The journey of Crossing Rain, a Hawai’ian boy group, is as diverse and vibrant as the culture they represent. With a shared dream of spreading hope and inspiration through their music, one thing is promised: to get you stomping your feet regardless of your age. After they debuted in 2021 with an EP, Dreams, Crossing Rain grabbed my attention with their vigour, warm personalities, and, above all, their talent. 

Each member brings a unique mix of influences, hobbies, and experiences to the group. Monarch, with his passion for poetry, hiking, DJing, and music production, leads the charge in making the beats. Jorden, the sole representative of the Kānaka people, brings a deep-rooted determination to educate others about his culture, alongside his love for sandwiches, sushi, and hobbies like golfing, shopping, and skincare. Drawing from musical icons like Michael Jackson and Justin Bieber, Jorden’s journey to preserve and share the rich heritage of the Kānaka people has just begun. 

Devin’s journey from high school graduate to K-pop aficionado fills their music with youthful energy, while Asher’s eclectic mix of hobbies adds a dynamic and spontaneous vibe to the creative process. Lastly, Shotaro’s love for anime, manga, and dance rounds out the group’s diverse interests and passion for making music. And let’s not forget that their vocals and rapping skills are very impressive!

Their name, Crossing Rain, reflects their mission to travel across oceans and cultures, blessing the world with their unique mix of music. But before diving into their creative process, it’s essential to understand the rich heritage of Hawai’i and its indigenous people, which Jorden proudly represents. With a history spanning over 800 years, the Kānaka have built a distinct cultural identity, reflected in their music, language, and traditions. Despite the challenges of colonialism and years of struggling to keep their culture alive, Jorden is resilient and determined to educate others about it not only through Crossing Rain’s music but also through discussing his roots, even if it is through interviews like ours. 

As we discussed their creative process, from writing lyrics to choreographing dance routines, it’s clear that collaboration and unity are at the heart of their music-making journey. Each song, whether it’s the heartfelt Unfamiliar or the upbeat 2 Little 2 Late, shows the group’s shared vision for their craft.

Looking ahead, Crossing Rain’s future shines bright with promises of new singles, performances, and exciting projects on the horizon. With a growing fanbase spanning the globe, they’re excited to connect with audiences worldwide and wherever their music takes them. So, wherever you are, keep your eyes peeled and your ears alert – Crossing Rain is ready to make waves, one song at a time.

View of the Arts: So, obviously, this is going to be the most common question of all. But first, I want to ask you guys about how it all started for you. How did you come together? As there are different stories online, I really want to hear it from you personally. 

Monarch: Well, thank you so much for having us. We are honoured and thrilled to be interviewed by you all the way from London. Originally, our previous record label put us together by scouting the internet to find people they wanted to audition. Each of us received a personal invitation to audition, and we all met each other on the first day. Since then, we’ve become not only best friends but also close collaborators.

VOA: It’s quite amazing to learn that you didn’t know each other prior to becoming a group. One could say that you have known each other for ages; you have such beautiful energy together. So, why Crossing Rain? Did you do a lot of brainstorming to find the best possible name?

Jorden: Crossing Rain is the name that we all thought was fitting in regards to our origin and the message that we carry. “Crossing” represents the crossing of oceans and people, lands and continents around the world. And “Rain” in Hawai’i, where we come from, symbolises blessings and life. So, we want to cross oceans and continents and [meet] different people to be that blessing, that life [for people out there].

VOA: You recently released your new single, 2 Little 2 Late. Could you walk me through the creative process, especially the vocal and musical arrangements? I love how you distributed the lines and how your voices harmonised in the chorus. Did you encounter any creative differences while making the song?

Devin: Oh, thanks for asking, and I’m glad you enjoyed the song! The creative journey behind 2 Little 2 Late began with Monarch laying down the beat, which he had actually written a while back. About two years ago, we revisited it, and we all agreed that it had serious potential. We knew we had to do something with it. So, we dove in, each contributing to the lyrics, melodies, and overall vibe of the track. Of course, as with any collaborative effort, there were moments of creative divergence. Everyone in the group brings their unique perspective and ideas to the table, which is what makes working as a team so rewarding. But when it comes to songwriting, cohesion is key. We had to ensure our messages aligned and that the track flowed seamlessly. It was all about finding that sweet spot where our individual voices merged into one cohesive sound. And that’s how 2 Little 2 Late came to life.

VOA: I want to talk about musical arrangement and your line distribution. It is so flawless when you listen to the song. How was that process for you?

Jorden: Within our group dynamic, collaboration is key. Monarch oversees the musical direction with our talented production team known as The Bruce here in Hawai’i. When it comes to distributing lines, it’s a collective effort. After we’ve made the song and laid down the vocals, we come together to discuss which lines resonate most with each of us. Whether it’s taking on the chorus or contributing to a powerful verse, we strive to ensure that every member’s voice is represented in the group the best.

VOA: You also released a music video for 2 Little 2 Late. Who came up with the concept and the choreography? 

Asher: The creative direction behind our music video was spearheaded by Evan Fujimoto, our producer, who captured our vision very well, and the concept he presented perfectly aligned with our artistic goals. Our eye-catching costumes were crafted by the talented Niki Kealoha, who not only designed them but also served as our dance coach. Brittnie Ribao, our choreographer, brought our movements to life, working together with us as we collaborated on choreographing the chorus for 2 Little 2 Late. I think that was our first-time choreographing as a group together.

VOA: I want to ask you about when you were writing the song 2 Little 2 Late. What went through your mind when writing it?

Shotaro: 2 Little 2 Late is a break-up song. Basically, when we were writing the song, we tried to put our own stories into the song, but, you know, I am still young, so it was slightly different for me. Based [on certain experiences] we just wanted to make it relatable to our friends and [the audience].

VOA: Looking at your present and past releases, what kind of approach do you use when writing your lyrics? 

Monarch: Our process typically begins with the beat, given our emphasis on dance-oriented music. The melody and rhythm were inspired by the beat. Collaborative writing sessions follow suit, with the beat playing on loop as we collectively brainstorm ideas and jot down lyrics in sections. Once we’ve generated a substantial pool of ideas, we regroup to engage in further brainstorming and begin structuring the song. This involves refining and editing our ideas to ensure a good flow throughout the track. Once satisfied, we produce a demo to capture the essence of the song before finalising it.

VOA: How does your creative process differ when you create rap sections from the vocal parts? 

Shotaro: In my view, rapping is somewhat simpler because it doesn’t require crafting melodies. While making melodies can be interesting, it also presents its challenges in writing. Rapping, on the other hand, follows a more straightforward rhythm, akin to straight notes throughout. However, I’m curious to hear your perspectives on this [points towards the other members].

Monarch: Prior to joining Crossing Rain, my focus was mainly on writing rap lyrics. However, transitioning to writing Pop music with the group has been an enjoyable challenge, pushing me beyond my comfort zone. Regardless of the genre, my approach remains consistent: I always try to make sure that the first line that I write is as iconic and attention-grabbing as possible.

Jorden: I think another important part of writing rap and melodic lines is to keep in mind that they both display something that you want to portray, so lyrics obviously are a big part in writing, but also when I approach a rap section or a singing section, I try not to separate the two too much because I think rhythm is also important when you write lines to have that good rap flow. So, yes, I think that a sense of flow and rhythm is another important point to keep in mind when writing songs.

VOA: But have you ever experienced writer’s block when you started to write a song? You have the first verses, the chorus, and then, oh shoot, what’s next? 

Jorden: Of course. I personally experience writer’s block a lot, and that’s partially because I don’t practice my writing [laughs]. I remember, there was one time when we were writing a song, and I wanted to write a bridge for that song. I couldn’t write the bridge for, like, three days. But a good tip is to change your environment [when you face writer’s block]. I’m usually writing in my room, so if I get writer’s block, I’d go sit in the living room or sit outside to write something. For 2 Little 2 Late, I decided to sit in the kitchen area; I ended up writing the bridge in like fifteen minutes. So, yeah, [I do experience writer’s block].

Monarch: When I fall out of practice or take long breaks from writing, I often experience writer’s block, and regaining momentum can be quite the challenge. It’s easy to become overly critical of my work, expecting the same level of quality as before. However, restarting that momentum doesn’t always yield the same results right away.

My dad has a term for this: “gecko water”. It’s like when you turn on the hose outside your house after it’s been dormant for a while. You must let some water run out first, like all the warm water that was trapped in the hose. That’s what he calls “gecko water”. Similarly, when you’re writing or creating in general, you need to be patient with yourself and let all the not-so-great stuff flow out of your system before you can find your rhythm again. It’s a process of clearing the mental clutter and allowing creativity to flow freely once more.

VOA: I’m curious, when crafting your music, what are the primary influences that shape Crossing Rain’s sound? Your group demonstrates versatility, making it challenging for me to categorise your music under a single genre.

Devin: Monarch is really the driving force behind our music production. When we’re in the studio working on demos, they, along with the production team, meticulously consider every element, from the placement of specific sounds to the overall arrangement. Our inspiration often stems from the rich culture of Hawai’i and the music genres that are found here. With such diverse influences at play, it’s hard to box Crossing Rain’s sound into a single genre. Above all, our goal is to honour those influences and infuse our music with their essence, guiding us when we decide on the direction of our music. 

VOA: I would like to know the creative process behind Unfamiliar, especially the lyrics.

Asher: With Unfamiliar, our aim was to dive into the topic of family. We wanted to capture the essence of sharing meals with loved ones, indulging in Hawai’ian cuisine, and celebrating the diverse cultural influences that thrive in Hawai’i. From Japanese to Filipino to Hawai’ian fare, our islands are a melting pot of flavours, each dish telling a unique story of heritage and tradition. We felt compelled to create a song that shines a spotlight on these familial bonds and the significance of family in our lives – a sentiment that we believe is often overlooked in mainstream music. 

