http://www.starbulletin.com/features/20081024_Isla...

Hey every​one!​ If you'​re wonde​red about​ the Cruz siste​rs and where​ they'​ve gone since​ The Girla​s have becom​e a trio,​ take a look at this revie​w of their​ new solo album​s and band album​ under​ One Right​ Turn.​ The Girla​s are excit​ed for our siste​rs!​ Look for the album​(​s)​ in store​s and on iTune​s!

Kokua Festival Girla Gallery

Photos (c) BigFacePhotography & CJ Leilikis unless noted otherwise.

Take a peek!

Three new tracks have been posted in honor of The Girlas gearing up to record album number 2. Look for fresh new tunes from Candy, Carly, and Kelli and enjoy the stripped down scratch tracking that is now available for your ears.

Mahalo!

John Berger, Star Bulletin


"Now Or Never"
The Girlas
(Kototama Productions)


This new group of six "solo artists and artisans" embraces the popular and proven tradition of soul-baring female singer/songwriters with this beautiful collection of tranquil acoustic originals. Several guests occasionally add instrumental support, but it's the women's sultry voices and smooth harmonies that are the foundation of this charming listening experience.

Each introspective composition seems more exquisite than the other. Whether they're singing of heartbreak, troubled relationships or an enigmatic encounter with angels, the Girlas are an enchanting discovery for fans of smooth pop music.

Kototama Productions, LLC
P.O. Box 2273
Honolulu, HI 96804

Girlas offer sweet harmonies

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

The Girlas are twentysomethings with plentysomething to offer including fresh sounds and fresh views on the many layers of love.

"NOW OR NEVER" BY THE GIRLAS; KOTOTAMA RECORDS

.. Genre: World music, acoustic folk.

.. Distinguishing notes: The Girlas are six twentysomethings Tiffa Cruz, Carly Smith, Candy Diaz, Kelli Heath, Anela Choy and Connie Cruz with vision and voice, who write their own tunes and trade time singing lead. Their acoustic sound incorporates several genres of music, including folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass, country, light rock and ki ho'alu, and their songs examine the many facets of love, friendship and kinship. "Make You Mine," "Nightshades," "Ghost," "Crazy," "And I Go" are splendid sound pictures, eloquent and textured. The 12 titles create an alluring portrait of an emerging group with something to say. The harmonies are sweet; the lingering passions sweeter. Think Na Leo with attitude and soul. And zoom in on the riffs provided by a half-dozen guests, including Imua Garza, Mark Lutwak and Vern Ahmad.

.. The outlook: One of the year's best.

.. Our take: The Girlas are great because they're both unpredictable and prolific.

The Midweek: For those of your that didn't catch The Girlas in the Midweek, check out this link: Hot Ticket - Prime. Kelli and Candy also got a little mention reviewing Prime in The Starbulletin. The Honolulu Weekly: And for those of you that didn't catch the HW article, view it right hea! The Podcast: Calling all you podcast listeners! Hawaii's very own Dr. Trey has jumped into the podcasting world with co-host and rockstar extraordinaire Jroq. You can find their pod cast on iTunes by searching for Dr. Trey or you can visit http://www.drtrey.com. And!!! our very own Ms. Kelli Heath (Keldra Heathanovich) was featured on episode 9 (24 minutes into the show) talking about The Girlas, Hale Noa, as well as playing one of her slack key styled masterpieces. Get your podcast. The Gigs: We're still at Hale Noa every Saturday night at 9:30pm to 12ish. Come and have a bowl and give The Girlas a listen. The Album: We're mixing, and working on album art. Soon we'll be mastering and then pressing. Expect some Girla cds to be hitting the stores this December. Stocking stuffers people, stocking stuffers! :)

The Album: Today marks the last day of The Girlas in studio. After that, it's mixing and mastering, pressing and shipping, and we're good to go. Look for the album out this December. The Midweek: Look in your mailboxes! The Girlas are in this week's Midweek as the celebrity reviewers for the movie Prime with Uma Thurman and Meryl Streep. The Gigs: The Girlas are still going strong everyday Saturday night at Hale Noa. Due to a family emergency, Carly is off island till December 6th and Anela, our 5th Girla is standing in on bass. Come see us play, Saturday at 9pm.

More news for wondering minds. The Honolulu Weekly: Tomorrow (Oct. 5) The Girlas will be featured via a small profile in the weekly. Thank You to Jamie Winnpenny of Doolin' Rakes fame for getting us into the paper. UPDATE: The article came out this week, October 12-18 with our good friend Solomon Enos on the cover Ernie Halter: Yesterday (Oct. 3), The Girlas had the pleasure of sharing the stage at Hale Noa with Ernie Halter. Aside from being kind, Ernie proved himself an outstanding performer. To learn more about Ernie and pick up his CD, please go to his myspace at http://www.myspace.com/erniehalter. The shows: The Girlas have added new shows for the month of October. Aside from tonight's monthly show at Otooles (where Candy and Kelli do some of their solo music), the Girlas will be playing at the Kava Festival this Saturday and at Kapono's this Sunday. Another notable gig will be at Sunset on the Beack Waikiki later in the month. Please check the gig calender for updates. The album: Things are still cracking in studio. With a couple more tracks to lay, the Girlas are very excited about the album release. Presales have begun, for more information, please send us a message or an email at thegirlas@gmail.com. The top 8: Help the Girlas make friends by adding them to your top 8 friends on your friends list. You can do so by clicking on the "home" tab after you've logged in. The top 8 feature should be at the bottom of your page.

Here's the latest news for those wondering about THE GIRLAS The website: http://www.thegirlas.com has gone through a site make over. Up and running, new features on the site include picture galleries, Girla bios, links to friends, and more. The album: Still working in studio, the album should be hitting stores within this winter season. For those wanting to do so, The Girlas will begin pre-selling their album through the record label Kototama Productions. The gigs: The Girlas may be taking a short break from their regular weekly gigs at Tryst Waikiki. The Girlas can still be found playing weekly on Saturday nights at Hale Noa 'Awa Bar on Kapahulu. Show starts at 9pm. Also, Candy Diaz and Kelli Heath perform at Otooles Irish Pub every 1st Tuesday of the month for True Tone Coors Original Music Tuesdays. Please refer to The Girlas gig calender for any changes.