Category Archives: Video

View This: “Don’t Make Fun Of The Goobler” – Elska

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“Yes, another Elska music video!” This is what was exclaimed by my 3yr old as I showed her the latest video from Elska’s release Middle of Nowhere.

Directed and animated by Alex Funke, who was awarded Oscars for his work in The Lord of the Rings movies as the Visual Effects Director of Photography: Miniature Unit, “Don’t Make Fun of the Goobler” introduces us to yet another one of the inhabitants on the Island of Elska.  The “Goobs,” is a happy little green fellow who is a very special friend to Elska as we are informed through her lyrics “my little green homeslice, the goobs is so nice.”  And we think so too.

Middle of Nowhere was an instant hit with Em and we still continue to play it on a regular basis.  Elska brings us so much joy and with each new music video we get more excited to meet new friends.  Although the video is simple, mainly featuring Elska, gorgeous Icelandic landscaping and the Goobler, it’s the mixture of the bouncy electro-beats and the colorful wonder of this “otherworld” that continues to draw us in.

We’ve got nuttin’ but love for the Goobs and so will you!  You can read an interview and learn more about Elska and her friends here.

[Courtesy of YouTube]

View This: “Give It Away” – Renee & Jeremy

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From their latest release, A Little Love, Renee & Jeremy bring us a breathy, ethereal cover of the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ classic “Give It Away.”

Created by the stop motion film company, Shipmate Title, the video for “Give It Away” takes us on a psychedelic musical voyage spreading peace along the way in the form of ice cream! Even the Man in the Moon is sent a confectionary offering.

When I watch this video I can’t help but think of The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine. It’s a pretty trippy video that combines fantasy with a bit of science fiction while still retaining its innocence in the form of an adorable mouse and his ice cream truck. It’s certainly not what I expected but I love how Renee & Jeremy weave in an underlying theme, which becomes apparent at the end of the video, tying it all together.

Renee & Jeremy stay true to who they are while delivering a bit of “eye candy.” It will definitely catch the attention of all ages.

[Courtesy of YouTube]

View This: “America” – The Harmonica Pocket

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With the debates coming to an end and Election Day quickly approaching, it can be overwhelming to get caught up in all the politics and weight of the decision making process.

Keeth Apgar of The Harmonica Pocket, brings us a timely video for the single “America,” originally released on July 4, 2012. The video, in conjunction with the song, illuminates the profundity of Apgar’s thoughts on the “state of affairs.”

Below you can share a few sentimental moments with Apgar by viewing the video for “America” and following along with lyrics below. You can also listen to and purchase the song through the Bandcamp widget below. While I would typically recommend The Harmonica Pocket’s music for the under 5 crowd, this one feels like it’s directed towards listeners above the age of 8.

America

America I love you
America where’d you go?
America you’re confused and lost
So won’t you please come home?

America your mountains
America your shining seas
America all your children
And your American dreams

America your people
America your dustbowl
America your trail of tears
And ghosts of buffalo

America your brown soils
America farms and fields
America your land is poison
I can’t wash you with these tears

America I am angry
America don’t lie to me
America how’d this happen
To the land of the free?

Your politician speeches
Your promises for change
There’s oil on your beaches
And radiation rain

I want to swim in your rivers
And breathe your fresh air
I want to drink your clean water
And plant flowers everywhere

America I miss you
America I need you now
America back on your feet again
Stand up strong and proud

America I am sorry
America this took so long
America to speak up and sing
This patriotic song

America I love you
America where’d you go?
America you’re confused and lost
So won’t you please come home?

Please come home.

View This: “Miss Elephant’s Gerald” – The Pop Ups

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I’ve mentioned before that Fall is my favorite season but I should also mention that one of my favorite holidays is Halloween.  It could perhaps relate to the fact that my birthday is very close to Halloween, but either way I love it.  And, I’m enjoying watching my daughter get into it now as well.

One of our favorite kindie bands is The Pop Ups and the release of this track makes this month even more rewarding.  When I first heard “Miss Elephant’s Gerald,” I loved the play on words but I was curious to see just how this would play out in video.  Once again, The Pop Ups do not disappoint!

