 A Journey Through The Web Presences of Keali`i Reichel, Henry Kapono, and Justin Kawika Young from Hawaii's Island Server, December 2000
When Keali`i Reichel began looking for a Web designer, he didn't have to go far. He already had a relationship with one of the hottest design agencies on Maui.
"We've been using Tradewind Graphics since the beginning, mostly for album designs. Then they said, 'Oh, by the way, we're getting into Web design!'" recalls Reichel. "Because [they're] on Maui, we've been able to maintain control over the site."
It's a mellow sort of control. "Keališi allowed us great freedom in choosing how to design his site," says Susan Rodehorst of Tradewind Graphics, the lead designer of www.kealiireichel.com. "Since we've worked with him since his first CD, we're familiar with his style. Carrying this over to his site was a fairly easy transition. However, the Web offers more dynamic capabilities [and] a larger platform for creativity."
Since its birth seven months ago, Reichel's Web presence has grown considerably. Content provided by Fred Krauss, Reichel's manager, is woven into the visual themes of the site, built entirely with hand-coded HTML. Rodehorst has also found creative ways to use Flash technology. "I wanted to portray Keališi on the cutting edge of technology and creativity, yet provide a hub of information for his fans," she says. "Flash allows me to incorporate animation without compromising download time."
The site's online touring schedule is instrumental in keeping Mainland audiences abreast of tour dates. "We did a Portland show in April, and the majority of the publicity was done on the 'Net," says Fred Krauss. "There were 3,000 seats and we sold out a week before the concert!"
Reichel hopes his site will become a useful tool for off-Island artists trying to learn more about Hawai`ian language and hula. Eventually, his lyrics will link to pages with words, sounds, and maps of the places in the songs. "I want to include the historical/mythological/traditional aspects of that particular place, to give a full picture of its poetry. I really believe you need that imagery to be able to sing well about a place."
Developing and maintaining closer relationships with fans without compromising privacy has been greatly facilitated by the Internet, at least for Reichel. For the release of his third album, he participated in a special chat room. "There were over 100 people, all asking questions at once!" he laughs. Fluent in the language of his `aina, and conversant in Internet culture, the musician has also participated in Hawai`ian language chat rooms. He occasionally browses Hawai`ian newsgroups, particularly soc.culture.hawaii. "Once in a blue moon, I'll even post something myself," he confesses. After a moment, he adds, laughing, "But never under my own name!"
CLICK HERE FOR THE UNABRIDGED INTERVIEW WITH KEALI`I, FRED & SUSAN.
For a long time, Henry Kapono's goal was to have a world tour without ever leaving the Islands. "It's a vision tied to his love for Hawai`i," explains Lezlee Kapono, who handles management for her husband. "In the early days, when he signed with Columbia, he was asked to move to the Mainland. He really didn't want to do that." Instead, Kapono dreamed of a virtual world tour.
As technology advanced, Henry's dream became more accessible. Henry Kapono's and PixelWorld's Aloha I-Jam '99, broadcast live from the Pier Bar in November 1999, was the first successful Internet Webcast of a giant musical event from Hawai`i, featuring over nine hours of live entertainment. Though not a financial success, the Webcast was a technical triumph, a feather in PixelWorld's cap and, for Kapono, a step closer to the realization of his dream.
A computer analyst for Pacific Focus, Inc., Hawai`i's largest post-production film and video facility, Steve Szabo developed a friendship with the Kaponos when he directed the I-Jam. After a few initial planning sessions, he began working on Kapono's site (at www.henrykapono.com). The artist is delighted with the results. "It has a user-friendly feeling. It's like music you can sing a song, or you can sing a song with feeling. I want my site to draw people in," Kapono says.
Lezlee Kapono has always said of her husband that one has only to see him perform to fall in love with his music. "When people see him at Duke's, they become instant fans. They go home and try to figure out how to get his music. In the old days, people didn't have a simple way to get to Henry. Now they have the site!" Visitors are invited to join the "Friends of Kapono" mailing list, and e-mail broadcasts are used to communicate news from time to time.
