Friday Feels Right for Brady Rymer

Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could are back to continue their effective practice of genially entertaining your children with deceptively simple songs, filled with harmonies and concepts that go far beyond the comprehension of their intended audience. Their 12th collection, THAT FRIDAY FEELING, from 8 Pound Gorilla Records, celebrates diversity and individuality, with songs that are positively motivated to get your children on their feet and back into the world, as they were pre-pandemic.

A mainstay in the children's music and kindie industry for more than 15 years, Rymer and Company produce reliably upbeat and appealing songs. "Superpowers" decodes the Marvel/DC universes for young listeners, pointing out that giving big hugs and greeting people with a beaming smile are just as important as being invisible or reading minds.

"Babies of Summer" talks about the excitement in spotting new offspring of pets and wild animals. However Rymer is up to his charmingly misleading ways on the seemingly-similar "Following the Bunny Tracks." Kids may think the tune follows a child tracking a baby rabbit, while parents should realize it's also about growing up, "steady as a clock ticks, moving on and on, proof that you were here and gone."

Presciently, Rymer tackles the current war on diversity on "Outline." The song uses the premise that every child is a blank slate, who fills in each aspect of their lives with different colors as they mature and become their own person:

And love will be the reds
Kindness be the blues
And hope will be a rainbow of hues
And joy will be the greens
Faith will be the greys
To fill me in and lift me off the page

Rymer selectively chooses cover songs, from Diana Ross's "I'm Coming Out" on his previous release, UNDER THE BIG UMBRELLA, to THAT FRIDAY FEELING's version of Allan Toussaint's New Orleans classic, "Yes We Can Can." You'll feel the zeal and vigor pumping through your car speakers or home audio system. Not to mention the frantic playtime celebrations of Rymer originals, "Seven Hours of Fun" and the title track. Rymer and his unsinkably sunny crew give you 12 reasons to keep that Friday feeling going all week long.

THAT FRIDAY FEELING is available from Brady Rymer's website, Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is the band's video for the title track, "That Friday Feeling":

Itty Bitty Beats Fire Imaginations; Brady Rymer Celebrates Spring

New Zealand-based kids' musicians the Itty Bitty Beats (Lucy Hiku and Jenny Payne) have a new CD, IMAGINARIUM. The acoustic duo produce songs about dragon tea parties, mermaids, unicorns, hippos, and even the legendary Sock Mess Monster (must be a Kiwi thing).

The Beats spend most of their time making merriment for the very youngest among us (best for the under-fives), who can best appreciate a party on the moon or riding on a cloud. Those are concepts that translate around the world, to audiences of any nationality. Best of all, you can use Google Maps to show your kids that no matter how far away New Zealand is, children are still children with the same daydreams wherever they live.

You can purchase or hear IMAGINARIUM on the Itty Bitty Beats' website, Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music. 

Here is the lyric video for their song, "The Sock Mess Monster":

Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could are known for (among other things) the positivity in their songs. Their new CD is coming in June from 8 Lb Gorila Records. But in the meantime, we've got the title track and its accompanying video, "Friday Feeling," featuring London-based Emmeline scootering around her neighborhood. Inspired by her mother's video on Instagram, Brady composed the song to celebrate spring (and more subtly the emergence of people from two years of pandemic self-quarantine):

That Friday feeling is turning heads all over town

Shining out like a rainbow breaking through the clouds

She's got my heart reeling

My head's on the ceiling

She's got that Friday feeling

While "Friday Feeling" doesn't break new ground, it's a neat addition to the Rymer catalog, with the whole band contributing harmonies and gentle 1970s style pop rock (think Fleetwood Mac). If "Friday Feeling" is indicative of the rest of the album, it's going to be a pretty upbeat summer.

Listen to "Friday Feeling" on Brady's website, Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music. 

Here is the video:

Two Generations of Kids Music: The Figureheads and Zing Zangs

Time stands still for no child. In 10 years, kids go through sneakers, shirts, schools, and reading levels like nobody's business. For children's music, 10 years is therefore a lifetime. For recent 8 Pound Gorilla Records' signees The Figureheads (Jeremy Bryan, Greg Marshall, and Dave Olsen), it's going to be interesting to see how the Milwaukeee-based hip-hop combo acclimate to a generation of new artists, considering they spent a full decade out of the limelight.

The Figureheads are about having fun with an edge of social consciousness. Of the six songs on their STARS, their new EP, "Make It Better" and "Gotta Believe" stress singing together to improve our lives, with the wind at our backs, while we all have breath in our lungs. But there's also fun and family with "Sticky Song" and "Wave and Stomp."

The Figureheads may be back for awhile or just turtling (sticking their heads out of their shells). For a brief 16 minutes, your kids can hear what they've been up to since approximately 2012.

