --> 00:12:52,800 Speaker 1: experimenting all the time. 226 00:12:53,160 --> 00:12:57,560 Speaker 2: Yeah, that just comes with time and experience and life. 227 00:12:57,640 --> 00:13:01,040 Speaker 2: You know. Like I'm always trying to grow as an artist, 228 00:13:01,160 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 2: you know, and then try new things. And I don't 229 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:05,679 Speaker 2: want to go too far off, but you know, because 230 00:13:05,679 --> 00:13:09,000 Speaker 2: I do have a great core fan base that wants 231 00:13:09,000 --> 00:13:12,520 Speaker 2: to hear the style that I do. But yeah, I'm 232 00:13:12,559 --> 00:13:16,320 Speaker 2: always constantly growing and trying to just get better every day. 233 00:13:16,679 --> 00:13:19,120 Speaker 2: That's kind of just what I've been doing, you know, 234 00:13:20,280 --> 00:13:20,960 Speaker 2: just evolving. 235 00:13:22,000 --> 00:13:25,240 Speaker 1: And you mentioned the loyal fan base. What do you 236 00:13:25,320 --> 00:13:29,360 Speaker 1: think with that loyal fan base is about your music 237 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:33,400 Speaker 1: that resonates so deeply and personally with people. 238 00:13:34,480 --> 00:13:38,120 Speaker 2: I think it's because we're very similar, you know. I 239 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:41,160 Speaker 2: always say that the reason you like the songs and 240 00:13:41,240 --> 00:13:43,400 Speaker 2: the music is because it's really a reflection of who 241 00:13:43,480 --> 00:13:46,600 Speaker 2: you are. That's I think they just resonate with you know, 242 00:13:46,720 --> 00:13:50,320 Speaker 2: as an artist, I'm just being me, you know, I'm 243 00:13:50,360 --> 00:13:53,400 Speaker 2: just doing what I do and and and I think 244 00:13:54,160 --> 00:13:57,040 Speaker 2: there's a huge fan base that, you know, that just 245 00:13:57,240 --> 00:14:00,560 Speaker 2: loves that style and the way I live life, the 246 00:14:00,600 --> 00:14:03,199 Speaker 2: way the things I talk about in the songs, the 247 00:14:04,040 --> 00:14:06,000 Speaker 2: way it moves you, the way and a lot of 248 00:14:06,000 --> 00:14:08,520 Speaker 2: these people are island people. You know, like that's why 249 00:14:08,520 --> 00:14:12,120 Speaker 2: we'll go to New Zealand and so thousands of tickets 250 00:14:12,160 --> 00:14:15,320 Speaker 2: there and Fiji and Tahiti. I think it just has 251 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:19,000 Speaker 2: this island vibe to it where island people are just 252 00:14:19,120 --> 00:14:21,760 Speaker 2: drawn to it, you know. And it's been doing really 253 00:14:21,800 --> 00:14:22,240 Speaker 2: well then. 254 00:14:23,280 --> 00:14:27,840 Speaker 1: And it's the concept of I love it. Aloha spirit, 255 00:14:28,040 --> 00:14:31,760 Speaker 1: a love spirit, that's right. I love that. It's how 256 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:35,120 Speaker 1: do you carry it beyond your music in everyday life? 257 00:14:35,160 --> 00:14:36,480 Speaker 1: The aloha spirit? 258 00:14:37,240 --> 00:14:41,400 Speaker 2: It's something that to me, it's like you just have it, man, 259 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:44,840 Speaker 2: It's it's a way of life back home, you know, 260 00:14:45,280 --> 00:14:49,800 Speaker 2: we as I'm Hawaiian and back home, it's like it's 261 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:52,840 Speaker 2: just it's it's a way to love, you know. And uh, 262 00:14:53,520 --> 00:14:56,680 Speaker 2: you it's hard to get it anywhere else in the world. 