









Nipper
Hawaii’s underground music scene may be little known around the world, yet in the past few years it has operated as a magnet for world-class artists, and produced some of the most unique home-groomed musical talents. Flourished from this aloha-style, catalyzing vibe, Akio is one of the most promising artists to emerge from the Hawaiian waters. After years of musical grooming in more traditional avenues such as guitar, bass, and ukulele, Akio finally finds his epiphany on a magic night listening to house icon Behrouz playing here in Honolulu, at the now extinct club Maze. Since then, turntables and records have been Akio’s only source of daily nourishment, and his deeply-felt passion and commitment have resulted in a unique style, unspoiled by commercial influences, cultivated by excellent role-models such as Howells, Masiello, Lee Burridge and Sasha, reflecting Akio’s own original taste and personality. A blend of progressive, deep and tech-house, Akio’s style always surprises the audience with its funky and uplifting elements..
This distinctive and exciting musical approach has won Akio many local and national residencies and gigs over the years. During his residency at the Living Room, the only cutting-edge house venue in Honolulu until its demise in 2006, Akio opened and often played with some of the best international DJs and producers (and Hawaii lovers), such as Lee Burridge, Satoshi Tomiie, Behrouz, Paolo Mojo, Luke Fair, Dj Three, Osamu M, Steve Porter, Fred Everything, Chris Fortier, Jimmy Van M, Dimitri From Paris, Christian Cambas, and Asad Rizvi, among others.
Summer 2006 finds Akio joining the Feedback-Bookings roster of Buenos Aires. After hearing an Akio Promo mix, Ricky Ryan immediately asked Akio to be one of only three US DJ's to be a part this prestigious roster. December 2006 Akio becomes resident DJ at Hawaii’s first state of the art venue, Lotus Soundbar. With a world class sound system designed by Shorty of Stereo in Montreal, it is set to be the future of House Music in Honolulu. Akio continues to maintain gigs across the state. Internationally, besides the residency at SatelliteSF (www.satellitesf.com), he is constantly touring North America. At the same time, his new commitment as A&R of a new Hawaii/LA based label –Propaganda in Paradise- is another confirmation of his talent and good ear for good music.

