Stories

In response to the ongoing crisis in Los Angeles, we've curated a benefit compilation featuring 52 artists from Hawaii and around the world. Most tracks are previously unreleased — and several were recorded expressly for this project. 100% of proceeds will go to verified sources to relief efforts (see the Bandcamp release page for more details).  This was a huge effort to organize and we're grateful for everyone's participation. Last Tuesday, we started contacting artists on the label, friends we've made at record shop, and musicians we've connected with in-person and online over the years. By Saturday, 52 artists submitted...

Aloha Got Soul presents Mix Plate, a compilation of new music from emerging artists who call Hawai‘i home. These are the sounds of Hawai‘i today. Releasing November 29, 2024 on limited black vinyl and digital. Pre-orders begin on November 1st. Mix Plate grew from a desire to support emerging artists and young musicians from Hawai’i. Since its formation, Aloha Got Soul has existed primarily as a reissue label with a particular focus on the 1970s and 1980s; but those decades are becoming ever distant from our present day. So, while it’s been important for us as a label to shine...

In conjunction with our Japan Tour 2024, we teamed up with Japanese record label Ultra-Vybe for two special CD compilations: Sunset Drive and Seaside Vibes. Inspired by coastal driving in Hawaii, we curated one compilation for an uptempo excursion and the other for a mellow cruise. All local tracks featuring legacy artists, underground heroes, and new trail-blazers. The two CDs will be available in Japan starting September 18th.Artwork by Unko Riley (Riley Nakamura). ALOHA GOT SOUL PRESENTS SUNSET DRIVE (OTLCD5250) 1. House On The Rock / Rob Mehl (R.Mehl)2. Snake / Max High (M.Cuchet)3. Do A Lock Dance / A Change Of Pace (D.Mitchell-J.Peoples)4. Love Birds / Brother Noland...

Announcing our Japan Tour 2024: Aloha Got Soul's Roger Bong and O'Spliff return to Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and many more for two weeks in 10 cities. Check out the full tour schedule:  Oct 3 (Thu) — Kakogawa at Room2 Coffee & Roaster Oct 4 (Fri) — Osaka at BAR Inc Oct 5 (Sat) — Hiroshima at 音楽食堂ONDOOct 6 (Sun) — Nishiwaki at Hot Spot NishiwakiOct 7 (Mon) — Okayama at DJ BAR 芽楼 -Mellow-Oct 8 (Tue) — Gifu at green yangOct 10 (Thu) — Nagoya at 24PILLARSOct 11 (Fri) — Tokyo at BLUE NOTE PLACEOct 12 (Sat) — Niigata at Bar HallelujahOct 13 (Sun) — Tokyo at...

Slack key, or kī hō’alu, is one of the most important genres of music in Hawaii’s musical history. It is a staple in our culture, and inherently Hawaiian, combining traditional chant with various musical influences from around the world. The name refers to the technique of loosening (or “slack”-ening) the strings, and predominantly plucking instead of strumming whilst playing.  The guitar as an instrument was enjoyed as far back as the days of Kalākaua in Hawaii, with it being noted that guitars were used in his coronation in 1883. A musical style developed in the 1870s, named “hula ku’i”, combined...