#ukulena

"Hibiscus" 🌺

…is a little dream come true. My band and I recorded it live to an 8-track tape reel, just like they did in the 1960s, chasing the timeless sound I've always loved (think Beatles magic). I also mixed and mastered this song entirely by myself, which makes it even more special to me. I've always wanted to write a song called "Hibiscus", one of my favorite flowers alongside lilies, so you'll hear me sing about a lily in my hair, blue polka dot dresses, and my heart's little desires like dreaming of moving to Italy. The idea bloomed last summer at the Del Mar County Fair while I was sipping a hibiscus agua fresca. Suddenly, it felt like an episode of "That's So Raven", (haha), I had a vision of my entire song in my head. And... boom. The song was born. 🌺

…released July 3, 2026

Hibiscus is an original song written by Ukulena

Vocals, Song-Writing, Ukulele: Ukulena (Marlena Khramov)

Lead Guitar, Rhythm Guitar, Baritone Guitar: Paul Bouyear

Steel Guitar: Gary Brandin

Bass: Julian Johnson

Drums: Mikayla Khramov

Percussion: Janelle Frese

Recorded live on 8-track tape reels like the 1960s with Wyatt Blair in Lolipop Records & Savannah Studios Boyle Heights! Mixed & Mastered by Marlena Khramov aka Ukulena! <333

my original lyrics:

Hibiscus (kiss kiss kiss kiss)

Blue polka dress with a lily in my hair

Drinkin’ Hibiscus Fresca at the fair

Summer Song by Chad & Jeremy

Just wanna boyfriend who’ll be sweet to me

How I long to move to Italy

There’s somethin’ over there

that’s call-call-calling me

I sing for all the butterflies

I sing for the sea

Fairy circles get me high

So I stopped smoking weed

I-I-I-I stopped smoking weed..

Hibiscus (kiss kiss kiss kiss),

beach boys in the breeze

make me (miss miss miss)..

Hawaii, the beach, the hot hot sand,

You know a flower in your

hair is better than a man..

B-b-b-better than a man..

But Elvis, Priscilla

Their vibes make me feel like vanilla

Blue polka dress with a lily in my hair

Drinkin’ Hibiscus Fresca at the fair

Summer Song by Chad & Jeremy

Just wanna boyfriend who’ll be sweet to me

How I long to move to Italy

There’s somethin’ over there

that’s call-call-calling me

Beach boys in the breeze ooh ahh ee

Chasing where the cash will be

I just miss Hawaii

I just miss my daddy

I just like feelin’ pretty

Hibiscus (kiss kiss kiss kiss),

beach boys in the breeze

make me (miss miss miss)..

Hawaii..

Hibiscus🌺 my new song is out now…

listen🎧: https://tr.ee/MOo3bpczjZ 🎵🐚

BandCamp: https://ukulena.bandcamp.com/track/hibiscus ☁️

♫new single by Ukulena out now♫

🎧

Pineapple Juice:

listen now…🍍🧃

I’m a literal pineapple…🍍

“Pineapple Juice” is finally out in the world 💚💛 one of my favorite original songs I’ve ever written in my musical journey…I always dreamed of creating a song inspired by pineapples, and one day the cute little idea finally hit me and I ran with it. Manifested it, recorded it live to tape reels like the 1960s with my band, and gave it that real heart, soul, raw-energy feeling I love so much.

This whole song has been such a process of patience, learning, and tiny emotional meltdowns as an independent artist lol. My producer digitized the tape reels, gave me the stems and I mixed the song myself, which honestly felt like performing surgery on a pineapple at 3am. There were moments I almost gave up, moments I cried over it, and moments where I thought I completely ruined everything… but somehow it all came together in the end. 🤧🍒

So pretty please with cherries on top of a pineapple upside down cake, go stream my new original song “Pineapple Juice” by Ukulena (me) 🫶🏻 The first single and song from my 3rd upcoming album. You can also support it on Bandcamp for $4.20 and help keep the pineapple dream alive! 🤘🏻🎵🐚

BandCamp: https://ukulena.bandcamp.com/track/pineapple-juice-2

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6gZRoYSx0EhzC1f7OdHpes?si=FDoRkynsRL2rE3mDrcWTJA

more links: https://tr.ee/sRYkO8aBRj

Original song & lyrics by Marlena L. Khramov

The feminine urge to jump into the sea

If I disappear, will you miss me?

