Libsyn Directory

S4E14 - Meredith Harper

Release Date: 10/31/2021

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

More Episodes

Some show-related links below:

Podcasts I mentioned:

Episodes I mentioned:

Songs played on the show:

If You Could Read My Mind (Gordon Lightfoot, 1970)
One Heart is Enough (Meredith Harper)

Go to the Ukulele is the New Black YouTube channel for a playlist of songs relating to today’s episode.

Ukulele is the New Black is produced by me, Meredith Harper. I wrote the theme tune and I performed it with Janine Chandler, Jim Croft, Jasmine Fellows, Paul Marsh, Sandra Shaw and Chris Williams. Seb Carraro does the graphic design.

Thank you so much to Cameron Murray for being part of this final episode. If you haven’t heard Cameron’s podcast Ukulele Stories, now is the perfect time to subscribe so that you keep on getting your ukulele podcast fix!

Well listeners, this is the last interview I will be posting on this feed for now, but please stay subscribed as I will be releasing a 2021 compilation episode in early 2022. And who knows, I might get inspired and make the occasional new episode. Thank you so much for listening and supporting the podcast, with special thanks to my wonderful patrons. Stay safe and keep strumming!

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.

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