Find STARS on the Figureheads' website, Amazon, Spotify, Deezer, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for "The Sticky Song":

Speaking of that next generation of children's music performers, they were inspired to fashion songs for kids by artists such as Recess Monkey, Gustafer Yellowgold, and Frances England. Vancouver, Canada's The Zing Zangs (Trevor Walls and Emma Watson) began writing songs together after high school. Ttagged "the second generation of kindie" by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, the duo has compiled their material into their debut CD, THE GOOD DAY, with the help of über-producer Dean Jones (who even guests on "Chatterbox").

THE GOOD DAY encapsulates the high-spirited experiences of two friends (can we give them a nickname like "Tre-mma"?). Tunes chart morning through nightfall, sharing music ("Let's Start A Band"), games ("Hide and Seek" with Mista Cookie Jar and "Playing in the Park"), and winding down with "Shadows Dance" as the sun begins to set. It's 11 songs in 23 minutes, just the right amount of time for a hyperactive child to percolate and settle into bed. All in all, THE GOOD DAY is a promising start for the Zing Zangs.

Collect your own THE GOOD DAY from the Zing Zangs' website, Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is a YouTube capture of the duo's song, "The Good Day":

Robots Don't Joke But Kelli Welli Does

Artificial intelligence can turn on a coffeemaker and cook a pizza, but it's far from replacing us. To make that clear for techno-savvy kids, Kelli Welli has titled her third family collection ROBOTS DON'T TELL JOKES (8 LB Gorilla Records). Still, your friendly family cyborg may harbor a secret desire to share a funny thought – and it might even make you crack a smile.

The colors of the rainbow translate into a brilliant array of human possibility on "Rainbow Love Song," quietly addressing the LGBTQ community without rubbing it in the noses of more conservative-minded parents. An all-star platoon of kids artists contributes backup vocals, including Flor Bromley, Claudia Robin Gunn, Kymberly Stewart, Twinkle Time, Elena Moon Park, Red Yarn, and Joanie Leeds. The latter also provides harmonies on "I Will Miss You," a mothers' lament about the joy of watching children grow, become independent, but then no longer need the kind of emotional assistance from their toddler days:

I will miss your little hugs

And the way you snuggle up

As we're reading favorite stories or reading lullabies

I will miss the way you look at me

And the wonder in your eyes

Every time I have the privilege of teaching something new

There must be something in the water in the Pacific Northwest. Kelli Welli joins the host of notable talents from the region, such as Red Yarn, Johnny Bregar, and Recess Monkey. ROBOTS DON'T TELL JOKES features her take on traditional material, such as "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star," "Five Little Ducks," and "Five Little Frogs." She also exhibits her range with opera ("Stinky Shoe Reprise"), Irish punk ("Stinky Shoe"), and country "Dognado," where her home is overtaken by convivial canines. And Kelli puts the family in family music with appearances by her own kids. ROBOTS DON'T TELL JOKES, but there's something funny going on and Kelli wants to make sure your children are a part of it.

ROBOTS DON'T TELL JOKES is available on Kelli Welli's website, Amazon, Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for Kelli Welli's song, "Rainbow Love Song":

Little Miss Ann, Lucy Kalantari Welcome Spring

April showers are promising a bucketful of children's music releases. Leading the torrent is WELCOME SPRING, the uplifting new EP from Chicago's Little Miss Ann (Ann Torralba) through 8 Lb Gorilla Records. Buoyed by the spirit of collaboration, Ann has released six tracks featuring a savvy arsenal of similar-minded performers, guided by kids music über producer Dean Jones. 

Artwork by Pirata y Luna

If there's a common thread to the songs on WELCOME SPRING, it's a child's awakening to the outside world and their own abilities. The peppy title track showcases vocals by Brooklyn's Suzi Shelton and highlights the trumpet playing of Anna Jacobson. "So Many Ways," a duet with Uncle Jumbo, describes many things that make people stand out as individuals. "I Like Rice" covers similar ground with different types of food (showcasing fellow singer Flor Bromley). Second-generation drummer Michael Napolitano (of Michael and the Rockness Monsters) adds 1960s drums to "Koo Roo Koo Roo Koo Koo." Shelton and Ann's daughter Olivia accentuate "Parts Are Greater Than the Whole," which emphasizes that some people seem to have bigger hearts.

Little Miss Ann is pumped that the winter (and possibly the worst of the pandemic) are behind us. WELCOME SPRING and all the promise of warm weather and kindness of friends and family.

WELCOME SPRING is available April 1 from Little Miss Ann's website, Amazon, Pandora, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for Little Miss Ann's song, "Welcome Spring":

Anyone who's ever gazed down at their newborn and thought "I made this" will appreciate "Art," the new video from Grammy winner Lucy Kalantari. The tune, from WHAT KIND OF WORLD?, the 2021 collection by Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats, is a meta musing about the artistic process and how our development influences the world around us. The literal artwork was provided by 7-year-old Hannah Mayers, set to animation by director Matt Mayers. View the video here:

Spring Tunes from Formidable Vegetable, Loopy Tunes, and Big Idea Committee

There are people who are engaged in making the world a better place for children and people who are engaged in making better children's music. Australian-based eco-pop artists Formidable Vegetable have taken two great concepts and launched a series of songs and videos promoting everything from recycling to personal responsibility to nature. Their latest EP from

8 Lb Gorilla Records, IN REAL LIFE (IRL), tackles social media and technology, something that would draw a standing ovation from Raffi, who created the Child Honouring program decades ago as a way to protect young minds from being manipulated by adult concepts.

