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!  Some show-related links below: Sydney Conservatorium of Music The Canber ..read more

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. Some show-related links below: Lanikai Ukulele Bec Taylor School of Music Loud in the Library Ukulele Repub ..read more

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-related links below: Bruko Ukulele Kmise Ukulele Ken Middleton Cuatro Kala 8-string tenor Coolibah Coolective Lunchulele Smiths Alternative Jammalong Can ..read more

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 show-related links below: Jumpin’ Jim’s Ukulele Songbooks Boulder Acoustic Society Denver Ukefest Heidi Litke Mya-moe ukuleles Dan Sawyer Marmalade Creatio ..read more

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: artsACT Eden bushfires 2019 Songs played on the show: Wake me Up (Kim Yang) The Bath Song (Kim Yang) Go to the Ukulele Is the New Black YouTube channe ..read more

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 below: Romero Creations Ohana Ukuleles The NAMM Show Daniel Ho Auburn Ukulele Festival Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival KoAloha Ukulele Episode with Ala ..read more

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! Some show-related links below: Ka’au Crater Boys Hilo Ukulele Prelude Ukuleles Kala Ukuleles Lanikai Ukuleles Kanile’a Ukulele – 2021 Platinum Kamaka Ukulele ..read more

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 wonderfully tacky and you won’t be disappointed! Some show-related links below: Samantha Muir Sam Brown The Fabulous Ukulele Club U3A - University of the Th ..read more

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 – brought me an incredible moment of light and joy. Songs played in this episode: The Chain (Lindsay Buckingham, Mick Fleetwood, Christine McVie, John McV ..read more

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-instrumentalist who was a source of both fun and inspiration for me.  I hope you enjoy it! ORIGINAL SHOW NOTES: Mal Webb describes himself as a “vocal adventurer ..read more