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_outline2020 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 written another verse! Please enjoy this dose of positivity to kick off 2021.
Thanks so much for listening in 2020, and I look forward to bringing you another year of ukulele inspiration in 2021. Look out for new episodes starting sometime in March. Happy new year!
Songs performed by The New Black on the show are below. All songs were recorded and mixed by Paul Marsh.
- Crazy Little Thing called Love (Freddie Mercury, 1979) – Meredith Harper (lead vocals), Jasmine Fellows (vocals), Janine Chandler (ukulele), Chris Williams (ukulele), Jim Croft (ukulele), Sandra Shaw (drums), Paul Marsh (U-bass)
- On the Road Again (Willie Nelson, 1979) ) – Meredith Harper (lead vocals), Jasmine Fellows (vocals), Janine Chandler (banjolele), Chris Williams (ukulele), Jim Croft (ukulele), Sandra Shaw (drums), Paul Marsh (U-bass)
- Come Together (John Lennon & Paul McCartney, 1969) – Meredith Harper (lead vocals), Jasmine Fellows (vocals), Janine Chandler (ukulele), Chris Williams (ukulele), Jim Croft (ukulele), Sandra Shaw (percussion), Paul Marsh (U-bass)
- Roam (Kate Pierson, Fred Schneider, Keith Strickland, Robert Waldrop, Cindy Wilson – 1988) – Meredith Harper (lead vocals & ukulele), Jasmine Fellows (vocals), Janine Chandler (ukulele), Chris Williams (ukulele), Jim Croft (ukulele), Sandra Shaw (drums), Paul Marsh (U-bass)
- Dreams (Stevie Nicks, 1976) – Meredith Harper (lead vocals & ukulele), Jasmine Fellows (cello & vocals), Janine Chandler (ukulele), Chris Williams (ukulele), Jim Croft (ukulele), Sandra Shaw (drums), Paul Marsh (U-bass)
- Best Day of my Life (Aaron Accetta, Zachary Barnett, Shep Goodman, David Rublin, Matthew Sanchez, James Shelley – 2013) – Meredith Harper (lead vocals), Jasmine Fellows (percussion & vocals), Janine Chandler (ukulele), Chris Williams (ukulele), Jim Croft (ukulele), Sandra Shaw (drums), Paul Marsh (U-bass)
Go to the Ukulele Is The New Black YouTube channel for a playlist to hear the original versions of these songs as well as a few of our covers.
Ukulele is the New Black is produced by Meredith Harper, who also wrote the theme tune. The theme tune was performed by Meredith Harper with Janine Chandler, Jim Croft, Jasmine Fellows, Paul Marsh, Sandra Shaw and Chris Williams. Seb Carraro does the graphic design.
If you enjoy this podcast please give it a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Podchaser or wherever you listen to your podcasts - and tell your friends!
Thanks to my $10 and over Patreon supporters for helping me to make this podcast:
- Ukulele Legend: Linda Dodwell
- Ukulele Champions: Debbie Hoad, Maja Zweck & Christopher Boatwright
The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.