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(April 27, 2010 – MAUI, HI) - The Hawai‘i Academy of Recording Arts recently announced its finalists for the 2010 Na Hoku Hanohano Awards, and Hawai‘i’s newest emerging pop-rock outfit, The Throwdowns, were nominated for two Na Hoku Hanohano Awards. The Maui band’s debut, “Don’t Slow Down,” earned a nomination for Rock Album of the Year, and the creative team behind The Throwdowns’ imagery—Dogtowne Design’s Scott Johnson and Tony Novak-Clifford Photography—were nominated for the Graphics Award for best designed and created album package. 

“We are extremely honored and surprised at the nominations,” said The Throwdowns. “This album melds our stylistic hold in modern, edgy pop with our muse—Hawaiian music, roots and influences.” 

The Throwdowns’ “Don’t Slow Down” garnered many accolades over the year, including shortlisting on several critics’ “best of” lists and the respect of a local music scene that has embraced the hard-working musicians’ fresh, island rock. The Throwdowns feel very fortunate to have the awesome support of a loyal, and rapidly growing, fan-base on their voyage to worldwide success.  

The Throwdowns remain humble as they continually receive invites to play with some of Hawai‘i’s most notable artists, including Henry Kapono and Amy Hanaiali‘i, and have shared stages, big and small, with such international touring acts as The Fray, Matisyahu, Bad Brains, 311, NOFX, the English Beat and many others. Some band highlights include hearing the panache prince of Panic! At The Disco, Brendon Urie, warming up vocally with their “On The Radio” at the Waikiki Shell last year, or a backstage declaration by Metallica’s James Hetfield at a recent Sammy Hagar show regarding The Throwdowns’ “really big sound.”  

The debut album’s strength and “spinnability,” along with the band’s explosive live performances, led The Throwdowns to a national distribution deal with ADA/Warner Music Group. To their surprise, “Don't Slow Down” has sold as well in New York as it has in their homebase of Hawai‘i. Written by band members Erin Smith, Ola Shaw, Kimo Clark and Ian Hollingsworth, and engineered/produced/mixed and mastered by Shaw’s We Are More Productions, “Don’t Slow Down” is just the first step in a sound that is evolving organically, and headed full speed for a broader audience.

NOMINATIONS: A CONVERSATION WITH THE CREATIVE TEAM
“Our graphics were an artistically intense process,” said The Throwdowns. “Getting the imagery our team and our band were looking for required the meeting of minds, and many hours of brainstorming and shooting.” 

Artistic forces, Scott Johnson and Tony Novak-Clifford, took the time to document the experience and posted a blog about the creative process behind “Don’t Slow Down.” Take a glimpse into the building of the Hoku nominated graphics at http://www.tonynovak-clifford.blogspot.com/2010/04/na-hoku-nominations-conversation-with.html.  

“Mahalos to Scott Johnson of Dogtowne Design and Tony Novak-Clifford Photography for doing such tremendous work on ‘Don't Slow Down,’” said the Throwdowns. “Their nomination is well-deserved.”

KGMB, ROADRUNNER MUSIC HALL AND PIPELINE CAFÉ PERFORMANCES
In celebration of The Throwdowns’ Na Hoku Hanohano nominations, and in support of national release of “Don’t Slow Down,” the band will be performing live on the KGMB Sunrise morning show on Thursday, April 29.  Later the same day, The Throwdowns will take the stage at Clear Channel’s Road Runner Music Hall, which will air live on the web at 3 p.m. Watch from your home, office or phone by heading to www.star1019.com to find the broadcast. The Throwdowns are proud to release the re-mastered version of “Don't Slow Down” nationally, through ADA/Warner Music Group, with an official launch party on Friday evening, April 30, at Honolulu’s Pipeline Café. Tickets available at Pipeline and the University of Hawai‘i Box Office.

THE THROWDOWNS
The Throwdowns hail from the island of Maui, and continue to make waves in Hawai‘i’s music scene in their first year together. Their dynamic sound is often compared to the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Santigold, The Pretenders, The Clash, but with an electro-club, Hawaiian edge. Their single “Kïhei Town” hit No. 1 on several radio stations, and their big shows routinely sell out. The band is currently working on a new album, and head to Los Angeles soon to perform showcases at the Warner Music Group offices. The energetic outfit consists of a Canadian girl, two Hawaiian guys and one man from Pennsylvania who have no intention of slowing down in their mission to “take over the world.” 

ON THE WEB | www.thethrowdowns.com
Follow The Throwdowns via Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. And, check them out on YouTube at www.youtube.com/thethrowdownsmaui.