Six songs doesn't sound like much, especially when two tunes clock in at less than one minute. But the band, led by ukulele-strumming sustainability serenader Charlie Mgee, are experts in delivering big returns. They produce an upbeat mix of styles and topics, including obsessive consumption ("Greed"), neuro-diversity ("Bad Timing"), and disconnecting to enjoy the outside world ("Short Attention Span"). And that's all you need to enjoy children's music in real life.

IN REAL LIFE is available from Formidable Vegetable's website, Deezer, Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for Formidable Vegetable's song, "There's No Such Thing As Waste":

Speaking of people Down Under, Loopy Tunes Preschool Music from New Zealand have recorded "Let's Make Lemonade" to celebrate spring and warm weather. The sister duo of Siu and Leah Williams have previously released native bilingual Māori and Pasifika children’s music. This tune is their first English original. It's a poppy duet and you can almost hear the ice cubes clunking into the glasses. 

You can find "Let's Make Lemonade" at Loopy Tunes Preschool Music's website, Spotify, Deezer, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Speaking of spring, the Big Idea Committee (BIC), a Philadelphia duo (Christine Petrini and Melissa Brun) accompanied by Karl the Cello, produced their latest single, "Spring!" via Zoom, for their upcoming CD.  The sprightly tune features sounds of spring created musically by area musicians  Marybeth Kern (flute) and Kanako Omae Neale (percussion instruments, such as glock and triangle). “Spring!” has sprung and BIC wants to get kids outside to enjoy all that nature has to offer – bringing this post full-circle with the same principles espoused halfway across the world by Formidable Vegetable. 

You can find "Spring!" on Big Idea Committee's website, Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.

Kelli Welli's Rainbows, Marko Polo's Mammals

Our country is at an interesting crossroad. The word "rainbow" has become a polarizing term when applied to social activism. However, in the realm of children's music, rainbows are still the go-to for teaching the interdependency of colors and emotions. Kelli Welli invited a host of other artists to perform guest vocals on "Rainbow Love Song" from her upcoming ROBOTS DON'T TELL JOKES release (from 8 Lb Gorilla Records):

If all of the colors of the rainbow were my love for you
Together we'd be purple and apart I would be blue
We'd have happiness in yellow
And our kindness would be green
Darling, you are everything to me

"Rainbow Love Song" blends the voices of Red Yarn, Flor Bromley, Kymberly Stewart, Twinkle, James Dallas, Elena Moon Park, Claudia Robin Gunn, Maddy Heart, and Bryan Daste into unified orchestral harmony. The album will arrive next month, but until then, here's some unified kindie power:

 

 What if you wanted to produce your first children's music release but were unable to coordinate with your producer in person? FIRE DOG frontman Mark Pagano and über producer Dean Jones decided to tackle the pandemic-related issue head on, producing Mark's debut MAMMAL MUSIC, a kids CD under the monicker Marko Polo, entirely remote.

The duo heated up the wifi between St. Louis and upstate New York, where Mark and Dean live, respectively. The 10 tracks on MAMMAL MUSIC are mostly acoustic with a variety of keyboards and horns augmenting the subjects, such as "Heart Muscle" and "Big Brains."

You can definitely hear the "Dean Jones" influence in the often-silly but well-polished tracks. For instance, Mark extols the strange noises made by worms (!) on "New Sound," featuring what must be a theremin. A running theme on MAMMAL MUSIC is self-empowerment ("Be Brave" and "Planet Earth") and that's become more common as children witness other segments of the population stand up for their rights (think 'Kids Lives Matter'). MAMMAL MUSIC marks Mark's gentle entry into children's music, and he's prepared to entertain families and other mammals with his songs.

MAMMAL MUSIC is available from Mark's website and Bandcamp.

Here is the debut of the video for Mark's song, "Mammal Music":

'Shooting Star' Highlights New Zealand Youth

The distance between Nashville, Tennessee and Arrowtown, New Zealand is thousands of miles and takes more than a day of flying (Don't even try to Google Map the mileage). Originally from Gore, New Zealand, singer-songwriter Jackie Bristow decamped to the United States to pursue her musical career. She returned to her homeland in 2000 as coronavirus put the country into lockdown.

As Bristow's touring plans were put on hold, she created SongCatcher, a music education program to teach self-expression through songwriting to 7-10 year old kids in the local Wakatipu basin. The resulting, intensive 19-week workshop for seven youngsters turned into a group dubbed Jackie B and The Mini Band. The resulting five-track EP, SHOOTING STAR, documents their recordings, courtesy of 8 Pound Gorilla Records. 

