OK Go, Sharon Van Etten: UkeTube

Some famous types picking up the ukulele this week: OK Go (continuing their journey into every more insane videos), Sharon Van Etten and Frank Turner. Alongside them people who are famous to all good uke-loving people like Patsy Monteleone, Kimo Hussey and Herman Vandecauter.

If you haven’t yet, you’ve still got time to vote for Ukulele Video of the Year 2011.

Read the rest of this entry »

Lanikai Tuna Uke: Ukulele Window Shopping

Lanikai have come up with Tuna Ukes as a way of improving the intonation of ukuleles. They have little slidey-doos on the bridge you can adjust. Take a look at Music Guy Mike showing one off at NAMM. I can see them causing more problems than they solve though.

One of these days I’m going to cave in an spend way too much money on a Martin: Martin 3K, Style 2, Martin Tiple.

Kiwaya are getting in on the slimline travel ukulele trend but it’s clear that the next stage of development is the walking cane ukulele.

Lute style ukulele.

Friday Links

If you bought the Kindle version of Ukulele for Dummies you can now download the MP3s to go along with it by going here and searching for ukulele in the title. And learn that my middle initial is apparently M (the M stands for David).

Valentines ukulele papercraft.

The UOGB answer fans’ questions.

Most popular ukulele videos of January 2012 including Walk Off the Earth, charlieissocoollike and that subway girl.

Gary Oldman discusses picking up the ukulele.

On Uker Tabs: Three solo arrangements – Mele Kalikimaka, Sweet Child O’ Mine and Here Comes the Sun.

Magical ukulele.

What’s your blues name?

Pictures: T-rex trying, ukulele bear.

Cognitive psychologist recommends ukulele playing: “If I had to do it over again, I might start with a ukelele, which has a conceptually simpler organization.” I’m not sure I agree with that though.

I don’t condone mindless ukulele destruction but it is quite beautiful is slow motion.

New releases: Michelle Blades’s Mariana, The Cairns Ukulele Festival CD with tracks from the Sweet Hollywaians, Victoria Vox and Brittni Paiva.

Skrillex – Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Tab)

Skrillex – Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites (Tab)

Dubstep is the point where I finally left my youthful musical hipness behind and set up residence in old man, “this isn’t music, it’s just noise,” territory. But even I can appreciate Skrillex wubbing it up and jumping around the octaves without any regard for how people are going to cover the song on ukulele.

As a result, this arrangement is a bit all over the place. It starts out with some campanella fingerpicking with thumb on the g-string and one finger each from there. But it’s not long before I’m just using any finger I can to get the job done. In the Kramer-scaring section* I switch to strumming but I’m really using my finger more like a pick. There’s also some palm muting thrown in.

Buy the MP3.

* The Mars Volta version is way better.

Ukulele Festivals 2012

UPDATE: Ukulele Festivals 2013

Here’s a preliminary list of the ukulele festivals scheduled for 2012. If you have details on any others leave a comment or send me a message.

USA and Canada

The Vancouver Ukulele Festival 2012

Location: Vancouver, Canada
Date: February 25th & 26th 2012
Performers: Ralph Shaw, The Ukesters, Guido & Daphne.
Website: http://vancouverukulelefestival2012.eventbrite.com/
Local Amenities: Map

18th ‘Ukulele Festival of Northern California

Location: Chabot College Performing Arts Center, 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward, CA 94545
Date: April 1, 2012 10:00am – 5:30pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalnorcal.org
Local Amenities: Map

The Fourth Annual Reno Ukulele Festival

Location: John Ascuaga’s Nugget Resort
Date: March 30 – April 1, 2012
Performers: The Quiet American, Gerald Ross, Lil Rev, Dominator.
Website: http://renoukefest.com
Local Amenities: Map

Gorge Uke Fest ’12

Location: Hood River, OR
Date: March 2 – 4, 2012
Performers: Boulder Acoustic Society, Lil Rev, Victoria Vox.
Website: http://www.gorgeukuleles.org/
Local Amenities: Map

Smoldering Uke 2012

Location: Hidden Valley Music Seminars, 88 West Carmel Road, Carmel Valley California
Date: March 23 – 25, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://humbleuker.blogspot.com/2012/01/smoldering-uke-winter-ukulele-retreat.html
Local Amenities: Map

