WEST HAWAII TODAY | BIG ISLAND ENTERTAINMENT SCENE FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2016 | 7 ROCKS KONA awaited album ‘Let’s Dance’ album. members played together years, the journey Starting out felt the together group. a few “I’ve Jason, the about five through players but the what we were found playing current three our with us a half.” the unity and members along well. about a really get “Our different backgrounds and we have very different styles of playing. It’s about so much more than just talent. It’s about really getting along with one another. The band is like a second family with the amount of time we spend together, so it was really important for me to find guys, that even though we’re so different, when we come together we can really get along. We’ve had to work through some hard things together and it’s really been good.” Like other musicians, Gallinger grew up in a large Hawaiian family and singing in the church choir. Not surprisingly, she finds her musical inspiration through her family and children. “Music was just part of our every day life,” she said. “My mom always had an ukulele. She was always singing. So music was always with me. I never thought I would become a professional musician, but after my first son was born, I had a desire to start performing and writing music. I’ve spent the last seven years The four-piece band comprises Maka Gallinger, second from left, on vocals and ukulele, Jason Stith on bass, Sean Allen on guitar and John Reiner on drums. Maka plays regularly at Kona Brew Pub, Mi’s Italian Bistro, and the Korner Pocket. COURTESY PHOTO/SPECIAL TO WEST HAWAII TODAY really being focusing on writing. And of course kids, and life in general, are inspirational to me.” Maka plays regularly at Kona Brew Pub, Mi’s Italian Bistro, and The Korner Pocket in Kealakekua. For more information visit www. facebook.com/themakaband and www.jeremyrstegall. com/index_maka.html. ■
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