The vocals for SHOOTING STAR were recorded in St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Arrowtown, the backing music was recorded and produced by Bristow's long-term musical partner Mark Punch in Nashville, and the entire track was mastered at Studios 301 in Sydney, Australia (Their first song, "It's Christmas," was released in December and is not on the EP, but it still available on Amazon and Youtube). 

While it's not addressed directly, the pandemic certainly has made children seek answers from all corners about returning the world to normalcy. "Shooting Star" tackles the topic in an oblique manner:

I see a shooting star

It's flying very fast

To make my wishes come true

For me and you

Climate change and the planet's future is addressed on "Earth Guardian," with a smidgen of New Zealand flavor when the kids sing "Every day is a little scarier like a wild boar trying to knock your door down." But they come full-circle and rejoice in having too much fun on "It's A Beautiful Day." Bristow is planning to take SongCatcher nationwide across New Zealand in 2022. It will be fun to chart her progress and what her charges produce on their own in the future.

Download SHOOTING STAR from Jackie Bristow's website, Amazon, Apple Music, Deezer, Tidal, or Spotify.

Here is the music video for the title track, "Shooting Star":

Bears & Lions Totally Not Ready for Bed

Bears and Lions, the country's best children's music group featuring grownups wearing animal costumes is back with a new EP, WILD AND FREE from 8 Pound Gorilla Records. The pandemic could make kids feel like caged beasts, especially during lockdowns and remote learning. B&L sympathize (it's tough to get those outfits dry-cleaned if you're in quarantine) and share some rocking tunes with an ecological messages, to boot.

Stage gear does not translate through your sound system. However Bears and Lions pass the authenticity test through the strength of their material. "Porcupine" is a story of camaraderie told through the perspective of getting past differences and seeing how everyone looks the same (from a hot air balloon). Relationships are also the theme of "Friendship Song," using the simple concept of music bonding people and critters. "The Wagon" aromatically narrates the kind of things that families encounter when they go on vacations, but points out "At the end of the day, we're far away, but we're okay." Tykes who get amped when the sun goes down will enjoy "Go To Bed," billed as the world's first anti-bedtime anthem. It's a raver in the style of the group's massive breakfast rocker, "Pancakes!"

Speaking of the ecological message, that gets addressed on "Wild and Free," the kid-hop title track, where Bears and Lions advocate for their um...humane rights on this shared planet:

One hundred million years we've been on this Earth

Man, we deserve a place, deserve to be heard

So listen to our words, we have things to say

Like don't you want to be wild and free

Bears and Lions look forward to seeing your kids when the childrens' music live performances are safe and vaccines are available for the under-five set. Prepare to answer your daughter when she asks, "Why does the lion have a better six-pack set of abs than you, daddy?" My suggested reply, "That's what happens when you get to roam wild and free, and don't work remote."

WILD AND FREE is available on January 28 from Bears and Lions website, Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon.

Here is the video for the band's song, "Go To Bed!":

Quick Hits: Strawbitty Yops, Jackie B and the Mini Band, and Ruth and Emilia

Inclusion means everyone, and Strawbitty Yops are all-in. Woody Hill and Cindy Haws-Rice have made music together for nearly 20 years. The Austin, Texas duo are all about songwriting that empowers children and makes them part of the process. Strawbitty Yops (just try googling that term) is a queer-identified family band featuring them, keyboard player Jimmie Estrada, percussionist Salina Estrada, singer Melanie Rose, and Cindy's kids Autumn and Theo. Their new holiday song, "Winter Magic," talks about the delights of sharing an annual family celebration and all its traditions and festivities. You can download the song from Amazon or Apple Music. Here is the video:

Speaking of interactive children's music, New Zealand singer-songwriter Jackie Bristow devised Jackie B and The Mini Band during the lockdown, featuring seven Wakatipu kids aged 7 to 10   innovative musical “lockdown” project by New Zealand-based international singer-songwriter Jackie Bristow has inspired a Christmas collaboration with a group of young Wakatipu singers from Southwest New Zealand. Their original eight-song EP is coming in January from 8 Pound Gorilla Records. In the meantime, we have their first single,"It's Christmas." Truly an international recording, the vocals were recorded in St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Arrowtown, the backing music was recorded and produced in Nashville, and the entire track was mastered at Studios 301 in Sydney, Australia. You can download the song from Amazon, Apple Music, or Spotify.

I confess that real-world responsibilities (such as running a book sale with 30,000 items) precluded me from doing a ton of writing just prior to Hanukkah, so I missed promoting Ruth and Emilia's new video for their "Dreidel Sing Along," featuring Ruth as a dancing dreidel. But even as the holiday has passed, you can still view the song throughout the holiday season! You can grab the song from Amazon or Apple Music and the video is below.

Holiday Quick Hits: Jazzy Ash, Itty Bitty Beats, Genevieve Goings

It's November and that means it's time for the annual cavalcade of holiday songs. First up this season is Jazzy Ash (Ashli St. Armant) with two tracks. Ashli's favorite Kringling jingle is "Zat You, Santa Claus," known for many versions including the incomparable Louis Armstrong. 

