Science, technology, and other cool stuff from public radio's Science Friday. It's brain fun, for curious people. From WNYC Studios.

Ukelele improv.  Sometimes a few words.  

Scotland —> USA —> China
Heart —> Fingers —> Ears

Starting in Coventry, Wes spent a number of years fronting a rotating roots ensemble called the Dirty Band, with which he recorded his first album, 2008’s Now Look Here, It’s The Dirty Band, See? Although he continued to play with the Dirty Band live, he stripped down his sound for 2010’s largely acoustic solo effort Asthill Grove. His 2012 follow-up, Mayflower, was more sonically expansive, using field recordings and eclectic full band arrangements.
Echoes of American artists like Conor Oberst, Elliot Smith, and Ryan Adams can be heard in Finch’s style, which feels rooted in folk music but has the ambition and sophistication of pop. 
Following the release of Mayflower he began touring more heavily, playing clubs and festivals and supporting U.K. folk veterans like Billy Bragg and Martin Carthy. Working with Producer Gerry Diver (Sam Lee, Lisa Knapp, O’Hooley & Tidow), he recorded his fourth LP, the ambitious and more experimental Awena, which was released in 2015

I am a song-writer, arranger, pianist and performer 

This pages features the various musical projects I am involved in, and songs I have arranged, written or co-written.

Do It For Love is OUT NOW! https://jacksavoretti.orcd.co/doitforlove

As one of Iceland’s most successful exports, singer-songwriter Ásgeir has always pushed the boundaries of his thoughtful brand of folk-pop. His debut album, ‘Dýrð í dauðaþögn’, became the best-selling debut in Icelandic history, leading to the English-language version ‘In The Silence’ in 2014. He continued to refine his sound with ‘Afterglow’ in 2017, ‘Bury The Moon’ in 2020, and ‘Time On My Hands’ in 2022’, earning praise from press and radio worldwide, including the likes of The Independent, MOJO, NME, The Line Of Best Fit, Clash Magazine, BBC 6 Music and Radio X.
 
In recent years, Ásgeir has embraced solo performances, playing nearly 70 intimate shows across Europe, the Nordics, and Iceland, including a UK tour with Icelandic singer GDRN. He also performed with the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra and recorded a live session for Arte TV in Berlin. His passion for live music has taken him to unique venues, including small churches, deepening his connection with audiences. He wrote a song for a Kafkaesque play that was hosted at The Reykjavik City Theatre called Sýslumaður Dauðans.
 
Ásgeir is now back with his next album, focusing on songwriting with a fresh approach; prioritizing melody and personal storytelling, exploring themes of relationships, aging, hope, and nostalgia. His influences range from Leonard Cohen and Daniel Lanois to contemporary artists like Adrianne Lenker and Dina Ögon.
 
The album’s production was a hands-on process, with Ásgeir playing most of the instruments and collaborating with a select group of musicians, including Nashville cellist Nat Smith. Recorded both solo and with a band, the songs capture an organic, heartfelt energy. With this new chapter, Ásgeir continues to evolve, offering music that is as introspective and accomplished as ever as well as deeply resonant.

Calum Scott - singer/songwriter.

? My debut album ‘ONLY HUMAN' is out now!!?https://calumscott.lnk.to/onlyhuman

Uni and her Ukelele began it’s life in 2004 as an outlet for an already accomplished singer to self publish and perform original work independently.

Since that time Uni has released three full albums, numerous E.P’s, collaborations and a covers album ranging from lo -fi indie pop to melodic strings to rock. Uni’s sound has been described as eclectic, infectious pop and not your usual Ukulele fare.

Recipient of the SF Weekly Music Award, Uni has toured all over the USA and Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand and has been the subject of  celebrated festival Documentary  ”The Mighty Uke”

Often described as the love child of Rainbow Brite and Mr. T, Uni is possessed of the uncanny ability to stare wanly out the window and simultaneously kick you in the balls…. Ding!

Heather Marie Ellison began singing in nightclubs in a country band at the age of fifteen (grandpa chaperoned). Then later, during the Swing resurgence of the 90′s, sang in a Northern California swing band by the name of The Savoy Swingers.

She caught the eye of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Johnny Otis and was soon back up singing in the Johnny Otis R&B Revue, opening up for such legendary artists as Koko Taylor, Tower of Power, The Four Tops, Ray Charles and James Brown.

So confident was Johnny Otis of Ms Ellison’s potential, he produced a solo album with her entitled Heather Marie With The Johnny Otis Band,  Got My Mojo Workin‘

During the early 2000′s Heather Marie worked at all three locations of legendary independent record store Amoeba Music before hanging up her name tag to tour the world as Uni and Her Ukelele.

From 2007 to 2008, Heather hosted the wildly popular San Francisco variety night “Club Unicornbread”. In a similar vein, being a big fan of Christmas, Heather Marie has brought international acts such as Caga Tio and The Yule Logs to the bay area for six consecutive years with the most craptacular Christmas show in San Francisco Christmas Is The Best in collaboration with Dr Trucker and “friends”.

Having accomplished the impossible task of making New Zealanders Oil Wrestle, making cocktail hats for the rich and famous and making it through Canadian Customs, the future is wide open for Heather Marie as she travels the globe dancing with friends, eating increasingly exotic foods and writing music. New projects are on the horizon for the betterment of us all.

ukulele-becky is following