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In recognition of Billie’s connection to the ukulele as her first instrument and the history of the ukulele in Hawaii, Billie and Fender is making a gift to the Aloha Mele Fund
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) has released the all-new Billie Eilish Signature Ukulele. This is Billie Eilish’s first artist signature model with the iconic guitar brand and it completely embodies Eilish’s preferred specs and distinct aesthetic with her distinct “blohsh” symbol patterned across the ukulele.
In over a year, Eilish has exploded onto the music scene with her debut album ‘WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?’ earning her five Grammy wins, including Song of the Year (bad guy) and Album of the Year. Designed in collaboration with Eilish herself, the ukulele embodies her uniquely bold style that fans know and love, and can now take home in ukulele form.
“The ukulele was the first instrument I learned,” said Billie Eilish. “It’s where I started writing, and where I found new ways of writing that I had never tried before. It inspires a different kind of writing. The rules of the ukulele are simple, and basically, if you know three chords you can play almost any song. I hope my Fender Signature ukulele inspires people to start playing, and start writing; anyone can do it.”
The Billie Eilish Signature Ukulele is a stage-ready concert body ukulele built with a Sapele top, back and sides featuring a black matte finish and Fishman Kula preamp for those looking to plug-in. Additional specs include a walnut fingerboard, white dot inlays and Nickel hardware. Whether a player is an experienced musician or looking to pick up their first instrument, the ukulele can be enjoyed by any skill level.
“We are extremely honoured to collaborate with Billie on her debut signature Fender ukulele,” said Billy Martinez, VP, Category Manager Acoustic & Squier Divisions. “She’s inspired a new generation of players and now this uke gives her fans around the world a new reason to get excited about playing. Billie established herself at a young age, transforming the music industry and inspiring people both young and old. She is unconditionally herself and the ukulele she designed is a perfect reflection of her spirit and iconic style.”
Inspired by her parents and brother’s love of music, Billie Eilish began her musical journey at a very young age, when other kids her age were just starting kindergarten. The Los Angeles native first gained attention in 2015 at the age of thirteen after uploading the song ocean eyes to Soundcloud, which was written and produced by her brother Finneas.
Billie’s debut EP, don’t smile at me, released in 2017, was a slow-burning hit and laid the groundwork for her debut full-length album, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, which debuted atop the Billboard 200 and became the best-performing album of 2019 in the US. Billie is not only the youngest and second person ever to win the four main Grammy categories – Best New Artist, Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year – in the same year but also the first female to do so.
Eilish’s ascent to pop stardom started with the ukulele, the first instrument she learned to play and write songs on, making this an ode to her humble beginnings in the music world. The launch of Eilish’s signature ukulele coincides with the recent addition of six of her songs (for guitar and uke only) to Fender Play, the complete online learning app for guitar, bass and ukulele.
Fans around the world can start their musical journey and play their very own Billie Eilish ukulele whilst learning her songs, including &burn, my strange addiction, ocean eyes, Six Feet Under, watch and when the party’s over. Billie has been a big advocate for mental health and awareness and recently Fender Play users have shared they are also utilising the app as a way to destress, reduce anxiety.
“Billie is a once-in-a-generation talent who has been on a meteoric rise since releasing her first song to Soundcloud in 2015,” said Matt Watts, VP Marketing. “It’s no secret that Billie moves millions of people and has a unique approach to creating. The output of this instrument is no different as it celebrates that freedom of self-expression through Billie’s lens. We hope her genre-defying blend and this ukulele inspires others to start expressing themselves creatively.”
In recognition of Billie’s connection to the ukulele as her first instrument and the history of the ukulele in Hawaii, Billie and Fender are making a gift to the Aloha Mele Fund, a newly-established fund of the Hawaii Community Foundation. The funding will be distributed to nonprofit organisations who are working to support coronavirus relief efforts for Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities in Hawaii.
“All of us at Hawaii Community Foundation are extremely grateful to Billie Eilish and Fender for this meaningful contribution to our Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities,” says Micah Kane, CEO and President of Hawaii Community Foundation. “In Hawaii, we practice aloha, which amongst many things, means that we take care of one another. This gift is a reminder of the generosity and kindness that all of us can show at this critical time.”
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