The Sound of Tiki:
The Quiet Village podcast: exotica, lounge, Hawaiian Hapa Haole & interviews.

DigiTiki - Your host and guide through the Quiet Village. "Where the hell is the bar?"

Tiki Central - The Ultimate Message Board for Tiki Culture on the web.

Kona Kai - Ultimate Web Resource for all things Tiki

TIKI Magazine - THE #1 Magazine on all things Tiki - Carvers, artists and more

Hawaii Threads - Message Board for Hawaii Locals, Residents and Mainlanders.

Wala’au - Talk Story. Hawai’ian message board with a “no trolling” policy

London Luau - Tiki bash for London Tikiphiles

Tiki Farm - World’s largest manufacturer of Tiki Mugs

Critiki- Ultimate Tiki Bar and restaurant resource

Ooga-Mooga - The spot for tiki mug collectors to share and show off their goodies.

Criktiki - online database of tiki restaurants and bars from today and the golden era of tiki

Motel Signs - Great photos

Googie Architecture

Submit a Link:
digitiki at gmail.com

An Enchanting Visit to the Quiet Village

[6/17/09]
Most people who are into "tiki" in all its forms are also devotees of things of the past--particularly mid-century Americana. It is this holding on to anything that connects us to a time that, to many of us, is only known in stories and fading photographs--with the exception of fuzzy early childhood memories of avocado green appliances and shag carpeting. This is why it is all the more special when we have the opportunity to actually meet someone who lived it. I mean right in the middle of the 50's and 60's original tiki movement in America.

I was privileged to have the opportunity to meet and interview Diana Lai-the first VIP hostess at the Enchanted Tiki Room in Disneyland. Diana was personally selected by Walt Disney himself for the job at the Tiki Room, which was still under construction at the time in 1963. She was groomed by Disney to be the exotic "oriental" hostess who would not only operate the ride, but also escort VIPs through the attraction and down into the basement where all the magic that made the show work was housed.

We spent a lovely afternoon talking about her connection to the Tiki Room and to tiki in general as we looked through Diana's many scrapbooks--scrapbooks that were absolutely priceless I might add. She had tons of photographs, many depict her working at the Tiki Room.

Diana Lai's story is remarkable and captivating. She is a warm person with a great deal of spunk. I am so proud to have the opportunity to meet her and to interview her for the Quiet Village Podcast. So i urge you to check out episode 18 of the Quiet Village, in which I interview Diana Lai--a truley enchanting person.

The Quiet Village gets press!!

[9/16/09]
The latest issue of Tiki Magazine features the Tikiyaki Orchestra, the art of The Pizz and some great tiki news articles. But the info that is most valuable to me is the listing of the Quiet Village podcast in the magazine's "NEWS" section. The magazine calls the Quiet Village podcast "one of the best Exotica/Lounge/Hawaiian music programs on the internet!"

Not only that, a listing of the November, 2008 landmark concert of Les Baxter music at the University of Arizona, Tucson also lists DigiTiki.com as the go-to web site for a recap on the details of this historic Exotica music concert.

A Mahalo to Tiki Magazine!

Don the Beachcomber Returns after 30 years!

[3/14/09]

Don the Beachcomber is THE father of the exotic cocktail or tiki drinks as they are often referred to. Without Donn Beach, there would be no such thing as a Zombie, Mai Tai, Pain Killer or any of the rum-based cocktails we consider to be exotics. After a 30 year absence on the mainland, Don the Beachcomber is opening its doors once again in the Los Angeles area, Huntington Beach, right on the Pacific Coast Highway. Interestingly enough, Don the Beachcomber will takeover the well known icon Sam's Seafood, which was recently renamed Kona. Sam's itself has a colorful history that dates back to the 1930's and prohibition. With the recent economic downturn, Sam's--now Kona, has experienced hard times and was just days from closing its doors for good, when suddenly an investor who owned the Don the Beachcomber name rights stepped in.

I am writing to say that I have experienced a small preview of what is to come for the new Don the Beachcomber restaurant and bar. I was privileged enough to talk with the bar consultant and the restaurant owner, who allowed me to sample two of the drinks that will grace the new cocktail menu. I sampled the Don's Mai Tai (served to me and a guest, in a Squid original Fortune Fire Bowl) lit with flaming rum in all four chambers. The drink doesn't normally come in this bowl, but it was nice to see the presentation. The mai tai is nothing like the classic mai tai we are all accustomed to (ala Trader Vics'). However, it was an amazingly deep and complex exotic in the true sense--with hits on various citrus juices, cloves, ginger and other exotic ingredients that I could not distinguish. It was an enlightening experience.