Raised in New Orleans where she absorbed the musical milieu of the bayou, the Los Angeles queer mom of two has also released a new track, "Fly Through the Sky." Inspired by Ella Fitzgerald and the classic instrumental music of Disney musical movies, it's a big band flashback to another time. 

Find both songs on Jazzy Ash's website, Apple Music, and Spotify.

Lucy Hiku and Jenny Payne, otherwise known as New Zealand's Itty Bitty Beats, have also dropped three disparate Christmas tunes. We're more than 60 years from the heyday of the Andrews Sisters, but the Beats pursue boogie woogie harmonies on "Rockin’ Rollin’ Reindeer." 'Their "Ring the Bells" could have been an outtake from a Rankin-Bass holiday special, celebrating that 'tis much bell-ringing, such as church bells and sleigh bells, at this time of year. Their winter lullaby "Little Snowflake" can be sung to to the tune of "Frère Jacques" and features vocals from Jenny’s son, Lachie.

All three songs will be available on the Itty Bitty Beats' website, Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Pretty soon it's going to be time to stop referring to Genevieve Goings as "formerly from Disney's Choo Choo Soul." She adds to his resumé of solo music with her new holiday-themed EP, VERY MERRY, from 8 Lb Gorilla Records. Perfect for decorating the tree, making cookies, or burning off that frenetic energy on Christmas Eve, the five songs give an overview of family and fun during the winter season. Standouts include "Crazy for Christmas Lady" and "Sweeter Than a Candy Cane" (which refers to "your love is...").

Find VERY MERRY on Genevieve Goings' website, Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Lucy Kalantari Jazzed For A New Kids' World

Well, our troops are home from Afghanistan after 20 years. So much for an attempt at nation building in somebody else's country. Speaking of nation building, that's the focus of Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats' new EP, WHAT KIND OF WORLD (from 8 Pound Gorilla Records).

After winning two (yes, two) Grammy awards, Kalantari is flexing her lyrical muscle. There's no filler among the five tracks on WHAT KIND OF WORLD and plenty of guest stars to move the band's messages. The first track, "Friendship Party," features Jazzy Ash and Joelle Lurie (JoJo and the Pinecones) and touts the pre- and post-pandemic fun in seeing (and being with) friends. COVID has affected all of us and the Jazz Cats were not exempted. Trombone player Ron Wilkins suffered the virus, but required a tracheotomy and spent a month in a coma. "Round and Round" celebrates the flexibility and courage it takes for get through a crisis, individually and collectively.

The title track, “What Kind of World?” is a  power ballad about – wait for it – international building. SaulPaul guests on vocals with a kindie choir including Little Miss Ann, Flor Bromley, Joanie Leeds, Julie Be, Snooknuk, Sonia de los Santos, and Lachi, an electronic music star and disability advocate. Wait, there's more – a string section composed of Elena Moon Park, son Darius, Erich Schoen Rene, Charisa the ViolinDiva, and Paul Laraia:

What kind of world do you wanna see?

What kind of world do you want it to be?

Ask yourself these questions from time to time.

Check in and see what you find.

Kalantari is in the forefront of the evolution of children's music, as the kindie movement of the past two years has reached maturity. Some artists are satisfied to produce lullabies, holiday songs, and other comfortable material. But there are societal customs to confront and stereotypes to challenge. On the EP closer, "Art," the Jazz Cats acknowledge that human life if fleeting but the art we leave behind can affect generations of listeners. Kalantari is utilizing her music to help children envision a better world. That's something we can all get jazzed about.

WHAT KIND OF WORLD? is available from Lucy Kalantari's website, Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for the band's song, "Friendship Party," featuring Jazzy Ash and Joelle Lurie:

Have Words With Weinkauf's Red Pants Band

Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band would like to have a few words with you and your family. In fact, they'd like to share a whole album of WORDS. If Danny seems obsessed with the language, that stems from more than 20 years working with special needs children. Communication opens many doors and is an enormous challenge for children on the spectrum, which presented an educational opportunity for Danny and bandmates Tina Kenny Jones, Steve Plesnarski, and Russ Jones.

WORDS is the snappy sixth set from the sartorially selective syndicate. The previous sentence is a tongue twister, the subject of an infectious same-named tune on this collection from kids label 8 Pound Gorilla Records. Over the course of 11 tracks, the band also looks at the origins of words ("Etymology" featuring Danny's son Kai on vocals), using repetition of similar-sounding words ("Alliteration"), and why spelling is important ("Silent Letters"). Prime offenders in the lyrics include the "T" in tsunami and "P" in pterodactyl. 

On "Hyperbole," Danny demonstrates how exaggeration can emphasize your point but also blow things out of proportion from reality, such as the following examples:

My girlfriend’s name is Shelly she’s as sharp as a pin
She’s skinny as a toothpick and as fast as the wind
She lugs around her backpack - man, that thing weighs a ton
But reading Harry Potter makes her shine like the sun

Aside from his composing work, Danny has played bass for They Might Be Giants since 1998 (the longest band tenure other than the two founding Johns). TMBG dipped their toes into children's music (recording five CDs and winning one Grammy award). Danny's tracks on those albums motivated him to expand his presence in the genre, earning him and the Red Pants Band airplay on Spare the Rock (kid's music podcast) and SiriusXM's Kids Place Live.

