FLOTESON

Hoʻololi by Floteson - out today on vinyl and streaming (links in bio) Hoʻololi takes the listener on a journey through Flotesonʻs lush minimalist landscape, marrying gospel themes and the formal structures of Tōru Takemitsu with treated guitars, e-bow, bass and a Korg Minilogue XD. Accompanied by the virtuoso pair of cellist Joshua Nakazawa @manamusichawaii and pianist TJ Keanu Tario @laritzalabouche , Floteson’s instrumental tracks arc to a gorgeous closing song, “Peace in the Valley”, featuring vocalist Maya Miracle Stone @sto_nari in her stunning debut recording. At moments the score recalls the sonic colors of Shigeru Umebayashi’s theme for “In the Mood for Love”, Nicholas Brittel’s score for “Moonlight” and “Drive My Car” by Eiko Ishibashi. The music of Hoʻololi was originally conceived for Fly Jamersonʻs gender non-conforming creation myth, “Frozen Fluid”, produced by Coeurage Ensemble at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Hoʻololi was composed looking out at Kāneʻohe’s ever changing waters and contemplates the struggle and tender triumphs of finding and living as one’s whole self - ho’ololi in spirit, mind and body - as we grapple with darker transformations in our faith, humanity and environment. The physical album features 180 gram deluxe blended vinyl in “Night Sky” blue with glitter in a printed sleeve, along with an eight-page booklet featuring the photography of Ualani Davis, excerpts from the play and correspondence between composer and playwright. reel credits: portraits: Hōkūpa’a Melim @hoku.paa for @hema.acsc portrait of Joshua Nakazawa courtesy of the artist cloud photography: Ualani Davis @ua_lala ʻŌpua typeface: @cjtype music: “Vapor” from Hoʻololi Ho‘ololi definition: The Hawaiian Dictionary (1986), Mary Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert

Mahalo nui loa to @kevinsur and @kexp for this morning’s world premiere of Peace in the Valley featuring Maya Miracle Stone and T.J. Keanu Tario. It was an honor for our ʻohana to be featured on this special Trans Native edition of Kevin’s show, Sounds of Survivance. T.J.’s No Ka Mauna Ka Mana from her soundtrack to Standing Above the Clouds, provided the kāhea that opened this program. It is Lōʻihi Records’ joyful kuleana to stand with Kevin and all the other amazing artists in resistance, celebration and reverence. The single is streaming on Bandcamp (link in bio). The album, Hoʻololi, is available for pre-order now. All proceeds from presales will go to support the Transgender Law Center @translawcenter , a trans-led organization working to set all people free. Today’s show is now archived and streaming on KEXP’s website. Please find the link in bio and listen – to all the important voices and stories of māhū wisdom and beauty. Portraits by @hema.acsc Cloud photography by @ua_lala ‘Ōpua typeface by @cjtype

Lōʻihi Records is excited to announce that @kexp will premiere “Peace in the Valley” on Sounds of Survivance on Monday, March 24. DJ @kevinsur has curated Trans Native, a special edition of his important program. In honor of this, Lōʻihi Records will release the song as a single on Bandcamp, coinciding with Mondayʻs show. The song was written by the magnificent gospel composer Thomas A. Dorsey for Mahalia Jackson in 1939. Years later he said of the song, “It was just before Hitler sent his war chariots into Western Europe in the late ‘30s. I was on a train going through southern Indiana and saw horses, cows and sheep all grazing together in this little valley. Everything seemed so peaceful. It made me question what’s the matter with mankind? Why can’t men live in peace? Out of those thoughts came Peace in the Valley.” Maya Miracle Stone’s transcendent vocal would do Mahalia proud. Sheʻs supported by the supple and dynamic piano of fellow Lōʻihi Records artist T.J. Keanu Tario. The song is the closing track on Floteson’s album “Hoʻololi”, coming March 28 on vinyl and all streaming platforms. Photography by @hema.acsc Video by @dean.harada ʻŌpua typeface by @cjtype Music by Thomas A. Dorsey, arranged and performed by @floteson with @mayamiraclestone on vocals and @laritzalabouche on piano

Images of the contributing artists on the upcoming Floteson album “Ho‘ololi”. The graceful and selfless blending of these distinct voices, elevating the themes of this work as one, is the embodiment of transformation. Music: edited excerpt of “Vapor”, the second track on “Ho‘ololi” @laritzalabouche , piano @manamusichawaii , cello Photography: @hema.acsc ‘Ōpua typeface: @cjtype

New release, March 2025: Hoʻololi by Floteson Hoʻololi explores and illuminates the transfigured landscape of playwright Fly Jamersonʻs vision of the world reborn. Jamerson’s Antarctic gender non-conforming creation myth, Frozen Fluid, celebrates the complexity of self while challenging our constantly evolving beliefs regarding identity. Composed while looking out at the ever changing waters of Kāneʻohe Bay, Hoʻololi contemplates the struggle and tender triumphs of finding and living as one’s whole self - in spirit, mind and body - in a time fraught with fractures of faith, humanity and the deep and silent ice. Frozen Fluid was produced in 2023 by @coeurageensemble and the Los Angeles LGBT Center @lalgbtcenter . At the time the work felt like a thoughtful inquiry into contemporary conversations. Now, less than two years on, it’s become a quiet but urgent statement: of resistance against mechanisms of power and for solidarity with our better angels. Hoʻololi features Floteson on electric guitar, ebow, Korg Minilogue XD and percussion, alongside the sonorous cello of Joshua Nakazawa @manamusichawaii , the luminous piano of fellow Lōʻihi Records artist @laritzalabouche , and a very special vocal appearance by @mayamiraclestone . The album was recorded at @islandsoundstudios by @g_holomalia and mastered by @justifiednoise . Front cover photograph by @ua_lala from her series Ka ʻIke Ka ʻŌpua Back cover photograph by @hoku.paa for @hema.acsc