On The Waikiki (mp3) via Mill Pond Records
It’s a typical English summer; I’m up to my elbows in flood water. At times like this I grab my ukulele, close my eyes, put on some suitably tropical music and imagine I’m sat on a Hawaiian beach. My fantasy may be eased a little further next week by the release of Jason Holstrom’s Tiki-resurrecting solo project The Thieves of Kailua.
There’s precious little in Holstrom’s previous work to suggest he was a laid-back uke player. He was a founder member of United States of Electronica and a knob-twiddler for the likes of Aqueduct. But a trip to Hawaii with his future wife obviously woke something in him.
The record was made entirely by Holstrom over three years in his bedroom-studio. Which makes the clear harmonies, rumbling percussion and large sound all the more impressive. More than enough to keep me happy as I rust in the summer rain.
Sorry, Comments Are Broken Right Now