One of the most prolific members of the Hawai'i-based reggae powerhouse, Ooklah the Moc, BW has stepped out of the shadows of his fellow bandmates and into the forefront of Hawai'i's underground reggae scene with the release of his debut solo album, "Upflow." Born and raised in the peaceful beach town of Kailua, O'ahu, Hawai'i , in 1985, BW (Bradley Watanabe) honed his musical skills from a young age by learning to play a wide variety of instruments. From bass to keys, guitar to drums, and everything in between, BW possesses musical wealth that many performers twice his age only dream of. An amazing musician in a sea of talented artists, BW has also successfully separated himself from the pack in part to an innate sense of style and a unique perspective that cannot be denied after just one listen. BW got his start in the world of reggae when he became the keyboardist for one of the most successful reggae bands in Hawai'i's history, Ooklah the Moc, at the age of 18. Arguably the most popular band in the Hawai'i music scene over the last few years, "Ooklah" has gained a devout following around the western Pacific by touring extensively throughout Hawai'i and the west coast of the US. Aside from his full-time gig with Ooklah, BW is also credited with work on Paula Fuga's Na Hoku Hanohano Award-winning album, "Lilikoi," and performs with her, the Next Generation, Stir Crazy, and other top Hawai'i artists and acts throughout Hawai'i. He also hosts a weekly acoustic jam session at Tropics Cafe in Honolulu, where he can be seen sharing the stage with rising reggae stars and greats alike, such as Hawai'i's own Humble Soul. Though far from over with Ooklah (a band that has become a huge part of his life), BW decided it was time to develop his own style of music about a couple of years ago. A true original, BW wrote, arranged, produced, and performed nearly everything you'll hear on "Through The Storm." With deep bass lines that skip and drop as much as a crowd at one of his shows, smooth guitar riffs with a throwback vibe, and lyrics as diverse and descriptive as his homeland's surroundings, "Through The Storm" has established BW as the next up and coming solo artist on the Hawaii Roots & Reggae scene. The process of developing "Through The Storm," to him was: "A lot of music that was written during difficult times, during struggles in my life. Most of them in hopes that by writing down what I was feeling, I could learn and grow from the situation I was going through. I hope this music brings you a good vibe and lifts the pressure life can sometimes bring." The new album features a compilation of island classics and showcases BW's full arsenal of musical talent. In addition to composing and arranging the entire album, BW also performed all drum, bass, guitar, percussion, keyboard and vocal tracks for all 15 songs on the album with guest performances by Ooklah The Moc, Next Generation and Paula Fuga.