Ukula
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox magazine
| category = Arts and culture
| frequency = Quarterly
| founder = {{Plainlist|
- Kevin Renton
- Graeme Maclean
}}
| founded = 2004
| finaldate = 2008
| lastdate = 2008
| based = Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| language = English
}}UKULA Magazine was an independent arts and culture quarterly founded in 2004, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.{{cite news|title=Owners close Ukula magazine, clothing store|url=http://www.mastheadonline.com/news/2008/20081105817.shtml|access-date=18 June 2015|work=Masthead Online|date=5 November 2008|location=Toronto}} It was created by co-founders Kevin Renton and Graeme Maclean, who first started out DJing under the now well known UKULA moniker at the city's Andy Poolhall in 2002. Copies of UKULA were to be found throughout the cities of Toronto, Montreal and New York City. Plans were underway to extend full distribution to include London and Edinburgh, though limited distribution was available in these two cities.
In addition to publishing its glossy magazine, UKULA also had event planning and arts/culture consultancy departments catering to local bands and haute couture fashion houses interested in promoting their brand.{{cite news|url=http://www.linkedin.com/company/ukula |title=UKULA Services}}
Leah Rumack, writing for The Globe and Mail, described the store as the "ground zero for all things impossibly cool in music, books and fashion".{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/article83160.ece|title=TORONTO UKULA|last=Rumack|first=Leah|date=2007-03-03|work=The Globe and Mail|location=Toronto}}{{dead link|date=January 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
History
After a year in Toronto, Renton and Maclean relocated to Montreal in 2003, where they continued their series of popular DJ nights. A year later, the first issue of UKULA Magazine hit the streets, a slim staple-bound 32 page paperbacked-sized volume that included interviews with then up-and-coming bands Arcade Fire and Kasabian. By the third issue, the magazine had evolved into a vibrant, glossy (with an average length of just over 100 pages), professionally bound magazine, with content about film, literature, travel and fashion.
Renton and Maclean returned to Toronto in August 2006, and opened the UKULA boutique on 492 College St. A multi-purpose venue that could be converted for stage concerts and parties, the storefront featured a street-level lounge-style cafe, and sold books, magazines, CDs, and clothing.{{Cite web|url=http://www.martiniboys.com/Toronto/citystock/Menswear-and-Ladieswear/115.html|title=Ukula - Menswear and Ladieswear in Toronto|website=MartiniBoys|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117150304/http://www.martiniboys.com/Toronto/citystock/Menswear-and-Ladieswear/115.html|archive-date=2006-11-17}} The magazine offices were located in the building's basement.
Events at the UKULA store included the Canadian book launch of Stephen Hall's The Raw Shark Texts, as well as concert performances by Born Ruffians and The Coast.{{Cite web|url=http://www.torontoindie.com/?p=58|title=Nov 9, 2006, UKULA Store, The Coast|last=Zaugg|first=Thom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120206061641/http://www.torontoindie.com/?p=58|archive-date=2012-02-06|access-date=2017-07-16}} On November 5, 2005, the UKULA Bright Lights Festival in Toronto's Distillery District featured bands such as Elbow, The Duke Spirit, Stirling, The Call Up and the Meligrove Band.{{Cite web|url=http://www.ukula.com:80/TorontoArticle.aspx?SectionID=1&ObjectID=1519&CityID=3|title=Ukula Events :: Bright Lights Festival 2005 with ELBOW, The Duke Spirit, Islands + more..|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060423035035/http://www.ukula.com/TorontoArticle.aspx?SectionID=1&ObjectID=1519&CityID=3|archive-date=2006-04-23|url-status=dead|access-date=2017-07-16}}
The 2007 Virgin Festival Afterparty hosted at UKULA featured a performance by The Cinematics, and attracted members of Metric, Smashing Pumpkins and The Killers.{{Citation|last=Sampson|first=Dan|title=UKULA TV with The Cinematics|date=2007-10-11|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_ZT3iro0oU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211214/A_ZT3iro0oU |archive-date=2021-12-14 |url-status=live|access-date=2017-07-16}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.prleap.com/pr/93575/-ukula-rocked-vfest-and-hosted-an-exclusive|title=UKULA rocked VFEST and hosted an exclusive after-party with guests from Metric…|date=2007-09-14|work=PR Leap|access-date=2017-07-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150619002502/http://www.prleap.com/pr/93575/-ukula-rocked-vfest-and-hosted-an-exclusive|archive-date=2015-06-19|url-status=dead|language=en}} The magazine and its storefront and website all folded in 2008.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070127084409/http://www.ukula.com/ Ukula website] (archived)
- [https://nowtoronto.com/lifestyle/ukula/ Now Magazine: Store of the Week: Feb. 2007]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20041030220422/http://www.montrealmirror.com/2004/102104/nightlife6.html Profile on the Montreal Mirror] (archived)
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20060507075551/http://www.mcgilldaily.com/view.php?aid=4103 Profile on the McGill Daily]
Category:2004 establishments in Ontario
Category:2008 disestablishments in Ontario
Category:Alternative magazines
Category:Defunct visual arts magazines published in Canada
Category:Defunct magazines published in Toronto
Category:Defunct magazines published in London
Category:Magazines established in 2004
Category:Magazines disestablished in 2008
Category:Defunct magazines published in Montreal
Category:Defunct magazines published in New York (state)