RON ARTIS II has been paradise’s best kept secret for years and now he’s making big waves on the mainland and beyond. 2.26 Wednesday (Soul) Nectar & Soul'd Out present: RON ARTIS II & THE TRUTH Ethan Tucker $13adv 7pm, 21+ Nectar Lounge 412 N 36th St www.nectarlounge.com RON ARTIS II & THE TRUTH Website | Spotify To say that Ron Artis II plays music from his heart and soul would be a bit of understatement. With his family upbringing and incredible early success, you may even say it has been pre-ordained. So how does one of the great musical talents of his generation come seemingly out of nowhere? Well, that part of the mystery is easy to solve. He’s been paradise’s best kept secret for years and now he’s finally making big waves on the mainland and beyond. Ron moved to Oahu, Hawaii with his family when he was only four years old. And what a prodigious family it is! He is one of eleven total children, all of whom grew up immersed in a creative and religious household led by his musically gifted parents. Ron explains “My mother is a beautiful singer and my biggest influence on my approach to singing. My father was always the performer, the writer and arranger.” While developing his multi-instrumental prowess playing in the Artis Family Band, Ron quickly took to piano and guitar as his main modes of expression. His mastery of both—in addition to numerous other instruments—quickly made evident that he was special. As he got older and played more around Oahu, others quickly recognized his gifts as well. Mick Fleetwood (Fleetwood Mac), Jack Johnson, Jake Shimabukuro and many others recognized the incredible talent that was taking root on their isolated island paradise. Ron has gone on to play with all of them and more across Hawaii’s most prestigious venues with his own band that he put together (featuring brother Stevon on drums) aptly called, "The Truth." Those opportunities led to more exposure to artists from the mainland who, while they were touring the islands, all immediately recognized the unique talent they were witnessing. Booker T Jones, Eric Krasno (Soulive, Lettuce) and G Love all invited (and in some cases demanded) Ron to collaborate and encouraged him to share his music with the broader world. This support aligned perfectly with Ron's vision for his music: "To me, music is about giving. When I'm performing, I let go of everything. I look out into an audience and feel: 'What do they need right now?' We as artists have been given a gift and gifts are meant to be shared." Which catches us back up to today. Ron has now embarked on 3 full US Tours, playing sell out shows from coast to coast with his long list of collaborators and more. His debut full length album “Soul Street” just dropped in early April, 2018 and has already garnered wide critical praise. The album crystallizes the full range of Ron’s influences—deep Delta Blues and Gospel, plus Northern Soul and R&B, alongside in-depth and personal lyrics—into a tight collection of fresh yet familiar songs that are at once urgent and timeless. With a full schedule of festivals booked across North America in Summer 2018 and a Fall itinerary that is quickly filling up, it is becoming readily apparent that the rest of the world will be finding out soon enough about this incredible talent from the remote island in the middle of the Pacific. So get ready for the tidal wave of heart and soul music that is Ron Artis II & The Truth as they come to a city near you! Ethan Tucker Facebook Ethan Tucker’s trademark sound of acoustic roots and layered electric guitars combined with an unmistakable soulful and bluesy vocal, is a recipe which has garnered attention from some of his most popular contemporaries, as well as bonafide legends. Born in Olympia, Washington, Ethan has traveled the country with Jimmy Cliff, Buddy Guy, and The Wailers as well as national support slots with musical peers Slightly Stoopid, G-Love, and Michael Franti. With Ethan’s newest release Misunderstood, now out on Stoopid Records (May 5, 2015) his enthusiasm for collaboration is seamlessly exemplified on his 11-song album produced by Michael Franti and Mario Caldato Jr., (Beastie Boys, Jack Johnson, G Love), and includes special guests Money Mark, Norwood Fisher (Fishbone) and Thomas Pridgeon (Mars Volta). Ethan’s career took off after impressing Michael Franti with an impromptu backstage jam in Spearhead’s dressing room long before ever playing a show together. Ethan was summoned by Franti to come to his studio in San Francisco, CA to record what would later become some of the more infectious tracks on Misunderstood. From there, a bond between the two artists was solidified. The first single “Crazy Tonight” was arranged, recorded, produced at Franti’s studio, also features him on guest vocals. This track, coupled with the reggae-pop hybrid “Cool Kids” (also produced by Franti) opens a new album that is a cohesive coming of age for an artist in Ethan’s shoes - except “ET” as some fans call him, doesn’t wear shoes! ! “I think Ethan is going to be a perennial artist for a lifetime of music. He is not somebody who you think is going to be like three years on the map and then you never hear from them again. “He is going to be an artist to me like Ben Harper or Jack Johnson or even John Lee Hooker." An who plays music until they can’t play anymore.” - Michael Franti "Ethan is amazing at whatever he does. Singing, strumming, shredding the guitar on leads, or just making people smile. He's good at it all. His latest album Misunderstood has many variations of styles. My favorite song off it is "This has all been a dream". It best captures Ethan's talent and personality Good music is great, but when the personality and character of the person making the music is just as great, there ain't nothin' better. "- Kyle McDonald, Slightly Stoopid