263 00:14:56,880 --> 00:15:00,520 Speaker 2: It's it's it's it's really a just a place of 264 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:03,880 Speaker 2: giving and and and and just love, you know. And 265 00:15:03,920 --> 00:15:07,560 Speaker 2: that's uh, it's just instilled in me from the day 266 00:15:07,600 --> 00:15:08,080 Speaker 2: I was born. 267 00:15:09,240 --> 00:15:13,080 Speaker 1: I mean, we need a low house spirit more now 268 00:15:13,200 --> 00:15:13,880 Speaker 1: than ever. 269 00:15:14,200 --> 00:15:16,760 Speaker 2: More now than ever. That's why I believe in this. Man. 270 00:15:16,760 --> 00:15:20,280 Speaker 2: I'm like people I feel need to need to hear 271 00:15:20,320 --> 00:15:23,920 Speaker 2: these types of of vibes because you know, it's it's 272 00:15:24,000 --> 00:15:27,200 Speaker 2: it's it's very uplifting, it's very you know, it brings 273 00:15:27,200 --> 00:15:29,720 Speaker 2: you to a great place and you can't get mad 274 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:30,280 Speaker 2: listen to it. 275 00:15:30,360 --> 00:15:37,000 Speaker 1: You know. So when you're traveling and performing, how are 276 00:15:37,000 --> 00:15:41,240 Speaker 1: you able to stay grounded? Because there's it's not an 277 00:15:41,240 --> 00:15:42,920 Speaker 1: easy life, it's not. 278 00:15:43,160 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 2: Mine at all. Well, i'd have to say prayer, a 279 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:48,880 Speaker 2: lot of prayer. And you know I travel with my 280 00:15:48,920 --> 00:15:53,120 Speaker 2: wife too, so she helps me a lot, you know, 281 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:57,480 Speaker 2: So I would see that man just just being rooted man, 282 00:15:57,520 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 2: a lot of prayer and and and a loving wife. 283 00:16:01,480 --> 00:16:03,680 Speaker 1: That's why when I asked you to take in a 284 00:16:03,720 --> 00:16:07,600 Speaker 1: walk question, you'd be very smart about it. And you said, well, 285 00:16:07,840 --> 00:16:12,400 Speaker 1: I think it's my wife. I like that a lot. 286 00:16:13,800 --> 00:16:14,800 Speaker 1: What's your wife's name? 287 00:16:15,680 --> 00:16:16,359 Speaker 2: Mercedes? 288 00:16:16,800 --> 00:16:22,000 Speaker 1: Mercedes? If you're listening, your man did the right thing. 289 00:16:24,040 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 1: What's something most people don't know about you that they 290 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:30,880 Speaker 1: might be surprised to learn. 291 00:16:32,160 --> 00:16:33,800 Speaker 2: I love popcorn and Disney movies. 292 00:16:34,920 --> 00:16:39,320 Speaker 1: Yea, I love that. What kind of popcorn? 293 00:16:40,280 --> 00:16:47,440 Speaker 2: Oh? Any kind? Man? The micro alievable ones, easy stuff. 294 00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:49,280 Speaker 2: You can't be the movie theater. 295 00:16:49,880 --> 00:16:55,320 Speaker 1: Yeah, but some people get all bollocked up with you know, 296 00:16:55,960 --> 00:16:58,240 Speaker 1: caramel popcorn that kind of thing. 297 00:16:58,600 --> 00:17:00,600 Speaker 2: Yeah, I'm a just a butter guy. 298 00:17:00,800 --> 00:17:02,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, the real deal. 299 00:17:02,560 --> 00:17:04,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, you put the butter on that, and I'm just 300 00:17:04,880 --> 00:17:05,640 Speaker 2: munching for these. 301 00:17:08,640 --> 00:17:12,120 Speaker 1: So beyond your new music, what else are you excited 302 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:15,439 Speaker 1: about right now? And obviously tours play into that, but 303 00:17:15,520 --> 00:17:18,680 Speaker 1: are there other projects or goals on the horizon. 304 00:17:19,560 --> 00:17:23,880 Speaker 2: Yeah? Right now, I'm working on a tequila that hopefully 305 00:17:23,960 --> 00:17:28,520 Speaker 2: I can get launched next year. But I'm really I'm 306 00:17:28,520 --> 00:17:31,679 Speaker 2: really excited about that. That's my my side project that 307 00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:35,480 Speaker 2: I've been working on outside of the music, you know, Yes, yeah, 308 00:17:35,840 --> 00:17:37,360 Speaker 2: because I love Tequille Man. 309 00:17:38,280 --> 00:17:43,639 Speaker 1: That's I think it's part of the creative process, right, Yeah, 310 00:17:43,680 --> 00:17:47,480 Speaker 1: that's right. Do you have a name for it, a 311 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:48,160 Speaker 1: Limo vai. 312 00:17:48,880 --> 00:17:52,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, it's it's it's a It means five five waters, 313 00:17:54,880 --> 00:17:57,040 Speaker 2: five holy waters. 