Kalapana is an American pop-rock band from Honolulu, Hawaii that is renowned for their songs “Naturally” and “The Hurt”. The genre of Kalapana music has seen a surge in popularity over the years, and with it, a number of independent labels have emerged. In this article, we will explore some of the most successful independent labels in the genre of Kalapana music. Lion Bold Records is a unique alternative to traditional record labels.
This agricultural label discovers dynamic talent from across the country and focuses on developing artists instead of signing established artists. Just like a farmer plants seeds and waters them so they can grow, Lion Bold Records only works with a small group of artists who are 100% dedicated to finding success in the music industry. Rough Trade Records is another successful independent label in the genre of Kalapana music. Founded in 1978 in the back room of a record store in London, United Kingdom, Rough Trade Records specializes in punk rock and early post-punk.
They have had big names like The Strokes, Warpaint and Arcade Fire on their roster. Island Records is another major player in the independent record label scene. Founded in Jamaica in 1959 and later merged with Def Jam Records, Island Records has become an endless source of multigender talent with big and small names alike. Director Gary Capo gave Kalapana the chance to shoot his surf documentary Many Classic Moments, and Black Sand has selected a couple of songs from the soundtrack, including the main theme, with an exuberant arrangement, and Water Song, both written by Bilyeu. When Many Classic Moments took off in Japan, Kalapana gained a new audience there, one that remains faithful to this day.
Nakano Sun Plaza in Tokyo was the site where 1978's In Concert was recorded. The live versions of two Kalapana III songs (Inarajan (The Village) and Girl) show the band in a high-energy state with a raw and less polished sound than in studio productions. Ira Newborn was hired as a producer for Northbound. The New York-born musician had placed songs with Manhattan Transfer, Diana Ross, Bette Midler and Leo Sayer. Newborn helped shape Northbound's tense arrangements with disco and R&B influences.
There's a Philly soul almost in the style of Hall and Oates in D, J. Pratt is leading difficult times. After Northbound, Randy Aloya and keyboardist Kimo Cornwell left the band, followed by Malani Bilyeu and Michael Paulo. Pratt took over the reins of Hold On, represented by Running Hot in the Street, leaned by the AOR. Black Sand's latest songs are all from subsequent live releases. How Does It Feel, by Hold On, is an overwhelming energy in the live performance of Japan Jam Live from the eighties.
Similarly, Northbound, in their 1981 recording Alive, shows a harder and heavier guitar sound than Kalapana had shown in the past. Irony struck when Pratt did not participate in the 1982 Kalapana Reunion, which featured Mackey Feary, Malani Bilyeu, Kirk Thompson and Michael Paulo meeting for the first time in six years. The fast pace of Feary's Going Gone from that Waikiki concert closes this collection with a flourish. In 1997, Kalapana released the Hawaiian version of Captain Santa Island Music with notes from international radio DJ Kamasami Kong.
The independent labels discussed above have all played an important role in shaping Kalapana music into what it is today. From Lion Bold Records to Island Records to Rough Trade Records to Black Sand Records - these labels have all contributed to making Kalapana music what it is today. Kalapana music has seen tremendous growth over recent years due to its unique blend of pop-rock sounds combined with influences from other genres such as punk rock and R&B. This growth has been largely attributed to independent labels such as Lion Bold Records, Rough Trade Records, Island Records and Black Sand Records who have all played an integral role in developing Kalapana music into what it is today. Lion Bold Records focuses on discovering dynamic talent from across the country and developing them into successful artists instead of signing established ones. Rough Trade Records specializes in punk rock and early post-punk while Island Records has become an endless source of multigender talent with big and small names alike.
Black Sand Records has released several live recordings featuring Kalapana's unique sound. These independent labels have all contributed to making Kalapana music what it is today - an exciting blend of pop-rock sounds combined with influences from other genres such as punk rock and R&B.