Danny's dedication to increasing the art of communication led to the cultivation of the "Words Project,"  a collaboration of 25 animators across six countries sharing the common goal on showing the impact of words and how they affect the society around us, both locally and globally. WORDS is a bouncy, brisk journey that takes less than 30 minutes to complete, even with an updated version of "Champion of the Spelling Bee" featuring Tina on lead vocals. The video from the group (directed by Eric Kreidler and Mike Owens) recently made its debut (see below). Parents and educators alike may now sagely distribute their words as well as share jaunty, upbeat WORDS songs for young listeners.

WORDS is available from Danny Weinkauf's website, Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is the new video for "Hyperbole":

Quick Hits: Jazz Cats Get Friendly, Levy Loves Magic

Friendship is more powerful than a pandemic. That's never been as true as on "Friendship Party," the new video from Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats' upcoming EP, WHAT KIND OF WORLD? (from kids label Eight Pound Gorilla Records). The Grammy Award-winning band's trombone player Ron Wilkins survived a bout of COVID last year, yet he sounds as fit and feisty as ever on the EP (review to follow in September). "Friendship Party" cuts between black-and-white instrument playing and colorful street scenes. The buoyant lyrics feature 1940s harmonies from Lucy and fellow jazz enthusiasts Jazzy Ash and Joelle Lurie (of JoJo and the Pinecones). For kids who might be confused about what kind of dance moves should accompany this type of American music, the accompanying video (shot in Brooklyn) showcases swing dancers and choreography that they can easily follow and teach to their friends and family. Here is the brand swinging new video from Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats:

Alison Faith Levy is back on the children's music scene after taking a well-deserved hiatus (and I'm not talking the enforced coronavirus isolation break that we all endured). With filmmaker Danny Plotnick, Levy has released a video for the title track of her upcoming CD, YOU ARE MAGIC. The theme of the concept album is how our own individual creative energy and momentum draws from – and is reflective of – the universe that surrounds us. The song nicely tracks how actions can have positive consequences:

Can you care for the earth and things that grow?
Just plant some seeds in nice straight rows
See you did it, there’s nothing to it
You are magic, and you can do it!

YOU ARE MAGIC is currently available for pre-order on Bandcamp. In the meantime, you can watch the video for "You Are Magic" from Alison Faith Levy:

Fun Summer Music from DJ Willy Wow, Mista Cookie Jar

It's tough to be a DJ when the parties are all remote. DJ Willy Wow (William March) experienced this firsthand during our pandemic year. With the world reopening, Willy has dropped his latest rave collection, IT'S ALL GOOD IN THE NATUREHOOD (featuring Grotch the Sasquatch) on 8 Pound Gorilla Records.

NATUREHOOD spends its eight songs educating kids to the importance to conservation (as it directly relates to forest fires on "California Fire") and gives background on the character of Grotch on "We Found Bigfoot! (Believe It Or Not)" and "Funky Bigfoot." National parks and camping get shout-outs on "More S'Mores" and "Butterflies." COVID is not ignored, with mentions on "Curbside DJ Slide" ("Don't forget to wear your mask"), as well as a chorus on "We Found Bigfoot":

We know you waited
We're glad you made it
Let's celebrate it
And Grandma's vaccinated

Willy is not new to the DJ game, having first entered the arena way back in 2005. He and his cast of characters have been featured on Sirius XM Kids Place Live and performed at four annual White House Easter Egg Rolls. This collection ably showcases his ability to generate kid-friendly old school dance music for all ages. Willy (and Grotch) are out of the woods on NATUREHOOD – now it's up to the rest of us to get vaccinated so the party never ends.

IT'S ALL GOOD IN THE NATUREHOOD is available from DJ Willy Wow's website, Apple Music, Spotify, or Amazon Music.

Here is the video for Willy's song, "More S'Mores":

 

People talk about the "plight" of the disabled while sometimes ignoring their strengths and achievements. Mista Cookie Jar is taking a crack at a summertime anthem with his new song, “Magic Day.” Joining him is collaborator Orbit Deen (Michael Cooney). In his day job, Cooney is an activist for the disabled, as well as a songwriter and motivational speaker. His "Able Cafe" podcast delves into ways to bust stereotypes about the disabled. "Magic Day" drops a happy beat about personal powers and potential, delivering a potent message about overcoming obstacles to accomplish new tasks and activities with family and friends. You can grab the song from Bandcamp (below):

Flor Bromley's Cultural Climate World Stew

It's no secret that the planet is undergoing a dangerous climate crisis. Youthful environmental activists like Greta Thunberg have activated a new generation of voices engaged in preserving our natural resources to save our lives. Just in time for Pachamama Raymi (the August Latin American celebration of Mother Earth) comes Peruvian-American children's music performer Flor Bromley and her fourth collection, PACHAMAMA, released by 8 Pound Gorilla Records.

