Finally, Strange Powers, the documentry about Stephin Merritt and the Magnetic Fields, is available to digitally rent on iTunes and lovefilm.com. I missed the theatre screening in London and have been desperate to see it.
In honour of this, here’s a really old interview where he plays The Nun’s Litany on an 8 string mele ukulele. It’s a lovely version of the song and Stephin Merritt is his normal deadpan self.
There might be a reduced service on ukuleleporn for the next month as I’m off for on an extended holiday to the other side of the world. Hopefully I’ll find some ukulele stuff there that I can write about.
Enjoy.
The chords are at stephinsongs, along with the rest of their albums, but you’ll have to look up the uke chords if you don’t know them.
Mr Solo, also known as The Vessel from cult favourites David Devant and his Spirit Wife, is an artist, as well as a musician, who on stage sports a cape, a rather dashing haircut and also, on occasion, wields a pink ukulele.
Ukulele porn managed to catch a minute with him for a short question and answer session.
1. How did you discover the ukulele?
MS: My friend and collaborator in David Devant and his Spirit Wife, Foz, was always encouraging me to get one and my inner cynic used to think that’s just a toy. Then one day I was doing an early Mr Solo gig at the Luminaire and saw the pink one in the window of a nearby music shop. It looked so delicious i had to have it.
2. What made you choose a pink ukulele?
The colour! Its the colour of strawberry ice cream and bubblegum as if it was a big slab of some kind of confectionery item. I think i was lucky in so much as it has a nice sound for a low priced Mahalo model. Its pretty robust too. i also bought the pink flying V model which looked lovely but sounded a bit thin. This was in no way why i gave it to Marc Riley as a gift/bribe.
3. Any favourite ukulele songs?
I hear the Beatles wrote a lot on ukes but I’m not really sure of any specific numbers. The uke is great for standards and I’m a big fan of the Mills Brothers (the very thought of you). Also really do like a lot of Formby songs (why don’t women like me?) but that’s banjolele isn’t it? er… Somewhere Over the Rainbow.
4. Does Mr. Solo have another album in the pipeline and will your pink ukulele feature?
5. Any other interesting instruments you own or would like to?
I have a stylophone and a Casio vl tone plus one of those Chinese banjos with a bow. You never know I might take up the saw but it takes strength. I love my little Kemble Minx Miniature upright piano. It has a great clear tone and is pretty good at staying in tune although this happens to be half a semi-tone below concert pitch. This made it fun to record with as we tuned everything else to it.
6. Considering the magnificence of your hair, do you take one bottle into the shower or two?
The bottles are generally already there in the shower at home. I’m not that keen on showering in swimming baths but if I have to it would be just the one- not wanting to linger.
7. Any gigs coming up?
30th Jan at the Pop Art anniversary at Bloomsbury bowling lanes and the 4th of Feb at The Miller in London Bridge.
8. What’s next for Mr Solo?
An opera called Russian Dolls plus more work with david devant and his spirit wife! more info here! http://mrsolo.info/
I recently caught up with all girl ukulele trio, the Strumpettes, in the East London pub the Nelson’s Head.
The Strumpettes are a ukulele close harmony trio who, if legend is to be believed, formed in the 1920s and through some kind of miracle, have never aged a day. That’s one version of events but alternatively, they might have just met at university and decided to form a swing inspired ukulele band at the end of 2009. But that would just seem a little far fetched.
The Strumpettes Photograph by: Sophie Allen
The Band includes, Kitty Kowalski, a Polish Aristocrat who fled native land in a vodka barrel, and ended up singing in New Orleans’ dive bars until she was saved by the Strumpettes. She also has quite a talent for poker, so best not play for money against her.
Kitty Kowalski – Photograph by: Sophie Allen
Velma Valentine grew up busking and picking pockets on the streets of Brookyln. She rose up the cabaret scene in New York, before moving to London to become a Strumpette. Oh, and if you have any nice diamonds you might want to keep, best not wear them around her – she’s known for her love of diamonds.
Velma Valentine – Photograph: Sophie Allen
Also, of late there’s been some changes to the Strumpettes, as Bettina Winters has fled the coup. So what does it take to be a Strumpette? According to Velma and Kitty, “she needed to look hot in a 1940s dress and act like an American tart as well as being amazing at singing and playing the ukulele, of course.”
