The 'Ukulele Project', or 'UP' as it became, was borne of a casual conversation between two ex-band mates in 2013, around playing ukulele-based songs at open mics for fun.  However, audience and venue reactions suggested it shouldn't stop there and UP has since earned an impressive and varied CV. Gigs at popular music pubs, long established folk clubs and local festivals (Deerstock, Matlock Bath Music Festival) have been bolstered by appearances at charity events (Kimberley Jam, Beeston Oxjam), the main stage at the 'Great Notts Show' in Nottingham's impressive Old Market Square and micro pubs no bigger, but equally as accommodating, as your granny's front room. 

Eddie Dorey (vocals, ukuleles, harmonica) and Rob Nicholls (vocals and ukuleles) have collaborated for well over a decade, which accounts for their abilty to play to each other's strenghts.  UP has enabled them to reimagine both classic songs and originals from their shared history, whilst returning to their individual musical wishlists for further inspiration.  The result are performances that showcase their distinctive but complimentary vocal styles (check out those harmonies!) , with Eddie's melodic ukulele soloing supported by Rob's sympathetic and percussive rhythm stylings.  James Dorey joined over the summer of 2017 on U-bass to add some rock steady bottom end to the UP sound, he had already played bass on and recorded & mixed UP's 2015 EP 'Heck Of A Time'.

UP are happy to present their 'folky, funky, four string thing' in all manner of settings.  Their 'low maintenance' set up means they can easily play a house concert or micro pub/cafe/restaurant environment, wholly acoustically or plugged into a PA.  They love playing for a discerning pub audience but also really enjoy playing on an outdoor stage, be this for a local community event, in a beer garden or on a festival stage, big or small.  And lest we forget, as long-term advocates of the diminutive four stringed-instrument, UP are delighted to play for ukulele enthusiasts.  In 2016, they made their debut on the UK ukulele festival circuit, playing at Skipsea and Winchester Ukulele Festivals and in 2017 returned to Winchester and also won the Sunday Session Rising Stars competition at The Ukulele Festival of Scotland.