Mighty Uke Day II

Location: Lansing, MI
Date: May 5, 2012
Performers: Lil’ Rev, Lansing Area Ukulele Group, The Fab­u­lous Heftones, Mag­dalen Fos­sum, and The Ukulele Kings
Website: www.facebook.com/groups/180847702019438/
Local Amenities: Map

Third Annual May Day Ukulele Play Day

Location: Modesto California
Date: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.Funstrummers.com/
Local Amenities: Map

West Coast Ukulele Retreat

Location: Asilomar, Monterey Peninsula
Date: May 16 – 20, 2012
Performers: Andy Andrews, Mike DaSilva, Jim D’Ville, Joel Eckhaus, Dave Egan, Peg Reza, Gerald Ross, Fred Sokolow, and Kumu Pomaika’i
Website: http://ukuleleretreat.com/
Local Amenities: Map

5th Denver Ukefest

Location: The Oriental Theater and L2 Events Center, Denver Colorado
Date: May 17,18, and 19 2012
Performers: Jake Shimabukuro, Nellie McKay, Aldrine Guerrero, Tina and Her Pony, Hapa Hillbillies, The Quiet American, Ukulele Loki, The Denver Uke Community
Website: http://www.facebook.com/DenverUkeFest
Local Amenities: Map

Lone Star Uke Festival 2012

Location: Dallas, Texas
Date: June 1 – 2, 2012
Performers: Jim D’Ville, Pops Bayless, Debbie Porter, The Wahooligans
Website: http://www.lonestarukefest.com/
Local Amenities: Map

4th Annual Ukulele World Congress 2012

Location: 4600 Plum Creek Rd, Nashville, Indiana
Date: June 1 & 2, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukuleleunderground.com/forum/showthread.php?54413-UWC-2012-Ukulele-World-Congress/
Local Amenities: Map

New York Uke Fest 2012

Location: NY Society of Ethical Culture Concert Hall, 2 West 64th St (overlooking Central Park)
Date: June 7, 8, 9 and 10, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.nyukefest.com/ (Warning: music auto-plays)
Local Amenities: Map

Ukulele Boudoir 2012

Location: 64 bd de Clichy, 75018 Paris
Date: June 16, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://festival.ukuleleboudoir.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Montreal Uke Fest

Location: La Sala Rossa, 4848 boul. Saint-Laurent, Montreal, QC H2T1R5
Date: July 14th 2012
Performers: James Hill & Anne Davison, Krista Muir, Michael Wagner
Website: http://montrealukefest.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Reston Ukulele Festival

Location: Lake Anne Plaza, Reston, VA
Date: July 14th 2012
Performers: Victoria Vox, Bruce Hutton, Kathy & Marv Reitz, Lelehuna, Pat Quinn & Gina DeSimone, Sweater Set, Aloha Boys and Paul Hemmings Uketet
Website: http://restonlakeanne.com/3rd-annual-ukulele-festival-2012/
Local Amenities: Map

Muck Roots Ukulele Festival

Location: Muckenthaler Estate in Fullerton, CA
Date: July 19th, 2012
Performers: Captain Jeff and His Musical Chumbuckets, Janet Klein and Her Parlor Boys, and Left Over Cuties
Website: http://themuck.org/july-19-muck-roots-ukulele-festival/
Local Amenities: Map

Mighty MO Ukulele Festival

Location: Cedar Creek Conference Center, Olive Road New Haven, MO 63068, United States
Date: July 20 & 21
Performers: Cali Rose, Flea Bitten Dawgs, Craig Bandeau.
Website: http://www.mightymoukefest.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Ukulele University

Location: Runway Ranch, Bend, OR
Date: July 20-22, 2012
Performers: CinderBlue, Anvil Blasters
Website: ukeu.info
Local Amenities: Map

Ukulele Play

Location: Utah
Date: July 23-30, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://ukuleleplay.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Midwest Uke Fest

Location: Folkcraft Instruments wood shop in Woodburn, Indiana
Date: August 4-5, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.midwestukefest.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Second Annual Oakridge Ukulele Festival