Auditions were held, lots of men disturbingly applied, but in the end they spotted their new member, Scarlett Munroe, singing a sick dolphin back to sleep in a New York zoo. The unwanted love child of Marilyn Monroe and Roger Rouge, a Russian Contortionist, she was sent to a school for performing monkeys and mammal, hence the dolphin thing. I think the life of a Strumpette is probably more appealing than singing to unappreciative dolphins all day long.
Scarlett Munroe – Photograph: Sophie Allen
Despite being formed in the 1920s, a big influence on the band are the Andrew’s Sisters. According to Velma Valentine, “the Andrew’s Sisters are kind of what triggered the whole thing. Also, Hollywood – old movies were a big influence, especially Marilyn Monroe in the film, Some Like it Hot, where she’s playing the ukulele.”
Their early demos were recorded underneath the Rio, a deco period cinema in Dalston, London, and they have plans to record an album in a few months time. Despite playing live for less than a year, they’ve already played Glastonbury. “It was amazing, we played three times. The first night was our largest crowd we’ve ever played too, about a thousand people. Ironically, the last night, was when we probably played the best set we’ve ever done.”
The Strupettes play the Thames Festival, September 11th and 12th, and also ukuelele cabaret with Tricity Vogue, 21st september 2010. You can see all future gigs on their website, www.thestrumpettes.com, and also, on myspace.
I had the rather fortunate pleasure of interviewing Chap-Hop pioneer Mr B the Gentleman Rhymer. For those of you not familiar, he’s a B-Boy banjolele playing gentleman who has a taste for the finer things in life.
Tell me about Chap-Hop.
With Chap-Hop I am reconnecting Hip-Hop to the queen’s English and manners.
Why did you choose the banjolele?
The banjolele has a more abrasive, more amusing sound than the uke, more suitable for funky licks and what-not.
How long have you been dabbling in the dark art of banjolele flaling?
Crikey, probably nearly a decade now.
What make is your banjolele and how did you come about it?
It’s an Ashbury, I’d rather not talk about buying it as I managed to talk myself into paying £100 more for it than the proprietor had advertised. Fool I am!
Ever dabble with a normal ukulele?
Oh yes, I enjoy playing ballads on my uke and it’s a more convenient travelling companion, but I think the banjolele has a little more impact on stage.
What tips do you have for all the wannabe Ladies and Gentleman reading this?
Just take a look at yourself in the miror for a second or two longer than you usually would and ask yourself ‘should I really be wearing this sweatshirt?’. Then buy a pipe and a ukulele. The only advice I have for the ladies is come and see my next show!
George Formby or Chuck D both have impressive verbal flow but who’s better?
Chuck has superior lyrical flow, but George is a better banjolele player. Any favourite ukulele/banjolele songs?
Lust For Life by Iggy Pop was written by David Bowie on a ukulele. That turned out ok. The youth of today – what does Mr B think?
They’re all far too young.
Who are your role models?
Anthony Aloysious St.John Hancock, Chuck D (or Charles Dance as he’s otherwise known).
What does Mr B do in his spare time?
Depending on which way you look at it, I either have no spare time at all or all of my time is spare………I’ve just got an allotment though, might have a look at that for a bit.
Any other musical instruments?
Indeed. I have just begun to incorporate the soprano trombone into my act, another small, amusing instrument. I do play a fair few though, double bass, guitar, piano, drums. You name it I’ll have a bash!
Future shows? Crikey, so many…do have a look at www.Gentlemanrhymer.com and have a look at the list.
Flattery not included – any plans for a follow up?
Yes indeed, I am in the process of polishing off long-player number two as we speak. Some of the ditties can already be heard in the live show.
Who is Timothy?
Westwood. Lanky middle aged b-boy type. Lovely old cove really, but a tad misguided bless him.
Favourite tweed?
Tweed is such a versatile fabric that one is always finding a new favourite. One needn’t look any further than a bit of Harris though. That said, I don’t wish to do down my chums in Donegal either. It’s all ruddy marvelous. I recently pushed the boat out style wise and bought a jacket in electric blue with a yellow and navy check. Splendid!
Favourite tipple?
I am partial to a good white port I must say.
Favourite tea?
Lapsang souchong of course.
What’s next for Mr B?
Finish off album number two then world domination should do the trick, eh?
Pip pip, indeed. Here’s a video if you’re curious about the finer details of Chap-Hop.
