Every week as I’m putting this post together I’m amazed how much talent there is around. And it’s almost always better than the dreck that ends up on the TV and radio. Certainly they are more individual and heartfelt.

This week includes another song from Clare Costa. Last week she was singing in French, this week Italian. She’s obviously pitching for a mention on Ukulele & Languages. Katzenjammer’s ukulele song finally shows up (although the sound quality leaves a bit to be desired). And if Zoe doesn’t win Seeso’s Hip Hop doohicky I’m calling shenanigans. Read the rest of this entry »

As I’m currently bopping my ass at the London Ukulele Festival, it’s bit shorter than usual this week. But it does include Katian and Kevin Witchger (whose Five Second Dance Party and Five Second Fight Party you should also check out), Ken Middleton and, huzzah someone singing in French. French is easilly the coolest language to sing in and it’s a shame all the French ukers don’t do it more often.

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In a rare occurrence, the best video I came across this week doesn’t have a uke in – although I’ve read the band has a uke song. Despite that, Katzenjammer’s skiffle-tastic Ain’t No Thang is probably the best thing that has ever happened to my ears and eyes simultaneously. There are a million things I love about it and I’m very tempted to list them all. The song includes a bass balalaika solo. But that wouldn’t even top the list. I have to make it the featured video even if it is ukeless. I just wish their whole album was that raw.

Once you’ve watched that a few dozen times, this week’s UkeTube includes Izumi (who I’m 100% sure I subscribed to but somehow missed her stuff and had to be reminded by KDUS – to make up for it I included her twice), one of Jake Wildwood’s finest songs, Krouk blasting out the Smeckisms and plenty more.

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The most interesting video this week is of the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain being joined by Yusuf ‘Cat Stevens’ Islam for a version of Peace Train. You can watch the Uke’s other performance on the show here.

Also this week are GUGUG, Ukesysteemi (the 14-year old, Finnish, slightly fuckin’ awesome version of GUGUG) and the usual mix of old friends and new favourites.

One video that didn’t make the cut is this one by me. I’m all excited about going to see Imelda May tomorrow so I knocked out some rockabilly cliches and pulled some stupid faces. Read the rest of this entry »

I haven’t been paying as much attention as usual over my break, so I’ve probably missed something. But what I did find is excellent. The most exciting discover came when I went to see Peggy Sue (and the Pirates). I like them so much I did a Monday Exposure on them even though they didn’t play ukulele. But now they do – as you can see in a fairly badly recorded video.

I would have included this song from Marie Darling but I can’t get Dailymotion videos to embed.
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Videos this week include Black Kids doing a ukulele session for KEXP (not as spunky as the full-on version but enough to feed my craving for songs with girls shouting numbers), Ukulele Loki, a particularly fine version of St James Infirmary, WS64 ripping through a couple of rock and roll classics (now go la-da-dow) and Kalei Gamiao getting smooth. Read the rest of this entry »

Three old videos from people recklessly making great uke music without tagging it to make things easy for me: Watercolor Paintings (who aren’t, as I first thought, covering Mirah), Cousin Alice and Charlot Webster. Along with plenty of more diligent ukers.

One uker who didn’t make the cut is Aaron Carter (who is now, apparently, successfully wearing big boy pants). Read the rest of this entry »

This week’s videos include an old old clip from Tafra, a new old clip of James Hill rocking the White Stripes look, The Puppini Sisters calypsoing around and Todd encouraging us to take a ukulele break (as if we needed any convincing). Read the rest of this entry »

Warning! One of these videos autoplays – I couldn’t figure out a way to stop it. But it isn’t on YouTube and I like it. It’s the first one if you’re desperate to stop it.

Revenge of the cute ukulele girl this week with Melissa Polinar looking to be on a collision course for Boing Boing (excellent song choice as well I think). PJ Harvey looks more ill each time I see her. Read the rest of this entry »

Back in the day I felt the need to argue that the ukulele wasn’t just for uggos like Tiny and Formby but sexy people played it too. How the times change. Now I feel the need to say, “Ugly men play the ukulele too.” So this edition of UkeTube features plenty of facial hair and stretched t-shirts; and smells of sweat and Lynx.

Of course, none of them are ugly. I’d snog each and every one.
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