Dirty Rice
Oxnard, California, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
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Home Spun - Dirty Rice
Crowd Control
It’s a question that bands debate long into the night after shows and practices: How can some local bands pull large crowds while others spend years gigging and still struggle to get even a handful of friends out? There are a lot of reasons, of course, talent being a big one, but let’s face it — we can all name at least one amazing local artist whose nonexistent draw is baffling. Sometimes, though, a relatively new band can seem to have instant drawing power. In 2012, without question, Ventura County’s breakout act has been the seven-piece South Oxnard reggae band, Dirty Rice.
Family affair
The rapid rise of Dirty Rice is as unlikely as can be. Two brothers, Maualuga and Mataio Valoago and their three cousins, Pika Maiava, Nasau Galeai and Henry Otineru, along with two close friends, Shirley Moore and Charleen Morla, got together to play a few songs at a birthday party for two of the members in 2010 at Sam’s Saloon. It was supposed to be a one-night-only gig, but a funny thing happened, friends and family practically begged the band to play again. With offers for parties and gigs, and with no game plan whatsoever, Dirty Rice was happily forced into being. Where most bands hit a wall when it comes to bringing crowds after a few shows, being a seven-member family band had its immediate benefits. At a Dirty Rice show, you’re likely to see an age range from little kids to senior citizens and everyone in between, who all have some relation to the band. Venues took quick notice of the strong turnouts and suddenly the one-night-only band was fielding offers from virtually every venue in town. As the band’s ultra-friendly guitarist Henry Otineru humorously admits, “Things have happened fast. A year ago, I had no idea what a back line was or what sharing cabs or advancing a show meant. It’s been an extraordinary learning experience.”
Reggae nation
One thing that helps with Dirty Rice’s meteoric local rise is its chosen genre. Ventura, being a Southern California beach town, has always been reggae-friendly territory. Reggae shows at the Ventura Theater are always massively attended, legends like Pato Banton and H.R. from Bad Brains appear from time to time at small venues like Golden China, and the last local band to develop a major local following was Rey Fresco, whose sound is very much reggae-flavored. Local festival and outdoor events that are always looking for acts that can draw crowds and keep them dancing, drinking and eating, have always been eager to book reggae bands. Dirty Rice has benefited from that as well, scoring coveted slots at the Ventura County Fair, Spencer Makenzie’s Block Party, the Aloha Fest and the California Beer Fest to name a few. The band, which earlier in the year kept performances limited, lately has been very busy but is clearly aware of the dangers of overbooking. “We’ve taken a lot of advice from other bands and we’re trying to be really careful not to burn out our audience,” says Otineru.
Future grooves
In between balancing day jobs, a necessary evil when members range in age from 31 to 41, the band is looking to broaden its base. While the first release, a three-song demo, tied for top honors in the local music recording category in VCReporter’s Best Of poll, the plan is to head into the studio with Armand John Anthony next month to make a proper full-length. They’re also eager to take their energetic and positive live show outside Ventura County borders, with recent performances at the House of Blues in Anaheim and their first trip up north to Fresno State Fair this weekend. Dirty Rice has plans to grow in 2013. Whether they’ll have the same trajectory outside out the 805’s borders remains to be seen, but as Otineru puts it, “We’re thankful for the blessing and the opportunity. No matter what happens, this past year has been like a dream for us.” - VC Reporter
Home Spun - Dirty Rice
Crowd Control
It’s a question that bands debate long into the night after shows and practices: How can some local bands pull large crowds while others spend years gigging and still struggle to get even a handful of friends out? There are a lot of reasons, of course, talent being a big one, but let’s face it — we can all name at least one amazing local artist whose nonexistent draw is baffling. Sometimes, though, a relatively new band can seem to have instant drawing power. In 2012, without question, Ventura County’s breakout act has been the seven-piece South Oxnard reggae band, Dirty Rice.
Family affair
The rapid rise of Dirty Rice is as unlikely as can be. Two brothers, Maualuga and Mataio Valoago and their three cousins, Pika Maiava, Nasau Galeai and Henry Otineru, along with two close friends, Shirley Moore and Charleen Morla, got together to play a few songs at a birthday party for two of the members in 2010 at Sam’s Saloon. It was supposed to be a one-night-only gig, but a funny thing happened, friends and family practically begged the band to play again. With offers for parties and gigs, and with no game plan whatsoever, Dirty Rice was happily forced into being. Where most bands hit a wall when it comes to bringing crowds after a few shows, being a seven-member family band had its immediate benefits. At a Dirty Rice show, you’re likely to see an age range from little kids to senior citizens and everyone in between, who all have some relation to the band. Venues took quick notice of the strong turnouts and suddenly the one-night-only band was fielding offers from virtually every venue in town. As the band’s ultra-friendly guitarist Henry Otineru humorously admits, “Things have happened fast. A year ago, I had no idea what a back line was or what sharing cabs or advancing a show meant. It’s been an extraordinary learning experience.”