Location: Oakridge, OR
Date: August 3, 4, 5, 2012
Performers: Brook Adams, Craig Chee, more TBA, classes & workshops
Website: www.oakridgehostel.com/events
Local Amenities: Map

Ukulele Festival South Florida

Location: 1870 Griffin Rd Dania Beach, FL 33004
Date: August 18, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestsouthflorida.com/Welcome.html
Local Amenities: Map

Camp Oo-Koo-Lay-Lay

Location: Pinecrest, California
Date: August 18 – 24, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://campookoolaylay.wordpress.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Wine Country ‘Ukulele Festival

Location: TBA
Date: September 7, 8, 9, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://winecountryukefest.com/coming-events/
Local Amenities: Map

Minneapolis Uke-Fest 2012

Location: Aster Cafe, 125 S.E. Main Street, Minneapolis
Date: September 15, 2012
Performers: Katy Vernon, Kim Sueoka, Savannah Smith, The Meteor Boys, The Broken Bicycles
Website: http://www.facebook.com/events/300905283336356
Local Amenities: Map

Dock Stree Uke Camp

Location: Shelburne, NS
Date: September 14-16, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://ukecamp.blogspot.com/
Local Amenities: Map

2012 San Diego Ukulele Festival

Location: Port Pavilion, Broadway Pier, San Diego
Date: October 13 – 14, 2012
Performers: Ronnie Seno, Brad Norris, Pat Enos, Julia Nunes, Kalama Brothers, Willie K, Aldrine Guerrero, Brian Vasquez And Lava Jam, Derick Sebastian, Ukulele Bartt, Brittni Paiva, Taimane, and more
Website: http://www.sandiegoukefestival.com/
Local Amenities: Map

4th Annual Milwaukee Ukulele Festival

Location: Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove, Wisconsin
Date: October 20, 2012
Performers: Fabulous Heftones, Ukulele Bart, Kate Powers & Steve Einhorn, Jon Prown, and Lil Rev
Website: http://milwaukeeukuleleclub.com/blog/dont_worrythe_fourth_annual_milwaukee_ukulele_festival_is_coming
Local Amenities: Map

6th annual Eugene UKEtoberfest

Location: Eugene Oregon
Date: October 12-13, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://uketoberfest.com/
Local Amenities: Map

UkeFest Virginia

Location: The Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen
Date: November 2-3, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website:
Local Amenities: Map

The Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway

Location: Lake Tarpon Resort
Date: November 2-4, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.tampabayukulele.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Hawaii

Lana’i Ukulele Festival

Location: Manele Bay Four Seasons
Date: April 13-15, 2012
Performers: Richard Ho’poi’i, Kawika Kahiapo, Byron Yasui, CJ Boom Helekahi, Hula Honeys, Benny Uyetake, etc.
Website: http://www.lanaiukulelefestival.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Uke Ohana Molokai

Location: Pu’u O Hoku Ranch & Halawa Valley, Molokai, Hawaii
Date: May 25-29, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://ukeohana.com/
Local Amenities: Map

6th Annual Maui Ukulele Festival

Location: Maui Arts & Cultural Center – Kahului, Maui
Date: Sunday, October 14, 2012 1:00 – 6:00 pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/en/maui.htm
Local Amenities: Map

12th Annual Waikoloa Ukulele Festival

Location: Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa
Date: March 3, 2012 2:00 – 7:00 pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/en/waikoloa.htm
Local Amenities: Map

Oahu – 42nd Annual Ukulele Festival

Location: Kapiolani Park Bandstand in Waikiki, Oahu
Date: July 22, 2012 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefestivalhawaii.org/en/oahu/index.htm
Local Amenities: Map

United Kingdom and Ireland

Ukes for UNICEF – Ukulele Festival

Location: Berkhamsted Civic Centre
Date: March 3, 2012 – 11:30 to 17:30
Performers: Ken Middleton, Krabbers!, Keef Jackman.
Website: http://www.ukesforunicef.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Colliers Wood 3rd Ukulele Festival

Location: Colliers Wood Community Centre, 66-72 High St., SW19 2BY
Date: April 21, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.collywoodukes.com/index.html
Local Amenities: Map

