Helen Keller’s Ukulele - ProfilesArchive

About Me

Ritischka Maeve Majestika was born in Macon Mississippi a racist little muddy hole in the middle of the state. Her gypsy parents promptly realized they weren't welcome and left quickly. She traveled all over the north and south during her childhood. Sometimes the only things she could take with her when on the move was what ever fit in her lap and the words in her head. The great things in her head came from her parents who took every opportunity to show her all of the things in life that normal people overlooked. Her father always had an incredible story to tell and her mother never let a minute pass without creating things out of mid air. Sometimes living so freely wasn't understood well. So she learned lessons from tangles with locals. Ritischka never played well with groups or girls. she was a good tomboy and an even better pirate on the playground and had no qualms about beating a girl with a barbie doll.Now she writes about the one thing she loves and knows about most. Heartache. She has seen one lovers throat cut, watched another sail away in the rain, and has a story for every one. Sadly she carries the gypsies curse and takes every opportunity to belt out a good one to anyone who will listen.Somewhere she ran into and befriended the talented drummer extraordinaire Shawn. He is an amazing percussionist and looks gentle until he rips into a huge banging storm of movement. He can play a tuba rim with a cello bow like no other and do things you've never seen the likes of with a cymbal and a kick bass! The treasure is listening to him hum and moan along with the melody.Finally the song with no beat and the beat with no melody have merged into the perfect beautiful freak of the carnival.They play a DIY style at local pubs and coffeehouses on occasion and can't wait to get the hell out of this city and onto the next one. Ritischka is painting the soles of her shoes red and waiting for the first opportunity to be on the move again, and again, and again. She is always at home as long as she is standing in her very own shoes with a fistful of songs and her accordion.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 3/17/2006
Band Members: Ritischka (rita) Burkholder - vocals, piano accordion, ukulele, kazoo, bell, rubber nose, harmonica Sascha Riffle - diatonic accordion, washboard, snare drum, trumpet, kazoo Radmark Allen - banjo,, word distortion and hollering
Sounds Like: Edith Piaf and Tom Waits in a back alley rumble with a roving band of russian gypsies, we hope!We play accordion, kick drum, snare, eggs, kazoo, wooden frog and accordion keys washboard style.
Record Label: Mike Kilpatrick Recorded Us. Make a label Mikey!!
Type of Label: None

My Blog

New Speak Easy

Well, it is official! I have moved to a new location! So from now on the SpeakEasy will be at the new place. If you are a Speak Easy Regular just email me for the new address! The next show will be Ve...
Posted by Helen Keller’s Ukulele on Tue, 18 Mar 2008 09:27:00 PST

house show blues

Man, it wasn't even a house show on Saturday. It was more like an impromptu party. The cops showed up the neighbors are pissed and I got a call from my sweet landlord. What a drag. Three years I've li...
Posted by Helen Keller’s Ukulele on Sat, 16 Feb 2008 07:43:00 PST

Pretzels and Sunshine, Tubas and dog...

This weekend was amazing. Friday and Saturday night were really great! Kevin Lacey from the "Peculiar Pretzelmen" came to play a show at the Speak Easy House and it was soooo good. The ne'er do wells ...
Posted by Helen Keller’s Ukulele on Tue, 12 Feb 2008 05:02:00 PST

Getting seriouse(er)

Well I bought a digital tuner, a strap for my ukulele and a pick up. I think it's getting serious. But, I am neglecting the accordion.I am very excited about frontman Kevin from the Peculiar Pretzelme...
Posted by Helen Keller’s Ukulele on Sat, 02 Feb 2008 09:58:00 PST

Lovely People Really

Well yesterday my house guests left. They were really very lovely people. Kristy Kruger from Dallas is a singer songwriter and she was traveling with a friend and co band mates Dylan Sneed (singer son...
Posted by Helen Keller’s Ukulele on Sun, 27 Jan 2008 12:49:00 PST

gosh golly

it has been aweek indeedy! i am very happily surprised.also an impromptu house show with a band from Dallas/Austin on Friday night this week. more later...r.
Posted by Helen Keller’s Ukulele on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 08:13:00 PST

Where

Where are you? Did you drop off the planet. Really now, it's getting ridiculous!
Posted by Helen Keller’s Ukulele on Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:31:00 PST

Art and Happiness the BIG Question

This morning over coffee, a friend of mine asked. Would you rather make art or be happy?I would have to say that "I would rather make art/music, than to be happy" I also said that I didn't think for a...
Posted by Helen Keller’s Ukulele on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 06:01:00 PST

Bon Tons and Jon Jons!

Lastnight was one of the best nights I have had in a long time. I went to the Monkey to hear Christabel and the Jons and Tess and the Bon Ton Parade play. They were swinging and sas...
Posted by Helen Keller’s Ukulele on Sat, 12 Jan 2008 03:29:00 PST

Happy New Year and Happy New Uke

New Years Eve was very mellow and easy going. I went to a friend's house and had the loveliest food. Caviar and anchovies with roasted pepper, figs stuffed with goat cheese wrapped in prosciutto...
Posted by Helen Keller’s Ukulele on Wed, 02 Jan 2008 01:55:00 PST