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Kevin I.
My Career
Music
PlayList
Artist Chronology
Lyrics
Gallery
Blog
Acknowledgements
Kevin I.
My Career
Music
PlayList
Artist Chronology
Lyrics
Gallery
Blog
Acknowledgements
My Career
Music
PlayList
Artist Chronology
Lyrics
Gallery
Blog
Acknowledgements
The "Late Night Drive" Playlist: Songs for Empty Roads and City Lights
Kevin Iwamoto 11/28/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/28/25

The "Late Night Drive" Playlist: Songs for Empty Roads and City Lights

Need the perfect soundtrack for a night drive? 80s artist Kevin I. shares a curated playlist of atmospheric, synth-heavy songs for empty roads and city lights.

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The Perfect Playlist for a Peaceful Thanksgiving
Kevin Iwamoto 11/27/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/27/25

The Perfect Playlist for a Peaceful Thanksgiving

Need a Thanksgiving playlist that sets the perfect mood? Kevin I. shares a curated list of acoustic, grateful, and warm songs for your holiday dinner.

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Songs That Sound Happy But Are Actually Sad (And Why We Love Them)
Kevin Iwamoto 11/26/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/26/25

Songs That Sound Happy But Are Actually Sad (And Why We Love Them)

Why do we dance to heartbreak? 80s artist Kevin I. explores the art of the "happy-sad" song, from Whitney Houston to his own new track "Shine."

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The 5 Most Heartbreaking 80s Ballads (That Aren't "Total Eclipse of the Heart")
Kevin Iwamoto 11/25/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/25/25

The 5 Most Heartbreaking 80s Ballads (That Aren't "Total Eclipse of the Heart")

Looking for a good cry? Kevin I. shares 5 devastatingly beautiful 80s ballads that go deeper than the usual hits. Featuring his own new music.

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Stuck on a Verse? 3 Ways to Break Through Writer’s Block
Kevin Iwamoto 11/24/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/24/25

Stuck on a Verse? 3 Ways to Break Through Writer’s Block

Stuck on a song? Veteran songwriter Kevin I. shares personal strategies to break through writer's block, from collaboration to stepping away.

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The Holiday Blues: Why Do We Love Sad Christmas Songs?
Kevin Iwamoto 11/21/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/21/25

The Holiday Blues: Why Do We Love Sad Christmas Songs?

Why are we drawn to sad holiday songs? A songwriter explores the "holiday blues" and the comfort we find in melancholy Christmas music like "River" or "Last Christmas."

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The Lost Art of the Album: Why Listening from Start to Finish Matters
Kevin Iwamoto 11/20/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/20/25

The Lost Art of the Album: Why Listening from Start to Finish Matters

Is the album dead? A veteran 80s artist explains why listening to an album from start to finish is a lost art, and why it's more important than ever.

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In Defense of the One-Hit Wonder: Why These Songs Are Actually Genius
Kevin Iwamoto 11/19/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/19/25

In Defense of the One-Hit Wonder: Why These Songs Are Actually Genius

80s artist Kevin I. makes the case for the one-hit wonder. Discover why writing one perfect pop song is an act of genius, not a failure.

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Can AI Write a Song with Soul? A Songwriter's Take
Kevin Iwamoto 11/18/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/18/25

Can AI Write a Song with Soul? A Songwriter's Take

Can AI replace human artists? A veteran songwriter explores the AI music trend and argues for the one thing AI can't replicate: hard-won, human soul.

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Remembering Legendary Song Stylist Nancy Wilson
Kevin Iwamoto 11/17/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/17/25

Remembering Legendary Song Stylist Nancy Wilson

Read the incredible story of how music legend Nancy Wilson mentored Kevin I. and how her advice inspired his new EP, "My Continuum."

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The Lost Art of the Mixtape: How We Curated Love in the 80s
Kevin Iwamoto 11/14/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/14/25

The Lost Art of the Mixtape: How We Curated Love in the 80s

Remember the 90-minute love letter? 80s artist Kevin I. reflects on the craft and romance of the cassette mixtape and how that spirit lives on.

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A Playlist for a New Page: 7 Songs for Reflection & New Beginnings
Kevin Iwamoto 11/13/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/13/25

A Playlist for a New Page: 7 Songs for Reflection & New Beginnings

Need music for a new chapter? Musician Kevin I. shares a 7-song playlist for reflection, looking back, and finding hope, featuring his new music.

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How to Listen to Music Like a Producer | A 3-Step Guide
Kevin Iwamoto 11/12/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/12/25

How to Listen to Music Like a Producer | A 3-Step Guide

Want to hear more in your favorite songs? Veteran musician Kevin I. shares 3 simple steps to listen to music like a producer, from hearing the layers to the space.

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4 Lessons from 40 Years: A Musician's Advice for New Artists
Kevin Iwamoto 11/11/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/11/25

4 Lessons from 40 Years: A Musician's Advice for New Artists

Veteran 80s artist Kevin I. shares 4 hard-won lessons for new musicians on songwriting, craft, collaboration, and building a career that lasts.

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More Than Disco: How Funk & Soul Grooves Shaped 80s Pop Music
Kevin Iwamoto 11/10/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/10/25

More Than Disco: How Funk & Soul Grooves Shaped 80s Pop Music

Think disco died in 1979? 80s artist Kevin I. explains how funk and soul grooves actually became the foundation for the 80s pop sound.

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Does Music Really Help You Focus? A Songwriter's Guide to the Perfect Productivity
Kevin Iwamoto 11/8/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/8/25

Does Music Really Help You Focus? A Songwriter's Guide to the Perfect Productivity

Struggling to focus? Musician Kevin I. explains the science of why some music helps you work or study, and why some (like lyrics) can hurt your productivity.

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Why Do Old Songs Make Us So Nostalgic? A Musician Explains the Power of Memory
Kevin Iwamoto 11/6/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/6/25

Why Do Old Songs Make Us So Nostalgic? A Musician Explains the Power of Memory

Ever wonder why old songs feel so powerful? 80s artist Kevin I. explores the link between music, nostalgia, and memory, and why it's a magical feeling.

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"A Gift of Song": Wayne Harada's First Review of "Christmas In Our Hearts"
Kevin Iwamoto 11/5/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/5/25

"A Gift of Song": Wayne Harada's First Review of "Christmas In Our Hearts"

Read the full, early review of Kevin I.'s new holiday single, "Christmas In Our Hearts," from veteran Hawaii music critic Wayne Harada.

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The Magic of Three: Crafting the Vocal Harmonies for "Christmas In Our Hearts"
Kevin Iwamoto 11/4/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/4/25

The Magic of Three: Crafting the Vocal Harmonies for "Christmas In Our Hearts"

A deep dive into the 3-part vocal harmony on Kevin I.'s new single, "Christmas In Our Hearts." Learn how the song was crafted by Kevin, Lance Jyo, and Rachel Gonzales.

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The Story Behind "Christmas In Our Hearts" (Arriving Nov 4)
Kevin Iwamoto 11/3/25 Kevin Iwamoto 11/3/25

The Story Behind "Christmas In Our Hearts" (Arriving Nov 4)

Get the exclusive story behind Kevin I.'s new holiday single, "Christmas In Our Hearts." Read the producer's note before the song arrives on November 4th!

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