Contrast Magazine

An adaptation of “ALice in wonderland” by the mind of Darieus Legg. Coming out 2010. Produced by Robert Campbell. For now you can watch the trailer for Contrast feature Ecila right here.

Whenever I hear about a new “local” hip hop album, I’m always skeptical. I’m skeptical because the beats aren’t always great and the lyric content (when trying to be local) comes off forced and inauthentic. There are a select few who don’t fall victim to those two flaws, but more often than not…local hip hop comes off watered down. Now when I saw this album and who was involved, I got excited. By far, my favorite local mc of all time is Buzz (formerly Buzz-One), but I haven’t heard anything from him in so long I figured he put the mic to rest. Partnering up with Buzz is one of my favorite local producers, Fame. I downloaded and got excited. These dudes did not fail!! This shit is bangers. From raps about pipikaula and cold packs to lyrics about HPD being St. Louis Crusader’s “further education.” Tracks like “Moking Out” and “Max’d Out” might come off too mook-ish, but more insightful songs like “Da Secret”, “Gullah Spit’n” and the classic Hawaiianxploitation “Manapua Man” come off as pure genius.

Download “Raps to Da Max” (click) HERE.

Chee hu!

1) For those out there who are unfamiliar with the Painted Highways, can you give us a brief synopsis?

Painted Highways is something we started while I was in a musical limbo. I called up some of my favorite local musicians and luckily they were all up for something new. Jack Tawil (Hell Caminos, At Sea, Malcognitas) drums, Mark Howard (CTRL ALT DEL) plays guitars and sings, and Kai Salus (Temporary Lovers) plays bass. It’s a mix of 90’s indie rock stuff like Dinosaur Jr and Modest Mouse. We are also influenced by bands like Broken Social Scene, Radiohead, and of course ”The Boss” Bruce Springsteen. Everyone in the band writes songs.

2) What is a Painted Highway?

A Painted Highway is an arty way of describing a scenic drive. I’m a sucker for listening to music during road trips. It makes sense in my  head. It also reminds Jack of touring which he has done quite a bit of. The open road. Freedom. 

3) What are some of the good and bad things about Hawaii’s Music Community? Real talk.

It’s hard to not play it safe with this question! Good things are that it’s very tight knit, we are all friends here, we try to help each other out with shows and what not. We also get a very unique opportunity to play with bands that if we were in a different city we wouldn’t have the chance to. It seems much easier to grow a fan base here since it’s slim pickings as far as alternative music and indie rock goes.

This is only my perception for the bad things, but I want to be honest, the bad thing is that even when a band isn’t very good, no matter what, everyone still says “dude, that was sick!” Even if they don’t mean it. It’s a lack of constructive crtitcism that gives bands a false sense of reality. It’s hard for bands to improve, because in their head its like ”if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. If everyone is telling you that you are amazing, then you assume you are, and that there is no need to progress. I dont think I’ve seen a band “bomb” in Honolulu, crowd wise. I mean I’ve seen bands “bomb”, but you wouldn’t know it. People are still clapping and cheering, and then leaning over to their friend and saying “damn that sucked”. I’m guilty of doing this too, but it’s still a bummer. We need a buddyhead style blog or someone who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. I’m not brave enough to do it, but I am also afraid of being horrible and everyone letting us go up there and be horrible. A good example would be the album reviews you read out here. They are generally positive, which is great for self esteem, but they are never critical. I’m not talking about trashing bands, but being custructive so that the levels of creativity and musicianship are pushed. I want Hawaii to kill it. And lastly another bad thing about Honolulu Music Community is that YOU don’t have a band… you talented songstress you.

4) Well said. I could not agree more. I do have a band. It’s called eating a steak everyday for lunch. Wait, are you blowing smoke up my ass? Are you leaning over to Rach and going “less suck in the monitors!” Actually Vaive Atoish is recording. Just not doing shows. What are you listening to at the moment?

Lately I’ve been listening to The Cure, The Church, and Echo and the Bunnymen. Lately I’m in the need of some poppy 80’s stuff. I keep listening to that song “Blood and Roses” by the Smithereens. On the hipster side of my iPod, I really like that Girls album, the new Beach House, and Dawes. That Nirvana at Reading DVD is also making me go through my 15th Nirvana phase.

5) I know from personal experience that you are a gear nut. What’s your dream guitar rig?

Oh man, that shit changes in my head all the time, you know I’m bonkers when it comes to this stuff. Off the top of my head it would be a ‘67 blackface Fender Twin Reverb, a late 50s Tele or Strat (both sunburst) a holy Grail plus, memory man, vintage RAT and a big muff. I had to stop there. I think that’s it. I could also switch the Twin for a vintage VOX AC30 mmmm.

