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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
 Posted - 01/30/2012 : 06:33:28 AM
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As a follow up to Claudia's post The Descendants movie-all slack key soundtrack... do you think the movie and soundtrack will introduce a new audience to Hawaiian music? How significant an impact do you think it can have?
I still have not seen the movie yet but hope to soon. I do observe people who didn't know much about Hawaiʻi or Hawaiian music - loving the movie and it making them interested in a possible visit and generating interest in the music.
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Andy |
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hwnmusiclives
`Olu`olu
USA
580 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2012 : 06:41:09 AM
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The answer, I think, is a resounding yes.
Humans - even the least curious of us - are always making connections. My co-workers have known for two decades that I am in some way involved in Hawaiian music, but they never came to my performances or asked for a CD. Since the movie was released, these same colleagues have approached me with questions about the movie soundtrack, asking, "Is that what you meant by Hawaiian music?" or "Is this the kind of music that you perform?" or "What do you know about Gabby Pahinui?"
It must have touched somebody, Andy. The soundtrack has been at #1 on the Billboard World Albums chart for the nine weeks since it debuted.
I wonder if we could agree that this is way better exposure than a Grammy Award?...
~ Bill
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2012 : 08:05:58 AM
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Some people are comparing this movie soundtrack to another George Clooney movie: "Oh Brother Where Art Thou". There was a huge resurgence in interest in Bluegrass and Appalachian String Band Music after that film (even though there was little actual "Bluegrass" in the film - depending on your definition of "Bluegrass"  )
(I prefer the String Band music myself, Like Norman Blake or the Carter Family as opposed to Bluegrass like Bill Monroe or the Stanley Brothers, but that is another subject)
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
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GuitarVlog
Akahai
USA
60 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2012 : 09:35:05 AM
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I and my family absolutely loved The Descendants, but I'm skeptical that it will generate a large and lasting increase of interest in Hawaiian music or slack-key. I just didn't hear much "buzz" about the music after the movie came out, except in this forum and among Hawaii-focused news feeds.
Although it's been #1 on Billboard's "World Music" ranks, it only peaked at #10 under "Soundtracks"; well behind "Joyful Noise", "Twighlight Saga", "Glee" and even "Alvin & The Chipmunks". Under "World Music", it beat-out only albums like "Boys" from the South Korean band Girls Generation and Ladysmith Black Mambazo. I'll admit that I've heard of both and I like the latter (and my daughter likes the former) but it's not a tough competition line-up in my opinion.
All that is just my opinion. I'd love to be proven wrong.
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chunky monkey
Ha`aha`a
USA
1022 Posts |
Posted - 01/30/2012 : 1:28:07 PM
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| I saw the movie and of course, the music was wonderful. However I was expecting a whole lot more with respect to this family making connections to the land, the culture, the history. With 1 or 2 exceptions, this could have been about a father and his children in Brooklyn. Change the background music to Salsa and some outside shots and the story could have taken place in Miami. Maybe I missed a lot trying to identify who was playing. |
Edited by - chunky monkey on 01/30/2012 1:28:34 PM |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2012 : 07:15:21 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by hwnmusiclives
I wonder if we could agree that this is way better exposure than a Grammy Award?...
Indeed.
My feeling is that the film provides exposure to Hawaiian music, and in a good way. However, I do not think that the soundtrack has the mass appeal of Iz's medley of Somewhere Over the Rainbow/Wonderful World. That is, I do not see slack key instrumentals or Hiʻilawe taking the world by storm. My best guess is that there is a net positive effect for Hawaiian music but not an overwhelming one. Of course, I am the least qualified person to predict pop culture so who knows?!?! |
Andy |
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Mika ele
Ha`aha`a
USA
1493 Posts |
Posted - 01/31/2012 : 07:44:22 AM
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I've had a few memebers of my local ukulele group (Ukulele Society of America) ask me if I'd seen the movie or heard the soundtrack -- then mention they really liked the slack key and asked me if I knew any of the artists. No, No, Yes -- all of them.
One is asking me to teach him slack key ukulele. One other wants to buy a guitar and learn slack key. A third couple used to come hear our weekly slack key open mic so I won't count them as new fans.
Other than that, I don't feel a groud-swell here in San Diego. |
E nana, e ho'olohe. E pa'a ka waha, e hana ka lima. |
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roccos
Aloha
2 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2012 : 10:51:24 AM
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I registered on this forum just to post my comment. Not knowing a thing about Hawaiian folk music - I fell in love with Gabby because of this movie. (Imagine my disappointment to see he's been gone since 1980). I love his rendition of Hi'llawe so much I sent it along to my daughter who is going to use this song for her wedding march! (maybe - she'll need approval from the fiancé - but hey, he's Pilipino - so how can he object?)
I've been talking about this slack key and Hawaiian folk music to everybody. But then again, my boss asked me what I thought of the movie and all I could talk about was the music. She claimed 'not have noticed the music' huh? |
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Lawrence
Ha`aha`a
USA
1597 Posts |
Posted - 02/01/2012 : 11:00:16 AM
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Aloha e Roccos!
