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They say Natalie is "One of Hawai`i's best kept secrets" and she is...
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Natalie Ai Kamauu's first solo release `E
garners her the title of Hawaii's 2006 Na Hoku Hano
Hano Female Vocalist of the Year..
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 "`E"
was released in 2005, for Natalie (Nat) it was a labor of love", together
with her husband, Iolani, on vocals and instrumentation. They join together
with a CD that has become recognized for Natalie as, Hawaii's 2006 Na Hoku
Hanohano AWARD WINNER FOR Female Vocalist of the Year. Natalie is a former
Miss Aloha Hula and now a Kumu on Oahu. This is her first recording, we're
hoping it won't be her last!
Additional credit goes to: Dave
Tucciarone (Guitar), Dave Tucciarone (Piano), Dave Tucciarone (Producer),
Dave Tucciarone (Engineer), Dave Tucciarone (Mastering), Dave Tucciarone
(Mixing), Preston Terada (Graphic Design), Aaron J. Sala (Piano), Natalie Ai
Kamauu (Producer), Natalie Ai Kamauu (Art Direction)
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When Danny announced that he had watched me grow
up....I felt the same thing about him. I was in elementary school when I first
heard his golden voice and I was in love. I received his first album with The
Alii’s for Christmas with an autograph from him reading, “To my favorite hula
dancer, Merry Christmas....Danny Couch”. I slept with that album.
Since then, Danny has found himself and I’m convinced that he knows not only
what he likes, but what his fans like. With every CD he records my respect for
him grows. The songs are right, the mood just right.....it’s like when you
crave for something and when you finally taste it, it’s everything you imagined
and knew it would be. That pretty much sums up Danny Couch
How long have you been
involved with music/ performing live?
I began performing as a dancer with my parents’ halau, Halau Hula Olana, at the
age of 6.
What instilled the
interest of music in you?
Music always played through our home. My mom taught us to sing as we worked,
then it would go by faster. I wish I had the report card from my First Grade
teacher in which it asks my mom to tell me to stop singing during class time. I
had a few tests taken away because I was singing and bothering the other
children.
How long
have you been a singer, and dancer? Do you play other instruments as well as
sing, if so what?
I danced in Halau shows until I was 15. One Monday evening I was handed an
ukulele and told we had a show that Friday for The Democratic Party of Hawaii.
At first I didn’t understand. The only song I knew how to play on my ukulele
was “Michael Row The Boat Ashore”. Then I realized that I had five days to
learn how to play and sing, at the same time, as a musician with my father and
I’ve never danced in line again.....except at The Merrie Monarch. I didn’t take
to it very easily. In fact, it took about 2 years before my father stopped
telling the soundmen not to turn on my mic. People ask me all the time which do
I love more, dancing or singing? My answer is always that I don’t know where
one ends and the other begins. When I’m singing, I’m dancing inside and when
I’m dancing, I’m singing.
Where &
how long have you been involved with music, where? Anywhere outside of
Hawaii?
I travel a lot to Japan. I think I’ve passed my 100 mark already. They love
Hawaiian music there. I’ve just started doing performances in the U.S.
Mainland. Gonna be in California in April and Las Vegas in June. Breaking into
a new area is always exciting and a little scary too. I’m just going to jump
head first with my eyes closed.
Do you tour the
mainland? If so where? If not do you plan to?
I’ve been lucky to accompany The Makaha Sons a few times to California as well
as to San Antonio, Texas. They have truly taught and inspired me and their
mission is to help new entertainers break out. I’m fortunate to be one of them.
Are
there any hurdles you still need to accomplish? Dreams you wish to complete?
A lot of people know me first because I’m a former Miss Aloha Hula. Many think
I’m just a gimmick, that I’m a dancer turned singer. In many respects, that is
the truth, but a gimmick I’m not.
What's
the best and worst part of being involved with your profession?
My husband and I are a team. We are inseparable. I am sometimes asked to
perform without him. I won’t. He knows all of my arrangements because he
arranged them. He stands on my left hand side so that the sound hole of his
guitar faces me. When I slow down, he follows; I speed up and he moves with me.
I never second guess him and he’s always there. The best and worst in a
nutshell.
What are
some of your personal favorite songs?
And why?
I love Aloha Hawaii Kuu One Hanau for it’s strong message that we are here not
by accident but because we were created by a greater power. That’s important to
me. In order to know where I’m going, I need to first know where I came from
and why I’m here. Without that foundation, we are all just floating, without a
reason or a rhyme. I couldn’t live like that.
Hawaiian poetry is so immaculate. There are no obscenities. I love singing
Hawaiian love songs. I love the way composers use nature to describe and
compare their sweethearts.
Who was inspirational to you in music and why?
My dad was my teacher, although he never taught me. I stood next to him,
watching his fingers move on the frets and listened to his singing.
Do
you have many people do you receive feedback from about your shows? Music?
I try to touch the audience with more than my music. I love telling stories
about the songs. People love that. I try to show them my personal side so that
when I’m finished they feel like they know ME, not just my music.