*The Painted Highways will be performing w/h Lapwing & GRLFRENDS (12/1/09) @ Kaleidoscope and also w/h The Deadbeats (12/4/09) for What the EFF! @ Loft.

For more on the Highways visit their facebook.

Street wear deals on Black Friday throughout the weekend:

APB

In4mation X Aloha Army

Stussy

Prototype

Black Mua New Era, t-shirt and hoodie dropping on Black Friday at Fitted. Image by Paul Kema.

The team over at Bware is throwing their annual North Shore party this Friday! Last year it was the Keep-A-Breast I <3 Boobies party, this year the theme is white tee! Bware will be giving out white tees to everybody who comes through & sharpies will be around to decorate them. Knowing how weird North Shore parties get during the Triple Crown, expect some very inappropriate designs popping up. The Jump Offs will be going on their first road trip outside of Honolulu and DJ Jim Browskii & DJ Shy Kit-Cuts will also be on hand at Haleiwa Joe’s (next to Haleiwa Bridge). Head up in the afternoon, catch a sunset, make a day of it and have fun! Happy Thanksgiving!

http://www.mediafire.com/?wjiz5kdwznk

Taken By Trees - Watch the Waves (Memory Tapes Version)
Sneaker Pimps - 6 Underground
Keenhouse - Ari-es (Hemingway’s Starlight Yacht Remix)
Daft Punk - Something About Us
Weird Tapes - Christmas Break
Blue Boy - Remember Me
The Allman Brothers Band - Midnight Rider (Emynd Honkey Breaks Edit)
Emil and Friends - Up to Speed
Allure - Dandy
Christov - Estella’s Invitation (Hemingway’s RSVP)
Geyster - Still in Love
Glass Candy - Rolling Down the Hills
Grand Popo Football Club - Men Are Not Nice Guys
The Steve Miller Band - Fly Like an Eagle (team9 Remix)
Roman Salzger - Alpha Centauri
DATA - California Special
Linkwood - Falling
Q-Tip - Breathe (The Revenge Remix)
Mylo - Zenophile
MJ vs Private - Rock With Strangers (Fiero Mashup)
Sepalot - Go Get It (Sepalot Remix)
Jupiter - Chip (Shook Remix)
Alicia Keys - No One (St. Pierce Remix)
Pierce - Good Friends
Sneaky Sound System - When We Were Young (Breakbot Remix)
Jack Tennis - Chicas and Rebels
Basement Jaxxx vs Funkacise Gang - Romeo Workout (Fiero Mashup)
William Devaughn - Be Thankful For What You Got

http://www.myspace.com/fieromusic

On the eve of Thanksgiving, Contrast, as a start up publication, would like to thank all of you who have helped us out in any way with no expectations of anything in return. It means so much. MAHALO!!

Joel Centeio from Icons2 from Lancifervisual on Vimeo.

See Joel ripping from his section in Icons2. He starts it at Haleiwa and ends at Haleiwa.

The 2009 Reef Hawaiian Pro wrapped up today in solid 6-8 foot surf at Hale`iwa’s Ali`i Beach on the North Shore of Oahu.  The Reef Hawaiian Pro is the first Jewel of the coveted Million Dollar Triple Crown of Surfing events held annually on the North Shore.

Today was the perfect setting for a story book ending waiting to happen.  Hale`iwa’s Joel Centeio surfed brilliantly and survived 3 days of grueling competition to advance to the final day of the event.  With friends and family watching on Centeio did his thing and surfed Ali`i’s rights like it was just another day in the office.

The Hawaiian Water Patrol escorts Joel out on the ski for the Final.  Eyes on the prize just moments before the Final.  The Final consisted of Joel Centeio, CJ Hobgood, Jay Thompson and Alain Riou.

It was power moves like this that won Joel all 6 of his heats to advance on to the Grand Final!  Joel like many top Professional Surfers has been training hard to prepare for the Tripe Crown, and it was that stamina that carried him all the way to the Final!

This is a defining moment in the 35 minute final, where Joel pulled into the biggest barrel of the final and was awarded a 9.33 out of a possible 10 points!  When Joel came flying out of this tube the entire beach errupted!!!  I’ve never felt a more positive vibe at a professional surfing contest than today!

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 YEAH!!!!!!!!  The boys showed their praise and stoke for Joel Centeio’s outstanding performance!!!

This is an amazing shot of Jason Centeio, Joel’s Dad!!!  This expression is priceless!  Uncle Jason knows how hard Joel has worked to achieve his goals and today was so sweet for the Centeio household.

Joel Centeio is the 2009 Reef Hawaiian Pro Champion and current ratings leader of the Million Dollar Vans Triple Crown of Surfing!!!  Not to mention the $20,000!!!

Congrats Joel from the entire Contrast Crew!!!

All photos by LanciferVisual

swell job of making something out of nothing.