S4E13 - Jasmine Fellows

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 Canberra Times
• Sunday Assembly
• Martin backpacker guitar
• The Green Shed
• Mahalo ukulele
• Kala ukulele
• Michael Rosenberg
• Ukulele Republic of Canberra
• Central Coast Ukulele Festival
• Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival
• Ohana
• Rebecca Sugar
• Steven Universe
• KoAloha
• Jonathan Coulton
• Joco Cruise
• Enya Music
• The Bec Taylor School of Music
• Ukulele Festival Hawaii
• Kamaka Ukuleles

Podcasts I mentioned:

• Answer Me This
• Stuff You Should know
• The West Wing weekly
• Veronica Mars Investigations
• Buffering the Vampire Slayer
• The Chaser
• A Rational Fear
• The Amelia Project

Episodes I mentioned:

• Michael Rosenberg
• Mark Jackson & Jane Jelbart
• David “Snapper” Thiele
• Cameron Murray
• Alan & Paul Okami

Songs played on the show:

• If You Could Read My Mind (Gordon Lightfoot, 1970)
• One Heart is Enough (Meredith Harper)

Go to the Ukulele is the New Black YouTube channel for a playlist of songs relating to today’s episode.

Ukulele is the New Black is produced by me, Meredith Harper.  I wrote the theme tune and I performed it with Janine Chandler, Jim Croft, Jasmine Fellows, Paul Marsh, Sandra Shaw and Chris Williams.  Seb Carraro does the graphic design.

Thank you so much to Cameron Murray for being part of this final episode.  If you haven’t heard Cameron’s podcast Ukulele Stories, now is the perfect time to subscribe so that you keep on getting your ukulele podcast fix!

Well listeners, this is the last interview I will be posting on this feed for now, but please stay subscribed as I will be releasing a 2021 compilation episode in early 2022.  And who knows, I might get inspired and make the occasional new episode.  Thank you so much for listening and supporting the podcast, with special thanks to my wonderful patrons.  Stay safe and keep strumming!

Thanks to my $10 and over Patreon supporters for helping me to make this podcast:

• Ukulele Legend: Linda Dodwell
• Ukulele Champions: Debbie Hoad, Maja Zweck & Christopher Boatwright

The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.

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 Republic of Canberra
• Seasons of the Ukulele
• Mad World collaboration
• Learn to Hoop and play an instrument at the same time!
• Four Strings Two
• James Hill Ukulele Initiative

Songs played on the show:

• The Llama Song (Jasmine Fellows)
• Out in the Late (Jasmine Fellows)
• Ventura Highway (Dewey Bunnell, 1972)
• Mad World (Roland Orzabal, 1982)

Go to the Ukulele Is The New Black YouTube channel for a playlist to hear these songs as well as other content relating to the episode.

Ukulele is the New Black is produced by me, Meredith Harper.  I wrote the theme tune and I performed it with Janine Chandler, Jim Croft, Jasmine Fellows, Paul Marsh, Sandra Shaw and Chris Williams.  Seb Carraro does the graphic design.

Thanks to my $10 and over Patreon supporters for helping me to make this podcast:

• Ukulele Legend: Linda Dodwell
• Ukulele Champions: Debbie Hoad, Maja Zweck & Christopher Boatwright

The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.

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
• Canberra Irish Sessions
• Dave O’Neill
• Bec Taylor School of Music

Songs played on the show:

• Sister Golden Hair (Gerry Beckley, 1975)

Go to the Ukulele Is The New Black YouTube channel for a playlist to hear these songs as well as other content relating to the episode

Ukulele is the New Black is produced by me, Meredith Harper.  I wrote the theme tune and I performed it with Janine Chandler, Jim Croft, Jasmine Fellows, Paul Marsh, Sandra Shaw and Chris Williams.  Seb Carraro does the graphic design.

Thanks to my $10 and over Patreon supporters for helping me to make this podcast:

• Ukulele Legend: Linda Dodwell
• Ukulele Champions: Debbie Hoad, Maja Zweck & Christopher Boatwright

The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.

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 Creations
• Dame Judi Dench’s rude embroidery
• James Hill

Songs played on the show:

• Greasy Coat (Traditional)
• Cold Frosty Morn (Traditional)
• Carved into my Heart (Nicole and Aaron Keim)

Go to the Ukulele Is The New Black YouTube channel for a playlist to hear these songs as well as other content relating to the episode

For more information about Aaron and Nicole, and to buy their books and CDs, go to QuietAmericanMusic.com, and check out Aaron’s ukuleles at thebeansprout.com.  And of course there’s also a whole lot of content on Aaron’s YouTube channel.

Ukulele is the New Black is produced by me, Meredith Harper.  I wrote the theme tune and I performed it with Janine Chandler, Jim Croft, Jasmine Fellows, Paul Marsh, Sandra Shaw and Chris Williams.  Seb Carraro does the graphic design.

Thanks to my $10 and over Patreon supporters for helping me to make this podcast:

• Ukulele Legend: Linda Dodwell
• Ukulele Champions: Debbie Hoad, Maja Zweck & Christopher Boatwright

The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.

