An Important Release of Lost Vintage Exotica
[8/9/10]
Exotica, as a musical genre, is rare, sparsely populated and hard to keep track of. The reissue of an exotica rarity on CD, in itself a rarity. Today, there are a number of vintage exotica albums that have been reissued on CD, but are already out of print and back in the "scarce" pile again. But the rarest of the rare, is the release of vintage exotica that was never originally released in the 60's in the first place. Such is the case with the Beachcomber Trio.

Exotica guru Jeff Chenault was fortunate enough to know Marsh Padilla, a member of the original Beachcomber Trio--the house band at the Kahiki Polynesian Restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. While helping Marsh move one day, he unearthed a box of reel-to-reel tapes. Those tapes contained the raw recordings of the Beachcomber Trio from 1965--recorded right in the Kahiki Restaurant during dinner hours.

Fast forward to now and the Beachcomber Trio, Live at the Kahiki is now a reality. Dionysus Records just released the vintage recordings on vinyl no less. So now we have a rare vintage exotica restaurant record that is also brand new. The recordings are a real time capsule. You can hear the patrons chatting at their tables and the faint trickle of the Kahiki's water fountain. All of this and the music of the trio creates a sonic space that is a bonafied time machine.

The cover artwork and liner notes on the LP are first rate. Holding the LP in your hand, you quickly forget this is a new release and soon begin to feel as though you scored a major find of a vintage record at a swap meet. The other exciting thing about this release is that, those who purchase the LP's (which are limited to 500 numbered copies) also get a coupon for a free digital download of a high resolution MP3 copy of the album as well. That way, you don't have to digitize it yourself in order to put it on your ipod. This release was done so well. I can't say enough good things about it. If you're a serious exotica collector, you have to have this. Listen to tracks from the new Beachcomber Trio LP on Episode 32 of the Quiet Village podcast. Also, hear the interview with Jeff Chenault on episodes 23 & 24 as he discusses rare exotica LP's and the finding of the Beachcomber Trio tapes. You will also hear a super rare extended version of the Beachcomber Trio performing "Yellow Bird."

Tucson Desert Is About To Burn A Little Brighter
[3/30/10]
There are so many tiki events that are truly amazing. But Relight The Night is one that you must attend because it will only happen once. Tucson, Arizona is the setting, the vintage Kon Tiki Restaurant is the location and the reason is the sign. Shown left, the Kon Tiki sign is an icon, not just in Arizona but throughout the world of Tiki. When the Kon Tiki first opened its doors in 1963, the 30 foot sign had two gas tiki torches that lit up the desert night. Fast forward to 2010 and the torches were a nice set piece but hadn't worked in more than 25 years.

Today the Kon Tiki spent a great deal of money and effort to fully restore the pyrotechnic functionality of the torches in an effort that is rare and should be applauded in today's economic climate. To commemorate the lighting of the torches, Mark and Maggie Bloom of Velvet Glass, along with the management of the Kon Tiki have created an event that is one for the record books. The event will feature the Tikiiyaki Orchestra, Thee Swank Bastards and Shrimp Chaperone. The actual lighting ceremony honor will go to Flam Chen-an acrobatic group that is famous for their use of ...you guessed it, FIRE! Vendors and a raffle will round out the event, which is also being hosted to raise money for a local Tucson no-kill animal shelter. How can you not want to support this?

I must say, that the sign of these vintage torches blazing bright again in the hot Tucson desert night will be a tiki spectacle that will have no equal. If it lives up to my expectations, I expect to feel transported back to Americana of the early 1960's for just a brief moment in time. I expect to feel like a time traveler with the sight of the flaming torches and the sounds of vintage exotica from the Tikiyaki Orchestra wafting over the mesquite-laden scent of the Arizona evening. And I'm pretty sure that it will happen, for a split second, I will actually be back there.

Mark & Maggie join me for an interview in episode 28 in which they talk about little known facts about the history of the Kon Tiki, Tucson's tiki past and their amazing artwork with Velvet Glass.

