Clara Belle performs "Summer Face" on Ukulele
A couple of weeks ago we came across a lovely YouTube video from London-based, Japan-born ukulelist Clara Belle. We posted it to Boing Boing, and her performance was such a hit with readers that we asked Clara to make another video so we could premiere it here on BBtv. Clara kindly agreed and just sent us this brand-new video of her song, "Summer Face."
After the jump: Clara also sent the following note, which answers a few of the questions Boing Boing readers asked about her...
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BOING BOING Q&A WITH CLARA BELLE
CLARA BELLE: Oh my goodness!!! My video views went from 400 to 25000 literally overnight… What!!!??? The Internet is a very crazy place! And my Myspace page, which I had completely forgotten about had so many “friend’s requests”…!
Thank you so very much for all of your lovely comments and messages. I read them ALL and of course my head was huge for a while until I spoke to my mum who brought me right back down to planet earth…haha:-0 But anyway, I really didn’t expect this reaction from you all, it was just a quick video I did very geekishly to test out my new webcam! (And yes, it turns out ‘not so good’ in the dark!... thanks for your advice though, I will get a light bulb! Why didn’t I think-a that!? haha) I’m not quite sure how this has happened but I guess I have to thank Mark for putting me on boingboing.net.
Here is my third video; the song is called "Summer Face." (By the way, the other voice is also me, so please don’t think that I made someone sing the harmonies and I was mean enough to hog the camera.)
Some questions answered…
Q: Can I buy your CD?
A: Thank you so much, that is so nice… Didn’t think anyone would say that…ever! I have been trying to get a CD together for friggin' years! I’ve been on a very long journey to find the sound that I am comfortable with. I even tried being a Rock Chick once…oh my god! So not me. How uncomfortable and awkward was I!?... I’m a real geek at heart (I love it!), couldn’t pull off being ‘cool’ to save my life! But anyway, at the time I wasn’t confident enough to stick to what I believed in and what I loved, and in that process of trying to be appealing or trying to please others, I actually totally lost myself and was very confused for a long time, didn’t really know what was what…hmmm… So! Many failed demos and “new directions” later I am finally going to record my next EP/Album this summer (hopefully, I’ll manage to get the funding together…Come on Universe! Can’t believe I just said “universe”…). So the answer is no, I haven’t got a CD but watch this space, I will keep you posted
Q: Is it really a Ukulele!?
A: many of you didn’t believe that it was a ukulele because it has 6 strings but it is quite simply a 6 string tenor ukulele. 2 of the strings are just doubled up in octaves. And yes! I know my ukulele playing is not brilliant but I only started playing it in Feb (this year), so I’m still learning. I was so uninspired and bored with the piano, probably because I teach it (yes I am a piano and singing teacher)… I still love it but I needed something fresh and new. So! I met Alfred (the ukulele)…I know it’s quite sad to name your instrument but mine came with a name when I bought it! The shop-man said “Aha! I have the perfect instrument for you…wait here a second… (after some digging)… here it is! It’s called Alfred!”… So there we go…
Q: Do you write the songs?
A: Yes, I do. Well, obviously apart from the covers.
Q: Will you marry me?
A: Ok, but only if you become my house wife. I’ll call you wifey. You’ll have to do all the cooking and cleaning and look after the kids!... no seriously, I’m very flattered but I’m not the marrying kind. Haha
Q: Were you named after the cartoon cow?
A: This one was my favourite!!! I totally laughed out loud!:0 Lets say yes for now, I would love that!
Thanks a million and more very soon!
Clara xxx
the latest
the latest
I STILL think I'm in love with Clara Belle.
First post again. It must be fate.
three unicorns!
Ukulele, me-kulele
How happy we could be-kulele
One-kulele, two-kulele, three-kulele
Ukulele me!
When I hear the sound of that brown thing humming
I don't know if I'm going or coming
Down, up down, up down, down
Keep strumming
Ukulele me!
Ukulele, me-kulele
How happy we could be-kulele
A-kulele, b-kulele, c-kulele
Ukulele me!
Play a little tune
Sing about the moon, who cares
Something that won't give me nightmares
Sing it sweetly or say your prayers
Ukulele me!
Ukulele, me-kulele
How happy we could be-kulele
X-kulele, y-kulele, z-kulele
Ukulele me!
X-kulele, w-kulele, v-kulele
Ukulele me!
aw, you're so lovely Clara, will you be my ukulele playing friend?
Clara is wonderful, and she reminds me of Japanese punk-ukulele artists Petty Booka; you can go to their website (http://www.sister.co.jp/pettybooka/) to check them out.
Ahhh... That's just plain wonderful. It makes me want to go sit in the shade and just watch the world.
I am in L-O-V-E. I think mizzzz Belle is just fantabulous. BoingBoing's star rose quite a bit for this post. Truly a very, very, very wonderful thing. I hope she puts out a disc soon.
Wait-- if it is a ukulele, why does it have a SIX STRING HEADSTOCK?? Child's guitar modded into a uke? Or maybe into a tenor guitar (doesn't look like common uke tuning, maybe baritone uke).
God she's gorgeous. And so's her voice too.
Ill Lich, if you read the q&a below the video, that's covered. "A: many of you didn’t believe that it was a ukulele because it has 6 strings but it is quite simply a 6 string tenor ukulele. 2 of the strings are just doubled up in octaves."
Thanks, Clara Belle, for the latest vid, it's as lovely as the first ones, which had an immediacy that seemed so natural - put me on the list for a CD. Keep up the great work!
Incredibly sweet and lovely song. Thanks, Ms. Belle!
I have just watched this video at least 20 times.
Mizzz Belle, will you marry me?
what's next, washboard and spoons?
Very lovely, very nice. Thank you for improving the quality of my day. Can't ask for much more than that.
Swoon.
Ms. Belle, your voice is lovely. I think the overdubbing actually distracts from the simple beauty of the piece, but it's still enjoyable.
Just lovely. Now if I could just seduce you into the land of Filk (www.filk.org) to join with Kathy Mar or Puzzlebox etc....
Tim,
That link leads nowhere.
"That link leads nowhere."
Oh dear. It was there a while back.
Well, try
http://www.xenophilia.org/filk.html (which currently includes a few very topical sets of lyrics on the front page) and of course, google 'filk'
Argh... finally, something I want to sing along with, but I can't figure out all the lyrics! Anyone help out?
When I take a look outside my little window frame,
the sun is standing beside me with its golden flame.
If only I could always see beyond me and my name;
I'd want to stay here by the seaside, feeling no more shame.
[chorus]
But why does it always come to an end when I like it like this
I give in ::something something:: -- ba-da-bop-ba-dao --
Life is so complicated; I try and smile with respect.
I try to be-ee optimistic, and sometimes I even try to accept it ;-)
Since I made a move to find my favorite summer face,
I realize that I could never go against flow of melody;
liquid sunshine flows through my body and soul, healing my heart
and you're fading away now...now...now...
[chorus]
Ba-da-bop-ba-dao...
S2, it sounds like
"I give in, I sweetly surrender..."
Also, I believe the next line is
"...I sigh and smile with respect"
:)
xerxexrex (21), I think you're right about "sigh" misread as "try" (makes me happy that she likes her grammar as much as she likes her mum ;-)
The ::something something:: line now seems to be:
I give in, I sweetly sigh -- red alert -- ba-da-bop-ba-dao...
Thx!