The second cocktail that I was fortunate enough to preview was called a Cherry Blossom Punch. This fresh cherry and rum cocktail was again, deep and complex with aftertastes that hinted to spices and not just rum and juice--delicate, refreshing and yet very deep and complex.

These cocktails were on par with some of the best exotics I have ever tasted. If I had to equate them to any one place, I would say they were as good as the drinks served at the Mai Kai in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I want to encourage everyone who has the chance, to visit the Don the Beachcomer. Not only is it a piece of tiki history, but it is making history once again!

Exclusive: Quiet Villagers get 10% at Castaway Ceramics!!

Squid Visits the Quiet Village
[3/1/09]

I know its been a little while since the last podcast episode & posts here on the web page, but things have been hoppin' at the Village. Just recently, one of the Tiki world's premier and proliphic artists, Squid, visited me at the Quiet Village for a recording session of the Quiet Village podcast. Episode 14 features an extended interview and guest DJ-ing by Squid, aka Dave Cohen.

For those of you who may not know Squid, you most likely know his work--and probably own a piece or two. Squid is one of the founders of Tiki Farm. Tiki Farm is the biggest tiki mug maker and many of the top collectible designs by Tiki Farm are the sculting work of Squid. Recently, a retrospective show was put together at Kona (formerly Sam's Seafood) in Huntington Beach, CA. At the show, collectors came together to present a complete showing of Squid's tiki mug career to date. The result was an impressing 270+ mugs, sketches, scupts and concepts.

Today, Squid is working with Castway Ceramics. His designs were among the first products released by this new company, and they are cool. In commemoration of Squid's visit to the Quiet Village, he and Castaway have graciously an exclusive discount to all Quiet Villagers. When you purchase a mug from Castaway Ceramics, you get 10% simply by entered promo code QV during checkout.

Enjoy & don't forget to listen to episode 14 of the Quiet Village, featuring Squid!

A New Day Dawns
[1/20/09]

Spongebob says it best:

Chihuly in the Desert

[1/5/09]

Although this topic is not tiki it is exciting...at least for me. I am A big fan of the contemporary artist Dale Chihuly. His medium is glass and his work is simply beautiful. I made a little trek recently to Arizona to see an exhibition of Chihuly's. Currently and through the Spring of 2009, Chihuly's work is on display at the Desert Botanical Gardens in Scottsdale, Arizona.

SEE MY PHOTO ALBUM OF THE EXHIBIT.

Although Chihuly's work has been displayed in many diverse locations around the world and his studio is in lush forested area of Tacoma, Washington, his work seems so perfectly suited for the desert environs. As you will see in the photo album, his glass forms seem like dessert organisms that have spontaneously sprung from the dry soil alongside majestic seguaro cacti. I viewed the exhibition at night as the glass sculptures were lit against the dark Sonoran desert. This provided such a beautiful view of the colors and forms.

I highly suggest that anyone with the ability and time, visit the gardens in Scottsdale, Arizona. You will not be disappointed.

SEE THE PHOTO ALBUM OF MY VISIT

Happy New Year!

[1/2/09]
Thank you to all the listeners of the podcast and visiters to the site!

New Year's Eve Tiki Bash with Tikiyaki Orchestra

[12/20/08]

This event promises to be a real blast, complete with hula & belly dancing by the beautiful Tehani & surf tunes by the Eliminators & DJ action by DJ Jeff (Big Tiki Dude) as well as a full show by the Tikiyaki Orchestra!

Event will be at Kona Restaurant in Huntington Beach, $15 admission (that's pretty cheap for new year's eve). Event Details

The Music of Les Baxter Lives Again in Arizona [12/1/08]

Keith Pawlak (left), Robert Drasnin (right), Skip Heller (lower)

The University of Arizona, Tucson was the scene for a most extraordinary concert on November 3rd. The music of Les Baxter was performed live with an orchestra. Selections from Baxters siminal albums "Tamboo" and "Sacred Idol" were performed using the original scores for the first time since their original recordings in the late 50's. The concert also included introductions by Exotica guru Jeff Chenault, Exotica expert and regular contributor to Tiki Magazine. Additional insights into the music of Les Baxter was provided by guest artist and acomplished guitarist Skip Heller.

