A Quick Chat with Ukulele Death Squad
This will be your first time touring New Zealand—what finally made now the right moment to cross the ditch, and what are you most looking forward to about playing for Kiwi audiences?
I think opportunity was the only thing holding us back from jumping across the ditch earlier! We have always wanted to tour NZ but have just never had the opportunity to until we got into WOMAD, and it was a no-brainer to make a tour of it and do a few shows. I think, like visiting any country and performing, I am just most looking forward to getting to know the Kiwi audience and learning more about life in NZ. Kiwis are known for being such friendly and lovely people that it will be really lovely to be amongst that energy! We are looking forward to all of the shows, but in particular, I don’t think any of us can deny WOMAD Aotearoa 2025 will definitely be a highlight. We have performed at WOMAD UK and WOMADelaide, and every time we just feel so lucky to be a part of such a wonderful festival.
Your live shows are known for their high-energy theatricality and wild instrumental solos. Can fans in New Zealand expect any surprises or special moments on this tour?
You name it, and it has happened on our stage! From live audience participation to Matty managing to stun audiences with stunts, flips, and kicks—all while never missing a beat with his powerhouse vocals. We love to leave room in our live shows for antics such as this, and New Zealand will be no exception. We haven’t had any strategic meetings to confirm the formal plan to win over the Kiwi audience. However, uncontrollable energy leads to some pretty wild stage antics that make every performance one of a kind. When you come to a Death Squad show, you know that you are getting a one-of-a-kind experience, and there is nothing else like it around.
Your music has been described as everything from “Spanish flamenco punk” to “New Orleans R&B charm” and even “Tarantino-esque.” How do you personally define the Ukulele Death Squad sound?
Our music is filled with soulful vocals, bold horns, marksman-like precision on the ukulele, and, of course, show-pony personalities. This diversity and range within our personalities and creative inspiration are also what make up our eight-secret-spice recipe for a good time. Our band formed as an Adelaide two-piece in 2017 and has been musically impregnated as years progressed, giving birth to a democratic vehicle of creative chaos that knows no bounds. We are deeply inspired by a diversity of music genres, including Anglo-Celtic folk, Balkan, R&B, Latin, soul, pop, and bluegrass. Plus, we all have a penchant for a flat white, twiggy stick, and swimming in any body of water we can find, which indirectly affects the sound quality. If we have all had a swim, a coffee, and deli meats in one day—there will be some ripper uke and sax solos to be expected at a live show.
The past year has seen you tour Australia and Germany, winning awards and festival slots along the way. How have these experiences shaped your latest performances and musical direction?
I think being exposed to so many incredible world musicians throughout this process has not only taught us so much about performing and music but has also inspired us creatively to push outside of our comfort zone.
You’ve played some of the world’s biggest folk festivals, including WOMAD UK and Woodford. How does it feel to now be part of WOMAD NZ, and what does that festival circuit mean to the band?
WOMAD happens to be collectively one of our favourite world music festivals to both perform at and be a punter. Our aim is to try and perform at every WOMAD globally because we love it so much. To now be a part of WOMAD NZ means so much! To be able to come to a stunning neighbouring country like NZ and perform at one of our favourite festivals will no doubt be a career highlight for all of us.
For those who have never seen Ukulele Death Squad live, how would you describe the experience in three words?
Wet and wild.
Tour Details
Sat 8 Mar 2025 - Whammy Bar - Auckland
Wed 12 Mar 2025 - Last Place - Wellington
Fri 14 - Sun 16 Mar 2025 - WOMAD Aotearoa Festival - New Plymouth