Practice….
makes perfect was common phrase heard by those of us who grew up with music. And as myDarlin’ Robert Kenui Pope and his friend started the band Premonition, and subsequently Kona with another friend, practice sessions became a major part of our life again. And something magical happens at practice, not only does the music begin to come together for public performances, but the band comes together as brothers and sisters.
Bands all over the world practice in their garages on any given day of the week, and Kona was no different. Many hours were spent in our garage practicing before they felt they were ready to play out. I look back with fondness over those times and replay them in my mind just like groundhog day. With three of the four members from Hawaii and one from California, it stands to reason that bare concrete and studded walls weren’t a desireable practice space, so we worked on creating our own little Hawaiian get away.
Leilani’s Aloha Lounge has been home for countless practice sessions and parties. It is a space that myDarlin’ and I put together with love to create a space that our brothers and sisters, our family, our Ohana would feel comfortable in. I can still hear him telling people about our inspiration being the Endless Summer Poster we bought at a store down the road. From the grass turf on the floors, to the teal, orange and light yellow walls, to the Hawaiian artwork and bobble head dolls (Leilani was our first bobblehead together), to the bar fashioned from a church pulpit, to the Aloha shirt curtains on the windows and bamboo furniture – Leilani’s is truly our small slice of paradise right here in the ATL.
And I would stop on the way home from work to pick up crackers and hummus, then order pizza with directions to knock on the garage door so we could hear it. And as I pull into the drive, I hear music and laughter wafting through the air. Everyone is here, and they play the same few bars over until they get it right, then play the song all the way through. They talk of set lists, set up times and what they will wear. (I must confess that I interject – NO white socks, and no socks with sandals..:-)) Sometimes, it is only the band, but many times all of our family. And with each passing week, we grow closer – we pray, we play, we support each other, we laugh – we are family.
Today they played, today we laughed, today we ate pizza and crackers with hummus (salad too, but that’s just decoration – LOL), today we lift each other up as we missed the man who inspired all of us to enjoy every day and every moment with each other.
I am filled with gratitude for myDarlin’ and our shared love of music that helped to shape our lives and our Ohana.
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