Uke cuties on YouTube

Danielle Ate the Sandwich is a cute ukelele player I discovered last year and then forgot about and then re-discovered today.

Below is a video where she covers Hall & Oates's Rich Girl, with a Scrubs breakdown in the middle. It's the kind of enjoyable that slips a smile over your mouthhole, like a reverse pickpocket.

Normally, I am of the opinion that God put YouTube commenters on Earth so that true illiterates have someone to look down on. For this particular video however, NESMonster has fully articulated my feelings by saying, "I HAVE SIX CRUSHES."*

Her original songs are funny and sweet and sad and once I listen to one, it's hard not to listen to more. Just in case you're like me that way, her MySpace site has a whole bunch you can listen to. There's also links to buy her music if you're inclined. I might be inclined.

However, I think I prefer the videos because you can watch her mug for the camera and wear costumes. You also see the backdrop of her trashy, lo-fi apartment. It seems to be an intentional choice, almost an aesthetic. It invites you to imagine things about her life, encourages you to think you're friends.

After watching a couple of Danielle's videos, and thinking you're some kind of Internet pals, you notice there's a well of young ukelele players all in each other's business. They're all handsome and/or pretty, and have senses of humor and are at least decent musicians. And they all seem to know each other, like there's a circle of young, quirky friends having a video hootenanny right in front of you.

It makes me want to join them. It makes me wish I'd decided to be a musician instead of a writer. It makes me want to MAKE.

Here's another one in case you're not going to click through and experience for yourself what I'm describing.

*Because my wife will read this and leave some cryptic comment, let me take this moment to assure her that all six crushes are on her and her alone.