By Jason Genegabus

Keri Hilson with Lil Wayne (left) during filming of her music video, “Turnin’ Me On.” (Courtesy photo)

Unless you were paying attention (and knew where to look), it was easy to miss all the behind-the-scenes drama that surrounded Keri Hilson (pictured), the opening act for Saturday’s Honolulu stop of Lil Wayne’s “I Am Music” tour at the Blaisdell Arena, earlier this week.

As is normally the case when big names come to town, the semi-famous artists who travel out here also look for opportunities to make a little extra money on the side. In addition to their shows at the Blaisdell, these folks will agree to autograph signings and meet-and-greets at local nightclubs. Sometimes, they’ll land an additional performance at another venue.

(more…)

By Jason Genegabus

Busta Rhymes, right, and Spliff Star address the crowd at LEVEL4 Nightclub on Friday. (Jason Genegabus photos)

Of the four big nights of parties (Thursday through Sunday) planned around the Pro Bowl last weekend, Friday brought the hardest choices for Honolulu’s club crowd.

Pipeline Cafe went after old school fans with EPMD and a return performance by Devin the Dude, while Lotus Soundbar appealed to the EDM scene with DJ Quentin Harris. Rumors also circulated about Kanye West making a trip here to support G.O.O.D. Music artist (and cousin) Tony Williams’ album release party at RumFire (he ended up being a no-show).

I placed my bet on LEVEL4 Nightclub and Ultralounge, which was scheduled to feature performances by Busta Rhymes, Kurupt and DJ Quik, and headed down around 11 p.m. to figure out where I could take pictures from during the night.

Lucky for me, there were no problems getting into the club and I was able to post up in the upsatirs balcony as the dancefloor filled up below.

More pictures from my night after the jump.

(more…)

By Jason Genegabus

Marina Miller photo

Tickets went on sale today for a pair of all-ages concerts by the Bouncing Souls at Anna Bannana’s in March.

If you haven’t heard of the guys from New Jersey, here’s a little background info from the band’s bio:

“Picture it: 1989, a Knights of Columbus Hall in Bernardsville, New Jersey. A supportive music-loving teacher throws down $120 to cover expenses. A bunch of sweaty high school kids gather to sneak beers and rock all night at the debut show of a band called The Bouncing Souls. And a Jersey institution is born.

What’s kind of cool about the Bouncing Souls is that even with two decades in the music industry, this band continues to make music and embrace new technology and trends.

In 2009, they’ll release a new single every month via the Internet. But in a nod to the past – and fans of vinyl records – the band will also release a 7-inch compilation record every three months. Fans who purchase them will be rewarded with an exclusive bonus track.

It’s a great idea: Make it possible for fans to download your music, but also offer an alternative with added features to encourage additional purchases. Genius!

You can check out the Bouncing Souls’ new single for January 2009, “Gasoline,” after the jump.

March 24
The Bouncing Souls with The 86 List and Make The Change
Where: Anna Bannana’s
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $12 in advance; $15 at the door

March 25
The Bouncing Souls with Red Light Taxi (from the Big Island)
Where: Anna Bannana’s
Time: 7 p.m.
Tickets: $12 in advance; $15 at the door

Tickets are available for purchase online at 808shows.frontgatetickets.com.

(more…)

By Jason Genegabus

Alex Farnham video

Before the Internet became the go-to place for instantaneous information updates, concert posters and event fliers were the primary means of getting the word out in Clubland.

When MySpace.com blew up about five years ago, savvy promoters realized they could digitize those materials and post them online. No longer did people have to visit a record store or clothing shop to find out when their favorite band was coming to town.

As digital camcorders get smaller and cheaper, it looks like the new frontier is video. I first noticed the trend a few months ago, but it looks like 2009 is going to be the watershed year for this new promotional tactic.

“The Aesop Rock” (above) by Alex Farnham is the latest in a series of videos commissioned by BAMP Project to promote their upcoming concerts. A graduate of Hualalai Academy, he’s messed with movie-making since he was 12 years old.

Like Da Braddahs, or Bu La’ia for those old enough to remember him, Farnham is blessed with the ability to make others laugh out loud. He pokes fun at local stereotypes without going overboard, and he’s also able to slip in promotional copy points without coming across as pushy.

Another good example of where the future is for party promoters is this video for Soul Clap at thirtyninehotel. Not as big of a production as “The Aesop Rock,” but a good look nonetheless in this new world of posting to Facebook and re-tweeting on Twitter.

By Jason Genegabus

The scene on New Year’s Eve at Cirque Hawaii (Photo courtesy NM Photo)

The new year hasn’t been kind to Cirque Hawaii, the only remaining stage show of its kind on Oahu after Waikiki Nei went on an indefinite hiatus in October.

According to this story from Pacific Business News, the production was evicted from its space in the former IMAX theater on Jan. 1 after failing to renew its lease. It also reports that Cirque Hawaii plans to return next month at a new venue.

What some might not realize, however, is that late-night parties were also held in the building. James Coles’ United DJs crew moved their “Fire” weekly to Cirque after getting dropped by Lulu’s last year, and Artist Groove Network had hosted “Majestic Wednesdays” at the venue in recent months.

No word where AGN will land, but Coles got in touch yesterday to let me know “Fire” would be relocating to Pipeline Cafe. Following a failed attempt at bringing in a Latin crowd on Fridays with “Carnaval,” the club has decided to let Coles follow in the steps of Rick Rock and establish another 18-and-over weekly.

“Fire” debuts at Pipeline on Jan. 23, with DJs Peter Lau, (a)nrky, Blayz and Cin in two rooms until 4 a.m. Cover is $10 ($5 at the door with a flier) and those wearing skirts get in free before 11 p.m.

It’s kind of interesting to see “Fire” coming in and offering “two rooms of hip-hop and R&B” for the “young, fly and flashy,” as Coles puts it. When I talked to Pipeline’s new owner a couple of months ago, he told me the plan was to scale back on these types of 18-and-over events.

By Jason Genegabus

Pepper photo