Ulele

by Evan CaterThe remarkably eclectic world pop band Ulele is the brainchild of Chicago-based multi-instrumentalist Winston Damon, whose wide-ranging musical talents were previously utilized by the popular Celt-rock group the Drovers. Damon was primarily a drummer and percussionist for the Drovers, but Ulele gave him a chance to demonstrate the full range of his abilities. Adopting the stage name Stone, Damon took on frontman duties for his new band. In addition to singing lead vocals and providing percussion, he writes most of the songs and plays trombone, piano, hammond b-3, marimba, electric bass, national guitar, keyboard bass, flute, snare, and fife. He also designed and built the world's first electric cello. Stone's wife, who calls herself Laina'ala, also sings lead vocals and plays guitar and flute. The lineup behind the couple has gone through many changes since the band's inception, but regular members have included Sonny Doyle on guitar, Aaron Kohnen on bass, Tony DiMartino on drums, Josh Sinton on alto and baritone sax, and Dan Stark on trombone. Ulele draws much musical inspiration, as well as its name (pronounced "oo-lay-lay," it means "leap into action"), from Hawaii. But their energetic, danceable sound, which makes heavy use of brass instrumentation, also draws heavily from ska, salsa, Mardi Gras/Carnival, and African influences. The band released its first album, Seed, on their own Ulele Arts label in 1996. Harmony followed in 1999.