Interview with David Remiger (Ukester Brown)

David Reminger (Ukester Brown) collects Islander and is among those responsible for the retransmission of plastic-uke in the modern era, his site (http://www.ukesterbrown.com) full of beautiful 20″ 30″ songs, with a section where you can download the chords and lyrics and another where you can watch videos of songs played by David, was one of the first (perhaps the first) to host a page dedicated to Mario Maccaferri and his Islander. Besides its site David manages a Youtube channel (Loving plastic ukuleles……) where collected lots of video of plastic-uke players. Finally take a look at his YouTube channel (Ukester Brown).

When did you start playing the ukulele? How did that happen?

When I was about 12 my favorite cousin got an ukulele and I thought it was pretty neat. I learned about 7 chords and I still have that ukulele- it is not a good player…. I began to play more seriously about 10 years ago.

Did you have previous musical experience?

I was in School band playing trumpet and Tuba and in the school choir. I would also sing in church choirs and duets with my wife.

How did you learn to play the ukulele? Do you have any advice?

I am mostly self taught. I take advantage of ukulele festivals and the local ukulele club. You can learn a lot that way. When at a festival you will never be able to remember every thing you are taught. Grab a couple things you learn and start using them right away. There are now so many good tutorials on-line.

How many and what ukulele you have?

Well, I have my two custom Kepasa Josephine models that I really like and use on most of my UkesterBrown YouTube videos. I have 3 vintage ukes: Supertone, Beare Poole and a no label that I think is a Beare Poole and I think seven Islanders…. A DeLuxe, A Semi-Deluxe, and Basic and collecting different colors. I only have one that is in really good condition. Many have had cracks I repaired or mix-match tuner knobs.  Antoine has many good repair ideas.

Your favorite Ukulele’s size?

When I first started playing more seriously I got a Fluke which is a slightly longer concert scale. I got a flea later on which is a slightly longer scale soprano. That is what my Kepasas are a 14″ scale with a slightly wider nut. Concerts feel to big for me. I like sopranos now…

Your Maccaferri’s page was inspired and very helpful for my blog, how does this passion for Maccafeerri and the plastic ukulele?

I’m not sure. I got my first Islander and found out how good they could sound. The variety is amazing, so I have limited myself to only collecting Islanders. I think Mario Maccaferri took making the plastic instruments as a true instrument and many others were made as playable toys.

How did you find the plastic ukulele?

In The United States there is an on-line site called craigslist. It is like a want ads page in the newspaper. It is a basic model that was missing one tuning knob and I paid $40.00 for it with a geib case.

What was your first plastic ukulele? What are the pros and cons of plastic?

My first was the Islander mentioned above. To some degree there are more cons because of how easily the plastic ones can be broken or melted in the car! The plastic ones are not really inexpensive either. Even when the Islanders were $5 there were pretty good wood ones being made for not too much more. The Pros are the cool factor. PLASTIC!! Making music! Cool colors too. Who can beat that coolness!

You recommend to someone buying a plastic ukulele?

I would suggest they play one first and see if they really like the sound. If they don’t – don’t buy one. Also, they need to be aware that there may be hidden damage. I bought one that had a hairline crack at the neck that wasn’t detected until I went to re-string it. I did not blame the seller. I just made the repair.

What strings do you use for your ukulele?

On my Islanders I have Aquilla and I haven’t experimented.

On your site I was and continues to be of great help in learning ukulele, tell us a little about it, how were you born?

I began my website selfishly as another way to store my music arrangements. I had a computer crash and I thought I lost all of it. I was able to retrieve it and now use an external hard drive back up every couple weeks. I thought having the website was a great way to have someone else store my stuff and be able to share it with others too. The company I use provides the site for free, I paid for my domain name after I had the website for a while. The website now has become a hobby all it’s own and I have fun with it.

Beyond the site, you manage an account on youtube, which collect a lot of videos of people playing ukulele made of plastic, how did the idea of “Loving plastic Ukuleles …”?

I just thought it would be cool for people to have a good selection of music to hear played on them. It came after I created my web page about Mario Maccaferri. There are so many fans of the plastic gems and they play great music.

How do you feel to be among the pioneers of the resurgence of plastic-uke in the world?

Extremely honored if that’s what I am! I think all I have done is increase demand for the ukes by telling everyone how great they are….. Now the prices have gone way up!!

I’m a big fan of your performances on the web, your version of “I Ain’t Got Nobody” has become one of my favorite songs of all time, have you ever thought of recording a CD?

Maybe, some day- I do have a name for it in my head already. It would be easier for me than most people as my son is a sound engineer and the recording lab manager at McNally Smith College of Music in St. Paul, Minnesota. He did have me perform a 12 bar riff for one of his own projects. That was fun.

How is the ukulele scene in Minnesota and America? There is a lot of visibility for this instruments?

There are several local ukulele clubs, but I think most people still think of it as a novelty.

Plans for the future?

I’m excited to have been invited to teach at an ukulele event in August. It is in northern Minnesota near Two Harbors- an hour from Canada.

Do you have any particular story to tell on your ukulele?

I have named two of them. My Koa is called Honey and my spruce top is Ruby. Yes, they are both girls!

Advise me something to listen with the ukulele?

Listen to what you like and play it on your uke. I love 20′s and 30′s and I just buy and listen. Almost all of it will easily work on the uke.

Is there something I don’t asked you where you want to talk?

The internet has been a wonderful thing for the ukulele. It is really cool to have people like you and others from around the world I have been able to get to know a little bit. Without the internet I don’t think there would be an ukulele community.

You want to greet someone?

Just a special thank you to all who watch my videos and enjoy my website!!