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I have written before about how I love doing interviews with the Putumayo Kids label because they help me learn about other cultures and musical genres.
In the past I have learned about music and cultures from Asia, Brazil and other places.
This time I'm learning about Hawaii from the album Hawaiian Playground. While most of the songs are by Hawaiian artists there are a few by others, including Joe McDermott of Texas.
Scott: What is your favorite song on this album and why?
Mona Kayhan, Director of Putumayo Kids: I love Willie K's "Holoholo Ka'a." It is so upbeat and high energy that it never fails to make me grin. And although this song was not intentionally written for kids, they absolutely love it.
Scott: I noticed a running theme through some of the songs, namely water and surfing. Was that intentional? Is that a common theme in most Hawiian songs? Is that because they are on islands and/or because it's such an important part of the culture?
Mona: Surfing is a not only something fun Hawaiians and tourists like to do, but is a major competitive sport and has long been a part of Polynesian culture. I know the North Shore is home to the world's largest, most reputable big wave surfing events and has supposedly become the measure of a surfer's worth. I think its being a common theme in the music we sourced just shows the tremendous pride Hawaiians have of their beautiful culture.
Scott: What are your goals for cds like this one? How do you choose which songs to include?
Mona: Like all of our Putumayo Kids CDs, we strive to choose music that will be a fun portal in to the country, culture, or genre of music we are highlighting that won't drive kids or parents crazy. For Hawaiian Playground, I think we represented a decent mix of Hawaiian music music from traditional to "Jawaiian" (Jamaican reggae mixed with Hawaiian). From there, because we don't necessarily pick songs that were intended for children, we had to make sure the melodies and lyrics were kid-friendly. For example, Imua's "Local to the Max" is about the things Hawaiians like to do, whether it be stringing leis, telling stories or surfing.
Scott: What else is on tap for Putumayo? Are you running out of cultures and genres to explore and share with the world via the label?
Mona: Putumayo Kids is definitely full of possibilities for the future. We have only just begun tapping into the world and still have a long list we'd like to tackle! In April, we are coming out with a gorgeous album, African Dreamland, the 4th release in our Dreamland series. It is already one of my personal favorites. In the summmer, we plan to release Kids World Party.
Then in the fall we have a very exciting CD and DVD produced in partnership with Sesame Workshop: Sesame Street Playground. This album will feature favorite songs by Sesame productions around the world, and will come with a bonus DVD with five international videos. It's a perfect expression of both Putumayo Kids' and Sesame Street's commitment to introduce children to other cultures of the world and to make global citizens via music. And it's a trip – we have "Rubber Ducky" in Chinese, to India's opening theme song. It's a very exciting year!
Scott: When people ask you to explain what Hawaiian music sounds like, what do you tell them?
Dave Dunaway of Imua: Like every other culture, Hawaiian has it's own unique sound. The lyrics often talk about every day living, things we take for granted. Lyrics also may include descriptions of our beautiful islands and its people. The Music often uses simple chord progressions that hooks and engages the listener. Hawaiian music doesn't always use an ukulele, but the uke makes for a unique, simple, and fun sound.
Joe McDermott of Texas: I think the key sound is the ukelele, not only the instrument, but the kinds of chord patterns played in most Hawiian music on the instrument. The uke is a unique instument in that it forces certan chord inversions (for the music nerds reading this) that are not possible on the other guitaroid instruments. The second most importaint is the vocals. From the lone singer with the ukelele, to the large choirs, Hawaiian music has a unique and very pleasing melodic structure. It's very primitive and elegant at the same time. And lastly-the steel guitar. Almost anytime a uke and steel get together to talk, they speak Hawaiian!
Scott: What makes Hawaiian music different from other music? What is the best known song from this genre?
Dave: Probably the most recognizable song from this genre right now is the remake of "somewhere over the rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwa'ole....it's been on a number of movies, TV shows, and commercials. The simplicity of the music is what sets it apart from other music.
Joe McDermott: Hawaiian music has a "breezy" quallity to it. Music, like wine or coffee, has a "taste of place". You know where it's grown by its flavor. Hawaiian music has a relaxed feel, and at the same time, has deeply emotional underpinnings. For me, growing up in the corn fields of Indiana, the sound of Hawaiian music is the sound of paradise. The most famous song? For me, it's probably "Aloha Ohe" as performed by that consumate Hawaiian, Bugs Bunny.