I miss you when I think about your kisses

I want butterflies again, that’s what my wish is

Chorus:

Sipping pineapple juice

While I daydream of you

Under coconut trees

I’ll be yours, if you’ll have me

You’ve been calling me baby so soon

You’re the sun and I’m the moon

I love your hair, I like your smile

I don’t know what this is

but I hope it lasts a while

Chorus:

Sipping pineapple juice

While I daydream of you

Under coconut trees

I’ll be yours, if you’ll have me

I can’t tell what I’m feeling

Just don’t tell me what to do

I’m a free spirit

But I really really like you

Don’t let me down

You’ve been lifting me up

Don’t let me drown

I love the ocean too much

Chorus:

Sipping pineapple juice

While I daydream of you

Under coconut trees

I’ll be yours, if you’ll have me

Bridge:

I had a dream at your house, it was creepy

I was floating in the sea with my feet dangling

A shark came at me all suddenly

But when I woke up you held me so closely

Chorus:

Sipping pineapple juice

While I daydream of you

Under coconut trees

I’ll be yours, if you’ll have me

If you’ll have me

If you’ll have me

Pineapple Juice

Pineapple Juice

Pineapple Juice

(Ukulena)

©️®️

SONG CREDITS:

Ukulena (all vocals, ukulele, & composing)

Paul Bouyear (on rhythm & lead guitar)

Julian Johnson (on bass)

Gary Brandin (on steel guitar)

Janelle Frese (my mommy on percussion)

Mikayla Khramov (my sister on drums)

Recorded at Lolipop Records with Wyatt Blair

[on tape]

MIXED & MASTERED BY MEEE

🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍🍍

PS I get my favorite pineapple juice at Trader Joe’s

<3

recorded my 3rd album on tape like the 1960’s ⋆˚꩜｡

It feels dreamy to say that my third album, Mermaid Kisses, Starfish Wishes, is officially coming to life.

Sunday, 12.21.25, I stepped into Lollipop Records in LA with my band, and we recorded the whole thing live on an 8-track tape reel, chasing that retro 1960s vibe I’ve been dreaming about. 🧜🏻‍♀️

This album is pure ocean magic, dripping with mermaid energy, and a touch of salty nostalgia.

You’ll hear it in my new original songs, “Hibiscus”, “Pineapple Juice”, and “Like Hollie Would”, all bringing their own splash of the sea, some love, and little heartbreaks. Recording live like this at Lollipop Records was electric. There’s a freedom, a rawness, a wave you can ride in every track. It’s been a sweet journey getting here, and finally my little ocean of songs is ready to swim out into the world.

My first single from my upcoming album:

acoustic versions of some of my new songs:

🌺

stay tuned…🎵🦪

<3

xoxo

Mermaid Musings: Positive Affirmations for the Independent Soul

https://ukulena.com/sweet-like-pineapple-blog

Being a young woman in her late 20s, chasing dreams, creating art, building something real, can feel a lot like swimming against the current. The tides of doubt, comparison, and self-criticism can pull at you, especially in the big ocean of independent artistry. But remember, even sirens need to rest, reset, and remind themselves of their power.

As an artist, a woman, and a believer in daydreams, here’s what I’ve learned under the waves:

🐚 You are allowed to be both soft and unstoppable. The world might tell you to toughen up, but your gentle heart, your creativity, your sensitivity — that's your magic. You don’t have to harden to succeed; you can flow like water and still follow your dreams.

