The Uke Heads Experience: “The album that became a community”

Back in 2022, an opportunity arose that I had been awaiting for years, although I didn’t know it.

My ukulele hero, James Hill, sent an invitation to his mailing list, asking us to be part of an album of songs he’d been working on. He and his friend-since-childhood Chris Parsons had a nutty idea: get a worldwide slew of JH students and fans to learn and remotely record a bunch of ukulele and vocal parts of songs. Then, somehow fashion them into an album. It would be called Uke Heads. And honestly, who knew if it would even be a viable idea?

Those of us who decided to be part of the project also helped to fund it by purchasing our own “Uke Head”. This is mine:

You can imagine, with 1,879 unique ukulele characters to choose from, the selection process was not quick ‘n’ easy.

It was a rocky start for Dilovely.

I was really excited to get started… but also, life is what it is. I purchased my Uke Head in June 2022, unsure of when things would get off the ground, but knowing I’d hear about it. At the same time, we were going through our first “normal” year back at school. That is to say, we were dealing with the fallout of two years of pivoting. (Which was a lot.)

Then in the fall, I got an excited email from James. The first song on the Uke Heads album was being released with its video! Which was theoretically exciting, but also heartbreaking. Turns out I’d missed the first FOUR songs of the album. There was an email mixup, and all the notifications of startup and online lessons went to an account I rarely check. (It’s a PayPal issue, but I was still annoyed at myself for not wondering sooner why I hadn’t received any emails.)

Anyway. I’ve (pretty much, basically) let that go.

Life as a Uke Head

I hopped on board with Track #5, “The Night”. ‘Twas thrilling. I felt so late to the party, but the community of Uke Heads was super-welcoming and lovely. (And I wasn’t the latest to the party! New people joined all the time, so I got to help welcome others.) And the song, like all of them, is gorgeous and satisfying.

For each song, we all gathered for an online lesson with James (or watched the recording later) to learn the ins and outs of the vocal and ukulele parts. Then we rehearsed individually, with our digital sheet music and practise tracks, in our own myriad little spaces scattered across the globe, and then submitted our recordings to James.

Let me tell you. I am a mediocre ukulelist, and a decent singer – no professional. But never have I felt quite so vulnerable about my abilities as when listening to my naked, un-pretty first track submissions. NOTHING is smoothed out when you record through the air onto your phone on a bare-bones mp3 app. Yikes. A bit painful.

For that first song, I didn’t even submit the ukulele part that I’d practised, so self-conscious was I about my less-than-stellar skills. (I deemed my vocal part passable.) But after listening to the first finished mix I was part of, I adopted the Uke Heads community’s accepted slogan: “Done is better than perfect.”

Also, hearing our blended music made us feel safe. James (who does the sound engineering himself, with his son Alder) has a beautiful way of mixing our submissions. We sound like the multitudes we are, but you can rarely pick out any one voice or track. (I’m sure he was judicious about loudening and softening tracks so that our mistakes didn’t hit us in the eardrums.)

And the community of Uke Heads! It’s pretty amazing. I could have spent full-time hours on Slack, just reading and listening to all the cool things people shared, going into the rabbit holes of technique and advice and so on. The sincerity and enthusiasm the Uke Heads brought to this project has been hugely inspiring.

I learned a LOT.

During our practice sessions (and subsequent Q and A on our Slack space), we learned about alternate fingerings, alternate tunings, bending notes, and how to fix or mitigate those niggly little issues that crop up (like when a note rings as you take your finger off the string). And by golly, I practised. I got the crampy hands and sore fingertips – and even a bit of callus action – that are the symptoms of dedication.

And I geeked out about the vocal parts. If there’s one thing I can do well, it’s carry a harmony. (James, of course, writes a killer harmonic line.) Therefore, I learned every part my range could handle.

I am, without question, a better ukulele player than I was before this project. And a more confident one. I feel way more legit with an album under my belt. (Ha!)

And I’m still not sick of these songs.

I have now listened to this album many times. Ya know, since I have my own signed copy. (Since James is my pal now, basically. Even more than before.)

These songs are, of course, full of timeless lyrics, gorgeous melodies, and gratifying beats. Because that’s how James rolls. He knows how to get the most out of the humble ukulele(s), and he never fails to do so.

I can’t say as much about the first four tracks, since I didn’t learn them at the time (though my plan is to learn them all). Still, you gotta love the cool vibe of “Summertime”, the ultra-smooth, playful flavour of “Solid Gold”, and melodic punch of every chorus of “Lucky in Love”. “Lie Di Die” is one I do wish especially I could have been part of… Not just because my name is (kind of) in it ;), but because of the gut-level satisfaction when the Uke Heads swing into that dazzling chorus.

As for the tracks I’m part of… well, they are also part of me. Therefore, I reserve the right to geek out individually about each of them.

