PODCAST · music
Ukulele Is The New Black
by Meredith Harper
In each episode, Meredith Harper talks to a ukulele player to find out why they play ukulele, what they love about it, and how it's changed their lives. And they play a few tunes as well!
Episodes
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S4E14 - Meredith Harper
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...
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S4E13 - Jasmine Fellows
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...
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S4E12 - Jim Croft
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...
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S4E11 - Nicole and Aaron Keim
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...
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S4E10 - Kim Yang
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...
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S4E09 - Dani Joy and Perry Stauffer
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…
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S4E08 - Aldrine Guerrero
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...
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S4E07 - Barbara Taylor
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…
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BONUS - Life is a Musical
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...
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CLASSIC EPISODE - Mal Webb
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…
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CLASSIC EPISODE: Jane Jelbart and Mark Jackson
Hi listeners! Life is a bit frantic for me at the moment – I've sold my house and I'm desperately trying to buy a new one before I have to move out – a task which has proved more difficult and stressful than I'd anticipated. As a result I've struggled to find the time and headspace to record a…
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S4E06 - Christopher Davis-Shannon
Today I have a chat to Christopher Davis-Shannon, a Philadelphia-based musician who grew up in a very musical family. He discovered ukulele a few years back and fell in love with it, and he now plays some fantastic music, much of it influenced by early 20th century players such as Roy Smeck and...
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S4E05 - Toast Garden
In today's episode I talk to Bill and Lizzie, otherwise known as Toast Garden, a couple and musical duo based in Tasmania. Originally from Sydney where they started out as a guitar and voice duo, they discovered ukulele and have now filled their Tasmanian home with them. They play a couple of…
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S4E04 - Sugarman Slim
I've talked to a lot of overseas players recently so I figured it was time to bring back some Australian content! I have a chat to Sugarman Slim, a Sydney-based musician who combines ukulele with bass riffs in a way that will make you want to jump up and dance! He plays some fantastic songs…
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S4E03 - Rich Sexton
Today's episode features actor and musician Rich Sexton, who entertains and educates young children as the award-winning Funnybones Music, putting his acting and ukulele skills to excellent use. I discovered in our chat that Rich can play grown-up music as well, as you will hear in this episode....
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S4E02 - Marc Gallagher
Today I bring you a chat with Marc Gallagher, a multi-instrumentalist from Manchester in the UK. Marc started out trying to play all the instruments, but when the time came to pick a specialty he wisely opted for the fun one - the ukulele. He is also an accomplished songwriter, and he plays a...
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S4E01 - Stuart Yoshida
Season 4 is here – welcome to the first episode for 2021! Today I talk to fellow ukulele podcaster Stuart Yoshida, who has been making the Ooktown podcast for around 10 years with co-host Doug Brown. As well as talking podcasting, Stuart tells me the story of his first ukulele (blue house, brown...
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BONUS - AUTLA Survives 2020
I'm going to start working on 2021 episodes soon, but in the meantime here is a bonus episode with some of the members of AUTLA – the Australian Ukulele Teachers and Leaders Association. I have a chat with two former guests of the podcast – Tom the Pom and Ruth Allen – as well as AUTLA's…
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BONUS - How Ukulele Changed our Lives in 2020
2020 was a memorable year for many reasons, but today let's focus on the positive. I talked to players from around the globe in 2020 about why they love the ukulele, and today I bring you the many ways in which it has changed their lives. I've also recorded some new songs with the podcast's house...
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S3E20 - Phil Doleman
Phil Doleman is a UK-based professional musician who plays a heap of instruments including guitar, banjo, and of course ukulele. I had a chat to him a few weeks ago about his love of old-time jug band, blues and folk music, and he tells me about his journey from playing in a band as a teenager to…
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S3E19 - Sam Brown
Sam Brown is a professional musician best known as a singer, having sung backing vocals for bands such as Pink Floyd, Deep Purple and Spandau Ballet, as well as having a successful solo career including the international hit single "Stop!", which is still one of my favourite songs. When Sam lost...
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S3E18 - Samantha Muir
Samantha Muir is a classically trained musician who had a passion for guitar from an early age. In 2012 she discovered the ukulele and fell in love with it. Since then she has arranged and composed a huge body of instrumental pieces for ukulele, with a focus on classical and folk music. She talks...
