Slack Key ‘Ohana released their new album “Live at Tiki Oasis” debuting at #1 on the iTunes Worldwide Music Charts.
In the afternoon of August 3, 2022, Slack Key ‘Ohana performed an hour fifteen-minute set at Tiki Oasis, self-described as “the largest and longest-running festival in the world for lovers of Island lifestyle and purveyors of Polynesian Pop”. This annual San Diego event was hosted at the Town and Country Convention Center from August 3-7, drawing thousands to celebrate Island music and culture. Routinely, the band records its shows. Listening back, the sound and vibe for this show were so exciting that they had to be shared!
Slack Key ‘Ohana, consisting of Brian Witkin and Kamaka Mullen, were joined onstage by their full band, including Carol Witkin on ukulele, Joe Witkin (Sha Na Na, performed at Woodstock 1969) on keys, and Rand Anderson (Tom Curren Band) on pedal steel. Joe and Carol are the parents of founding member Brian Witkin, making the band literally “Ohana” (family). Hula dancers also joined the performance, including Alana Godoy, recent Miss Pacific Islander of San Diego, with her sister Alyssa Godoy.
The 17-song album contains the entire show in the order it was performed live. “Talking Story” is an important part of a Slack Key ‘Ohana show – the meaning of the song and its place in Hawaiian culture and history is explained. The CD and vinyl versions of the album will contain these between-song segments, designated “Stage Announcements” in deference to the use of that term for spoken segments on the original Woodstock ’69 album. The “Stage Announcements” are included as separate tracks, so that listeners can choose to play in sequence and be fully immersed in the live experience or create a playlist of just the music.
The album artwork was created by Natasha Gemine, a Hawaii based artist inspired by the recent eruption of Mauna Loa, which she can see from the back porch of her home.
In addition to Tiki Oasis, Slack Key ‘Ohana recently performed at the Pacific Islander Festival, the largest recurring islander festival on the mainland, and has played nearly 100 shows in 2022. They were winner in the 2022 San Diego Music Awards’ “Best World Music Album” category, and their 2021 self-titled studio album debuted at #2 on the iTunes Worldwide Music charts. They are building an extensive live show calendar for the spring.
“Live At Tiki Oasis” is now available, on streaming sites and on CD, with vinyl to follow. Slack Key ‘Ohana is working on a studio album they expect to release early next year.
The band has also released two new videos, a live Video with Sofar Sounds and a scripted music video to the studio version of their original song Kuʻu Lei Nani Mai ʻOe. Watch both below!