Some songs instantly transport you somewhere else. The sound of an ukulele. The warmth of a tropical breeze. A favorite drink in hand as the sun dips below the horizon. That spirit comes alive on “Mai Tais in Paradise,” the joyful new single from award-winning family trio SLACK KEY ʻOHANA. The track serves as the first release from the group’s forthcoming album, The ʻOhana Sessions, due August 7 of Pacific Records. Warm, breezy, and effortlessly inviting, “Mai Tais in Paradise” captures everything listeners have come to love about Slack Key ʻOhana: rich three-part vocal harmonies, uplifting musicianship, and the kind of carefree island storytelling that makes everyday worries feel a world away. Co-written by frontman Brian Witkin, the song is inspired by one of his favorite tropical traditions: the iconic Mai Tai; and the simple joy of slowing down long enough to savor life’s moments. “‘Mai Tais in Paradise’ is really about creating a feeling,” says Witkin. “It’s about being present, appreciating where you are, and finding those moments that allow you to escape, even if only for a few minutes. We wanted the song to feel like a mini vacation.”
The essence of Slack Key ʻOhana remains remarkably simple. At its core, the group is still a family making music together. That legacy runs especially deep through Joe Witkin, a founding member of the legendary rock-and-roll group Sha Na Na, who famously performed at the original Woodstock Festival. Today, that multi-generational musical heritage continues through Slack Key ʻOhana’s distinctive blend of Hawaiian slack key guitar, ukulele, island rhythms, blues influences, and heartfelt storytelling. Through more than 100 performances annually across Hawaiʻi and the mainland United States, Slack Key ʻOhana continues to share its message of family, community, and aloha with audiences around the world. The ʻOhana Sessions will be available not only digitally, but also on translucent green 12-inch vinyl, CD, and cassette, offering listeners a variety of ways to experience the warmth and authenticity at the heart of the project.
