Ukulele Is The New Black
In each episode, Meredith Harper talks to a ukulele player to find out why they play ukulele, what they love about it, and how it's changed their lives. And they play a few tunes as well!
Episodes
I promised you a special guest for the last episode – surprise, it's me!! I figured my story was long overdue so I asked my friend and fellow ukulele podcaster Cameron Murray to interview me. It was a bit weird to be on the other side of the microphone but I really enjoyed it. I play a couple of songs, including a new original. I wasn't entirely happy with either performance and I could have re-recorded them, but that felt like ...
It's taken me four years to get her on the show but I finally did it! Today I chat to my great friend and musical collaborator Jasmine Fellows. Jas is a multi-instrumentalist who I originally met through Canberra ukulele groups, but who has now become an irreplaceable member of house band The New Black, and our ukulele and cello duo Four Strings Two. We had a great time recording this - I think I cut out at least ten minutes of ...
Today's guest is one of the members of the Ukulele is the New Black house band – Jim Croft. I've been wanting to get him on the show for some time, but because I know he's not really a fan of the limelight I didn't approach him – until now! Fortunately he said yes, and we had a great chat about experimenting with different tunings, the importance of music theory, and his extensive ukulele collection. Please enjoy!
Some show-rela...
Today's guests were suggested by one of my patrons, Maja Zweck. Nicole and Aaron Keim are trained musicians who play ukulele as the duo "The Quiet American", and luthier Aaron also makes beautiful handcrafted ukuleles at Beansprout Musical Instruments, at their home in Hood River, Oregon. After I recorded this interview another listener, Paul Gissing, also suggested I talk to Aaron – so chances are you should all enjoy it!
Some s...
I've talked to ukulele players all over the world but it's nice to talk to someone local again from Canberra where I live. Originally from Taiwan, Kim Yang moved here around 10 years ago where she discovered the joy of music and, of course, ukulele. Kim is now a full-time musician and songwriter who is about to release her new EP, Brave. We had a chat a few weeks ago about her musical journey.
Some show-related links below:
- ...
In today's episode I talk to Dani Joy and her partner in life and music, Perry Stauffer. Dani and Perry live in Portland, Oregon where they run an online music academy, create wonderful music as a duo and with others, and have a wall full of ukuleles which they sell from their living room. They are a wonderfully warm and energetic couple and I thoroughly enjoyed my chat with them. I think you will too!
Some show-related links be...
Today I talk to Aldrine Guerrero of Ukulele Underground, a passionate ukulele player and teacher based in Kaua'i in Hawai'i. We chat about the creation of the Ukulele Underground forums, his love of teaching and performing, and he plays a couple of incredible songs. Towards the end you may hear some roosters in the background – for me that is the sound of Kau'ai, a place I really hope I can visit again some day. Please enjoy!
Som...
In this episode I talk to Barbara Taylor, a dynamic ukulele player and organiser from Busselton in Western Australia. Barbara has been on my list since previous guest Kevin Chennell mentioned her, and I'm so glad I finally caught up with her, because she is a delight.
Oh and Barbara mentions my cat curtains, which were pretty hard to miss when I talked to her over Zoom. If you want to see them, here's a picture. They are wonder...
Today I have a bonus episode for you. If you've been listening to my recent episodes you will know that I have been going through a long and painful process of moving house, and as a result I haven't been able to find the time to make new episodes. Today I bring you something which is new, but a little different. I'm going to tell you about some of the challenges I've been facing, and how music – or specifically, musicians – bro...
Sorry listeners - I am still in the fun process of moving house, and when this comes out the removalist will be arriving to take all my possessions from my current home. I will be spending a couple of weeks in an Airbnb before I can move into the new place, so hopefully I will have the time to make an original episode for next time.
This is another of my favourites from season 1, with Mal Webb - a ukulele player and multi-instrume...
Hi listeners! Life is a bit frantic for me at the moment – I've sold my house and I'm desperately trying to buy a new one before I have to move out – a task which has proved more difficult and stressful than I'd anticipated. As a result I've struggled to find the time and headspace to record a new interview for you, so instead I'm bringing one back from the vault!
This episode is from my first season back in 2018 – a time when uk...
Today I have a chat to Christopher Davis-Shannon, a Philadelphia-based musician who grew up in a very musical family. He discovered ukulele a few years back and fell in love with it, and he now plays some fantastic music, much of it influenced by early 20th century players such as Roy Smeck and George Formby. Enjoy!
To find out more about Christopher's music, teaching, and his new book "The George Formby Handbook", go to his webs...
In today's episode I talk to Bill and Lizzie, otherwise known as Toast Garden, a couple and musical duo based in Tasmania. Originally from Sydney where they started out as a guitar and voice duo, they discovered ukulele and have now filled their Tasmanian home with them. They play a couple of great renditions of Beatles songs during our chat, which I am sure you will enjoy.
I've talked to a lot of overseas players recently so I figured it was time to bring back some Australian content! I have a chat to Sugarman Slim, a Sydney-based musician who combines ukulele with bass riffs in a way that will make you want to jump up and dance! He plays some fantastic songs written by his daughter, and tells us about his small, mobile rehearsal space. Enjoy!
Today's episode features actor and musician Rich Sexton, who entertains and educates young children as the award-winning Funnybones Music, putting his acting and ukulele skills to excellent use. I discovered in our chat that Rich can play grown-up music as well, as you will hear in this episode. Enjoy!
Some show-related links below:
Today I bring you a chat with Marc Gallagher, a multi-instrumentalist from Manchester in the UK. Marc started out trying to play all the instruments, but when the time came to pick a specialty he wisely opted for the fun one - the ukulele. He is also an accomplished songwriter, and he plays a couple of his songs in today's episode.
Some show-related links below:
Season 4 is here – welcome to the first episode for 2021! Today I talk to fellow ukulele podcaster Stuart Yoshida, who has been making the Ooktown podcast for around 10 years with co-host Doug Brown. As well as talking podcasting, Stuart tells me the story of his first ukulele (blue house, brown roof, black dog) and the secret origin of the ukulele (two plants, one bird, three people, one ship). Enjoy!
Some show-related links b...
I'm going to start working on 2021 episodes soon, but in the meantime here is a bonus episode with some of the members of AUTLA – the Australian Ukulele Teachers and Leaders Association. I have a chat with two former guests of the podcast – Tom the Pom and Ruth Allen – as well as AUTLA's president, Dan McEoin. They talk about what AUTLA does, and how they managed the challenges of 2020 and beyond.
Links to things mentioned on the...
2020 was a memorable year for many reasons, but today let's focus on the positive. I talked to players from around the globe in 2020 about why they love the ukulele, and today I bring you the many ways in which it has changed their lives.
I've also recorded some new songs with the podcast's house band, The New Black – including an extended version of the theme tune which you will hear at the end of the episode. Yes, I've finally ...
Phil Doleman is a UK-based professional musician who plays a heap of instruments including guitar, banjo, and of course ukulele. I had a chat to him a few weeks ago about his love of old-time jug band, blues and folk music, and he tells me about his journey from playing in a band as a teenager to a career in performance, teaching, and book publishing. And of course he plays a couple of cool songs!
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