If you’ve ever wanted to sample the island’s diverse musical talent in an intimate setting, Kahilu’s Song Circle Concert Series is a great opportunity.
Last April, the series kicked off with an intimate live-only show featuring Higgs, Blayne Asing and series creator Don May. May, of Texas descent, says the origins of this type of show can be traced back to the Bluebird Café in Nashville, when a group of songwriters sat in a circle, passed a guitar to each other and sang songs. . Last Friday’s show at the Kahilu Theater was the fourth installment in this series and featured Big Island performers Sarah Bethany, Drew Daniels and Don May.
Sarah Bethany lives in Puna and has been there for 14 years. “I first moved to the Big Island because of the hula,” recalls the singer-songwriter. “I discovered a love of Hawaiian music and hula dancing while living in California, and that musical connection is what drew me here.” After dancing the hula for six years, Bethany rediscovered her passion for music and songwriting. She began taking piano lessons at age seven and later attended the University of Missouri in Kansas City, where she earned a degree in music.
Bethany has since developed her musical talents with husband/producer Michael Surprenant at their Mana Music studio in Hilo. Last summer they went to New York to film several clips.
Bethany’s music is moving and thought-provoking lyrics. On Song Circle, she performed her latest single, “Bury it in Snow,” and asked co-writer Drew Daniels to contribute backing vocals on several songs.
His most unique number was probably an improvised untitled piece. After a moment of silence, she began to sing lyrics that she said were inside her and developing. Bethany often uses this process and leaves song ideas on her phone. Watch for new singles every few months on streaming platforms and a full album later this year.
Drew Daniels grew up in Gloucester City, New Jersey. The self-taught musician first played punk rock, ska, then discovered reggae. He eventually became the frontman for Tsunami Rising and opened for Steel Pulse and The Wailers before moving to the Big Island.
A year after losing his Puna farm to lava, Daniels returned home in 2019 with a resilient anthem titled “Get Back Up” and won second place in the Hawaii Songwriting Competition.
Daniels’ ensemble showcased their simple and sometimes edgy lyrics while drawing on hip-hop and soul influences. His standout moments include “Find Our Way” and “Circles.” He ended with an upbeat song he composed during the pandemic called “The best is yet to come.”
Daniels is starting to play public gigs again and recently appeared at Uncle Roberts and the Big Island Brewhaus.
Waimea singer-songwriter Don May moved to the island from Austin, Texas in the early 1990s. While there, he landed a publishing deal with Sony and went on the go. -returns to Nashville to write songs.
“I started chasing the radio hit lifestyle,” May recalls. “For the past few years, I have settled down and focused on creating my music, producing and helping organize these Song Circle events.” May has been spending time improving her recording studio during the pandemic and focusing on writing new material.
“I think as artists we’re all good at looking within,” May said in an interview. “We have a rich inner life that we try to capture and broadcast to the world. My life wasn’t built around performing or touring like a lot of people I know. I just maintained the same schedule of creating and recording, rather than trying to be “artist of the month”.
May closed the show with her latest single, “Pretty Alyssa”, released last Friday. He is currently discussing the continuation of the series next season with the artistic director of the theater.
Steve Roby is editor of Big Island Music Magazine
Marissa M. Conner
3 min read
