Ukulele Players – Indie Ukulele

Stephin Merritt – Magnetic Fields

Who? Dark humorist and dour songwriter with Magnetic Fields, Gothic Archies and other projects.

What’s so special? The first alternative act I heard use the ukulele (in 1999’s 69 Love Songs). Put to rest the idea that everything sounds happy on the ukulele. Introduced the ukulele to a generation of youngsters who are a little too intelligent and cynical for Harry Potter by providing the soundtrack to Lemony Snicket.

Want to hear more? Gothic Archies – The Tragic Treasury

Learn to play like him Smile Tab

Zach Condon – Beirut

Who? Interrailing indie star.

What’s so special? Made it passe for anyone to play something as obvious as a guitar and widened the hipster’s sonic palette to include brass, accordions and, yes, ukuleles.

Want to hear more? Beirut – Gulag Orkestar

Learn to play like him Beirut Chords and Tabs

Dent May and His Magnificent Ukulele

Who? Crooning ukulele lounge singer.

What’s so special? Giving the ukulele equal billing and lending the instrument a barrow-full of nerd-cool.

Want to hear more? The Good Feeling of Dent May and his Magnificent Ukulele

Learn to play like him Meet Me in the Garden Chords

tUnE-YaRdS

Who? Crazy cat lady with a ukulele.

What’s so special? Easily the most startling ukulele player around today. Completely original and endlessly compelling.

Want to hear more? tUnE-YaRdS – BiRd-BrAiNs

Learn to play like her Hatari Tab

Mirah

Who? Prolific indie folkie.

What’s so special? Ukulele packed debut You Think It’s Like This, But Really It’s Like This in 2000 showing that the ukulele can do more than just gentle strumming.

Want to hear more? Mirah – You Think It’s Like This, But Really It’s Like This

Learn to play like her Million Miles Tab

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