Reflection: 10 Years in the Music Scene

2019 is a pretty monumental year for me in my life. 2019 is the 10 year mark since my first album was released.

At 23 years old, under a small independent label ran by my aunty and my manager, we released my self titled debut, Anuhea. It was a culmination of all the songs I had written in my life until that point. Songs I had penned about finding myself through soul searching backpacking odysseys through Australia, reading books like The Secret, Understanding the Mind, and The Alchemist. It included songs about making and learning from mistakes in my budding love life and young career. It was the first time I had been in a REAL professional studio, working and writing with other seasoned professionals, rather than recording at public access radio stations or friend’s basements. This album ended up putting me on the map in Hawai'i, as I ended up winning two Na Hoku Hanohano Awards from this album: Contemporary Album of the Year and Most Promising Artist.

It kickstarted this music-career journey that has taken me on the most amazing wild ride ever. Winning awards, losing awards, developing my skills as a singer, musician and businesswoman. It gave me the opportunity to perform for troops overseas, for His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for couples getting engaged, half time shows and national anthems at NFL and NBA games, on stage with some of my idols, and countless more.

Maximizing these opportunities has provided for myself, and helped me develop freedom I didn't have before. Financial freedom, creative freedom and a lifestyle for my son and I that is comfortable and nuturing. I am so beyond grateful to be in the place I am.

With this now DECADE in the music scene, I want to take this New Years season to REFLECT and appreciate everything I’ve come from. All the places I’ve been, the people I’ve met, the inspiration I’ve gathered, and really own who i am and who I have become in the process.

Furthermore, I want to CHALLENGE myself more than ever to take on these NEXT 10 years with such intent and focus, so that the years I have left on this Earth can be maximized and enjoyed to their full potential.

My goal for 2019 and beyond is simply: to live my best life.

In the process of striving to do so, and SHARING my mana’o (story/message) with you, I hope to inspire others to do the same.

With that, I welcome you to my (hopefully) weekly blog/vlog I'm calling: Keeping it Real While Maintaining the Aloha. Hope you'll tune in and be a part:)

Aloha always,

Anuhea