Ukulele Festival of Great Britain

Location: Cheltenham
Date: June 1st – 3rd 2012
Performers: Gerald Ross, Nico’o, Manitoba Hal, Re-entrants, Winin Boys, Ukulollo, and more
Website: http://www.ukulelefestival.co.uk
Local Amenities: Map

SUS Square Ukulele Festival

Location: Square and Compass, Worth Matravers
Date: June 29 – July 1st, 2012
Performers: Friday night – Mother Ukers + support, Saturday daytime – Luke Futcher – workshops + performance, Clive Harvey – workshops + performance, Saturday night – Mr B Gentleman Rhymer + Krabbers, Sunday daytime – Mass uke jam hosted by Krabbers, Till there was Uke (tbc)
Website: Call Paul on 01202 430820 or email shop@southernukulelestore.co.uk if you would like to register your interest.
Local Amenities: Map

Ukulele Hooley By The Sea

Location: Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin
Date: August 17, 18 & 19
Performers: TBA
Website: ukulelehooley.com
Local Amenities: Map

Europe

Festival International de Ukulele de Lerrain

Location: Lerrain
Date: June 22, 23, & 24, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://fiul.weebly.com/
Local Amenities: Map

Caldogno Ukulele Meeting

Location: Caldogno (IV), Italy
Date: July 19-22, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.ukulelefest.it/ukulelemeeting/index.php?lang=en
Local Amenities: Map

Australia and New Zealand

Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival 2012

Location: 68 Lurline St., Katoomba
Date: February 3 – 4, 2012
Performers: Bosko and Honey, Bella Hemming, The Blue MUGs
Website: http://www.bluemugs.com.au/
Local Amenities: Map

The Coromandel Ukulele Festival

Location: Coromandel Town
Date: May 19, 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://www.thecoromandel.com/new-zealand/coromandel-events-detail/?fuseAction=detail&eventID=68
Local Amenities: Map

2012 Cairns Ukulele Festival

Location: Cairns, Australia
Date: July 6, 7, & 8, 2012
Performers: Manitoba Hal, Aaron Keim, Paul Hemmings.
Website: http://cairnsukulelefestival.net/
Local Amenities: Map

Hibiscus Ukulele Convention 2012 – Orewa New Zealand

Location: Orewa Arts and Events centre
Date: October 27th, 2012 9.30am – 5:30pm
Performers: The Nukes, Kevin Fogarty, Avon Hansen-Beadle
Website: http://www.ukuleleheaven.co.nz
Local Amenities: Map

Canberra Ukulele Festival of Fun 2012

Location: Tuggeranong Arts Centre
Date: October 27th 2012
Performers: TBA
Website: http://ukelyptus.com.au/index_files/CUFFs.htm
Local Amenities: Map

Melbourne Ukulele Festival 2012

Location: Melbourne
Date: March 8 – 11, 2012
Performers: Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, Ralph Shaw, Bosko and Honey, U.K.E., Benny Chong.
Website: www.muf.org.au
Local Amenities: Map

2012 Newkulele Festival

Location: Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
Date: October 26-28, 2012
Performers: Azo Bell, Mic Conway, AJ Leonard’s Tropical Lounge, Melbourne Ukulele Kollective.
Website: http://www.newkulelefestival.org.au/
Local Amenities: Map

Asia

Thailand Ukulele Festival 2011

Location: Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon
Date: February 25 – 26, 2012 11:00 – 21:30
Performers: Aldrine Guerrero, Kalei Gamiao, KYAS, Shigeto Takahashi, Kimo Hussey, Lula, Sungha Jung.
Website: http://www.thailandukulelefestival.com/
Local Amenities: Map

LP – Into the Wild (Chords)

LP – Into the Wild (Chords)

For the first time ever, all my nominations have made it through to the vote for Ukulele Video of the Year. Which means either everyone who reads this blog now has impeccable taste or I’ve successfully alienated everyone that disagrees with me.

I only added LP’s Into the Wild to my nominations at the last minute. I was checking through the ‘Other Videos You Might Like’ list and realised that this song is pretty magnificent. Dead simple too. Only three chords in it: G, Em and C.

