Stories

Winter NAMM 2015: Goodtime Launches Banjo Ukulele

By popular demand, the Goodtime banjo company has announced the addition of a banjo ukulele to its catalog. The new American-made concert-scale instrument, which will begin shipping in March, features an 11-inch violin maple rim, maple neck, and a floating…

Winter NAMM 2015: Kala Unveils Exciting New Models

This year, Northern California’s Kala Brand Music Company is celebrating its 10th anniversary in the ukulele business. Founded by Mike Upton in 2005, Kala has quickly become one of the most important and innovative uke manufacturers in the industry. We connected with Upton…

Winter NAMM 2015: Lanikai Introduces Its Handmade Makau Series

Last summer, Lanikai Ukuleles unveiled its Makau Series of instruments. Each uke in the line is handmade in downtown Honolulu, Hawaii, with all-solid koa backs and sides, rosewood fingerboards, Honduran mahogany necks, and abalone headstock inlays. The latest addition to…

Ukulele Fuels New Documentary Soundtrack

The singer-songwriter and uke player known as Danielle Ate the Sandwich has just released The Drawing Back of Curtains, a lovely and compelling 11-song collection that serves as the soundtrack to the new documentary, Packed in a Trunk: The Lost Art of Edith Lake…

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Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra Kicks Off U.S. Tour

The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra kicked off its U.S. tour last night in New York City and will bring its outrageous, ukulele-fueled performances to 12 more cities through January 25. Check out all the dates here and below. One of New Zealand’s…

Moku Announces Collaboration with Mike Hind

Although Mike “Uncle Elvis” Hind has only been playing ukulele for a few short years, he’s developed a sterling reputation as an engaging, entertaining performer. Now, the Bermuda-based musician is adding ukulele designer to his resume. Moku Ukuleles has announced the…

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Introducing the Electro-Acoustic Ukelation

  As if the ukulele wasn’t portable enough . . . Monty Ross, an electrical engineer based in Washington, has developed a AA-battery-powered, solid-body, electro-acoustic ukulele, known as the Ukelation. The Ukelation features an under-saddle pickup along with a built-in speaker…

Sylvie Simmons

What We’re Listening To: Sylvie Simmons’ ‘Sylvie’

Still searching for some good ukulele albums for your 2014 year-end playlist? Critics at The Guardian, MOJO, and The Bay Bridged love the new debut album by Sylvie Simmons — and after listening to it on Spotify (see stream below),…