The Green returns with a sixth album, shows on Blue Note Hawaii

Zion Thompson and Ikaika Antone founded The Green with four friends in 2009. They all liked Jamaican music and Afro-Caribbean rhythms, but they weren’t interested in being Rasta impersonators playing remakes of hits by major artists.

The Green committed to original music all day, touring the mainland, playing festivals and opening for a long list of artists, including Bruno Mars’ two sold-out concerts at Aloha Stadium in 2018.

In 2011 they won their first Na Hoku Hanohano Award with their self-titled debut album. In 2014 they won three more for “Hawaii ’13” and in 2018 a fifth for “Black & White”.

The sixth album by the Greens, “Brand New Eyes”, was released in November. They’ll do 10 shows at Blue Note Hawaii Wednesday through Sunday, then head to the mainland in February. Please visit thegreen808.com for more information.

As The Green prepares for 2022, founding members Thompson, Antone, Brad Watanabe, Caleb Keolanui and JP Kennedy are still a tight team. Jordan Espinoza has been the sixth member of the group since 2011.

Antone and Thompson checked in via a conference call last week.

Congratulations on the birth of your daughters during the COVID-19 shutdown. How was it to be at home with your newborns?

Antone: My whole attitude towards life has changed. As they grow, you will realize how lucky you are to have these blessings. It’s unreal, but totally life changing.

Thompson: I still don’t fall asleep. It’s crazy, but it’s amazing. Your ability to love increases tenfold.

So many songs have been written about drug use that many people may be surprised that, despite the lyrics mentioning “the bottle” and “the needle,” that isn’t about what “Young Man” is about.

Antone: It’s about my wife and me and our struggle to get pregnant, over two years of trying and losing a pregnancy, seeing doctors and feeling defeated and taking (prescription) drugs and vitamins. I had to do these things too. We had the (successful) second pregnancy so I think it’s a hopeful song, but it can be about everyone trying to find something.

Most of the Hawaiian bands that play reggae do not perform in Hawaiian. They have a song on the album, “Coming Home,” which is Hawaiian lyrics. Will you do more?

Antone: We are always open to it. Brad (Watanabe) wrote the Hawaiian lyrics. I think he’s almost 100% fluent in Hawaiian so having him in our group of songwriters in the band is another way to let our culture flow into our music.

Which songs were played on the radio and on the internet?

Antone: “Coming Home” and “Feelings” are going well, but what really surprises me is “Recipe”. My dad tells me he hears it on the radio all the time.

Thompson: The video for “Coming Home” is also doing well.

You’ll be playing 16 shows in eight states in 28 days. How you do that?

Thompson: Caleb (Keolanui) is now hitting a water bag here at my house (to get in shape). When we were on tour I used to go to the gym and these guys went to golf, so now I go to golf with them.

Antone: This tour is actually a stripped down version of what we used to do. We were used to touring a month and a half or two before COVID, but now that we all have families it’s harder to stay away. I’d say we’d like to be outside a little less – except that I almost wish this one was longer since we haven’t been outside in two years. We are ready to play and sit on the bus for four weeks and work hard again – and play a lot of golf.

What was most memorable for Bruno Mars in two sold-out shows in the Aloha Stadium?

Thompson: I was more excited than ever. I usually emphasize the production side of things, but as for the production side, I knew it was going to be top notch. We didn’t have to worry about production so we just had to go out and jam for 45 minutes.

Antone: I remember being stressed (the day before) about what we were wearing. And creating the guest list was stressful. Everyone wanted to be on the guest list even though guests were paying $ 75 per ticket.

What distinguishes your first Hoku Award?

Antone: To see the hocus-pocus as a little kid and then win the first one for our very first recording project was amazing.

Thompson: It was a dream come true, a surreal moment to be sure.

What’s next?

Thompson: It looks like next year could be almost back to normal in terms of frequency (on tour). We hope so. With the album out, it’s time to go out and tour.

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review

“Brand New Eyes”

The green

Simple star records / unspeakable records

Three of The Green’s previous albums received Hoku Awards. Your sixth is comparable in all respects and definitely worthy of a prize. All but one of the songs are originals.

The reggae songs build on the solid foundation of The Green’s previous work and reaffirm the group’s position at the forefront of the Hawaiian reggae music scene. The title track opens the album in a rousing Hawaiian reggae style.

The non-reggae songs reveal the wider horizon of The Green.

The first departure from reggae, Young Man, is about embarking on a difficult journey to have a baby. The song stands out with enigmatic lyrics that many listeners could personalize. “Coming Home” tells an excerpt from the life of a musician on tour with lyrics in English and Hawaiian. “My Friend (Don’t Give Up)” closes the album with a calming message of soulful inspiration.

Another standout feature is “DFRNTLY,” where the group used four letter words to express their feelings towards people who oppose the legalization of marijuana.

Visit thegreen808.com.