Welcome to the taropatch!
One thing your daughter should do is check the meaning of the words to Hi'lawe. If she uses it for her wedding march it will be forever associated with her marriage. There are many extant verses to the song in it's present form, but the main ones tell a definite story. She should be comfortable with this story. Be aware that, as in many Hawaiian mele, there are levels of hidden meaning in the song, though in this case the first level of depth can be easily determined.
Here is a link to a translation: http://www.huapala.org/Hi/Hiilawe.html
Have fun at the wedding!
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Mahope Kākou...
...El Lorenzo de Ondas Sonoras |
Edited by - Lawrence on 02/01/2012 11:05:56 AM |
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Admin
Pupule
USA
4551 Posts |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2012 : 05:16:43 AM
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I certainly believe that it will bring others to listen to Hawaiian music. I have already had requests from my daughters friends to help them with what music they should buy. Of course, since they were touched somehow by the music in the film, I suggested they buy the sound track. Then I am recommending other stuff for them based on each person's personality and what I know about them. One person wants music to play for kids in a day care at nap time. Another person we know wants music to play for clients who are undergoing some psychological therapy for anger management issues. The theme I get from what they want is that they believe the music to be calming and relaxing. One young lady said she was "touched" by the beautiful music, even though she had no idea what was being said in the songs. That is how I first came to Hawaiian music. I did not know what it was saying but it touched me. I am happy if even one person who didn't know Hawaiian music before is lead to a life long love of it.
I mua! |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Retro
Ahonui
USA
2368 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2012 : 06:25:34 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by hwnmusiclives
I wonder if we could agree that this is way better exposure than a Grammy Award?...
I'm inclined to say "it's ALL good exposure" for the music we love and are dedicated to.
(And, I confess, I've still not seen the film. Reason 1 - I don't find what I've heard of the storyline particularly appealing, and Reason 2 - we see very few films in theaters; it takes a lot to draw us out to one.) |
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slipry1
Ha`aha`a
USA
1511 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2012 : 08:17:27 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Retro
quote:
Originally posted by hwnmusiclives
I wonder if we could agree that this is way better exposure than a Grammy Award?...
I'm inclined to say "it's ALL good exposure" for the music we love and are dedicated to.
(And, I confess, I've still not seen the film. Reason 1 - I don't find what I've heard of the storyline particularly appealing, and Reason 2 - we see very few films in theaters; it takes a lot to draw us out to one.)
I saw it, Retro. It is a very good film, by the guys who did "Sideways". It is well acted and cast. I recommend it heartily. Clooney's character lives in Nu'u'anu, which you wuold expect of a Descendant, and the scenery is right on. Only one thing I caught. At the end, George & his daughters are on an overlook on Kauai, and the camera pans to the Pali of the Ko'olau on Oahu. Not bad for a film. Of course, the music is lovely and apt for the scene. |
keaka |
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cyril
Lokahi
USA
110 Posts |
Posted - 02/02/2012 : 11:24:25 PM
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Well we did have an interview on NPR Radio and will be in L.A. for a press conference before the Oscars. SThe Sound Track is expected to do well at the GRAMMY Awards next year.
So, for me it has done a lot for people knowing about my dad and our family music and other Hawaiian music also. We have serious increase in website hits now and t-shirt sales for last year's shirt is doing good since the movie came out. (This year shirt is not out yet).
Pops CD sales are peaking out. In L.A. we sold 60 at the S CA Slack Key Festival and 160 of our new CD that features my nephew Kunia who is named after my dad Phillip Kunia and has some of his voice also.
For the wedding I can say the song Hiilawe is good. One of the hidden meanings is the story of Chief Hiilawe who married the daughter of the gods Ku and Hina, Paliuli from Puna (the fragrance comes form Puna). This historic and controversial marriage is reflected in the marriage of the song as a boy from Waipio marries a girl from Puna who is lower in social status. Also in Sam Lia's own story as he married a young girl half his age. A chief marrying a goddess a bit of a scandal for the times. But they were in love and did live happily ever after.
Hiilawe was given to my dad to record and he sang it at plenty weddings and so have I so I will say it is a wonderful song to have for a wedding.
I was a little questioning the use of He'eia at a passing when it is a mai chant celebrating the creation of life not a death.
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Cyril Pahinui
cyril.cyrilpahinui.com |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
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wcerto
Ahonui
USA
5052 Posts |
Posted - 02/03/2012 : 01:04:38 AM
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| Regardless, I still question used of He`eia at that point in the film. Even if you go by Uncle Kihei's research that shows it was an amusing story about Kalakaua's failure to impress and win the affection of a woman while he was surfing at He`eia on the Big Island, it still was not fittin' (in my less than humble opinion) for that scene. Elsewhere, sure. But not there. |
Me ke aloha
Malama pono,
Wanda |
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Topic |
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The Descendants movie impact on Hawaiian music?