VOA: Jorden, you represent the Kānaka, the indigenous people of Hawai’i. How much of your own culture would you like to bring to Crossing Rain? Have you ever thought of writing lyrics in the Hawai’ian language? 

Jorden: Thank you for asking. Yes, absolutely, we must show our culture. That’s actually a central aspect of my mission, especially as the cultural representative of Kānaka. From my perspective, it’s important to share my heritage through Crossing Rain because not many people are familiar with it. I deeply value and honour my culture, and it’s disheartening to see that many visitors to our islands often overlook or fail to appreciate the rich cultural heritage here. While they may come for parties, beaches, and shopping, there’s often a lack of genuine engagement with the local culture and its people. This is particularly poignant considering the challenges and injustices our ancestors have faced throughout history. Through our journey with Crossing Rain, I hope to teach a greater appreciation for indigenous cultures, encourage people to learn about our history, and ultimately inspire visitors to approach their experiences here with more respect and understanding. And if I could write a song in my language, of course, I would love to do that.

VOA: Has being an artist changed other aspects of your life?

Shotaro: For me, definitely. [Being in the group] has improved my vocabulary. As you know, English is my second language. And of course, learning how to dance and sing is [also something new to me]. Learning about new cultures and going to various places has also changed my perspective on life.  

Monarch: I feel like most definitely. I was writing music, rapping, producing before Crossing Rain. When I joined the group, I eventually became a dancer – not just someone who dances occasionally, but someone who is serious, focused, and has to be professional as a dancer. And that has totally changed my outlook on life and music. And I always encourage everyone to dance as much as they can because I believe this [might be] the only activity in this world that is healthy for the mind, body, and soul at the same time. So, that is one of the things that has had a positive impact on my life. 

Asher: Interestingly, my journey took a different path; it was singing and rapping that were entirely new experiences for me. While Monarch mentioned having to learn how to dance, dancing has been a part of my upbringing and still is. However, singing and rapping introduced me to a newfound passion, and over time, I developed a deeper appreciation for them. Now, when I dance, I find myself paying closer attention to the lyrics. Engaging in music has also broadened my perspective. 

Jorden: Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. While being a professional musician in Crossing Rain isn’t a new experience, it has taught me invaluable life skills. Despite my lifelong familiarity with music, being an artist pushes me to step out of my comfort zone and cultivate discipline in my work. It’s shown me the importance of enjoying the process rather than focusing solely on the outcome.

Devin: It’s the opposite for me [laughs]. I wasn’t making music or dancing; I was into studying and wanted to be a doctor, so I focused my life on that at first. Switching from putting school first to writing music and dancing all day, every day was a big step for me. Luckily, my family was very supportive; I know it is a huge difference [from what I wanted to do before] and what I do now, [however], it’s what I wanted to do, and I am loving it. 

VOA: Improvisation is a large part of the creative process for many artists. How strictly do you separate improvising and composing in your work? 

Monarch: It’s actually crazy that you are bringing that up because that’s something we’ve been specifically working on this year. I did freestyle rap with my friends in high school, and I’ve been trying to use my freestyling skills more frequently because I have noticed a significant difference in how fast I can rap and the quality of the rap. And maybe Asher could answer this question from a dance perspective because he is our spontaneous king.

Asher: [laughs] So, on the dance side, we’ve been practicing our freestyle, which is incredibly useful for choreographing our rap performances. Freestyling in rap helps streamline the writing process, just as freestyling in dance speeds up choreography development. Improvisation is crucial; for instance, if we have an interview followed by a dance segment, we can confidently bust out any dance moves we want.

VOA: OK. Hold on. OK. OK, let’s go.

Asher: Yeah, yeah, yeah [showing some moves on camera while laughing].

VOA: What’s next for you? You are now promoting your new single, 2 Little 2 Late, but what’s after that?

Shotaro: You guys can expect more singles. There are a lot of big projects and performances coming up – just a lot of exciting stuff in general – but we must keep some things secret, and that’s all I can say for now. 

VOA: What strategies do you believe will enhance your visibility beyond Hawai’i? Where can your fans anticipate seeing you perform next? 

Monarch: Our primary focus revolves around understanding our fanbase, identifying where our listeners are located, and engaging with them. Whether it’s through interactions on Instagram or comments on YouTube, we’ve noticed an influx of messages expressing love and support from various unexpected corners of the globe. It’s been amazing to witness the reach of our music extending to countries we never imagined. 

We already have a significant fanbase in Japan, largely due to Shotaro and his Japanese rap. We’re incredibly eager to visit Japan in the future. However, we’re open to travelling anywhere our fans want to see us. So, to all our supporters worldwide, whether you’re in Japan or elsewhere, make your voices heard! Spread the word, stream our music, and let us know on Instagram that you want us to visit your city. We’re all ears, and we’re excited to connect with you wherever you are because we want to go everywhere!

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

*_{This interview was conducted before the group announced their second single, Black Hole Heart, scheduled for release on February 23, 2024.}

_{View of the Arts is an online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}