Steven Espaniola
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Steven Espaniola
Age: Thirty-something
Hometown: Aliamanu, Hawaii
Musical occupation: I sing traditional Hawaiian music with an emphasis on leo ki’e ki’e (falsetto), ki ho’alu (slack key), and ‘ukulele.
Family life: I have a beautiful wife who is also originally from Hawaii (Makaha) and a brand new 4-month-old daughter.
How did you get your start in music? My music definitely has its origins in Hawaii. My grandmother always sang and played her ukulele around the house, so it was natural for us kids to pick up the ukulele. My first formal instrument training was the trumpet while attending Aliamanu Intermediate School.
From there, I learned upright bass, slack key guitar, and falsetto singing came last out of necessity. I was in a Hawaiian group playing bass and our lead singer quit, so I figured I’d try it and it stuck. As a kid, I remember always wanting to be in the Honolulu Boy Choir. My best friend was in it, but I don’t think he sings today.
Albums released: I released my debut CD last year entitled Ho’omaka (To Begin) after my wife’s encouragement. It was recorded by Na Hoku Hanohano award-winning producer Dave Tucciarone near my home town of Aliamanu. Although there are many top-notch studios in the San Francisco Bay Area where I currently reside, I felt it was extremely important to come home to Hawaii to record. The entire project was recorded in roughly a two-week period. It was released on the Common-Ground label which is owned and operated by a couple of my friends, Kris Kanoho and Keone Catian. My project was the second on the label. The first was One Groove’s Make Your Move.
Musical accomplishments: Winner 2006 Hawaii Music Awards “New Artist of the Year.”
Contact info: www.stevenespaniola.com, www.myspace.com/stevenespaniola or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
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