New Episode finally up...finally!
[2/15/10]
Ok, so I know its been a while. I've got some pretty frantic emails from people affraid that the end of the Village was at hand. But rest assured, I was just down with a bad cold. The newest episode of the Quiet Village is up and available. This episode features an interview with Hawaiian entertainer Ernie Menehune from his ranch in Tucson, Arizona. See the article below about Ernie to learn more.

Mahalo and Happy 2010!!!
DigiTiki

Ernie Menehune Live

[10/19/09]
Most people have not heard of Ernie Menehune, aka Hawaii's Suntanned Irishman. That's probably because most people in the neuvo tiki movement today are just too darned young. But just betcha that if you do a search on Ebay for "Menehune", you'll see at least one of his records from the mid 1960's up for auction.

That is exactly how I first came to know Ernie's work. I found an LP on Ebay that looked rather interesting. The title was "Hawaii's Suntanned Irishman" and I was intrigued enough to bid and won (nobody else bid against me). That was essentially it.

Fast forward to 4 years later when I became friends with two extraordinarily talented artists in the new Tiki scene Mark & Maggie Bloom of Velvet Glass. Their home hut is located in Tucson, Arizona--another island that I frequent. It turns out the Mark and Maggie, 2 transplants from New York, have become good friends and promotors of Ernie who calls Tucson home.

Ernie was a top entertainer during the 50's and 60's in Las Vegas and Phoenix. Ernie's shows were complete with music, comedy and dancers, all set against the backdrop of mid-century Polynesian Pop that constituted the original Tiki movement in America. Later in his career, Ernie's plied his trade in supper clubs and theaters in Arizona--primarily the Tucson and Phoenix areas. Ernie later retired to Old Tucson, where he built his home.("Menehune Village") complete with lagoon, stage, luau grounds and tikis.

Today, Ernie is still performing occasionally at the local vintage Tiki temple in Tucson, the Kon-Tiki. Once a year, he also holds a huge fundraiser party for the Tucson Polynesian Society which he founded. The Society is for displaced people of Polynesian descent living in the Tucson area. The luau/fundraiser is held at Ernie's Menehune Village home where he performs his Island shtick to a packed crowd of Tucsonans. I was fortunate enough to be able to attend the most recent luau and performance this September. It was fun cheese-filled evening.

I hope to have some video from that performance up on the site soon. I will also be airing an interview with Ernie Menehune conducted by Exotica expert Jeff Chenault on an upcoming podcast episode.

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

We Chose To Go To The Moon
Relive the Apollo 11 Moon Shot, Moment By Moment

[7/17/09]
"We choose to go the moon and do the other things--not because they are easy, but because they are hard." With those immortal words exclaimed by John F. Kennedy, the United States and the human race would embark on a mission to set foot on the moon. No other such ambitious task had ever been under taken in the history of man kind--the trek to another world outside of our atmosphere. This year is the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon shot.

I was 1 year old when Apollo moon launch and landing riveted the world. I don't personally remember it, but my mother and grandparents told me stories about sitting around the black and white TV watching every moment of this historic event....of course with me sitting in their laps.

I was thrilled to find out that NASA is reliving the moon launch and landing IN REAL TIME!!. If you were young enough to remember, or want to find out what the Apollo mission was like, you can relive it moment by moment.

go to: We Chose The Moon.org

This is a wonderful web site by NASA in which they are playing ALL of the Apollo 11 and ground controller as well as showing the exact location of the space vehicle, all in real time. Not only do they let you hear the transmissions and see a ear t-to-moon mission map, the web site also features very large movies that trigger at specific times in the mission to show what exactly is happening at that particular moment, such as final stage separation and docking in orbit.

I woke up early this morning and witnessed the lift off. Its not tiki, but hey, its a major story in the history of the human race--proof that we can achieve momentous things for greater good of us all.

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.

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