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S3E17 - Stuart Fuchs
Stuart Fuchs is an award-winning multi-instrumentalist who can do amazing things with a ukulele, but he is also passionate about helping people to use music for healing and happiness. He loves to teach and has a heap of resources on his YouTube channel, Ukulele Zen. In today's episode we talk…
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S3E16 - Kevin Chennell
In today's episode I chat to Kevin Chennell from COVID-free Perth, Western Australia. He talks about how much fun it is to busk with a large group of ukulele players, about travelling the world to hang out with top musicians, and convinces his wife Lyn to join him for one of his songs. Please...
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S3E15 - Stuart "Stukulele" Eadie
Today I have a chat to Mullumbimby-based Stuart Eadie, better known as Stukulele, who has had a long career in music but not always as a ukulele player. We talk about his unexpected ukulele teaching career, about starting a new ukulele group in Mullumbimby, and about touring with The Whitlams in…
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S3E14 - Lloyd and his Ukes
In today's episode I have a chat to Lloyd, aka Lloyd and His Ukes, who talks about ukulele acquisition syndrome, Christmas performances in Germany, and how George Formby featured in his tertiary studies. He also plays a couple of fantastic songs which I am sure you will enjoy! Some show-related...
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S3E13 - Sunitra Martinelli
Today's episode with Adelaide-based musician Sunitra Martinelli, who despite having some less than optimal violin lessons when she was young is now an accomplished songwriter, ukulele player and singer. Sunitra has a particular fondness for cabaret-style numbers and loves to sing in French! I…
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S3E12 - Christopher "CC" Carr
Today's episode is with Christopher Carr, aka CC, of the Ukulele Trading Co based in Adelaide, South Australia. We talk about the importance of changing your strings, the Adelaide ukulele scene, and we do some bad Bob Dylan impressions! Enjoy. Some show-related links below: Kala Ukulele Ohana…
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S3E11 - Charlotte Pelgen
Over the past year or so I've noticed a big increase in listeners from Germany, so I thought it was time to feature a German ukulele player on the show. Fortunately my friend Jim Croft seems to be able to find interesting ukulele players all over the world, and he suggested that I get in touch…
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S3E10 - Jenny Peters
Well real life finally caught up with me, so today is the first interview I've recorded remotely. I had a chat with Chicago-based Jenny Peters, one of the two Ukulele Sisters, who publish a heap of ukulele tutorials and books, which I think have a little more to offer than your average tutorial.…
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S3E09 - M Sieiro Garcia & Colin Taylor
Believe it or not, today's episode was recorded on a cruise in March 2020. I had a chat to ukulele players M Sieiro Garcia and Colin Taylor on the island of Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas on the last day of the Joco Cruise. It's funny to listen back to it now, knowing that the next day we were well...
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S3E08 - Gracie Terzian
My final New York interview is with Gracie Terzian, a ukulele player and teacher who is known for playing a harp ukulele – something which I had never seen before! We had a great chat in her New York studio, surrounded by her many ukuleles and other instruments. Enjoy! Some show-related links...
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S3E07 - Gwendolyn Fitz
Here's my third New York interview – this time with Gwendolyn Fitz, ukulele player and founder of the Brooklyn Ukulele Festival. We had a chat in my hotel room on a day when there was unfortunately a lot of noisy maintenance going on in the hotel. I've done my best to minimise it in this episode...
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S3E06 - Andrew Swackhamer
Today I have another conversation recorded in New York earlier this year, with Andrew Swackhamer – self proclaimed ukulele wizard, and all-round gorgeous human. He appeared at the door of my hotel room carrying a ukulele and a gift of chocolate, and I immediately knew we were going to have a…
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S3E05 - Chloe Hennessee
I spent a week in New York in late February, just before things really went pear-shaped there. Chloe Hennessee is the first of four New York-based ukulele players I talked to on my trip. Chloe is only 17, but she has already made her mark on the music scene with her talent in both playing and...
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S3E04 - Shane McAlister
I recorded this episode on a work trip to Wellington, New Zealand back in February – looking at the calendar, it was less than two months ago, but it feels like another life! I asked a few people who I should talk to in Wellington, and the response was unanimous – Shane McAlister. Shane's place…
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S3E03 - Chantelle Riordan
Well the world is a scary place at the moment – I got home from my shorter-than-expected overseas trip a week ago, and have been at home in self-isolation since then. Fortunately I have plenty of interviews recorded, so I will be able to continue to take your mind off things with more chats with...
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S3E02 - Duplicity
Today's episode is the second which I recorded at the Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival in February. I had a chat to another Melbourne-based duo – this time, Sue Kidd and Brendan Canty, who perform together as Duplicity. We had a great chat in my Airbnb with the rain bucketing down outside, which...
