Interview: Calling Up Aolani for a Life Update
Aolani is a Japanese-American artist, based in California, who released her first EP ‘Aolani’ in 2018. Her latest single “Alone” was released in 2019 which shares a familiar concept of love and dreaminess. HALSUG had the opportunity to get to know Aolani and allow her to share the ways in which she has handled her mental and physical health since releasing ‘Alone’. As she sparks the attention of many, it was with utmost curiosity that HALSUG asked Aolani about her future plans.
Photo courtesy of Aolani
Aolani is a name that really screams to me “artist/musician.” What is the story behind your stage name?
A: Aolani is actually my middle name/Hawaiian name. As a child I sang and performed traditional Hawaiian music and everyone referred to me as Aolani within that community. It felt natural to continue on with that trend even though I’m no longer performing Leo kiekie.
Who are your musical inspirations?
A: When I was really young, like four to five years old, I would wake up really early every morning and watch MTV music videos with my grandpa. I remember seeing Mariah Carey, Beyonce, Aaliyah, Ashanti and Erykah Badu. As I got older, around fourth grade, I asked to start taking guitar lessons. I eventually started playing ukulele and traditional Hawaiian music and was performing by the time I was twelve. I also studied opera at the Orange County School for the Arts in Santa Ana. I started producing my own beats and straying away from my cultural music during my senior year of highschool. Once I graduated I had the time to play shows and really work on my first project.
Your music video “Call Me Up” has an Y2K theme. How would you describe your personal aesthetic?
A: I would say my personal aesthetic is always wavering. Depends on my mood and on the day honestly. I feel like I’ve looked like twelve different people over the past few years alone.
Has your love and passion for music changed through the years? (example: slumps, creative blocks, new outlooks on music, new perspective on who you want to be as an artist)
A: Yes, just like my personal style I believe it’s constantly changing and morphing. Despite how corny this probably sounds, I truly believe being an artist is like being in a toxic relationship. The time and honestly the obsession that goes into writing and releasing a project can be all consuming. Whenever I’m recording vocals I’m basically just holed up in my room for months at a time because it's all I can really think about. Creative blocks and slumps happen a lot as well. I even got pretty sick during 2021, and that put a big pause on music for me. But it did change my perspective on careers as a whole and what kind of life I want to live. I used to want all the things I didn’t get growing up; money, attention, fame. But after dealing with some health issues, I pretty much decided I don’t need to be rich or famous, I just wanna be content and not have to worry. That's really my only goal at this point.
You have multiple hobbies such as pole dancing, making art, writing, making music; what are some other hobbies you enjoy or want to try?
A: I'm definitely a serial hobbyist LMAO, I love to sew and do crafts in general. I would really love to take ballet again as an adult. I spend a lot of my time reading as well, mainly Sci fi/ fantasy novels.
How did you get into pole dancing? What inspired you to do so?
A: I actually got into pole dancing because I worked as a dancer for about a year and some. I’ve been on my own since I was eighteen and was tired of working two jobs just to get by. I also suffer from OCD as well as CPTSD which was untreated at the time, so I was severely depressed. Dancing gave me the flexibility to not have to go into work if I wasn't feeling up to it.
What message, or piece of advice, would you give to people wanting to start their careers in music or other creative fields?
A: Just do it, don’t waste time thinking about it too much. The best thing about just starting out is how much creative control you have over your music or art and your image. And if you’re afraid of being judged just remember that most people don't have the guts to even start, so just go for it!
What’s the next step with your music? Are there any projects that you’re working on that you would like to tease for your listeners?
A: Yes, I have an album coming out soon! I know I’m taking forever, but I promise it's coming.