When the album was fully mastered, we had an official Uke Heads listening party. It was in August, so it was one of the few times I could be present “in person” at the online meeting. Even in our little screen boxes, the excitement was palpable. We all cared so much about these songs.

The Night

When the opening notes of “The Night” (my first track) came through, there were suddenly tears in my eyes. Even though I’d spent so much time practicing, and heard the finished track many times, it felt new. I listened with whole-body goosebumps.

If you’re listening, I recommend putting on headphones or cranking the volume, because this song can take as close a listen as you can give it. I love the crowd-of-Uke-Heads feeling, the enigmatic lyrics, the offset strumming, and especially the ravishing suspense and resolution as you head into the chorus. Try it yourself! Learn the chorus and sing along; it’s the best. Don’t forget the “Ooh-ooh!”

Sure As The Morning

The groove in this song is just irresistible. Can you listen without grooving along? (I can’t – obviously.) I loved fully engaging in all those chords – it was some solid learning.

It was super-fun singing those “Whoa-ohh”s. I’m pretty sure my family noticed me practising this one more than the others… “It’s been way too long since she’s been kissed” is quite the memorable lyric.

I have a feeling I’m not the only Uke Head who loves the ending best. Even though the groove drops out, it felt like a meditation learning the soft, prayer-like harmonies… And of course James brought us all together beautifully, right up to the long “ooooh” at the end.

O, Cecilia

Here’s the song where we learned to bend. The part the Uke Heads played was harder than it sounds (at least for the likes of me). This is where I understood how hard it can be to stay even with your syncopated fingerings. But I DID IT (#doneisbetterthanperfect). I never got to the point of sounding cool and casual, like those twangs should be, but I was able to see my progress and feel proud. There was lots of lightness in it too, though, especially the “woo hoo” parts, and the pings between the “oohs”.

Nine to Five

Gah, this song was so fun! Some more sliding around the fretboard, lyrics that are just fun to hear and say, and simply great melodic/harmonic lines. (James, your vocals take the cake on this one, wow. Maybe my favourite for that… although it’s hard to pick.)

When I first listened to the practise tracks for Nine to Five, my jaw dropped at the surprise after 2:45. I won’t spoil it, you have to just listen. It was apparently inspired by a mixing mishap during the creation process – and luckily, James knows how to take advantage of a happy accident. It took quite a bit of practice – including some out-loud counting – to get the timing right. But so worth it!

Our Lady of the Snow

Okay, lovelies. Whatever you’re doing when you listen to Uke Heads (because I know you’re gonna go listen to the entire album as soon as you’re finished reading), put down your multitasking and just… pause.

“Our Lady of the Snow” took our community to a whole new place with its beauty and heartbreak. James and Chris were both friends with Duncan Mackenzie, a young ski patroller who died at the end of 2011 in the B.C. mountains after being caught in an avalanche; this song is for him. We were all drawn in and haunted by it: the gentleness depicting such terror, the grief and love mixed together. Somehow it feels like a legend and a lullaby all at once.

I’m definitely not the only Uke Head who deeply felt the emotions of this track. Lots of us, on the Slack chat, confessed to tears as we learned it. I hope you can hear the sympathy and caring – and mourning – that we put into it. (Also the practise. A new level of melodic fingering for me.)

Hearts on Fire

This last track just ROCKS. The ukulele part was challenging – keeping those notes steady, switching back and forth with some tricky fingerings. But by this point, I had no doubt I could do it, if I just put the time in.

We recorded these songs in exactly the order they appear on the album, so this last one has the emotional commitment of a goodbye. If you really turn it up, you can hear us on that “Hey!” at 2:27 – it’s a release and a celebration. And James’s vocal riffing at the end was not planned – it was something he was moved to do as he worked on it post-production. The emotion you hear is real.

As for those beautiful in-between tracks, they are experimental creations James made – with our help. ‘Cuz we’re his band. He wanted to do neat stuff, as he always does, but also showcase the community. I think he did a really smashing job.

Now GO LISTEN!

Aren’t you just itching to hear this amazing album for yourself?? You can listen to it here: https://www.ukeheads.com/listen. Please feel free (even urged) to share as widely as you want.

Thanks, Uke Heads!

I am so thankful to have been part of this. The experience pushed me to learn and improve my skills, but it also was a tremendous coming-together of cool folks who love music. One hundred and sixty-five people, all ages, fifteen countries, a wide variety of skill levels – and no judging, only warmth. There was lots of sharing of folks’ personal ukulele projects on the message boards, and let me tell you – there is a mountain of talent among the Uke Heads. Plus they’re fun, quirky, generous, and geeky about the best things.

Hey, Uke Heads, if you’re reading, I hope you will say hi in the comments – and please include a link to your own work, if you have it!

And James and Chris, if you’re reading, merci mille fois for making this one-of-a-kind album. Art, beauty, and community are what make humanity worthwhile, and this work you are doing is a shining example of all three.

Much love. Hearts on fire.

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