Whoever you want to vote for you can cast your vote here.

Suggested Strumming

She’s doing mostly down-up:

d u d u d u d u

Do that twice for every chord in the verse and chorus. Once for every chord in the pre-chorus.

Download it for free on her website.

Ukulele Video of the Year 2011: Vote

The nominees are in and here’s the final list of contenders:

Poll Closed

You can only vote once and polling closes at midnight Hawaii time on 13th February. I’d encourage you to watch any you’re not familiar with but other than that, go wild. Vote for whoever you like for whatever reason you like (who wins isn’t as important as getting some exposure for excellent videos).

Results

A Banda Mais Bonita da Cidade – Oração
476 – 41%

Lisa Hannigan – Knots
130 – 11%

Nicholas Abersold – Those Punk Rock Days
111 – 10%

James Hill – Hand Over My Heart
105 – 9%

Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep
84 – 7%

Amanda Palmer & The Young Punx – Map of Tasmania
77 – 7%

LP – Into the Wild
69 – 6%

Raymond Penfield – Addicted to Love
58 – 5%

Keston Cobblers’ Club – Pett Level
53 – 5%

James Hill, Joy Ike: UkeTube

A James Hill double-bill this week including one from his Hi Session. It’s worth checking out their other stuff too. There are uke appearances from Kalei Gamaio and Aldrine Guerrero, and non-uke stuff like this performance by Kuana Torres.

If you haven’t made your nominations for ukulele video of 2011 yet head here and make your pick.

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Ukulele Video of the Year 2011: Nominations

The real purpose of the vote: to get people watching excellent musicians. So if there’s a video you think has been cruelly overlooked, be sure to give it a nomination because I’ll be watching anything I missed first time round.

For the first stage, everyone gets to nominate up to 5 videos – leave them in the comments. From those nominations, I’ll cobble together a list of ten (ish) that will be voted on in the next round. Use whatever criteria you like. I went with whichever videos/songs I enjoyed most.

The Rules

The rules remain as ramshackle as ever:

– There has to be a ukulele in there.
– Videos must have been originally uploaded in 2011.
– Videos must be publicly available online.
– Maximum of five nominations per person.
– Post your nominations in the comments.
– Nominations close midnight Sunday 5th February.
– Ten acts with the most nominations go into the final vote with their most nominated song going forward.
– No prize. Just the love and admiration of the heaving masses.
– No sucking up by voting for me.

Don’t panic if your comments don’t show up right away. First time commenters and comments contains a few links can get held back for spam checking.

My Nominations

A Banda Mais Bonita da Cidade – Oração
Amanda Palmer & The Young Punx – Map of Tasmania
Keston Cobblers’ Club – Pett Level
Lisa Hannigan – Knots
LP – Into The Wild

Videos You May Like

To jog your memory, here are some more videos that have caused a stir in the comments, on the net or in my pants:

Raymond Penfield – Addicted To Love
Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt – What Are You Doing New Years Eve?
James Hill – Hand Over My Heart
Eddie Vedder – Can’t Keep
Taimane Gardner – Taimane’s Toccata
Seryn – River Song
Keston Cobblers’ Club – Shoemaker’s Song
My Brightest Diamond – I Have Never Loved Someone
Nicholas Abersold – Those Punk Rock Days
tUnE-yArDs- You Yes You
Givers – Meantime
The Jive Aces – Bring Me Sunshine
Pegasus Bridge – Yoko
Celisse Henderson – Me and You
Ukulele Tim – The Summoning
Ukulele Bartt and James Hill – Kashmir
Sungha Jung – I’m Yours
Leftover Cuties – Places to Go
Jake Shimabukuro – 143
KYAS – Bad Romance
Kina Grannis – Michicant
Kate and Janelle – Star Witness
Jonathan Coulton – Down Today
Sophie Madeleine – Oil & Gold
U900 – I Want You Back

Video of the Year Nominations

If you haven’t already, make sure you get your nomination in for the Ukulele Video of the Year 2011.

Current high-flyers are Lisa Hannigan, LP and Eddie Vedder. If you think someone else deserves a look-in head over to the post and make your nominations in the comments.

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