I honestly don’t know how to describe all of what’s going on in this video, but I know it’s highly entertaining and I laugh out loud each time I watch it.  Between the adorable little Elephant, the puppets and all sorts of comedic references (there’s a guy with giant thumbs playing the drums!) “Miss Elephant’s Gerald” is a pleasure for both parents and kids alike.

Below is a sample track with the link to purchase the song for just $1!  And while you’re at it, I would definitely recommend checking out their other stuff.

View This: “Halloween” – Princess Katie and Racer Steve

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NYC-based kid rockers Princess Katie and Racer Steve have a new video from their upcoming album Love, Cake and Monsters!  Appropriately timed and named for this time of year, “Halloween” runs like a short film.  It’s colorful and theatrical with a whole cast of characters including dancing skeletons.  The video is done exceptionally well and I particularly love the moving flashlights in the beginning.  The design and animation, done by Taili Wu and Shane McGill from Newspeak is excellent.

Adding to the spookiness of it all is a 53-piece orchestra from Macedonia singing along in the background.

I have to say that the song is catchy but the video is defiitely one I kept wanting more of.  It’s a great item for Halloween.  Definitely worth a look or two!

View This: essence – T-REXXXX!

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essence-CD-Cover-Artwork2-486x486We had the pleasure of seeing essence perform this song at the Palo Alto Children’s Library during a Randy Kaplan show at the end of September. “T-Rexxxx,” a single from essence’s upcoming children’s album A Dog Named Moo, was a big hit with the audience and is still a hit with us at home.   “T-Rexxxx” is a great tune which you may just see in print sometime soon as essence is currently working on making it into a book (along with other songs from A Dog Named Moo).  I especially like the claymation by Steve Girard & Matt Christensen and the direction by Jennifer Steinman (director of the award-winning documentary Motherland).

Parents will get a kick out of this heroic dino-tale while their little ones, ages 2 and up, will enjoyrawrrrrrr-ing along with the biggest baddest beast that ever lived.

View this: “Man Gave Names” – Aaron Nigel Smith

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Great new video from Aaron Nigel Smith‘s recent release Welcome to the Village, featuring the children of One World Chorus and some enthusiastic puppets who each land a role as an animal in the song.  Listeners will be entertained as they hear Laurie Berkner, Lucky Diaz and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo rock out with Aaron and the rest of the children, er I mean animals, to a rendition of Dylan’s “Man Gave Names to all the Animals.”

Enjoy!

[Courtesy of YouTube]

View this & FREE DOWNLOAD: “Take Me To The City Dump” – Caspar Babypants

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A FREE Caspar Babypants download and a new video!

The song, “Take Me To The City Dump” was made in honor of the late J.P. Patches.  J.P. Patches was a very popular clown and star of The J.P. Patches Show, a long-running and very popular Seattle children’s program.  J.P. was a great inspiration for Caspar’s frontman Chris Ballew.  In fact, the song was written by Ballew and performed at J.P’s public memorial service. The song is exclusive to this video and will not be on the new album but hey, anytime we can get our hands on some new Caspar stuff it always brightens our day.

Check out the video below and grab a free download of the song here.

Courtesy of [YouTube]

View This: “Arctic Fox” – Elska

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We are currently going through the stage in my daughter’s life where she is afraid of the dark.  So, before she goes to bed, we talk about things that are colorful and bring joy into her life.  Often times, it’s things like  ladybugs, rainbows, flowers, puppies, cookies, lollipops, you get the idea.  Recently, we purchased a wooden dog on wheels from Plan Toys that has been sleeping in her room at night.  We have also  been listening to Elska non-stop.  “Arctic Fox” is one of the songs that really resonates with her.  As a result, she has decided that her new friend is an “Arctic Dog” who will bring her good dreams.

“Arctic Fox,” the second video from Elska, provides us with another clue as to what happens on the Island of Elska.  The video is similar to Elska’s first release “Hiddi Hiddi” except we are introduced to the elusive Arctic Fox who sleeps on her head at night and brings good dreams.  Thanks to Andy Biddle‘s stop-motion animation, the Arctic Fox is brought to life and is just as cuddly as the song makes him out to be.

[Courtesy of YouTube]

View this: “Fall” – Orange Sherbet

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My favorite season is slowly moving in as the days are becoming shorter and the apples are ready for pickin’.

Just in time for Fall is Orange Sherbet‘s video under the same name.

 

FALL from Orange Sherbet on Vimeo.