Founded in 2005 by musician Mike Upton in Petaluma, California, Kala Brand Music Co. has grown into the world's most popular ukulele brand. Upton discovered his passion for the ukulele while living and working in Hawaii in the 1990s, and after returning to Northern California, set out to design and build affordable, high-quality ukuleles. The company's first team operated out of a converted chicken hatchery, and Kala rose to prominence during a broader ukulele renaissance across indie music circles in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Kala's product range spans from the entry-level Makala line — widely regarded as the best budget ukulele available — to the heirloom-quality Kala Elite USA series, handcrafted from Hawaiian koa in their Petaluma workshop. In 2009, the company introduced the U-BASS, an innovative short-scale bass ukulele that earned endorsements from acclaimed bassists including Bakithi Kumalo (Paul Simon), Abraham Laboriel Sr., and Hutch Hutchinson (Bonnie Raitt). Beyond ukuleles, Kala produces acoustic guitars, tenor guitars, guitarleles, banjo ukuleles, and percussion instruments such as cajóns, djembes, and kalimbas.

Kala instruments have been played by artists across a wide range of genres, including Vance Joy, Twenty One Pilots, mxmtoon, Walk Off the Earth, dodie, and the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain. The company also collaborates with artists like Mandy Harvey, EmiSunshine, and Sunny & The Black Pack on signature ukulele models. Kala remains family-owned and operated, with facilities in Petaluma, Honolulu, Ashland (Virginia), and Wales.

Kala has 174 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Ukuleles, Acoustic & Acoustic-Electric Basses, and Ukulele Accessories. Their gear is featured by 46 artists, with the strongest followings in Rock, Pop, and Folk, World, & Country. Notable users include Tyler Joseph, Vance Joy, and Nicole Row. Kala's catalog spans the full price spectrum — from entry-level options to high-end flagships.