In this special Rabbit Holes feature, host Kawika Hoke sits down with American virtuoso guitarist Tye Austin, whose ability to make the guitar "sing like it was invented only to be in his hands" (NBC News) has taken him from the stage of Carnegie Hall to the shores of Maui.
What unfolds is more than just a musician’s backstory—it’s a meditation on presence, artistry, and how sound shapes the spaces we live in. Recorded roadside on Maui, the interview explores Tye’s relationship to place, legacy, genre, and silence.
Whether you’re a musician, a creative, or someone trying to find rhythm in a chaotic world—this conversation will leave you listening more carefully.
EPISODE NOTES
🎸 Featured Guest: Tye Austin – Virtuoso Guitarist, Composer, Educator 🌐 Website: https://tyeaustin.com 📩 Email: @tyeaustinguitar ▶️ YouTube: Tye Austin Guitar 🎧 SoundCloud: TyeAustinGuitar
🎶 Music in this Episode: “La Vie En Rose” by Édith Piaf — Arranged and performed by Tye Austin
🎟️ UPCOMING TOUR DATES:
➤ May 9, 2025 – 7:30PM ProArts Playhouse – Maui, Hawaii Public concert featuring Spanish flamenco, Latin jazz, Caribbean reggae, and Hawaiian slack-key guitar.
➤ May 15, 2025 – 7:00PM Da Playground – Maui, Hawaii Opening for Grammy nominee Luciano Messenjah. Set includes original reggae music.
➤ May 16, 2025 – 7:00PM Amakua Kava Lounge – Maui, Hawaii Public concert featuring Spanish flamenco, Latin jazz, Caribbean reggae, and Hawaiian slack-key guitar.
➤ May 18, 2025 – 7:00PM Jazz Maui – Maui, Hawaii Latin jazz performance with the house band at Jazz Maui.
➤ June 7, 2025 – 4:30PM Amaterra Winery – Portland, Oregon Private classical guitar concert for special guests.
📢 Support Independent Public Broadcasting This episode of Rabbit Holes was produced by Kawika Hoke for Laulima Public Broadcasting & Content, based in Kīhei, Maui.
If you value local storytelling, fearless conversations, and indie public media—please consider supporting us at: 🌐 https://LPBCMaui.org
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