Pachamama translates to "mother Earth" in Quechua, the language of Flor's Peruvian ancestors. The bilingual panorama of PACHAMAMA boasts an embarrassment of similar-minded, progress-thinking artists, such as Laurie Berkner, Justin Lansing (from the Okee Dokee Brothers), Elena Moon Park, Austin, Texas hop-hop star SaulPaul, and a pair of Peruvian folk-pop artists, Wendy Sulca and Miss Laurita.

Flor received an "alternative" education after receiving a scholarship to study Musical Theatre at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy and moved to New York City in 2007. A paucity of roles for latinx performers (a term not even in vogue at the time) and existing stereotypes caused her to pivot her career. More than a decade (and four CDs later), Flor uses her unique perspective to stir a tasty Latin-American stew, blending styles from around the world – Andean huayno, bachata from the Dominican Republic, tanguillo from Cadiz, Tex-Mex quebradita, tango, country/folk, and Peruvian hip-hop fusion.

The high wire balancing act of man versus nature is at the heart of PACHAMAMA, with Laurie Berkner joining Flor on an English version of the Hawaiian-inspired "The Ocean," and Miss Laurita dueting on the Spanish track. The preceding song, "Drop of Water," stresses the value of clean drinking water. "Mother Nature" declares the beauty and majesty revealed in the secrets of the Earth. Elana Moon Park's fiddling will get youngsters up and dancing to the countrified "Totora House" (with Justin Lansing on vocals and banjo). If you were not old enough to recall Simon and Garfunkel's 1970s rendition of "El Condor Pasa," Flor and SaulPaul revive the tune for Generation C on "Peas and Carrots." 

Musical theater's loss is children's music's gain, as Flor Bromley delivers another strong entry in 2021. PACHAMAMA mixes feel-good melodies with insightful lyrics and timely messaging. Flor definitely earns her Master's degree with this passionate collection.

You can find PACHAMAMA at Flor Bromley's website, Apple Music, Spotify, Bandcamp, and Amazon Music.

The video for "Pachamama" features Flor Bromley (in her local park) and Wendy Sulca (from Peru), through the magic of video editing:

Itty Bitty Beats' Bubble Up, Red Pants Band's Worldly Words

Public funding for the arts was imperiled during the past few years in the United States, but it's still thriving in other countries such as New Zealand. The independent "NZ On Air" program provides government funding that allows performers such as the Itty Bitty Beats to deliver quality and diverse public media. The duo (Jenny Payne and Lucy Hiku) met at Jazz School in Christchurch in 2002 and started recording children's music four years ago after the birth of their children (Keeping things in the family, Jenny’s husband Rob Payne has produced all of their music). The Beats' have released music that reaches emotional highs (Christmas in July) and lows (Baby Loss Awareness).

Their new six-song ITTY BITTY BUBBLES EP received NZ on Air funding and it's filled with more froth and frolicking than you might think was ever possible. Working under the premise that bubbles are a fun, intensive sensory activity to share with youngsters, Jenny and Lucy deliver tunes that range from 60s pop ("Bubbles In My Bathtub" sounds like Herman's Hermit's "I'm Into Something Good") to show tunes ("Bubble Storm") to rockabilly ("Bubble Shop").

ITTY BITTY BUBBLES is available from the Itty Bitty Beats' website, Amazon, Apple Music, and Spotify.

Here is the lyric video for "Bubble Shop":

It's been awhile since Danny Weinkauf and the Red Pants Band released new music, but their new CD is coming on August 20 from 8 Lb Gorilla Records. In the meantime, Danny has released "Words," a new single featuring his family and lead vocals by bandmate Tina Kenny Jones. Danny is especially stoked about the accompanying video, which was created by 25 animators from six countries. The pop tune illustrates (literally) the power of words and the impact our individual words can have, both negative and positive. Grab the song from Danny's website, Amazon, Deezer, or Apple Music.

You can watch the video here:

Inside Elliott Park's Mouth

Contrary of the title of his new family music EP, Elliott Park is not feeling down in THE MOUTH. Coming out of the pandemic, Park has all his ducks in the row. He recently signed with kids-only 8 Lb Gorilla Records, which has released Park's second collection of tunes featuring the Nashville-based artist and his three teenage daughters, Anna (18), Autumn (16), and April (14).

The seven tracks on THE MOUTH run the gamut from a mock protest rock anthem ("Silent Letters") to folksy duet ("Lemon Pie" with April) to Johnny Cash homage ("I've Watched Everything"). In the last song, Park comically laments needing an MRI because his remote control got stuck in his grip due to compulsive television habits. "I've got an LED tan 'cause I've watched everything," he reports, including:

Star Trek, Love Boat, Howdy Doody, Gunsmoke
Muppet Show, Twilight Zone, every single episode
Full House, Mighty Mouse, Super Bowl, Columbo
SpongeBob, Fraggle Rock, TeleTubbies, Fargo
Mr. Rogers, Barney, Bob the Builder, Dawson's Creek
Mod Squad, HeeHaw, Peppa Pig, Shawn the Sheep

The title track is an ode to the control that "The Mouth" leverages over the rest of the body. The heart may want a kiss and the stomach might be hungry, but the buck stops at the face's point of entry. However the mouth is also responsible for saying "I love you," Park reminds listeners. "Silent Letters" declares the time has come to bring full pronunciation to words like "IS-land" and "Ton-GUE." It's the perfect track for anyone who has inadvertently misread or spoken a word due to phonetic uncertainty. 

