The effect Mokai has on people is magical.

Audiences have come under his spell at premier San Francisco Bay Area venues including the Café Du Nord, and Northern California’s finest music festivals including Earthdance, The Harmony Festival and SolFest. He has been co-billed with top independent artists in the region, including David Jacobs-Strain, and opened for nationally touring artists including Toshi Reagon (Righteous Babe Records).

Putting a twist on traditional folk and folk blues styles, Mokai accompanies his soulful vocals with powerful grooves and smokin' blues riffs. His show-stopping set has earned him a reputation as a performer who delivers every time.

His propulsive, fingerstyle guitar drives Mokai’s music, colored by elements of jazz and world music. Playful, then moving, his compositions touch both on big themes and intricate details. The deep commitment in his lyrics reflects years on the front lines of seminal political and environmental movements. This is the same dedication he brings to his performances at benefits for non-profits and important causes, as well as in hospitals and shelters with the Bread and Roses series.

On his debut CD “Unearthed”, Mokai uses everything from lush arrangements to spoken word, idiosyncratic guitar work and bold lyrics to blaze his own trail. Joined by a group of talented musicians, including Matt Eakle (Dave Grisman Quintet) and Todd Sickafoose (Ani DiFranco); the result is a fully realized musical vision.

Since the release of “Unearthed” in 2003, Mokai has made hundreds of appearances, at coffeehouses, nightclubs, festivals, and house concerts and on radio stations. A fixture on the San Francisco acoustic music scene, he has won songwriting awards, landed on CD compilations and on cable TV.

Mokai's 2005 release "You Can't Fool Me", is a collection of solo acoustic recordings of his Anti-War songs. The title track, "Criminal Behavior (You Can't Fool Me)" is a rhythmic, biting recounting of the lies leading up to the Iraq invasion. Received enthusiastically at peace demonstrations large and small, and at venues including Berkeley’s Freight and Salvage and The Independent in SF, Mokai gets crowds to join in on the chorus – expressing their own outrage and defiance.
This is the kind of magical response that prompted Larry Kelp of KPFA’s 'Sing Out' to say: “Mokai’s music is out to make a difference.”

Mokai is pronounced MO-ki, long 'o', long 'i'; Accent on 1st syllable.

Some Venues & Stages Mokai has played:
Cafe Du Nord, San Francisco, CA
The Independent, San Francisco, CA
Earthdance, Laytonville, CA
Green Festival, SF, CA
Harmony Festival, Santa Rosa, CA
North Beach Jazz Festival, SF, CA
Reggae on the River, Piercy, CA
SolFest, Hopland,CA
Starry Plough, Berkeley CA
San Francisco Folk Festival
Humboldt Folklife Festival

Political Events:
March 2005 Main Stage performer SF Civic Center
April 2005 Public Support Rally for "Pepper Spray 8"
April 2005 Torture Teach-IN at UC Berkeley
Fall 2004 40th Anniversary of Free Speech, UC Berkeley

Radio: KPFA*, KFOG, KALW*, KPIG, KVMR, KZYX*, KPOO*, KALX, KMUD*, KHUM*, KDVS, Democracy Now!
*live studio performances

Sounds Like: Mokai's music encompasses the poetic irreverence of Ani DiFranco and the grit and soulfullness of Ben Harper.

Influences: Dave Van Ronk, Big Bill Broonzy, Doc Watson, Mose Allison, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, Gil Scott Heron, Dylan, The Incredible String Band

Shared Bills with: Michael Franti, David Lindley, Steve Kimock, Eric McFadden, Wisdom, Toshi Reagon, Trevor Garrod (Tealeaf Green), David Jacobs-Strain, Garrin Benfield, Erika Luckett, Jeff Pehrson and Jim Brunberg (Box Set), AJ Roach, Austin Willacy, Shelley Doty, Etienne de Rocher, Joanne Rand, Copper Wimmin, Samantha Stollenwerck, Kid Beyond, Mark Growden, David Nelson, Pete Sears, James Nash (The Waybacks)

What others are saying about Mokai:

Derk Richardson of KPFA, Acoustic Guitar Magazine and the SF Chronicle says "Mokai is a fine guitarist with socially conscious songs and eclectic arrangements." 9-18-03

"Mokai’s CD, "UnEarthed" is absolutely delightful, showcasing his songwriting skills and his distinctive voice as well as his incredible mastery of the guitar." Johnny Horn, host of the Berkeley Buena Vista Social Club concert series

"Mokai is a troubador for the 21st century, setting a new standard for art and activism. And he's a fantastic fingerpicker!" Nadine Condon-"the Godmother of Rock"

Mokai's song "World Without War" was dubbed "the peace movement's new anthem" by Medea Benjamin (founder, Global Exchange) and has been played on KPFA and other public radio stations, including the nationally syndicated Democracy Now!