🐚 Your art matters, even when it feels like no one’s listening. There are moments when it feels like you’re singing your song into the endless sea. But trust me, someone hears it. Even if it’s just you, that’s enough. Keep creating. Keep expressing. The ripples will reach the shore.

🐚 Comparison is a shipwreck — swim your own course. It's easy to look at others, their numbers, their followers, their seemingly perfect waves and feel behind. But your journey is your own. The ocean is vast, and there’s room for everyone to shine.

🐚 Being independent doesn’t mean you’re alone. Building your path as an artist or young woman can feel isolating, but your tribe is out there fellow dreamers, mermaids, musicians, creators. Find them. Support them. Lift each other up. That’s how we rise with the tides.

🐚 You are not behind. You are not lost. You are becoming. Your timeline doesn’t have to match anyone else’s. The ocean doesn’t rush its waves and neither should you. You're growing, evolving, finding your rhythm, and that’s a beautiful thing.

So to my fellow mermaids, sirens, dreamers, and independent souls, or those just swimming through uncertainty, please keep swimming, keep singing, and never let the world dim your light. Your voice, your art, your presence, it matters more than you know.

Oh! And hi by the way, I’m Ukulena, a dreamy songstress of the sea and a firm believer in the power of self-expression. I’ve been performing professionally since I was 13, riding the waves of music, and storytelling ever since. With two full-length original albums released and my third on the horizon, I’ve poured my heart into every note, proving that passion and persistence truly does pay off. If I can do it, so can you. Never give up on your creativity, whatever it may be, the world needs your magic.

“Sing Your Life.”

Affirm it. Believe it. Become it.

With pineapple love, Ukulena

<3

xoxo

Benicio Del Toro…So Good I Had to Write a Song

🎵🎬

Okay, so maybe it's dramatic… but have you ever loved an actor's energy so much it practically writes a song through you? That’s me with Benicio Del Toro. There's just something about his presence. That quiet intensity, that mystery, that effortless cool — that completely captivated my little artist heart.

Some people get crushes… I write entire songs.

It wasn’t planned, just a late-night moment of inspiration, scribbling lyrics, floating melodies, and suddenly… there he was… woven into music. I guess that's the beauty of being a songwriter, even your celebrity crushes can end up immortalized in your art.

So yeah… if you ever stumble across my song, just know… it’s all Benicio’s fault.

"Mr. Mystery Man" my original song I wrote for him:

my original lyrics:

Mr. Mystery - Ukulena ♓️💐

©️®️

Like a butterfly 🦋

Mr. Mystery

Not so mysterious, honey I’m serious

I’ll scream I need him at the top of my lungs

I’ve been stung by a honeybee, Del Toro

Maybe I’ll come meet you tomorrow

With mermaid kisses, & my starfish wishes

Little me with my sweet sweetness

Been full of such sorrow

Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow

Dreamin’ up a life, like hers

And her! Like the girls on the screen

I’ll scream at the top of my lungs how I need

How much I need him, please

Put me in the movies

I can sing,

Como La Flor

I’ll hypnotize with my eyes like the sea

Del Toro more more more

Please Mr. Pisces please

Butterfly feelings spinning me

Round & round I’m getting dizzy

You make my dizzy Mr. Mystery

Not so mysterious

But you got me curious

Curiosity..killed the little kitty

You make me dizzy, Mr. Mystery

Not so mysterious up on the tv

Oh I’ll scream at the top of my lungs I’ll scream

For my mystery man

Not so mysterious, oh how I can

How I can dream of sweet tomorrows

See you in my dreams, Benicio - oh

Feeling low so I get high

Stomach twisted like a butterfly

Like a butterfly 🦋

- Ukulena (me) ©️®️

Excess Baggage 1997 is my favorite movie

“I drink hibiscus tea, it helps me fall asleep..” 🌺

“I want to live in a literal seashell

I act okay but I don’t think I’m well

I’m afraid of my mind I don’t know what to do

I just want the flowers to bloom..”

- Ukulena (me) 🐚

(photo edits by me 🤍 pix taken by my sister)

🎀