S4E14 - Meredith Harper
Ukulele Is The New Black
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 cheating so you’re stuck with what I played on the day, warts and all
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S4E13 - Jasmine Fellows
Ukulele Is The New Black
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 giggling in the edit! Please enjoy.
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S4E12 - Jim Croft
Ukulele Is The New Black
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!
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S4E11 - Nicole and Aaron Keim
Ukulele Is The New Black
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.
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S4E10 - Kim Yang
Ukulele Is The New Black
Originally from Taiwan, Kim Yang moved to Canberra 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.
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S4E09 - Dani Joy and Perry Stauffer
Ukulele Is The New Black
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.
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S4E08 - Aldrine Guerrero
Ukulele Is The New Black
Today I talk to Aldrine Guerrero of , 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! Some show-related links below: s Songs played on the show: Dance with a Bandit (Aldrine Guerrero) Senor Viktor (Aldrine Guerrero) Go to the for a playlist...
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S4E07 - Barbara Taylor
Ukulele Is The New Black
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.
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BONUS - Life is a Musical
Ukulele Is The New Black
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 – brought me an incredible moment of light and joy.
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CLASSIC EPISODE - Mal Webb
Ukulele Is The New Black
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.
info_outlineThis episode is a celebration of all those people I talked to in 2019. Every one of them told me how ukulele had changed their life, and I’ve put all those reasons together in one place.
I’ve scored this episode with a lot of music featuring ukulele. Most of it was recorded specifically for this episode with the help of my friends, but there are a few songs which I recorded during 2019, including one live performance.
Thank you so much to all the guests who appeared in this episode:
- Paul Marsh
- Khristina Joy
- Sandra Shaw
- Guido Heistek
- Molly Lewis
- Jim Boggia
- Nissa Ludwig
- Alan and Paul from Ko’Aloha Ukuleles
- Peter, Rita, Patsi and Jeff from Flat Foot Floozy
- John, Pete, Cathy, Uncle Rod, Steve & Chantelle, From STRUM (Seattle’s Totally Relaxed Ukulele Musicians)
- Dave Parker
- Tom Harding
- Dennis Aubrey & Pete Purton
- Adam and Lea from OHANA
- Cathy and Angie, The Wild Women of Anywhere Beach
- David Megarrity
- Ruth Allen
- Ian Porter
- Jenny Parenteau
- Snapper
I hope you like the music in this episode – we had a great time recording it! Details of all the songs are below.
“Perfect” (Mark E. Nevin, 1988)
- Vocals: Meredith Harper & Jasmine Fellows
- Lead Ukulele: Chris Williams
- Rhythm Ukulele: Jim Croft
- Rhythm Guitar: Geoff Skellams
- U-Bass: Paul Marsh
“The Weight” (Robbie Robertson, 1968)
- Vocals: Meredith Harper, Paul Marsh, Jasmine Fellows
- Lead Ukulele: Chris Williams
- Rhythm Ukulele: Jim Croft
- Rhythm Guitar: Geoff Skellams
- U-Bass: Paul Marsh
- Cajón: Sandra Shaw
“Catch My Disease” (Ben Lee & McGowan Southworth, 2004)
- Vocals: Meredith Harper
- Glockenspiel: Jasmine Fellows
- Lead Ukulele: Chris Williams
- Rhythm Ukulele: Jim Croft
- Rhythm Guitar: Geoff Skellams
- U-Bass: Paul Marsh
- Cajón: Sandra Shaw
“Sister Golden Hair” (Gerry Beckley, 1975)
- Vocals: Meredith Harper
- Shaker: Jasmine Fellows
- Lead Ukulele: Chris Williams
- Rhythm Ukulele: Jim Croft
- Rhythm Guitar: Geoff Skellams
- U-Bass: Paul Marsh
- Cajón: Sandra Shaw
“With A Little Help From My Friends” (Lennon & McCartney, 1967)
- Vocals: Meredith Harper
- Ukulele: Jasmine Fellows
“Brand New Day” (Adam & Lea Johnson)
- Vocals: Meredith Harper
- Cello: Jasmine Fellows
- Ukulele: Chris Williams
“Livin’ Thing” (Jeff Lynne, 1976)
- Vocals, Keyboard: Meredith Harper
- Ukulele, Guitar, Vocals: Kevin Griffin
“Heroes” (David Bowie & Brian Eno, 1977)
- Vocals, Keyboard: Meredith Harper
- Cello: Jasmine Fellows
- Lead Ukulele: Chris Williams
- Rhythm Ukulele: Jim Croft
- Rhythm Guitar: Geoff Skellams
- U-Bass: Paul Marsh
- Shaker: Sandra Shaw
Ukulele is the New Black is produced by Meredith Harper. The theme tune was written by Meredith Harper and performed by Meredith Harper, Jasmine Fellows, Geoff Skellams, Jim Croft, Chris Williams, Paul Marsh and Sandra Shaw. Seb Carraro does the graphic design.
If you enjoyed this podcast please tell your friends! If you have friends who don’t play ukulele, this is the perfect episode to get them inspired. You can also support me on Patreon, buy some merch at ukuleleisthenewblack.com, or give the podcast a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Podchaser. You can also get in touch and tell me what you thought of it – I love to hear from listeners! You can email me at [email protected], or send me a message on social media or through the website.
I’ll be releasing a short bonus episode in February, and then I’ll start the 2020 season some time in March. I hope 2020 is your best ukulele year ever!
The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.
Thanks to my $10 per month & higher Patreon supporters:
- Debbie Hoad
- Linda Dodwell