Candice B, a versatile musician with roots in Kaua’i, has sculpted a distinctive path within the realms of rock, soul, and various other genres through her ensemble, Candice & Co. Her expansive musical journey, which she elaborated on in a conversation with Lyndsey Haraguchi-Nakayama, commenced at a tender age and has seen her oscillate between genres, geographic locales, and even the manner in which her music is produced and distributed.

“I first started in a children’s choir at the age of seven,” she shared, noting a familial influence on her early musical inclinations, as her mother held roles as both her first choir conductor and a music teacher. Pivotal, too, was her mother’s involvement in their church’s musical activities, which frequently saw a young Candice perform before its congregation: “My mother was also our church organ player and pianist, so naturally, I was in front of the congregation almost every Sunday.”

Her trajectory in the musical sphere continued to be as vibrant as it was varied. As Candice articulated, “At 18, I started to dabble in some classic rock with my uncle’s band. Then I moved here to Kauai and got into reggae music. I released the reggae album with my friend Jason Flegel.”

After a stint in Seattle, where she joined a Motown band, and subsequent R&B explorations which saw her album nominated for a Na Hoku Hanohano Award — considered to be Hawaii’s equivalent to the Grammys — in 2015, she made a pivotal decision. “But after that, I decided to just do my own thing, so I started my own band, Candice and Company. Since 2014, I’ve been performing as Candice B, the frontman, and songwriter for Candice and Company.”

A recent solo venture saw her release a single titled “Sweet Hawaii,” a product of her exploration into independent artistry, absent the traditional label oversight. She describes this process as somewhat of an experiment, stating, “This was kind of like my testing the waters to see if I could do it on my own, without a label, without somebody backing me, without somebody telling me how to do it and what to do.” Her independent endeavors don’t stop at production; she’s also involved in the upcoming release of a music video for the single, in which she’s worked with others such as Tyus of Stunna Media, slated for a late fall release.

Her work, particularly “Sweet Hawaii,” comes from a place of deep respect and love for her home, wanting to convey a broader, deeper understanding of its value beyond the typical perception of a vacation haven. She expressed a desire to “change the perception of how people look at Hawaii,” emphasizing its importance as a sacred place for locals, one that symbolizes a model of sustainable living among a diverse population.

Amidst the struggles brought on by the pandemic, which impacted various sectors, including musicians, Candice remains dedicated to her artistry, performing live and continuing to create. “So every penny helps,” she remarks, noting the importance of support, whether through purchasing her single or contributing at live performances, to her continued ability to produce and share her music.

Navigating through diverse musical landscapes, from classic rock to contemporary Hawaiian music, Candice B continues to perform, create, and produce, merging nostalgic melodies with a freshness rooted in her personal and musical journey — a journey that weaves through not just varied musical genres, but also through the intricate tapestry of experiences and locales that have shaped her as an artist.

Candice B.