314 00:18:00,359 --> 00:18:03,159 Speaker 1: I absolutely love that. That is so cool. What are 315 00:18:03,200 --> 00:18:07,359 Speaker 1: some of your favorite types of venues to play at mine? 316 00:18:07,920 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 2: I would say like, I kind of like when they're 317 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:14,280 Speaker 2: like close to you, you know, when I do like 318 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:16,480 Speaker 2: the bigger ones, they're like, you know, it's kind of 319 00:18:16,520 --> 00:18:18,119 Speaker 2: far away from me. I don't get to really like 320 00:18:18,960 --> 00:18:21,560 Speaker 2: interact with them and feel them, but I try my best, 321 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:25,000 Speaker 2: But I really like the venues where they're like right 322 00:18:25,040 --> 00:18:29,680 Speaker 2: up close, you know, I can feel their energy literally well. 323 00:18:29,520 --> 00:18:32,000 Speaker 1: And they could feel yours. Yeah, and you have a 324 00:18:32,040 --> 00:18:35,760 Speaker 1: contagious spirit about you. You have this joy that you radiate, 325 00:18:36,040 --> 00:18:38,720 Speaker 1: you know, So the closer the better, you. 326 00:18:38,680 --> 00:18:42,199 Speaker 2: Know, absolutely, Yeah, I like that the best. 327 00:18:42,920 --> 00:18:48,200 Speaker 1: What causes and charities are important to you. 328 00:18:49,280 --> 00:18:53,600 Speaker 2: I actually have a foundation too, a nonprofit called Modeling 329 00:18:53,680 --> 00:18:58,399 Speaker 2: Music Foundation, and I'm trying to just work with you know, 330 00:18:59,000 --> 00:19:02,960 Speaker 2: kids where they didn't because there's a lot of talented 331 00:19:03,040 --> 00:19:06,199 Speaker 2: singers where I'm from, a lot of talented musicians, but 332 00:19:06,240 --> 00:19:10,239 Speaker 2: they just don't have the proper guidance to to you know, 333 00:19:10,800 --> 00:19:15,160 Speaker 2: get them, get them through. And I've been fortunate enough 334 00:19:15,160 --> 00:19:18,119 Speaker 2: to really see this industry and and be around some 335 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:23,200 Speaker 2: really really talented and great businessmen, very smart businessmen, and 336 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:26,520 Speaker 2: I kind of want to just get that to my home, 337 00:19:27,040 --> 00:19:29,679 Speaker 2: you know. And and because there's just no place to 338 00:19:29,720 --> 00:19:32,800 Speaker 2: go for that type of information that you just can't 339 00:19:32,800 --> 00:19:35,560 Speaker 2: get it anywhere. And I'm that that's one of the 340 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:38,320 Speaker 2: my foundation is what I'm you know, I'm really leaning 341 00:19:38,359 --> 00:19:41,680 Speaker 2: forward too, is because I think that's important. If I 342 00:19:41,680 --> 00:19:43,800 Speaker 2: if I look back on my younger years, if I 343 00:19:43,840 --> 00:19:46,800 Speaker 2: had a mentor or you know, somebody that just guide me, 344 00:19:46,840 --> 00:19:49,520 Speaker 2: I wouldn't have to make as much mistakes that I 345 00:19:49,960 --> 00:19:54,320 Speaker 2: made that I had maken through these years. So I yeah, 346 00:19:54,440 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 2: I think my foundation is the what I'm really leaning towards. 347 00:20:00,160 --> 00:20:03,480 Speaker 1: What would you tell your younger self if you could 348 00:20:04,440 --> 00:20:07,639 Speaker 1: in retrospect? What advice would you give your younger self? 349 00:20:08,760 --> 00:20:14,760 Speaker 2: Be patient? You know, really it's like a mixture of 350 00:20:14,920 --> 00:20:18,800 Speaker 2: you know, follow your heart, but be patient and remember 351 00:20:18,840 --> 00:20:26,400 Speaker 2: that this too shall pass. You know, there's a lot 352 00:20:26,400 --> 00:20:28,159 Speaker 2: of there's a lot of walls that I've hid in 353 00:20:28,160 --> 00:20:31,720 Speaker 2: my life in and I'm glad that I pushed through, 354 00:20:31,760 --> 00:20:36,040 Speaker 2: but man, there was times where I went through some panics. 