When the eclectic octet of singers known lovingly as the undefinable Ukulele Death Squad were offered the opportunity to shoot a set of live performance videos in Berlin, they jumped at the chance.
It came amid a ten-day whirlwind tour of Germany in July 2024 – their fourth European tour, in fact – in the form of a spontaneous suggestion from videographers Aaron Jack and Mikey Tittlep.
The venue, the Schillertheater, with its rich history and stunning ambience, breathed new life into six tracks from Ukulele Death Squad's previous two EPs.
For the unfortunately uninitiated, Ukulele Death Squad is Matt, Ali-B, Ash, Pidge, Julian, Reuben, Silky, and Ignacio. The squad have been making music since 2017 and globe-trotting like their lives depend on it. Their dark humour, raunchy stage antics and heart-stopping ballads have mesmerised audiences since humble Adelaide Fringe beginnings.
These folks wield the ukulele as an instrument of chaos.
The offer to record at the Schillertheater came just one day before their set at the legendary Rudolstadt Festival.
“If I were to describe in just a few words what it was like filming at the iconic Schillertheater in Berlin I would say ‘Wild,’ ‘Exhausting,’ ‘Slightly Illegal,’ and ‘Bloody Incredible!’” Ali-B (Alice Barker), vocalist, rapstress and fluglehornist says.
“In true Ukulele Death Squad style, it was all rather spontaneous. We were told to be ‘Squadded Up,’ (our code for getting into costume) at 9am and to head to one of the most beautiful venues we have been to.”
scenestr is proud to present the live recording video of 'Waterfall' – a track written from the perspective of a ghost who haunts a waterfall – today, ahead of official release. Enjoy.
'Waterfall' features some signature UDS sensual ukulele picking, smooth-like-butter backing vocals and mariachi horns underneath Matt's powerful lead vocals.
The video uses stunning, warm close-ups of each of the group's members and fluid, handheld camera work, harnessing the light of the sun through the venue's windows to create an inviting atmosphere which pairs beautifully with the live music being created in the moment.
“Poor Nacho (percussion) had been out all night exploring the many delicacies that Berlin had to offer not knowing the 12-hour ride he had ahead of him the next day,” Alice laughs. “So like the innocent fresh-born lambs that we are, we were led astray by two very attractive videographers, Aaron Jack and Mikey Tittlepp.”
“When it was time for us to record, we came back up to the beautiful space and sang, plucked, kicked and flipped in true UDS style. One of the highlights of performing in this space was hearing the glorious Steinway piano reverberate through the hall. As the day pushed on, the light through the stunning stained-glass windows coated us in beautiful golds, blues, oranges etc.”
Alice reflects on the big task of putting this collection of performances together, sharing an unfortunate but memorable end to the day.
“After recording six songs over twelve hours, we packed up and left. We were satisfied, exhausted, hungry and mildly stir-crazy and just when we were about to leave, our baritone ukulele player Julian managed to set off the fire alarm.”
“Thinking back on this experience it almost seems like it wasn’t real. In our minds, as chaotic as it was, this experience was worth it for the stunning recording, acoustics and imagery that couldn’t have been brought to life without Aaron Jack and Mikey Titlepp – filming and recording. . . Tom Strode at Rolling Stock Recording Rooms – mixing and mastering. . . And Thomas Hawkins – video editing.”
Ukulele Death Squad are headlining Feast Festival's (Adelaide) Picnic In The Park on 22 November.
