Scott Katsura
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Scott Katsura
Scott Allan Katsura, aka Scott Allan and more recently Scott Katsura, has taken his local boy looks and charm to an international audience as an award-winning recording artist and songwriter.
His first dance pop album, Eruption, which released in 1995, garnered great praise from individuals such as Larry Flick of Billboard magazine. His second album, Supernatural, diverted into the adult contemporary/pop genre and scored Katsura a No. 1 single in the U.K. for four consecutive weeks. Katsura’s third worldwide release, Family Jewel, included hit dance floor tracks such as Single Tonight, Partygirl, Love & Sex and Best Day Of My Life.
Following the success of his third album, Katsura was dealt a tremendous blow when 9/11 hit. He lost many friends, business acquaintances and colleagues. To deal with the traumatic loss, Katsura abandoned his music career and took refuge in his New Jersey home for the next three years.
The time of solitude left Katsura writing about the comfort, security and family he missed in Hawaii, which would later become the songs for his fourth album, Aloha Miles Away. For the first time, Katsura decided to produce his own album and changed his professional name from Scott Allan to Scott Katsura. Aloha Miles Away received local recognition as winner of the Pop Album of the Year at the 2005 Hawaii Music Awards.
Katsura’s latest release, Born This Way, is described as a “contemporary/pop/dance/rock album with jazzy flavor,rich orchestration and catchy vocal arrangements.”
“I would describe my music as very easy listening, feel good with positive, uplifting and introspective lyrical messages,“says Katsura, a Honolulu boy who grew up in Halawa Heights. “I love to write compositions with catchy pop hooks that are easy to sing along with.”
To find out more about Scott Katsura, visit www.scottkatsura.com or www.myspace.com/scottkatsura
Scott Katsura
Q’nA
Where are you living now?
I am living in both New York and New Jersey. I have an apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, NYC, and a home in Bergen County, NJ.
How often to you come back to Hawaii from the East Coast to visit?
I visit home as much as possible. But lately, I seem to have just enough time to get home at least once a year, usually in the spring. I make sure to visit the outer islands as well, mostly Kaua’i, where I have many ohana.
What about the album Born This Way are you most happy with?
Born This Way is my second attempt at producing myself completely (of five CD albums). The first was the award-winning CD, Aloha Miles Away. I am most proud of the fact that I took my time when producing this album. I did not take any short cuts. I worked with Martin Bejerano, who did all orchestrations and who, in my opinion, brings out the best in me and the overall production. As I consider myself a song-writer first before singer, I am happy with the lyrical value of every song and the way the musical orchestration makes me feel - very soothing.Also, I’ve recorded two covers of Hawaii local songs with much meaning to me: Lovers & Friends, which was originally recorded by Audy Kimura - I’ve always loved that song. The other is Between The Laughter & The Tears, which was originally recorded by the Fabulous Krush and sung by Hal Bradbury. The special meaning of this tune is that it was my Aiea High School class song. On a personal level, I was honored to meet Hal in person before I did the recording. He gave me his blessing on the song and said to “sing from my heart and make it my own.”
What is your biggest musical accomplishment thus far?
My loyal and supportive fans around the globe are my most treasured accomplishment. In this competitive field of the music industry, it’s not easy to find fans who will stick with you through thick and thin. Yes, I’ve been in Billboard magazine, had songs that hit the charts, won some musical awards; but still, without my fans, all this would not be possible.
How much of your time is spent on the road touring and performing?
I am on the road touring at least 25 percent to 50 percent of the year. When I’m not on the road, I promote my career via phone interviews, Internet, various public appearances, through charity work and events.
The rumor on the street is you have a huge production deal in the works. Are you able to confirm that?
In regards to my production deal - I am still in the process of ironing out the details (it’s a 600-page contract). I will say that it is with a major label in the U.K. I will definitely let you know all the specific details when it is completely finalized - I promise.
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