New Zealand band rides "third wave" of ukulele fever

WELLINGTON (Reuters Life!) - Singalong favourites, blazing solos, stunning dress sense, sparkling harmonies, comic banter -- and some Bob Marley tunes for the man's birthday.

That's what New Zealand's capital can expect when the Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra (www.ukulele.co.nz) play the city's biggest Waitangi Day festival on Wednesday, the band told Reuters Life! ahead of the national day performance.

The band was formed in 2005 by leader Age Pryor who wanted to recreate the relaxed, unstructured jamming he saw on the neighbouring South Pacific island of Fiji.

Here the 12-member crew take turns to explain how they beat size discrimination to connect with those hankering for simple, unplugged music in a plugged-in age.

Q. You gig with local stars and band member Brett McKenzie has a hit folk comedy show "Flight of the Conchords" in the U.S. Are you surprised at how popular ukulele music is?

A: No! It has definitely come in and out of favour over the years. There's been a recognised 'third wave' of popularity taking place over the last decade, ask any luthier (ukulele maker). Business is booming. We think it's to do with the great Hawaiian player Iz, of course, plus a general hankering for nostalgia, simplicity and unplugged music in a plugged-in age.

Q: For the uninitiated, what is the ukulele, who plays it?

A: It is truly an instrument of the world. It was created in Portugal, adapted in Hawaii, popularised in England and America, and spread out across the Pacific. So these days, the darndest people play the ukulele... It has been around for more than a hundred years and championed by everyone from Bing Crosby to George Harrison to a recent Miss France beauty queen.

Q. And what, exactly, do you all play?