2008 Hoku Awards Photo Gallery
July 8, 2008
2008 Hoku Awards Performance Video
June 29, 2008
Here’s another video of my performace at the 2008 Hoku Awards. This one was shot by my brother Evan using a handheld camera.
Na Hoku Hanohano Awards Recap
June 19, 2008
Mahalo to everyone for your support at the Hokus! It was a fantastic night and a complete honor just to be there! There were so many great moments, like when Robert Cazimero gave me a big hug after my performance, talking story with Kawika Kahiapo, encouragement from Jon de Mello and Leah Bernstein, taking pictures with Jon and Ernie Cruz, saying hi to Eric Gilliom. I was like a kid in a candy store. Thank you to all of you for helping me get here.
Here’s a pic that ran in the Honolulu Advertiser:
The 31st Annual Na Hoku Hanohano Awards on K5 The Home Team
June 11, 2008
The 2008 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards will be televised locally on K5, and streamed live via internet HERE. Performances will include: Brothers Cazimero, Hapa, John Cruz, Hoku Zuttermeister, Opihi Pickers, Mighty J, Pilioha, Darin Leong, and Kamau.
Na Hoku Hanohano Nominations
May 28, 2008
I am so excited to announce that nominees for the Na Hoku Hanohano Awards have been selected, and I’ve received two nominations!
Instrumental Album of the Year, &
Most Promising Artist
This is a total thrill for me! It will be wonderful just to meet so many people I’ve admired and attempted to emulate since childhood.
To all Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts members, thank you for your continued support and see you at the Hokus!
Aloha,
Darin
Loop Pedals in Action
March 30, 2008
As many of you know, I’m a fan of loop pedals, and use one regularly during my performances. Here are a few great videos of other artists demonstrating loop pedals in action.
Howie Day - Ghost
KT Tunstall - Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
KT Tunstall Loop Pedal Demonstration on NPR
Standup Paddle Surf Video by Bob Babcock (Song: Goodnight - When Home is Far Away)
March 8, 2008
Interview with Andy Bumatai
March 7, 2008
Guitar Pedals
February 23, 2008
I’m often asked about my acoustic guitar set-up, so here it is. I use three main boxes:
1) LR Baggs Para Acoustic DI. This box serves as a DI box, as well as a great sounding, easy-to-use, EQ. You can really make a guitar sound “huge” through one of these.
2) Digitech JamMan. This little box actually degrades the audio quality slightly, but the benefits vastly outweigh the drawbacks. The JamMan is a “loop pedal.” You step on it and it starts recording. When you step on it again, it plays back exactly what you just recorded, allowing you to play multiple parts. You can do it continually, creating interesting combinations of sounds and textures. I’ve posted an example below.
3) TC Electronic G-Natural. This bulky box is the best all-in-one pedal available for acoustic guitar. I use it for compression, to give my sound a lot of clarity, and for reverb, which can make you sound like you’re in a big hall.
KGMB9 Morning News
October 30, 2007
Here’s the news segment for the Hawaii State Art Museum promo on KGMB9, early in the morning!