Reggae nation
One thing that helps with Dirty Rice’s meteoric local rise is its chosen genre. Ventura, being a Southern California beach town, has always been reggae-friendly territory. Reggae shows at the Ventura Theater are always massively attended, legends like Pato Banton and H.R. from Bad Brains appear from time to time at small venues like Golden China, and the last local band to develop a major local following was Rey Fresco, whose sound is very much reggae-flavored. Local festival and outdoor events that are always looking for acts that can draw crowds and keep them dancing, drinking and eating, have always been eager to book reggae bands. Dirty Rice has benefited from that as well, scoring coveted slots at the Ventura County Fair, Spencer Makenzie’s Block Party, the Aloha Fest and the California Beer Fest to name a few. The band, which earlier in the year kept performances limited, lately has been very busy but is clearly aware of the dangers of overbooking. “We’ve taken a lot of advice from other bands and we’re trying to be really careful not to burn out our audience,” says Otineru.
Future grooves
In between balancing day jobs, a necessary evil when members range in age from 31 to 41, the band is looking to broaden its base. While the first release, a three-song demo, tied for top honors in the local music recording category in VCReporter’s Best Of poll, the plan is to head into the studio with Armand John Anthony next month to make a proper full-length. They’re also eager to take their energetic and positive live show outside Ventura County borders, with recent performances at the House of Blues in Anaheim and their first trip up north to Fresno State Fair this weekend. Dirty Rice has plans to grow in 2013. Whether they’ll have the same trajectory outside out the 805’s borders remains to be seen, but as Otineru puts it, “We’re thankful for the blessing and the opportunity. No matter what happens, this past year has been like a dream for us.” - VC Reporter
Shining like the rising sun
Dirty Rice in Ventura
The swingin’ Samoans from Oxnard’s Dirty Rice are performing a pair of CD release gigs today and Saturday in Ventura. First up is a meet-and-greet appearance at Salzer’s Records tonight, then a CD release gig at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Saturday.
The seven-member reggae group — featuring drummer Pika Maiava, bassist Mataio Valoaga, keyboardist Charleen Morla, guitarist Mau Valoaga and singers Shirley Moore, Henry Otineru and Nassau Galea — will unveil its new self-titled CD, which was recorded at Armand John Anthony’s Satellite Studios in Ventura. The disc includes a dozen songs, including “Peace & Harmony,” “No. 1,” “Roots, Rock, Reggae” and “Fool for Love.” There’s even a track called “Oxnard.” Check out these lyrics: “Lively up yourselves, when you touch down in our town / Be ready to have a good time / City lights, said they shine so bright/Make you feel like a superstar, when you know everybody at the bar / Got to shine like the rising sun / Oxnard said here we come.”
In just a couple of years Dirty Rice has been doing bigger and better shows. Otineru, the frontman, seems pleased with the group’s upward mobility — or how Rice went from a side dish to the main course.
“Oh, man, things have been going really well,” Otineru said. “We’ve had a couple of big shows. I shouldn’t say shows I should say opportunities. We played a couple of shows at the House of Blues — the one in Anaheim and the one in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard. We did the Spencer Mackenzie (End of Summer Block Party) last summer and we played at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai at a fundraiser ... all just really cool experiences. And, you know, we had three big shows at the Ventura Theater: We opened for J-Boog and we opened for Rey Fresco and we opened for Iration. We met a lot of cool people along the way — a lot of people willing to help out and give us the support, whether it’s the gig itself or just advice.”
Now the group is gearing up to headline its own show at the Ventura Theater. Going from opener to top dog is sort of daunting, Otineru said.
“You know, we never thought we’d be doing anything like this, man,” he said. “We’re doing (this show) on, pretty much, the biggest stage in Ventura County. That means a lot to us, you know? The Ventura Theater had more faith in us than we did and that’s the coolest thing about the show.”
Dirty Rice will be getting plenty of help from their friends at the Ventura gig. The show also will feature the Ska Daddyz, who have been around forever and are better than ever; Spartacus, a three-piece indie rock band and not just the most-violent show on TV; and the Expanders, an Orange County reggae band whose members promise not to move down here.
Dirty Rice will sign copies of the new CD, and perform a few songs, from 6 to 8 tonight at Salzer’s, 5777 Valentine Road, Ventura. If you’re hungry, there will be two food trucks stationed there: Sam Choy’s Pineapple Express and Sweet Arleen’s Cupcakes. If you bring a “gently used” prom dress to donate to the Prom Dress Project, you’ll get 10 percent off your prom dress purchase. Call 639-2160 for information.
Dirty Rice’s Saturday show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut St. Admission is $10. Stick around for the after-party, which will feature DJ Kinetic. For information, call 653-0721 or visit http://venturatheater.net. The band’s website is http://www.facebook.com/DirtyRice805.
Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/mar/28/new-and-upcoming-concertson-sale-this-week-yeah/?partner=RSS#ixzz2hY7vPyTn
- vcstar.com - Ventura County Star
Shining like the rising sun
Dirty Rice in Ventura
The swingin’ Samoans from Oxnard’s Dirty Rice are performing a pair of CD release gigs today and Saturday in Ventura. First up is a meet-and-greet appearance at Salzer’s Records tonight, then a CD release gig at the Majestic Ventura Theater on Saturday.
