LIHU‘E — Sashamon is 100 percent Moloka‘i style, nothing less, nothing more. This Saturday, his band will bring its dancing reggae beat to Backyards in the heart of Old Kapa‘a Town.
“The band is sounding real good, thanks to Jordan Ho‘omanawanui on drums and Noah Freidberg on bass,” he said.
Backyards has a “big sound system,” he said, a renovated stage and a good dance floor, all in an intimate setting. And there is no cover charge.
Sashamon’s start in music was on his native Moloka‘i, where he learned to strum the ‘ukulele — along with all four of his elementary school classmates — while listening to kupuna, or respected elderly, singing.
Many years later, he became famous after one of his songs, “Japanese Squeeze,” hit the charts on the Big Island.
And then in 2004, “Necta” exploded statewide, making Sashamon a household name. The song’s lyrics are simple yet captivating, and the beat just puts people on the dance floor:
“I met a girl today,
I couldn’t believe it,
Birds they flew around her,
A butterfly on her shoulder.”
Today, Sashamon keeps busy playing all over the Mainland and in Hawai‘i, with back-to-back sold-out shows.
Most of his songs bring a positive message, speaking of love and peace, including “Malia,” “Merry,” “Justice,” “Peaceful Vibration,” “Peaceizafya” and “Herbal Criminal.”
Backyards is across from Java Kai and Mermaids’ Cafe along the Kuhio Highway.
“I’m excited to bring some good music on Saturday night, so come on down,” Sashamon said.
The show is free and goes from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Léo Azambuja, staff writer, can be reached at 245-0452 or lazambuja@thegardenisland.com
