Storming Ahead
Coming off a successful run on NBC’s The Voice season 18, Thunderstorm Artis of Hale‘iwa is on track to take the music world by storm.
The 24-year-old’s journey on the hit television singing competition bolted him all the way to the finale in May, but culminated in a runner-up finish. Nonetheless, it still ended on a high note.
“The Voice has changed my life so much more than I even expected it would,” says Artis. “It has given me a platform and turned so many eyes toward my direction, which is really cool. A lot of people are now watching and waiting to see what I’m going to do, and a lot of people have reached out to me and told me that my music has really affected them in a positive way.
“It brought some light and some love, and that’s the one thing that I hope, to make music that touches people’s souls.”
Next on the horizon are new merchandise, sponsorship deals and time in the recording studio. He also is looking to schedule some live shows, including in the Aloha State, but says it depends on when states reopen and Hawai‘i’s 14-day quarantine is lifted.
“The biggest project is getting this album done and released in the fall,” adds Artis. “That’s the dream. Folks can expect a lot of the songs they’ve heard me play over the last two years that haven’t been recorded. I’m hearing everyone’s requests and trying to meet them.”
Artis, who grew up in a large musical family with 10 siblings, was born in Kailua and moved to O‘ahu’s North Shore when he was 8. His father Ron Sr., who died in 2010, was a well-known artist and musician who worked with many industry icons, including Michael Jackson.
Last year, Artis relocated to Nashville to pursue his music career, setting up shows throughout the U.S. and Canada and touring with Wanderlust Festival. Then, the coronavirus outbreak hit, and he decided to hunker down with his brother, Ron, and his family in Beaverton, Oregon.
As for auditioning for The Voice, Artis gives credit to film director Jon M. Chu (Crazy Rich Asians, In The Heights), who saw the singer performing at Scoop of Paradise ice cream shop in Hale‘iwa a couple of years ago and asked him to perform at his wedding in California. The two have become friends, and Artis says it was Chu who recommended him to the show.
“I learned that anything is possible if you put hard work and dedication in it, but also that I’m capable to do more things than I thought I was,” says Artis about his time on The Voice. “Socially, musically, vocally, it really pushed me in ways that I haven’t been pushed in a long time, so it was really good to push my limits and I can’t wait to surround myself with people who continue to push me to greater heights.”