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 channel for a playlist to hear these songs as well as other content relating to the episode

For more information about Kim, go to kimyangmusic.com where you will also be able to buy her new EP on 10th September. 

Also don’t forget to send me suggestions for people you would like me to interview on the show, before it’s too late!   

Ukulele is the New Black is produced by me, Meredith Harper.  I wrote the theme tune and I performed it with Janine Chandler, Jim Croft, Jasmine Fellows, Paul Marsh, Sandra Shaw and Chris Williams.  Seb Carraro does the graphic design.

Thanks to my $10 and over Patreon supporters for helping me to make this podcast:

• Ukulele Legend: Linda Dodwell
• Ukulele Champions: Debbie Hoad, Maja Zweck & Christopher Boatwright

The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS

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 Alan and Paul Okami of KoAloha
• The Thin White Ukes

Songs played on the show:

• Rhino Clouds (Dani Joy)
• My Baby Just Cares for Me (Gus Kahn & Walter Donaldson, 1930)
• Happy Birthday (Patty Hill, Mildred J Hill – 1893)

Go to the Ukulele Is The New Black YouTube channel for a playlist to hear these songs as well as other content relating to the episode

Ukulele is the New Black is produced by me, Meredith Harper.  I wrote the theme tune and I performed it with Janine Chandler, Jim Croft, Jasmine Fellows, Paul Marsh, Sandra Shaw and Chris Williams.  Seb Carraro does the graphic design.

Thanks to my $10 and over Patreon supporters for helping me to make this podcast:

• Ukulele Legend: Linda Dodwell
• Ukulele Champions: Debbie Hoad, Maja Zweck & Christopher Boatwright

The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.

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
• Herb Ohta, Jr
• Ariki Foster
• Seasons of the Ukulele

Songs played on the show:

• Dance with a Bandit (Aldrine Guerrero)
• Senor Viktor (Aldrine Guerrero)

Go to the Ukulele Is The New Black YouTube channel for a playlist to hear these songs as well as other content relating to the episode

Ukulele is the New Black is produced by me, Meredith Harper.  I wrote the theme tune and I performed it with Janine Chandler, Jim Croft, Jasmine Fellows, Paul Marsh, Sandra Shaw and Chris Williams.  Seb Carraro does the graphic design.

Thanks to my $10 and over Patreon supporters for helping me to make this podcast:

• Ukulele Legend: Linda Dodwell
• Ukulele Champions: Debbie Hoad, Maja Zweck & Christopher Boatwright

The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.

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 Third Age
• Busselton Ukulele Strummers
• Uke Club Margaret River
• Esplanade Hotel Busselton
• Ukulele Russ
• Curtin University
• Kamaka Ukulele
• Cordoba Ukuleles
• J. Morgan Ukuleles
• Anu Grace
• Wise Ukulele
• 1927
• Strings Attached
• Kanakapila
• Busselton Fringe
• Busselton Jetty

Songs played on the show:

• My Own Kind of Hat (Merle Haggard, Red Lane – 1979)
• Waterloo Road (Michael Anthony Deighan, Michael Wilshaw – 1968)

Go to the Ukulele Is The New Black YouTube channel for a playlist to hear these songs as well as other content relating to the episode

Ukulele is the New Black is produced by me, Meredith Harper.  I wrote the theme tune and I performed it with Janine Chandler, Jim Croft, Jasmine Fellows, Paul Marsh, Sandra Shaw and Chris Williams.  Seb Carraro does the graphic design.

Thanks to my $10 and over Patreon supporters for helping me to make this podcast:

• Ukulele Legend: Linda Dodwell
• Ukulele Champions: Debbie Hoad, Maja Zweck & Christopher Boatwright

The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.

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 McVie, Steve Nicks - 1977)

Ukulele is the New Black is produced by me, Meredith Harper.  I wrote the theme tune and I performed it with Janine Chandler, Jim Croft, Jasmine Fellows, Paul Marsh, Sandra Shaw and Chris Williams.  Seb Carraro does the graphic design.

Thanks to my $10 and over Patreon supporters for helping me to make this podcast:

• Ukulele Legend: Linda Dodwell
• Ukulele Champions: Debbie Hoad, Maja Zweck & Christopher Boatwright

The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.

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, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist”, and I can’t think of a better description.  I hope you enjoy his vocal adventures as much as I did!

Mal plays one of his songs, “TLA”. 

This episode was recorded at the Newkulele Festival, including a small excerpt from Mal’s ukulooping workshop.  More information about Mal and his workshops can be found on his website.

Mal mentions a few interesting instruments: the Zimbabwean thumb piano and African udu drums.  And despite being from Melbourne, he refers to some Canberra things: TUGS ukulele group and Questacon.

He also mentions a band he and his partner Kylie play in, which has the BEST BAND NAME EVER: Formidable Vegetable Sound System.

The music played in this episode is licenced under a Podcasts (Featured Music) agreement with APRA AMCOS.