Ukesperience profile picture

Ukesperience

About Me

Aloha Amigos from Humboldt County, California!
Based out of Humboldt County, CA and formed in 2006, Ukesperience is a primo blend of folk and rock with a tropical twist. With a distinct approach to molding musical styles, this group is ukulele-based. Ukesperience features unique, custom, innovative instruments in ukulele form, including the bass. Shortly after forming, Ukesperience was endorsed by Pono ‘ukuleles from Wahiawa, Hawaii. Not long after, Tim, the bass player began desinging custom bass, lap steel, and electric ukuleles. Ukesperience doesn't tiptoe through the tulips, they run amuck in the musical forest.
Joe Koches on concert uke and lead vocals. On tenor uke, lapsteel, and electric uke, is Jason Hodel. Tim Johnston is on bass & Dave Sandomeno plays percussion. Ukesperience was the only US mainland performers invited to the 2008 Waikoloa Ukulele Festival on the Big Island of Hawaii. In the Spring of 2009, they had the honor of opening for Legendary Jazz Ukulele player, Bill Tapia.
Their natural sound strongly emphasizes the ukulele, producing, not just the usual standards, but interesting and innovative tunes as well. They have been featured on Ukefarm.com’s Radio playlist and Ukecast.com’s episodes 302 and 219. "Float Your Boat" is featured on Japanese compilation CD, Shout Baby Shout Vol 2.
CD IS AVAILABLE @ www.ukesperience.com, OR JUST EMAIL HERE AT MYSPACE. Also available at CDBaby and on iTunes.
STICKERS TOO (when available)

UKEsperience endorsed by Pono 'ukuleles. Check them out at www.koolauukulele.com/
Mahalo to John Kitakis & Family at Ko'olau/Pono for quality 'ukuleles and outstanding customer service!

Thanks to www.jumpingflea.com for supplying us with strings and accessories.
*** UKEsperience can be heard on Ukefarm Radio's playlist and in the "Home Recording" section of the website www.ukefarm.com ***
Thanks to John at Ukefarm for all the support!

*It's an honor to be amongst this list of Ko'olau/Pono 'ukulele greats at www.koolauukulele.com/..........
Abe Lagrimus, Jr.
Alden Tokuzato
Ben Chong
Bruce Shimabukuro
Eric DavisErnie Cruz Jr.
Jin Takuma
Jomel Sumira
Larry Spalding
Ledward Kaapana
Lyle Ritz
Roy Sakuma
Tracey Terada
Shaun Reyes
****************************************************
Much Mahalos to Ukewife Cathy for this clip of "Sweet Mary" @ the 2008 Benbow Summer Arts Festival. Jason is playing the custom made (by Tim) LaPuke. It's a tenor sized lapsteel ukulele. Our friend, Nick, sits in on soprano uke.
Myspace Backgrounds

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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 17/09/2006
Band Website: http://www.ukesperience.com
Band Members: Joe
vocals, concert uke

Jason
tenor (low G), custom lapsteel and electric tenor ukes, vocals

Tim
double bass, custom bass ukes, Pono concert uke (low G), vocals

Dave
percussion, uke, vocals

Nick
drums, uke, vocals
Influences: George Harrison, Troy Fernandez, Ka'au Crater Boys, Jake Shimabukuro, Lyle Ritz, Eddie Kamae, Bruddah IZ, Herb Ohta-San, Roy Sakuma, and any other ukulele player, Willie Nelson, Santana, ween, Jethro Burns, Jimmy Page, Bob Marley, Tom Waits, Jerry Garcia, David Grisman, Jeff Tweedy, Robert Earl Keen and many more...
Sounds Like: what you would not expect
Record Label: unsigned
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Summer '09

We have lots of gigs lined up this summer. Come check us out, tell your friends!We are also going into the studio at the end of July!
Posted by on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:29:00 GMT

RIP MJ - Thriller

Yes, we lost the King of Pop. I posted a rough solo uke take of "Thriller". Enjoy. RIP MJ
Posted by on Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:27:00 GMT

iTunes & CDBaby

We're everywhere.....if you don't have our CD yet. You can either order direct from our site, email us, or go to iTunes or CDBaby.Thanks for the support! Enjoy the music!
Posted by on Wed, 20 May 2009 12:31:00 GMT

Japan release

Our tune, "Float Your Boat", is featured on an independent Japanese/California compilation CD, called "Shout Baby Shout Vol 2." Available at our shows now! Available online soon. Special tha...
Posted by on Tue, 30 Dec 2008 21:23:00 GMT

New tunes - New CD available @ our shows

We have recorded some new tunes for a homemade EP, we call Low Tide. This CD is limited quantity and available only at our shows.
Posted by on Tue, 10 Jun 2008 15:45:00 GMT

Hawaii debut

Well, we got back to the mainland recently and had an incredible experience on the Big Island. We were very honored to be the only mainland group invited by Roy Sakuma to perform, along with a Ja...
Posted by on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 18:05:00 GMT

ukecast 302

Our tune "Pono Repose" was featured on the latest ukecast podcast, episode 302. You can check it out at www.ukecast.com, there’s even a photo of us on the homepage.
Posted by on Sun, 16 Mar 2008 11:46:00 GMT

Tim’s ukes

Come out to our shows and see what Tim's been doing his garage.
Posted by on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:52:00 GMT

2 slots @ the Uke Fest!

That's right! We're honored and stoked to be invited to play 2 performances at the 2008 Waikoloa Ukulele Festival on March 1st. We play @ 2pm at the Kings' Shops and 5pm at the Queens' Shops. Stay tun...
Posted by on Sat, 12 Jan 2008 11:10:00 GMT

Hawaii in March

Save your $ and pack your bikini....Ukesperience is planning a trip to the Big Island of Hawaii during the 1st week of March 2008! We're in the process of booking gigs at the Waikoloa Ukulele Festival...
Posted by on Thu, 03 Jan 2008 15:02:00 GMT