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S3E01 - All The Way Home
Welcome to the first episode for 2020, which was recorded at the Blue Mountains Ukulele Festival in February. I had a chat to Melbourne-based Nicki Johnson and Craig Barrie, who perform together as All The Way Home. As well as being great ukulele players they take their singing pretty seriously,...
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BONUS - Spoken Word Theme Tune
Inspired by the great William Shatner, I made this magnificent spoken word version of the theme tune, with some friends. I hope you enjoy it! Lyrics written and spoken by Meredith Harper, with additional vocals by Jasmine Fellows. Music by Geoff Skellams, Paul Marsh and Chris Williams. Thanks to…
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BONUS - How Ukulele Changed our Lives in 2019
This episode is a celebration of all those people I talked to in 2019. Every one of them told me how ukulele had changed their life, and I've put all those reasons together in one place. I've scored this episode with a lot of music featuring ukulele. Most of it was recorded specifically for this...
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S2E19 - David "Snapper" Thiele
If you listened to the episode earlier this year where I talked to Dave Parker of The Nukes, you may have been wondering about this guy called Snapper we kept talking about. Well wonder no more, because here he is! I had another brief visit to Auckland a few months ago and jumped at the…
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S2E18 - Jenny Parenteau
Jenny Parenteau plays ukulele with The Loveys, a brilliant four-piece band from Mullumbimby in northern NSW. I first heard them play at the Newkulele festival in 2018, and was thrilled to hear that they would be at SPRUKE this year. I had a chat with Jenny in The Loveys' dressing room backstage...
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S2E17 - Ian Porter
This is the second episode recorded at the Brisbane SPRUKE ukulele festival in September. If you listened to my previous episode with Ruth Allen, you would have heard her talk about Ian Porter. Well, here he is in today's episode! Ian is an accomplished player and teacher of ukulele and I really...
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S2E16 - Ruth Allen
I recently went to the SPRUKE ukulele festival in Brisbane, where I caught up with Ruth Allen, leader of the Port Macquarie Ukestra. If you don't know what a Ukestra is, go back and listen to the episode I recorded last year with Mark Jackson and Jane Jelbart. Not only does Ruth lead the ukestra,...
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S2E15 - David Megarrity
Back in February, I recorded a live episode at the Gang Gang Twang festival in Canberra featuring David Megarrity and Samuel Vincent, otherwise known as Tyrone and Lesley. Unfortunately I wasn't able to release that episode due to issues with the sound quality, but I recently caught up with David...
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S2E14 - The Wild Women of Anywhere Beach
Today's episode is the last of three which I recorded at the 2019 Central Coast Ukulele and Folk Festival. Cathy Welsford and Angie Smith are the Wild Women of Anywhere Beach, an incredibly talented duo who frequently perform, run workshops, and write fantastic songs. I really enjoyed my chat…
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S2E13 - Ohana
Today's episode was recorded at the Central Coast Ukulele and Folk Festival. Normally when I go to a festival I organise all my interviews in advance, but when I heard Ohana playing at the festival on the Saturday morning I was impressed, and hit them up for an interview as soon as they finished...
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S2E12 - Aubrey and Purton
I went to the Central Coast Ukulele and Folk Festival in August, where I had a chat to Dennis Aubrey and Pete Purton, who perform as duo Aubrey and Purton. They have been busking together for years and it shows - their performance looks so effortless, and they know how to engage a crowd. They…
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S2E11 - Tom "Tom the Pom" Harding
A few weeks ago I was at one of my regular ukulele group meetups, and someone new turned up to play. He confidently walked in, introduced himself as Tom the Pom, and started playing with us. It didn't take too long for me to decide that I had to get him on the podcast. He was only in Canberra for…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
In each episode, Meredith Harper talks to a ukulele player to find out why they play ukulele, what they love about it, and how it's changed their lives. And they play a few tunes as well!
HOSTED BY
Meredith Harper
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Ukulele Is The New Black have?
Ukulele Is The New Black currently has 81 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Ukulele Is The New Black about?
In each episode, Meredith Harper talks to a ukulele player to find out why they play ukulele, what they love about it, and how it's changed their lives. And they play a few tunes as well!
How often does Ukulele Is The New Black release new episodes?
Ukulele Is The New Black has 81 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Ukulele Is The New Black?
You can listen to Ukulele Is The New Black on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Ukulele Is The New Black?
Ukulele Is The New Black is created and hosted by Meredith Harper.
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