Ep. 29: Early 20th Century Hawaiian Music and its Global Impact with Andrea Low

Prior to opening the main discussion the host contextualises the
current delta variant lockdown that is resulting in an online
semester delivery that Dr. Andrea Low is helping out with. There
are a couple of examples given of early 20th century commercial
representations of the Pacific and issues of skilled performances
and musical innovation entangled within race, power, and
colonialism.


Discussion with Dr. Low begins at 14:16


Curator and ethnomusicologist Andrea Low joins this episode to
discuss the invention of the kīkā kila (Hawaiian steel guitar) by
La‘ie, Oahu local Joseph Kekuku, as well as her grandfather the
ukulele maestro Ernest Ka‘ai, and more. We explore Hawaiian
musical inventions, contributions, and global transmission, such
as traveling troupes. Early 20th century commercial musical
production drew from many sources across various racial and
cultural lines, whose marginalised interactions led to
crosscurrents of exchange and inspiration. From
Mexican/Paniolo/Latin vaqueros (cowboys) arrival in the Kingdom
of Hawai‘i, bringing Spanish guitars, to the musicians that
emerged after the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani’s monarchy, who
travelled around the world performing their unique musical
styles. The kīkā kila and slack key guitar sounds from Hawai‘i
found their way across the region and the world, influencing
various Pacific/Moana/Wansolwara musics, delta blues, country
western, and more. We end on the ideas of cosmopolitanism during
this period and some local adaptations, such as Bill Savesi and
the legacy of the orange ballroom in Auckland.