Gettin Down with Hello Mahalo
Hello Mahalo formed in late 2006, when drummer Tom Stanwood and guitarist Justin Hardy met in a Spanish class at UMass Dartmouth, only to play their first show 2 days later. They quickly added Justin Joyce on vocals and bass, and Jared Pizzaro on guitar. The band pairs classically trained jazz styles with heavy rock guitar and percussion, resulting in an entrancing quartet that sounds like a mix of Soundgarden and the Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
All the members of Hello Mahalo have extensive and diverse music backgrounds, with influences including 311, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Led Zeppelin and the Doors. In support of their own personal endeavors, all the band members are experienced music teachers, and share their love and knowledge of music through private and group instruction.
Hello Mahalo offers a fresh take on alternative rock with a raw edgy sound that appeals to a mass audience. Songs like "Crowbar" exude their eclectic style: haunting vocal tones intertwined with the band's mellow beats and driving rock. Other tracks like "Eternal Sun" show their storytelling ability.
Hello Mahalo released its debut album Dawning Days on BandStandLive Records in November 2007. Joyce says, "Its been amazing to go to new cities and meet new people who have the album, and are singing every word to every song. We truly appreciate the fans and hope to reach out to even more."
They are currently filming their first music video for the single "Dawning Days," due out this spring. It will be a compilation of footage from their March concerts with ZOX at Lupo's in Providence, and some upcoming shows. They were 2007 WBRU Rock Hunt Finalists, and were voted one of the top 5 Best Local Acts of 2007.
HM will be performing in Providence again, and they are planning a two week tour of the region this fall. Drop by the show and say aloha to Hello Mahalo. You won't be disappointed. www.myspace.com/hellomahalo. Their album is available at www.hellomahalo.com and on iTunes.
Ken Ohrstrom is a junior Political Science and English major at URI.
