Hawaii’s Ron Artis II has a knack for drawing close admiration. His rich and creamy vocals adorned by big and beautiful instrumental melodies seem to touch the deepest, darkest parts of your being.
Now 33, he’s been playing guitar since age 13, and with a little help from his father and close friends, he has gifted the world with a much needed revival of soul — and soulful — music.
“I learned a lot of my music from my dad, Ron Artis the first; that’s where I got my name,” Artis explains.
“At an early age I started on the piano and when I was about 13, I got my first guitar. I took a lot of lessons from my dad and really close friends like J.P. Smoketrain and other musicians on the island, and it just kind of grew from there.”
Music became an intrinsic part of his life.
“I think everybody has something that they really love doing. Whether they’re aware of it or not, is a different thing,” he said.
“I was really in love with melodies, like melodies really stuck out to me. The guitar struck me in a way that I spent every day with it.
“I slept with my guitar. It was in my room, it was in my bed. I’d wake up and have it.
“I never really thought about music as a career, or even a choice. It was really just something that I was always burning for, and I always had a great time trying to learn how to express myself through music.”
Artis along with his band The Truth, including bassist Ernie Ecraela Jr. and drummer Stevon Artis, wrap up a successful year of touring with a homecoming show at HB Social Club on Friday.
“My wonderful friend is opening up the evening, Justin Chittams. He’s the drummer for Nahko And Medicine For The People,” Artis said, beaming. “He’s also an amazing singer-songwriter, guitarist and vocalist.”
This will be Artis’ last full concert on Oahu in 2019. He and his band will be headed to Maui Saturday to perform at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center.
“We’ve been on the road since March 5 or something, and we just got back to Hawaii a few weeks ago,” Artis said. “I chose Hawaiian Brian’s because it was the first place I ever did a headlining concert with my family band back in the day. It’s only fitting to go back there.”
The soulful blues singer and guitarist says he’s excited to be back home in Hawaii, and prepping for a home-island show, after more than 8 months on the road.
“On the road this year I’ve been playing a lot of Hammond B3 as well as the guitar,” he said, “so this will be one of the first local shows where I’ll be playing electric guitar as well as the organ.”
The gospel-charged group is ending the year on a high note with gigs booked all the way through October of 2020.
“We’re going to be going to the studio in February to work on a new album, but I don’t know when I’ll be back home to Hawaii,” he said.
“I’m wheels up Jan. 8, we go straight to New York for a Jazz Festival out there. Next year I’ll be sharing the bill with Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeskchi, and Eric Garrels. There are a lot of artists that I really respect that we’re going to be in the same lineup as for 2020.”
Never one to slow down, Artis already has a few more ideas in mind for next year.
“This year, I did my first recording work and performances with a string section,” Artis said. “It’s been a childhood dream to write and perform with a full orchestra, as well as having a performance that features a horn section and a choir for the band.”
The eldest of 11 children, Artis’ unique upbringing lends itself to his music’s ubiquitous realness and simplicity.
His father played music with the family, and was also well-known as an artist who painted many popular murals on the North Shore and elsewhere on Oahu. Artis’ father died in 2010, at age 61.
The family moved to Hawaii from Los Angeles when Artis was 4; seven of his younger siblings were born in the islands.
“They built a life here in Hawaii with us, and that was really cool,” he said. “Growing up in Hawaii versus growing up in L.A., there really is no comparison.
“When it comes to the heart of music and having heart in what you do, Hawaii hands down is better, in my opinion. … Hawaii is a beautiful place for raising a family and really planting your roots as well as feeding and cultivating a good community. I really appreciate Hawaii.”
Artis’s music features an eclectic mix of meaningful lyrics, sensitive melodies, and an array of instruments, pulling inspiration from a little bit of everything.
“I’ve kind of learned that inspiration is really everywhere,” Artis said.
“I try not to get inspired too much by politics,” he added, laughing, “but that’s a part of life too.
“I think one of the strongest things around me is just society. It’s people on a spinning planet in the middle of the universe trying to figure out life. And every day you meet someone new, and everyone has something they’re going through.
“It’s really amazing — we all have this gift of not showing on the outside what we’re dealing with on the inside; it’s sort of a blessing and a curse.
“It’s something I try to be aware of when songwriting: just reminding people that they’re not alone in this. You’re not the only one that feels what you feel and goes through what you go through. To be a reminder that life is beautiful, and the things you need are around you.
“Just take your time and get to know yourself. Learn how to express yourself, and how to make peace with being sensitive. It’s something we kind of step over.”
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IN CONCERT
Ron Artis II
Where:
HB Social Club (formerly Hawaiian Brians), 1680 Kapiolani Blvd.
When:
7:30 p.m. Friday
Cost:
$15
Info:
ronartisii.com, 946-1343