Elliott Park's kids' music straddles the fertile divide between the country and kindie genres. His family jam band entertains your kids without insulting your intelligence. Expect positive word of mouth to spread his praises. 

THE MOUTH is available from Elliott Park's website, Amazon, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is a video for the song "The Mouth":

Erica Rabner's Got This Pandemic

Singer/songwriter Erica Rabner had a unique vantage point from inside the pandemic. Through her "day job" work with children, she could see how youngsters of all ages were suffering – and not just physical ailments brought on by coronavirus. She developed two separate releases for different age brackets on the new 8 Pound Gorilla recording label – THE COVID ALBUM which was released earlier this year for toddlers and younger tots – and the brand-new WE GOT THIS for their older, preteen brethren.

Excited by material she collected from conversations with children (used in seven interstitial messages scattered throughout the CD), Erica finished WE GOT THIS, top to bottom, between December 2020 and January 2021. The title track became the catchphrase between her and producer Brian Blake as they literally willed the music into existence. The year 2020 was a traveling adventure for Rabner, who traded her New York City for a car and moved cross-country. The tracks for THE COVID ALBUM were recorded in a closet in Austin, Texas. 

Erica decided to use a different approach for WE GOT THIS. Your heart breaks listening to children expressing their thoughts on anxiety, loneliness, social media, and looking for ways to remain positive. The 10 songs relate to and amplify the complexity of these emotions, especially when parents – expected to always have the answers – frighteningly are a different breed of superhero, are are the essential workers who kept society moving, thanked in the opener, "Stronger Together."

Fellow 8 Pound artists Genevieve Goings ("Highlights Reel") and SaulPaul ("Be The Light") deliver inspirative vocals on songs about seeking optimistic in the middle of pandemic fatigue and looking for silver linings instead of dwelling on the worst aspects of your current situation. "Slack" gives children permission to just be themselves and "Zoom" addresses the comical, frustrating side effects of remote education:

How can I concentrate in class on Zoom when Jason's sister's always crying?

How can I focus when Maya says her Internet is down again but we all know she's lying?

It bears repeating that children's music is not strictly for children. With songs like "Be the Light" and "Brand New Day," Erica Rabner finds optimism inside the darkest year in your family's lives. There's a warm, fuzzy friendliness that makes "we got this" another three-word slogan worth teaching your children.

WE GOT THIS is available from Erica Rabner's website, Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for the title track, "We Got This":

SaulPaul Video Debut; Twinkle Hosts Live Music In LA

My older son's super power is phenomenal memory. His love of music, over time, brought me to blogging and reviewing and the rest is history. However what makes him different from many young adults is a diagnosis of high-functioning autism. Texas children's advocate and musician SaulPaul respects non-conformity and is releasing an EP entitled OKAY TO BE DIFFERENT on May 14 on 8 Lb. Gorilla Records. In anticipation of the EP, SaulPaul has dropped the first single, "Best Day Ever" (a common title, but totally different, I promise). The video uses popular bitmoji (personal avatar imagery) mixed with fun situations and characters, a perfect premise as the world begins to open up from pandemic restrictions. You can grab the song at Deezer, Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Spotify.

But I don't want to give it all away – take a gander at the new video below:

Speaking up the world opening up, Peruvian power pop purveyor Twinkle Time (Alitzah Wiener Navarro Dallas) is bringing her live Kids Club concert series back with in-person performances. Nine weeks of family fun starts Saturday, June 5 at 11 AM at the Sherman Oaks Galleria with Twinkle herself. The following weeks include Tik Tok star Michael Rayner (June 12), Ashley Mills Monaghan (June 19),  Baila Baila (June 26), Kymberly Stewart ( July 3), Jason Mesches (July 10), Zany Zoe (July 17), Megan the Bubbeologist (July 24), and Arty Loon (July 31).

"I'm excited to be producing and hosting such a diverse lineup of the hottest entertainment in SoCal," Alitzah explained. "Families can't wait to get out of quarantine and start dancing and neither can I!"

Twinkle continues to host a weekly two-hour children's music Top 20 Countdown. Artists on recent shows included Mista Cookie Jar, the Lucky Band, Recess Monkey, Wendy & DB, Andrew and Polly, and way too many to list. The show is available on Pittsburgh's family-friendly radio station Jump 105.3 on Saturday mornings at 8 AM ET and can be downloaded as a podcast from Apple, Audible, Podbean, and iHeart.