Monkeynauts take heed! Recess Monkey just released the first video from their upcoming album, Deep Sea Diver. I would say that the album is highly anticipated but I think, in general, any album from this enthusiastic troupe is typically highly anticipated.
In “Tambourine Submarine,” the Seattle trio takes to the deep blue in a blinged out u-boat powered by rhythm and propelled by a spinning tambourine. Although I hesitate to use the word “cute” to describe what the guys refer to as a “mean green rhythm machine,” I cant help but want to sling one on my keychain and jingle jangle it all ’round my hood.
“Tambourine Submarine” is a fantastic voyage filled with creativity and humor. Check it out!
I recently attended Kindiefest, an annual family music conference that took place in Brooklyn, NY. The conference sought to provide helpful information about the industry while showcasing some amazing talent. I am going to write a separate post that provides a little more detail about what went on at the conference but one thing I clearly remember hearing about is that collaboration can be extremely useful.
One fine example of how collaboration can produce something pretty spectacular is the Underbirds.
The Underbirds consists of Morgan Taylor from Gustafer Yellowgold and Todd McHatton, who not only has released some wonderful kindie albums of his own, but is also the creator of Marvy Monstone’s Mysterious Fun Time Dream Band, and the wildly popular single “I Think I’m a Bunny.” Together their music sounds like a mix of the Flaming Lips, the Beatles and a little bit o’ Queen.
TheUnderbirds had their official world premiere live performance/release party at Symphony Space in New York City on Saturday, April 27, 2013 as part of Symphony Space’s Just Kidding series. I was more than lucky enough to catch it. Although it meant leaving the Kindiefest conference for a bit, it was an easy trade-off as these guys are at the top of our list when it comes to quality music and performances!
Standing in front of a screen with projected images of the outdoors, Taylor and McHatton sang original songs from their self-titled debut, which were filled with warm, joyful harmonies that reflected upon the beauty of nature and companionship. The duo also premiered a few new songs and each played a single from their own kindie catalogue. Taylor sang one of our favorite Gustafer songs, “Wisconsin Poncho” and McHatton brought his daughter, Hazel, up for “I think I’m a Bunny.” Seeing her sing live was so fun. She’s a natural just like her Dad!
It really was a treat for both grown-ups and kids. And for a world premiere performance, it didn’t take very long before everyone in the audience started to sing along.
I’ve spoken of the wonderful sounds coming from these two highly talented kindie artists before, but seeing these two sing together in a live setting was a real gift.
You can sample, download and purchase the Underbirds from CDBaby, Amazon and iTunes. Highly Recommended!
Underbirds – “Trail of Hearts” live at Symphony Space via YouTube
Underbirds – “Brilliance” live at Symphony Space via YouTube
I still remember the first time I introduced my daughter to her shadow. It was on the swings and I told her that her shadow is swinging just as high as she is. She thought it was the most amazing thing and her shadow continues to be part of our pack today.
Tim Sutton, frontman for Ratboy Jr., was inspired in the same way when he wrote “High 5 Your Shadow.” Upon seeing his own son giving a high five to his shadow on the wall, the song was born.
“High 5 Your Shadow” hits the nail on the head with the lyrics, “your shadow/ is your friend/ and your friends are friends with your shadow,” because whether it’s real friends or a wooden dog that my daughter pulls on a string, everyone has a shadow and we can all dance together.
From their most recent release, Champions of the Universe, Ratboy Jr. presents the video for “High 5 Your Shadow,” which so accurately conveys the joys of shadow play. There’s even a little science wedged in their for extra credit.
Check it out and then go find your shadow. Or make one of your own.
Dean Jones, multi talented kindie wonder man, is putting out his second children’s album on May 14th called When The World Was New. It’s going to be quite fantastic, although I wouldn’t expect any less from the recent Grammy winner (Dean won a 2012 Grammy for producing Can You Canoe? by The Okee Dokee Brothers).
“Snail Mail,” directed by Tim Sutton from Ratboy Jr., is a funk filled motivational piece (or as Sutton describes it: funk with a disco sweater on) that reinforces the benefits of being a good pen pal. It’s got a nice groove, a crazy catchy hook and some great lyrics, including my favorite in which Jones suggests doing “a little doodle direct from your noodle.”
How do you not want to get all creative, slap a stamp on an envelope and boogie on down to the post office right this minute?
The radio sounds a serenade that’s carrying us on Surely it is my song Surely it is yours Surely it was made just for us all at once and all at once Surely it is my poem surely it is yours Let the meter move us, turn us, take us up and ever make us new…
-Cat Doorman
Those lyrics are from the song “Turn Around” from Cat Doorman Songbook, the debut children’s album by Portland’s Julianna Bright (known as Cat Doorman in the kindie world). Between the eloquence with which Julianna Bright sings and the lyrics themselves, the song gives me chills every time I hear it.
I am so pleased to present to you some videos of Julianna and her band performing songs off of Cat Doorman Songbook, which just received a Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Award. “Turn Around,” “Madame Claire” and “Whistling Song” are performed live from her living room and sound just as eloquent as they do on the record while Julianna delivers them ever so gracefully. Her band does a stellar job accompanying her as well.