The seven-member reggae group — featuring drummer Pika Maiava, bassist Mataio Valoaga, keyboardist Charleen Morla, guitarist Mau Valoaga and singers Shirley Moore, Henry Otineru and Nassau Galea — will unveil its new self-titled CD, which was recorded at Armand John Anthony’s Satellite Studios in Ventura. The disc includes a dozen songs, including “Peace & Harmony,” “No. 1,” “Roots, Rock, Reggae” and “Fool for Love.” There’s even a track called “Oxnard.” Check out these lyrics: “Lively up yourselves, when you touch down in our town / Be ready to have a good time / City lights, said they shine so bright/Make you feel like a superstar, when you know everybody at the bar / Got to shine like the rising sun / Oxnard said here we come.”
In just a couple of years Dirty Rice has been doing bigger and better shows. Otineru, the frontman, seems pleased with the group’s upward mobility — or how Rice went from a side dish to the main course.
“Oh, man, things have been going really well,” Otineru said. “We’ve had a couple of big shows. I shouldn’t say shows I should say opportunities. We played a couple of shows at the House of Blues — the one in Anaheim and the one in Hollywood on Sunset Boulevard. We did the Spencer Mackenzie (End of Summer Block Party) last summer and we played at the Libbey Bowl in Ojai at a fundraiser ... all just really cool experiences. And, you know, we had three big shows at the Ventura Theater: We opened for J-Boog and we opened for Rey Fresco and we opened for Iration. We met a lot of cool people along the way — a lot of people willing to help out and give us the support, whether it’s the gig itself or just advice.”
Now the group is gearing up to headline its own show at the Ventura Theater. Going from opener to top dog is sort of daunting, Otineru said.
“You know, we never thought we’d be doing anything like this, man,” he said. “We’re doing (this show) on, pretty much, the biggest stage in Ventura County. That means a lot to us, you know? The Ventura Theater had more faith in us than we did and that’s the coolest thing about the show.”
Dirty Rice will be getting plenty of help from their friends at the Ventura gig. The show also will feature the Ska Daddyz, who have been around forever and are better than ever; Spartacus, a three-piece indie rock band and not just the most-violent show on TV; and the Expanders, an Orange County reggae band whose members promise not to move down here.
Dirty Rice will sign copies of the new CD, and perform a few songs, from 6 to 8 tonight at Salzer’s, 5777 Valentine Road, Ventura. If you’re hungry, there will be two food trucks stationed there: Sam Choy’s Pineapple Express and Sweet Arleen’s Cupcakes. If you bring a “gently used” prom dress to donate to the Prom Dress Project, you’ll get 10 percent off your prom dress purchase. Call 639-2160 for information.
Dirty Rice’s Saturday show begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Ventura Theater, 26 S. Chestnut St. Admission is $10. Stick around for the after-party, which will feature DJ Kinetic. For information, call 653-0721 or visit http://venturatheater.net. The band’s website is http://www.facebook.com/DirtyRice805.
Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/mar/28/new-and-upcoming-concertson-sale-this-week-yeah/?partner=RSS#ixzz2hY7vPyTn
- vcstar.com - Ventura County Star
Discography
Still working on that hot first release.
Photos
Bio
Dirty Rice is a 7-piece reggae band based in South Oxnard, California. The soulful sound of Dirty Rice is a mix of roots, rock, reggae and hints of ragga combined with never-ending drum grooves, acoustic guitar, wholesome keys, soothing vocal harmonies and rocking bass riffs. Dirty Rice is comprised of a group of local friends and a mix of family - Pika Maiava (drums), Mataio Valoaga (bass), Charl...een Morla (keyboards), Mau Valoaga (Guitar) and combining the heavenly blends on the mics are vocals Shirley Moore, Henry Otineru and Nasau Galeai.
Dirty Rice formed in March of 2010 initially to play at a one time only gig for a birthday party of two of their band members. With such positive response from the crowd of family and friends, they decided to continue rehearsing and began performing at local venues throughout the 805. Dirty Rice was soon capturing the crowds with their unique and intriguing sound by performing known reggae covers to their very own feel good originals. Since then, Dirty Rice has had the honor and privilege of backing headline acts including reggae legends from Pato Banton and Don Carlos to more current acts such as Lion, Rey Fresco, Jboog, Iration among other groups.
Dirty Rices island vibe style is great for all occasions and any crowd that likes to layback, chill, or party and groove on the dance floor. Their versatile blend, uplifting lyrics and sincere energy moves the crowd at any venue whether it be for intimate crowds at private parties, festivals, benefit shows to audiences at the House of Blues (Anaheim), The Mint (Los Angeles), SoHo (Santa Barbara), The Libbey Bowl (Ojai) to local spots in Ventura Ventura Theater, Bombays, The Pierpont Inn and the place where it all began, Sams Saloon in South Oxnard.
Band Members
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