Browsing Tag

Ukulele Folk

Surrender to the divinity of Zanny Xy’s ukulele anthem, Hungry Ghost

Posted on 23 February 2023

After being gifted a ukulele and penning a song under a full moon, the debut 3-track EP, Chartreuse Phoenix, was composed, and the rest is far from history for the spiritually compelling singer-songwriter, Zanny Xy.

The standout single on the EP, Hungry Ghost, pairs the strikingly soul-stirring vocal timbre of Xy with the zealously plucked nylon strings that spill serotonin in exactly the same way as when Amanda Palmer picked up a Ukulele and recorded In My Mind.

After heading to Maui solo in 2021 to heal and rise from the ashes, Xy came out as trans, left a career in tech, and continues to travel and make music-full time through the belief that art is integral to the sanctity of the human condition. We wholeheartedly agree. If anyone has what it takes to lead the soul-seeking revolution, it is Zanny Xy.

Chartreuse Phoenix was officially released at the end of 2022; you can check it out by heading to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Conner Messman – Lovesick Recital: Melodically Sweet Ukulele-Driven Folk

Posted on 26 August 2018

Even though the ukulele has never been the most favoured stringed instrument amongst the general population, I fully stand behind the tiny instrument’s jangly prowess and its ability to create an upliftingly warming soundscape. Even with the limited chord progressions of the instrument, Conner Messman blew me away with his ukulele-driven single Lovesick Recital. The track may only be 1:50 minutes long, but I won’t forget the charismatic quintessence which the indie artist made the cornerstone of this track in a hurry. The fact that he chose to close the track with the admission that he forgot the chord was beyond amazing, most musicians like to leave us under the impression that they’re infallible creatures who can do no wrong, yet, this quaint offering of humility was the perfect way to round off the track.

If you’re looking for a playfully chilled track to kick back to, you can check out Lovesick Recital for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now, if that short an sweet melody wasn’t enough, check out the rest of the tracks from Conner’s latest EP ‘ORIGINAL MARKS’. I can guarantee the sound that the EP contains is true to its name.

Review by Amelia Vandergast