ELI SMART

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ELI SMART / KAUAI CREATIVES

My name is Eli Smart. I’m 22 and I make tunes. I grew up on the island of Kauai into a musical family. Everybody around me is always working on something groovy, being surrounded by creativity is what grounds and inspires me. I now make music part time in the UK and half back home on Kauai. Home is a magical place for me. What makes it so special to me are the people I connect with here. I’ve been so fortunate to have found such an inspiring pool of people who support each other in everyone’s creative endeavours. It’s so important to find your team of people who got your back and want to see you grow, I feel that we all want that for each other here and for that I’m eternally grateful for. Kauai has got a lot of groovy stuff going on and I’m sure I’m only aware of a fraction of it. My dream is to connect with as many people as possible here and across the ocean and for all of us to feel supported.

Lemme introduce Jordan Paul, Sami Livé, Chris Whiteroot (aka Hamster), Maluhia Castillo, Jordy Fleming, Cory Mira and Megan Anderson. These people are my creative world here. Everyone always has some cool projects in the works and is down all the time to help me accomplish whatever wacky vision I have in my head. Jordan has got a solo project of his own stuff and it’s insane, voice like Smokey Robinson, I’m forever jealous. We write tunes together and play plenty of shows, he has an insane taste in style and always brings the groove and good energy. He introduced me to his good friend Cory Mira who is a wicked guitar player and songwriter too, we’ve all played shows together and they’ve been in a few of my recorded

live sets. Cory plays a big role in helping encourage music in the community by teaching loads of music classes and running music workshops. Sami Livé has been behind the lens and designing everybody’s album artworks since

day one. She’s the one responsible for making everything look pretty and giving our music flow and context. She is a badass and also runs the local Kilauea Bakery which fuels us all with spice chai and bagels. Very key ingredients to the whole process. I don’t know what any of us would do without her. Chris (Hamster) will forever be holding down the groove on everyone’s project. He is the tastiest drummer around and is also an INCREDIBLE

songwriter and guitar player, all around badass. His debut EP we recorded in my room is coming out soon and I couldn’t be more excited for it. Jordy has the voice of an angel and is an insane songwriter and musician, she studies music in Liverpool currently but when she’s back home we’ll all do

shows together, write and record. She has also been releasing music consistently and there are very exciting tunes in the works for the new year!! Maluhia Castillo is the real deal, he’s the most badass all around musician any of us know. He is often playing bass or lap steel on my live recordings bringing a tone to the mix that is like butter. He also has a solo project coming soon that will blow your mind when you hear it, we’re all so lucky to have his musical presence. Megan Anderson has also been handling the visual side of things for a very long time as well. She has the most beautiful eye for portraying Kauai and all of us in it. Photo shoots with her are a constant laugh attack, it’s tough to get serious shots, but we try. I feel like I’m only scratching the surface of talent by taking about any of these people as there are so many more behind the scenes creatives that bring us all together and help give our dreams life. If you dig epic art and raw creativity look these people up and have a listen/look at what they create. I wouldn’t be where I’m at today if I didn’t have the support of these beautiful people on my creative journey, Kauai has got a lot of insane talent and I can’t wait to see everyone keep doing their thing.

Jordan Paul @jordvanpaul Jordy Fleming @iamjordy Sami Livé @funkyflowr Cory Mira @caramariexoxo Maluhia Castillo @maluhia.music Megan Anderson @megaan Hamster don’t have an insta :)