MELE program instructor wins Na Hoku Hanohano Award

Eric Lagrimas received top honors at the 34th annual music awards event

Honolulu Community College
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Posted: Jun 13, 2011

Eric Lagrimas with his award for Extended Play Release of the Year
Eric Lagrimas with his award for Extended Play Release of the Year
Honolulu – Music & Entertainment Learning Experience (MELE) instructor and producer of Pass Out Records, Eric Lagrimas, was honored at the 34th annual Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards for Extended Play Release Album of the Year presented by the Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts (HARA).
 
"Solo Ukulele: The King of Pop is an album I produced for my brother and recording artist, Abe Lagrimas, Jr. We're both big fans of Michael Jackson's music. Instead of a full blown arrangement of the songs, I went more for a solo, intimate approach," shares the multi-talented Lagrimas. "With Abe as the primary artist, other up and coming ukulele artists were also invited to be a part of the album, such as, Kalei Gamiao, Chris Salvador and Jason Arimoto. We didn't have enough material to put out a full length, long playing (LP) album so we made the album an extended play (EP) release.” 

Founded in the summer of 2003 by Lagrimas, his brother Abe and friend Randy Wong, the history of Pass Out Records recalls their grassroots effort to "pass out" as many fliers for upcoming gigs while living in the Boston area. After a day's work canvassing the city, they would simply "pass out" from their efforts. 

Pass Out Records' artists and releases have achieved national and international accolades in numerous music circles ranging from Nā Hōkū Hanohano award nominations and appearances at prestigious music festivals such as South By Southwest to license deals in foreign markets and key tours and cultural performances in Europe, Mexico, Canada and Asia. This is Pass Out Record’s first Hōkū award.  

Lagrimas graduated from Waipahu High in 1995 and went on to Boston to receive a bachelor’s of music degree in music business/management from Berklee College of Music. As the business music instructor for the MELE program at Honolulu Community College he enjoys sharing his lessons learned with MELE students. “I always stress to be passionate about what you do. I think if you have that, things will fall into place,” said Lagrimas.  

For Lagrimas, sky’s the limit.  A drummer for the popular ska punk band, PIMPBOT, he is gearing up for the release of their third album next month and he is also working on an international project to be released in Asia later this year.

Honolulu Community College’s Music & Entertainment Learning Experience program is the first of its kind in the state that offers students associate of science degrees in music business and audio engineering technology. The goal of MELE is to invest in local talent to grow Hawai‘i's music industry and broaden its reach to the world.  

For more information, visit: http://honolulu.hawaii.edu/mele/