If you have not yet taken a listen to the The Cat Doorman Songbook, I highly recommend it. The sounds and complexities of the songs provide an opportunity for children to connect with music on a deeper level with themes that relate to the earth, self-acceptence and love. For more information, check out my review of the album, as well as view another video for “Inspiration,” a haunting track inspired by the birth of Julianna’s daughter.
Seattle kindie rockers, The Not-Its, are back with another video from KidQuake!, the band’s 4th studio release to date.
“Let’s Skateboard” features the ridiculously stylish band members rockin’ out at a skatepark in the middle of a bowl while young skateboarders zoom and glide all around them. Some of the kids even sport tutus while doing their tricks. How cool is that? I can’t help but get giddy when watching this video as I recall pasting my bedroom walls with Thrasher Magazine covers while growing up. Ahem.
Further projecting the song’s energy, director/producer Stacy Jenkins (Lost Boot Media) does an excellent job of shooting at all the right angles, fantastically capturing the gravity defying motion of these fascinating kid rippers. So, even if you aren’t up to date on the latest skateboarding lingo, “Let’s Skateboard” provides enough movement and energy that you will feel as though you are in on the scene.
Whenever a new video from The Pop Ups, um, pops up, it’s always brimming with humor and creativity. Their videos, like their songs, are clever and have a way of luring me into pressing repeat/rewind several times over.
The Brooklyn duo’s latest video for the song “Subway Train” was debuted at the New York International Children’s Film Festival and is ah-mazing. Wow! The animation, done by Garret Davis (who did “Box of Crayons”), is an art form in and of itself and a reminder of why music videos are such an integral part of our musical culture. Frankly, it makes me want to scream “I Want My MTV!”
“Subway Train,” featured on The Pop Ups’ 2010 debut Outside Voices, is a zany underground journey on various subway trains with a bunch of animal riders. The song’s concept is really interesting in that it engages young listeners (5 and under) in a developmentally appropriate way while incorporating educational elements in a non-traditional way. Set to electronic beats, listeners can interact with the song by making animal sounds when prompted. For example, “Apes on the A train going ‘oo oo ah ah’,” Bees on the B train goin’ Bzzz Bzzz,’” etc. It’s a hip, condensed blend of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” and “The Alphabet Song.”
As usual, The Pop Ups do not disappoint. “Subway Train” is definitely a trip.
Wanna hear the rest of the album, take a listen and consider buying it via the Bandcamp widget below:
Happy Valentine’s Day! Thinking about how to show/feel the love today? Why not whoop it up with a new video by Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips? “Lover Not A Fighter,” a hip track from Mista Cookie Jar’s Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution, honors the purity of old school funk and soul while blending in some new school kid hop by Miss Ava Flava.
Set to the backdrop of the infamous Soul Train Line, the fashionable MCJ and Miss Flava get their groove on while delivering a message about being a leader and setting an example for others:
Sometimes u gotta fight for peace, but when ur strong u just love and lead. So all u boys and girls go show this world just how the good life’s meant to be.
The video for “Lover Not A Fighter” is filled with fun. Much like videos previously released by MCJ and The Chocolate Chips, it’s infectious and invokes spontaneous wiggling and shaking. Anything by this crew brings a smile to my face.
Plus, watching the amazing Soul Train dancers in the background is priceless and symbolic of pure happiness and love.
So, go on, make your own dance line, turn up your speakers and make this Valentine’s Day the “hippest trip” your family has ever seen.
Valentine’s Day special: FREEDownload of “Lover Not A Fighter” all day on February 14, 2013 via the the Bandcamp widget below.
Caspar Babypants has a new record out called I Found You, which also happens to be Caspar’s sixth release in just 3 years.Much like the other Caspar Babypants albums, this one does not disappoint.
Below are two new videos from the album which will surely whet your appetite for more. And, it just so happens that tracks from I Found You can be sampled and purchased from Caspar Babypants’ official site.
The first video is for the title track, “I Found You,” and features lots of funny little creatures. Each piece is unique with lots of character, much like the song itself.
[“I Found You” – Caspar Babypants via YouTube]
The second video is for one of my favorite songs on the album. “Too Dirty to Love” features animation by Charlotte Blacker (Stompy the Bear) and additional vocals by Rachel Flotard. As the parent of a little girl who happens to love the mud just as much as it loves her, I can proudly say that this video hits home!
“Too Dirty To Love” – Caspar Babypants via YouTube]
A new video from Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke with a fun twist on counting. All of the elements that make this dynamic duo so interesting are once again featured in this video: colorful graphics and animation, clever rhyming and a great sense of humor. There is even a trip to France complete with a French accent as 8 red ants “dance ze night away” on the Champs-Élysées.
Although the title of the video is called “One Fat Frog,” those familiar with the duo’s existing work will recognize the song as “Counting One To Ten” from their 2010 release, Rise and Shine (an excellent and highly recommended piece of work). Listeners not previously acquainted with their work, well, you’re in for a treat.
Want to hear more? The 11 Rise and Shine tracks are available for purchase (CD comes packaged with a board book) from Little Monster Records. The album is also available for purchase or download from Amazon.com and iTunes.
You can also view a video for the single, “Animal Alphabet,” here.
Monkeynauts take heed! Recess Monkey just released the first video from their upcoming album, Deep Sea Diver. I would say that the album is highly anticipated but I think, in general, any album from this enthusiastic troupe is typically highly anticipated.
Kids Can Groove 