Keith Pawlak conducted and was responsible for bringing this music back to life. Keith overseed the music archives at the University where a large portion of the Les Baxter's personal music archives were donated.

The University's music archives holds a precious collection of vintage scores and recordings by many mid-century music luminaries including Nelson Riddle and Robert Drasnin. Specifically, a collection of Exotica scores and music is being put together by the University and Keith Pawlak.

In addition to the Les Baxter scores, was a performance of original Exotica compositions by Robert Drasnin. Drasnin's 1959 album "Voodoo" is considered to be a cornerstone of the genre. Drasnin has been performing, teaching and scoring for TV and film for the last 50 years. In 2007, he re-entered the studio to record the sequel to "Voodoo" entitled "Voodoo II."

This event was truly a once-in-a-lifetime happening. I was fortunate enough to be there to witness Les Baxter's music come alive again with a full orchestra and chorus. It is my hope that this is only the beginning of a rediscovering of this unique genre of music that was quite popular in the mid-century popular history of the United States.

Yma Sumac Passes

[11/28/08]
Yma Sumac, the Voice of the Xtabay is silent. Yma Sumac passed away on November 1st, All Saint's Day. Ms. Sumac had been battling a long illness for quite some time.

She was rumored to be Amy Camus (her named spelled backwards), a housewife from Brooklyn and an Inca princess who was captured and taken away from her village as a young girl. Either way, we was an extraordinary person with the most amazing voice ever heard.

Many are no doubt familiar with her haunting vocalizations in the world of Exotica. It was with the legendary Les Baxter that the genre of Exotica was created. She will be missed, but her music lives on.

Episode 10 of the Quiet Village Podcast features Yma Sumac along with Les Baxter and Robert Drasnin.

Squid's Scultures & Scribbles - A Retrospective

[updated]
Kona was overflowing with people who came out to witness a retrospective of the work of Squid (Dave Cohen) on Saturday, September 20th. The beautiful Hidden Village room at Kona was the setting. On hand were over 250 mugs--almost every single mug every created by the prolific artist--including some very rare private mug releases and some of the original clay sculpts. Also on hand were sketches and drawings from Squid's early days in tiki and pre-tiki days. According to Squid, this was the first time his entire mug works had been assembled together. Even he was amazed by the numbers.

The Tikiyaki Orchestra provided the music for the dinner crowds. Marty Lush, the consumate cheese of the Orchestra and the vibraphonist, roasted squid too. By the time he was done, squid was well done. See the roast on YouTube here.

Don't miss Squid's new scuplts now available from his web site Squidart.com

[9/8/08]
When one hears the term "velvet painting", the mind immediately is filled with images of crying Elvis, bullfighters and weird creepy large-eyed children that are meant to be cute. Not so with Robb Hamel's velvet art. Earlier this year (2008), a new artist began posting his tiki-themed velvet paintings on the Tiki Central web forums. They were an immediate hit. Robb's paintings are exceptional. There is nothing cartoonish about the paintings, the subjects are extremely detailed and the use of color to create lighting effects on the velvet is beautiful. Since his posts, Robb has been swamped with commissioned paintings for individuals and has been in demand at art shows.

I was fortunate enough to contact Robb about doing a painting for me just before his work load exploded. My subject was Pele (the Polynesian goddess of fire). I sent Robb some crude sketches of what I had in mind. Robb returned to me something completely different, that I had never thought of. The sketch was so beautiful that I knew it was what I wanted. As you can see, here is the final result. It is pure amazing. I could talk about it for paragraphs here, but I will let the picture speak for itself.

Robb allowed me to name the painting myself. So, I chose the title "The Drums of Lohi'au." The meaning behind the name is in the myth of Pele: After becoming a goddess she makes her home in the "Navel of the World", a crater in Diamondhead volcano. There she sleeps until one day she is awakened by the sound of drums. She stirs and emerges from her home in search of the source of the sounds. She finds that the Prince Lohi'au is pounding the pahu drum. She falls in love with the handsome prince and appears to him as a beautiful woman. The two fall in love, spending three days making rapturous love. So the painting, to me anyway, is the perfect depiction of the moment Pele emerges from her sleep and is just moments away from meeting the love of her life. Hence the name.

Robb is interviewed on Episode 8 of the Quiet Village podcast. Don't miss it.

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