Yesterday – it being International Women’s Day – I was musing on how gender balanced the ukulele world is (compare the average ukulele festival to scenes from NAMM). I like to have a healthy mix on the site and writing about the ukulele makes it very easy. But it goes beyond gender. The ukulele scene […]

I’m sure 2010 will got down in ukulele history as the year of Hey, Soul Sister (don’t even think about it: released November 2009). But I’ll be remembering the year for the diversity, skill and invention on display from the ukers. And it’s heartening to see that, despite all the mainstreamification and talk of the […]

I’ve made this quiz much easier than last year’s (and number 16 is there to ensure no one gets 0) but there are some very tricky ones in there. If you’re reading by email or feed you might want to head over to the site so you get everything. If you’re looking to waste a […]

Time for a bit of a blog break. I need a couple of weeks to focus on the book I’m writing that I’m still not allowed to talk about. I’ll be back in time for some Christmas goodies. Before I go, check out this hilarious history of the ukulele.

I’m taking a blog break for the next 3 weeks. Including an actual holiday (in Slovenia) and two weeks working on the top secret Operation Exploding Carrats. See you on the 24th.

I’m sure you’ll have read a few of those Tourist Board type potted histories of the ukulele. But they’ve always left me with tons of questions. So I decided to put those questions to someone who has looked into it properly. Jim Tranquada has just completed a book on ukulele history that he and John […]

As promised, here’s a rundown of the third year of Uke Hunt in case you missed anything significant. May John Kavanagh passes away. Moustaches of the World ukulele. Mahalo Flying V is the worst ukulele I’ve ever played. Peggy Sue put out my favourite ukulele song of the year. I wrote up Rocky and Balls […]

The site is three years old today. I was originally going to do a review of the year but I decided to give that a post of its own and stick with the annual self-indulgent post. Stats The number of people visiting the blog continues to make me feel woozy whenever I think about it. […]

Screw you guys, I’m going on holiday! Don’t be that jealous, though. I’m only going as far as the Lake District. So the next post you get from me will be the third birthday post on the 13th. Gosh, doesn’t time. Love ya. Bye.

The site has been throwing a bit of a diva fit this evening. At the time of writing, it’s sort of back on line. But don’t be too surprised if things look weird, aren’t working or the whole site disappears. I’m going to get some sleep and pray the interfairies take pity on me. A […]