"Just one year ago, 90% of Henry's fans were fax-only, and the people who had e-mail addresses weren't really using them," Lezlee marvels. "Now, a year later, three-quarters of our database have e-mail."
Soon, new features on Kapono's site will help visitors feel even more connected. "The chat room and bulletin board present opportunities for fans to communicate with each other," says Lezlee. "This will create a higher awareness of Henry and his music. It's a great way to stimulate enthusiasm and word-of-mouth."
Szabo is justifiably proud of the site's latest function. "E-commerce took a lot longer than I had anticipated! Now I understand why people shy away from it, and why it's so expensive when provided by third-party companies."
Hawai`i residents are not the targeted audience for the function, however. "Henry is really well-represented in Hawai`i by the record stores. We are very much aiming at the Mainland, and the big fan base in Japan," says Szabo.
Is another Webcast in the works? The Kaponos now own the Pier Bar, which is under renovation and will be transformed into a hybrid between a nightclub, a restaurant, and an amphitheater. "PixelWorld will have a permanent home there," says Lezlee, who is hoping for Webcasts of a series of concerts.
A major concert, celebrating the new intellectual property bill that favors performing artists, is also in the planning stages. According to Lezlee, the March 2001 show will feature appearances by local artists, and possibly even major stars with local presences like Carlos Santana and Willie Nelson. A Webcast of this event would be a major coup for PixelWorld, and a real treat for fans all over the planet.
"I think we're at the first step," muses Kapono in his rich, melodic baritone. "Now it's a matter of dreaming, y'know?"
CLICK HERE FOR THE UNABRIDGED INTERVIEW WITH HENRY, LEZLEE & STEVE.
The Web designer's role is becoming increasingly important to performing artists looking for virtual presences to supplement their real-life personae. Talented, fully committed Web designers can do much to further the career of rising stars, or perpetuate that of established musical icons.
Justin Kawika Young (known by his fans simply as Justin) didn't have to do much to find his Web designer. "Actually, Ed selected me," laughs Young. "He came to me and asked if I'd be interested in developing a site. I'd been thinking about it, and had a few friends who offered but never came through."
"As soon as I heard Justin's voice on the first album (No Better Time Than Now) I knew there was something there," remembers Sugimoto, who works as an online editor for Oceanic Cable when not developing his own independent Web concepts. "I noticed how young he was, and saw that he was writing his own ballads. He was a success story waiting to happen."
With over five years' experience developing Web presences, Sugimoto avoided faddish tricks when designing www.justinsmusic.com. But the site does include one relatively new feature: audio samples. Improved technologies enabled Sugimoto to encode samples with smaller file sizes and better sound quality. "I live and work in the world of broadband, so file size concerns aren't in my immediate conscience," he says. "I knew, however, that Justin's site would have to be developed for people all across the board."
Justin's Web presence contains a number of features standard for an artist's site: a performing schedule, biography, and some clever eye candy. Intriguing features include Justin e-postcards, a Fan Forum bulletin board, and a Request page, with links to local, national, worldwide, and Internet radio stations. With a single click, fans can demand airplay for Justin's music.
Many Island entertainers have discovered that Web sites reduce the need for costly newsletter mailings. "The site allows my music to reach people that would normally never be exposed to it," explains Young. "And when people ask when and where I'm gigging, I direct them to the site."
Several new features are planned for the near future. "I want to get a robust chat program started," says Sugimoto. "More fan interactivity is in order too - 'My Justin Story', 'Fan Images', etc."
"The one-on-one contact helps you keep the fans you have," comments Young, "and the connection makes you more than a picture and a song and an image."
CLICK HERE FOR THE UNABRIDGED INTERVIEW WITH JUSTIN & ED.
Caroline Wright, of
WRIGHT FOR YOU
Word Services, is a freelance writer. A former resident of Hawaii, she now
lives in rural South Carolina. Feel free to e-mail your comments to Caroline
at
kiihele@wrightforyou.com.
 |
