Guam’s love affair with reggae music runs deep with the island’s community and that connection strengthens with the arrival of Hawaiian reggae band: The Green.
The Green performed at two sold out events at the LeoPalace Resort Guam on Jan. 17 and Jan. 18; its fifth time performing their tropical melodies on the island. The concert was a part of the Clutch’s Island Feels In The Hills concert, the first event of the brand’s concert promoting venture: Clutch Music.
(From left) Brad Watanabe, bassist; Jordan Espinoza, drummer; Caleb Keolanui, lead singer; Ikaika Antone, vocalist and keyboardist; and Zion Thompson, guitarist, all members of The Green. Photo by Skyler Obispo.
The Green performed first at the Through The Wire Pre-Show on Jan. 17, which promised an intimate acoustic listening experience at the Zefiro Ballroom at LeoPalace Resort Guam. The following day featured the main Island Feels In The Hills concert at the resort’s outdoor grounds. Both performances featured local acts including Jonah Hånom, Lady Soul & Friends, and For Peace Band.
According to Clutch Music, ticket sales sold out for the Island Feels In The Hills concert within the eight months after its announcement and tickets of the pre-show sold out the morning of. Overall, the event grossed at least $262,000 through ticket sales.
To those unfamiliar with their music, the band’s vocalist and keyboardist, Ikaika Antone, said that their music carries the message of “love and aloha” based on their experiences growing up in Hawaii.
The band consists of five members, Brad Watanabe, Jordan Espinosa, Caleb Keolanui, Ikaika Antone, and Zion Thompson. The Green has more than15 years in the music industry and was one of the first reggae bands from Hawaii to tour the mainland U.S. and have performed in a number of large music festivals including the Vans Warped Tour, One Love Cali Reggae Festival, and the California Roots Festival to name a few.
On Spotify, they average approximately 900,000 monthly listeners with listeners across Hawaii, California, New Zealand, Australia, and Guam.
The Ka Ma’o foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization started by The Green and is designed to “[cultivate] the next generation of music industry professionals,” and was forged on the experiences of the band being up and coming artists in Hawaii.
The band’s guitarist, Zion Thompson, said that it was difficult for artists to tour and find gigs, even more so for Hawaiian and Guam based ones. "It's really hard for bands to leave Hawaii and I’m sure it’s the same thing for Guam. It’s hard to get out there and make money and get offers,” he said. “Everyday it's a hustle.”
Antone said that it's expensive for bands from Hawaii and Guam to perform in the states. “We spent years on the road where we didn’t make any money at all,” he said.
Ultimately, through the program’s mentorship opportunities, workshops, and resources, the band wants to impart their experiences to aspiring musicians. The band's singer, Caleb Keolanui said that Ka Ma’o exists to take the burden off these young musicians to help them focus on their passion and to “keep that fire.” mbj
