Kioea is an instrumental band based in the Seacoast Region. Members include Carand Burnet (guitar), Jonathan Blakeslee (double bass) and Jim Rioux (drums). Kioea’s soundscapes are created from intricate guitar solos, melodic bass grooves and rhythmic drums. Their songs blend American Surf Psychedelia with the global styling of Ethio Jazz, Anatolian Rock and Dub.
Named after an extinct bird that lived on the Island of Hawaiʻi, Kioea (pronounced kī’-ō-ē’a) translates to mean “stand tall.” Learn about the bird that first inspired this project.