355 00:20:37,400 --> 00:20:43,240 Speaker 1: So in closing, is there the best advice now as 356 00:20:43,280 --> 00:20:46,560 Speaker 1: somebody who's been at it and working hard that somebody 357 00:20:46,640 --> 00:20:50,400 Speaker 1: has given you about music or life or creativity that 358 00:20:51,040 --> 00:20:54,040 Speaker 1: really made a tremendous impact on you. 359 00:20:54,640 --> 00:20:57,640 Speaker 2: That's made an impact on me as far as. 360 00:20:58,000 --> 00:21:02,320 Speaker 1: Advice, Yeah, and your life, and there's there's. 361 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:07,880 Speaker 2: There's several you know, there was an artists named Fiji 362 00:21:08,160 --> 00:21:10,800 Speaker 2: back where I'm from, and he's like the pioneer of 363 00:21:11,040 --> 00:21:14,520 Speaker 2: of our music, of my music, and he was a 364 00:21:14,520 --> 00:21:17,920 Speaker 2: big brother to me, and he passed away this year, 365 00:21:18,160 --> 00:21:21,639 Speaker 2: but he was the one who would be, you know, 366 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:25,120 Speaker 2: telling me to be patient, to understand that this is 367 00:21:25,680 --> 00:21:28,840 Speaker 2: in timing. God's timing is where you want to be. 368 00:21:29,160 --> 00:21:31,840 Speaker 2: You know, you want to force too much things. You know. 369 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:36,159 Speaker 2: He would always you know, just miss a dude that 370 00:21:36,200 --> 00:21:39,760 Speaker 2: crazy I'm thinking about him, you know, But yeah, he 371 00:21:40,000 --> 00:21:42,119 Speaker 2: would give me just that type of advice where you know, 372 00:21:42,240 --> 00:21:45,160 Speaker 2: like be careful who you surround yourself with, and and 373 00:21:45,160 --> 00:21:48,240 Speaker 2: and just stuff for like even the creative side. I 374 00:21:48,240 --> 00:21:50,320 Speaker 2: would I would get into like I would have my 375 00:21:50,400 --> 00:21:53,560 Speaker 2: writer's block. And he was an amazing writer, and he's like, 376 00:21:53,640 --> 00:21:56,639 Speaker 2: you just have to learn how to use everything around you. 377 00:21:56,840 --> 00:21:59,040 Speaker 2: All of all the things that you see, you feel, 378 00:21:59,080 --> 00:22:01,639 Speaker 2: your touch, you can use them all in your ears. 379 00:22:01,680 --> 00:22:03,280 Speaker 2: And I was like, I sat down there. It just 380 00:22:03,359 --> 00:22:06,440 Speaker 2: clicked for me and I've never gotten a writer's block 381 00:22:06,520 --> 00:22:09,960 Speaker 2: after that, just by using everything around me. I'm like, oh, 382 00:22:10,160 --> 00:22:13,159 Speaker 2: so I can use the light and the flowers and 383 00:22:13,200 --> 00:22:16,640 Speaker 2: I just put him here anyway, But yeah, he would 384 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:18,600 Speaker 2: be the guy that has given me a lot of 385 00:22:18,640 --> 00:22:20,480 Speaker 2: advice in my career. 386 00:22:21,520 --> 00:22:27,119 Speaker 1: Well enjoy your walk with Mercedesily and thank you for 387 00:22:27,200 --> 00:22:31,880 Speaker 1: everything that you are giving us, your tremendous Aloha spirit 388 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:36,199 Speaker 1: and your amazing music. It's an honor, Mioli to have 389 00:22:36,280 --> 00:22:38,560 Speaker 1: you on the Taking a Walk Podcast. My friend, would 390 00:22:38,600 --> 00:22:39,640 Speaker 1: you come on another time? 391 00:22:40,080 --> 00:22:40,720 Speaker 2: Absolutely? 392 00:22:41,000 --> 00:22:43,280 Speaker 1: Absolutely, You're always You're always welcome. 393 00:22:44,080 --> 00:22:48,320 Speaker 2: Thank you, I appreciate you. Man. Thanks for listening to 394 00:22:48,400 --> 00:22:50,719 Speaker 2: this episode of the Taking a Walk Podcast. 395 00:22:51,200 --> 00:22:54,359 Speaker 1: Share this and other episodes with your friends and follow 396 00:22:54,440 --> 00:22:57,720 Speaker 1: us so you never miss an episode. Taking a Walk 397 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:02,359 Speaker 1: is available on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, and wherever 398 00:23:02,440 --> 00:23:05,440 Speaker 1: you get your podcasts.