How did
it feel to accept the Hoku for Female Vocalist of The Year? What was your first
reaction?
I felt and still feel completely honored. It’s truly amazing to me. My first
reaction wasn’t my real reaction. It was three days after the awards ceremony
when I turned to my husband as we were driving in our car and explained, “Oh my
gosh!! I’m the Female Vocalist of The Year!” It finally hit me. My palms got
sweaty, my heart raced and my eyes filled with tears. I was overcome with
emotion.
In your
opinion, how do you feel about the amount of time it took for Hawaiian music and
it's artists to be represented/recognized through the Grammy Awards.
It has taken a long time for our artists to be recognized, though I believe that
this is the right time. I’m also one of those who also feels strongly that if
the academy votes for slack-key it’s wonderful! I can’t play slack-key. It’s
an incredible art and a talent that deserves recognition.
Any idea
how we can change this? Is there anything a small person with a website can do
to help?
Websites are incredible tools and have become necessary in building businesses.
Build a strong, informative and interesting website to get your music out
there. And find a loyal webmaster! If you build it, they will come!
And why do you think it is so difficult to acquire Hawaiian music on the
Mainland?
There are few Hawaiian markets throughout the mainland. I’m sure it’s the same
for an artist in New Mexico to get their music into our local stores. We need
to keep sharing our music; keep pushing. Even if we don’t get the recognition
now, our children and the next generation will benefit from our work.
If these questions pertain to you:
How long
you have known Danny, and where did you meet him? --
Does sleeping with his first album count as meeting him?
Is this the first time you have worked with Danny? Have you worked with him in
a live show?
I’ve never worked with him, but I have danced for him. In 1987, at The Aloha
Stadium, the Hawaiian community came together to celebrate “Ho’olokahi—The Year
of the Hawaiian”. Over 500 hula dancers performed chants in unison on the
field. After the traditional protocal was complete, musicians took the stage
and we were free to dance with them. Danny Couch sang that day, “From My
Heart”. I was the only dancer to stand and dance with him. It felt like we
were the only ones there. It’s a memory I will treasure for always.
What was
the first Danny song you recall hearing?
Lady You’re My Rainbow.....and it’s still my favorite!
Have you
seen Danny perform live? What are some of your favorite things about his
performances?
Yes! He’s amazing! He has the ability to touch people with his voice. You
feel changed when he leaves the stage.
Do you
have any comments of your own about Danny Couch and his music/performances?
I couldn’t think of another person I would want to present me with my very first
Na Hoku Hanohano Award. Danny has been and will remain as a staple of Hawaiian
entertainment. There is no other like him and there will never be.
When Danny announced that he had watched me grow up....I felt the same thing
about him. I was in elementary school when I first heard his golden voice and I
was in love. I received his first album with The Alii’s for Christmas with an
autograph from him reading, “To my favorite hula dancer, Merry
Christmas....Danny Couch”. I slept with that album.
Since then, Danny has found himself and I’m convinced that he knows not only
what he likes, but what his fans like. With every CD he records my respect for
him grows. The songs are right, the mood just right.....it’s like when you crave
for something and when you finally taste it, it’s everything you imagined and
knew it would be. That pretty much sums up Danny Couch
~Mahalo,
I know you are busy ~Your
music is very well loved!
Best of Luck to you
On 2/24/07 6:44 PM, "Lea Cook" wrote:
Aloha Natalie,
I am finally able to spend some time on some additional projects for my website. I hope you are still interested in a feature on my Danny Couch Fan Appreciation website. I enjoyed receiving your message about the Question Danny’s manager asked me to forward, most likely your comments will be given the go ahead to also be used on my site and am flattered you would like me to write an addition to my website about you as a personal tribute as well. I would love to do a feature on you, hope it would be worthy of your great music... Sincere Congratulations on your win at '06 years Hoku Awards, your voice deserves all the accolades it receives. I enjoy meeting those who know and possibly have worked with Danny.. it’s part of my research and I truly enjoy it.
I am sending some questions perhaps you would be kind enough to answer for me. If you have any additional information or stories about you're meeting Danny or knowing him, or something you would like your fans to know about you, I would love to add them to my website as well to share with your fans and Danny’s alike..
I have had the chance to hear wonderful things about you from Danny, he speaks very highly of you.
Thank you for your time and interest in doing this.Mahalo ~ Lea, and on behalf of Danny Couch Records
The spirit of Aloha is contagious, The page, photos, belong to Lea Cook and Danny Couch
Background image, "Hawaiian Hibiscus" slideshow produced by Lea Cook
Information provided by Natalie Ai Kamauu
All contents, text, music, photos used in this website MAY NOT be duplicated,
copied or used in any fashion or other website, without written authorization from Danny Couch and Lea Cook, web-owner.
© Copyright 2002-2009, Lea Cook, Danny Couch & Danny Couch Fan-Addicts
Seattle WA.
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