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.

Kids Vids from Big Idea Committee, Eric Herman, and Joanie Leeds

I spent many years in a corporate environment where every so often I'd be asked to join a committee. My usual response was "Yes, but not this one!" Parents learning to preach the power of positive energy may choose to sign their families up for Big Idea Committee (BIC), a new two-woman children's performance group established by Christine Petrini and Melissa Brun. They have released a self-titled song from their upcoming spring album, "Welcome to the Big Idea Committee," which lays out their goals and aspirations (and introduces audiences to Karl the Cello). BIC hopes to merge and acquire similar spirited free thinkers through an interactive theatrical experience. You can purchase the song below and watch their new video:

 

 For many parents, the announcement that COVID vaccinations were approved for children ages five and up was a huge, life-improving moment. Veteran award-winning children's musician Joanie Leeds prepared her daughter Joya but also sought to share knowledge that a split-second pinprick could also provide protection for an entire community. A staunch pro-science advocate, Leeds attempted to keep her recording persona apolitical during the pandemic. However she and Joya felt it was time to laud "America's Doctor" and his 40-year career in the public health services sector. The duo have recorded a duet called "Fauci Ouchie," and an accompanying animated video that delivers a visual representation of how vaccines help your body battle against infectious disease. Grab the song from Spotify, Amazon, or Apple Music and watch the video here:

Eric Herman and the Puppy Dogs are releasing MAGIC BEANS, their first new CD in six years, later this month. To celebrate, Herman is releasing five music videos to build excitement for the CD. "Stinker" features a braggadocious lead character whose exploits are not exactly as clear-cut as he would lead you to believe (hence the title). The video is by Foo Tze Wei and the song features the elegant violin of Jude Noah on violin and Ben Macy on accordion: