When Koo Koo Kanga Roo Says Dance, Dance

Koo Koo Kanga Roo agrees with Gertrude Stein: Sometimes, there is no there there. In kid terms, sometimes, when you want to throw a dance party, that's all you want to do – dance without repercussions. Dance without lectures. Dance without messages. Koo Koo Kanga Roo gets your kids dancing like there's no homework due tomorrow.

For more than 10 years, lifelong friends and collaborators Bryan and Neil have amassed a kiddie colossus, touring the world with a super-charged, rump-shimmying live show. Their music videos average more than 1 million views, and a partnership with GoNoodle and UNICEF brought those songs into schools, where they kept more than 30 million kids healthy and hopping. 

Their seventh full-length release, SLOW CLAP, features the band's anarchic, fun-first approach. Songs like "Ink" (about a squid), "Ice Cold Lemonade," and "200 Worms" do not operate with a subtext. What you hear is what you get. "Password" is a simple fable about gaining entry to a secret club, and then the inevitable happens – no spoilers. The boys luxuriate on "Lazy Life," demonstrating a total antipathy to responsibility. But what kid wouldn't salivate over living that lifestyle? Speaking of fun in the fun, Bryan and Neil check off summer entertainment with "Putt Putt Butt Butt" and "Backyard Swimsuit" (respect their Slip and Slide skills)

Coming from the storytelling approach of many traditional children's recording artists, I half-expected the doorbell-ringing culprits in "Pranks A Lot" to be caught on a Ring camera in the final verse and receive some sort of penance. Nuh-huh. In the Koo Koo Kango Roo universe, Bryan and Neil's nihilistic hoodlums get off scot free. Minneapolis pop producer Lazerbeak surrounds the kidtastic lyrics with hottom-heavy bass, head-bobbing drumbeats, and state-of-the-art rhythms. "Sneakin' Downstairs" contains as close to a moral as you're going to get, and even that is "What happens here stays in the kitchen."

In other news, Koo Koo Kanga Roo is once again teaming up with UNICEF's Kid Power program, offering kids a "Sticky Icky" challenge (this bee-positive tune kicks off SLOW CLAP). Teachers, groups and families may sign up and enter the contest for a chance to win a personalized video call from Bryan and Neil.

Thanks to their Lazerbeak connections, Bryan and Neil fill the guest spots on SLOW CLAP with rappers Murs, Sims, and Mega Ran. No surprise that they mesh perfectly with Koo Koo Kanga Roo's blend of fun and frenzy. Take a car ride on the highway and turn it up. You'll get to your destination sooner with a record low count for "Are we there yet" queries. That alone is worth a slow clap.

SLOW CLAP is available from Koo Koo Kango Roo's website, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Here is a video for the song "Putt Putt Butt Butt":

Ben's Playlist - Cinco de Mayo - Wednesday, May 5, 2021

The Moment – Tame Impala
I Am There For You – Huey Lewis & The News
Unstable – Justin Bieber Feat. The Kid LAROI
Sticky Icky – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
We Go Together Very Well – Little Miss Ann
Watermelon Sugar – Harry Styles

Esther Crow's Green Earth Day, New View from Koo Koo Kanga Roo

In celebration of Earth Day 2021 (Thursday, April 23), musician Esther Crow has released the bio-friendly song, "It's So Easy Bein' Green." Yes, the title plays off Joe Raposo's iconic Sesame Street tune. In June, Esther is stepping away from Thunder & Sunshine, her funk-rock ensemble, to promote her upcoming solo CD, ALL TOGETHER NOW. The project, spearheaded by kids' music über-producer Dean Jones, promises songs about environmental justice, social justice, and animals. Esther is releasing a video next month to commemorate Endangered Species Day on May 21.

Featuring her seven-year-old son Vincent, "It's So Easy Bein' Green" addresses ways to bring about positive change, in line with this year's slogan, "Restore the Earth." The duo talk about such easy-to-accomplish tasks as eating less meat, riding a bicycle to reduce carbon emissions, and utilizing reusable water bottles:

It's so easy bein' green
Living' low waste, using LEDs
Picking up bottles on the beach
Whatever you can do, to help make it clean

As Esther points out, “If each of us made these small adjustments in our lives, we could have an impact."

Grab "It's So Easy Bein' Green" at Bandcamp and Hearnow. 

The post-pandemic spring blast of children's music continues next month with the release of SLOW CLAP, a new CD from Koo Koo Kanga Roo. To prepare audiences for what's coming, they've dropped the first video, “Ice Cold Lemonade.” Making their case for a summer anthem about the citrusy kids favorite, the song was produced by Lazerbeak (who worked with Lizzo, among other notables) and features a guest verse from Murs, a Los Angelino who knows a thing or two about sunshine. The kaleidoscopic video shows the duo of Bryan and Neil dressed as oversized lemons in a park, a playground, and on a boat. Because lemons love boating, mmkay. Watch the video here:

Going Koo Koo for Masks; Sonia's Festival Celebration

Teenagers may adore K-Pop groups. But their younger siblings have Koo Koo Kanga Roo, the pure pop duo for kids. Over the past decade, friends Bryan Atchison and Neil Olstad have demonstrated in their live shows what a duo can accomplish with backing tracks on an iPod and two microphones. Their YouTube channel is populated by more than 30 innovative, danceable videos. 

Now they have gone back to the future to promote this year's fashion/safety statement with "Face Mask." I say "back to the future," because they've taken their 2014 song "Fanny Pack" and repurposed the musical bed with new lyrics. You can grab the song from Spotify. In the meantime, here's the brand new video:

Mexican-American songstress Sonia De Los Santos wrote and debuted her original work, "Fiesta con Sonia De Los Santos," at New York City's New Victory Theater in 2019. Children's music endures in the pandemic era as Sonia has separated the lively "¡Fiesta, Fiesta!" from that theatrical experience and released it as an independent single (buy it here).

A celebration of life, "¡Fiesta, Fiesta!" is Sonia's thank you letter, dedicated to all the people who have inspired her musical journey, from her early days in Monterrey, Mexico through her migration to the United States and around the world, literally and virtually. Sonia celebrates her life as a musician, the freedoms granted to performers in the United States, encourages young listeners to be grateful for everything that's made them who they are today, and looks forward to better, non-sheltered days to come.

"¡Fiesta, Fiesta!" is in the upbeat rhythm of cumbia (a folkloric genre and dance from Colombia) featuring Sonia on vocals and guitar, with her band and many children. During the pandemic, Sonia has opted to connect directly with her audience through a Web series, "En Casa Con Sonia." She's within striking range of 1,000 subscribers, so help her out by clicking through and signing up.

Quick Hits: New Justin Roberts, Koo Koo Kanga Roo Singles

It looks like the year 2020 will see a bunch of returns and re-inventions, as well as an upswing of singles releases. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo has promised to have monthly EPs (!) coming, for a total of more than 60 tracks by the end of the year. But for now, here are the first two selections.

The answer to the hypothetical question, "Do you need to have children to make extraordinary music for children?" used to be "Justin Roberts." The Chicago-based performer and his band, The Not Ready for Naptime Players, garnered three Grammy nominations during their long-tenured career. Very soon Justin's new CD, WILD LIFE, will arrive, celebrating his marriage and subsequent introduction to parenthood. In the meantime, we have the first single, "Heart Like A Door," and it sounds like fatherhood agrees with him. Take a listen here and you'll agree with me.

Those two fellows from Koo Koo Kanga Roo are at it again. By that, I mean they've released another single from an upcoming release, date to be determined. The song, "My Jam," is gathering airplay at Harlem Globetrotters games, so kids are getting jiggy (and jelly) with it. "We are excited to get to partner with Koo Koo Kanga Roo as we're big fans of the work they do to help kids be active," commented Globetrotters rep Hammer Harrison. "We hope that when kids and families watch the video they are inspired to get up and get moving."   You can grab "My Jam" here and watch for the video next week.

Bryan and Neil from Koo Koo Kanga Roo will bring "My Jam" and their other newest songs “Glitter” and “Hot Sauce” to California audiences starting today. As always, they will get fans of all ages up and dancing along at several venues around the Golden State:

• January 23 at 6 pm: Voodoo Room, San Diego, CA
• January 24 at 6 pm: Temblor, Bakersfield, CA
• January 25 at 6 pm: Cornerstone, Berkeley, CA 
• January 26 at 6 pm: Holy Diver, Sacramento, CA
• January 29 at 6 pm: Strummer’s, Fresno, CA
• January 30 at 6 pm: Chain Reaction, Anaheim, CA
• January 31 at 6 pm: Rock City Studios, Camarillo, CA 

These shows are open to all ages. Details and advance tickets (unless otherwise noted, $15 general admission; $40 VIP admission) are available now at http://kookookangaroo.com/shows

Quick Hits: New Koo Koo Kanga Roo Video, Jazzy Ash Mystery Book

The dynamic duo known as Koo Koo Kanga Roo continue to make catchy, amusing pop songs for children. Their latest video rocks and raps to the chorus of "It's too hot" for "Hot Sauce." You can grab a look and listen right here:

Family musician Ashli St. Armant (also known as Jazzy Ash) has released an Audible original in the style of a Nancy Drew book – "Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons" is told through the eyes of brave young black girl (enthusiastically narrated by Bahni Turpin). The book is free for Audible members through December 1. You can grab a sample of the book here. Or watch the trailer below:

Quick Hits: New Koo Koo Kanga Roo Video; Story Pirates Podcast

Life is full of freaky coincidences. I took the kids to see the Dreamworks' animated film ABOMINABLE this past weekend. Among the coming attractions was a sequel, TROLLS WORLD TOUR. The first film was a jukebox of popular music and the second film looks to continue the trend. But one character resonated when I saw the new video from Koo Koo Kango Roo – a newborn to a glittery troll who (incongruously) sings a hip-hop song about glitter. The boys' new video is for their song, "Glitter," and they've indeed beaten an entire movie studio to the punch!



The Story Pirates have launched season three of their podcast. Episode one features two new stories: “The Bear That Couldn’t Disco,” a synth pop tune about a boogieing bear and “The Slowest Elevator in the World,” recounting a truly extreme test of patience. The segments were based on submissions written by 7 year old Taylor from Rhode Island (Bear) and  8 year old Sam from California (Elevator). The first story stars Broadway leading man Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice) and more special guests are promised for upcoming installments.

Story Pirates Changemakers, the non-profit arm of the organization, have brought life-changing literacy programs to more than 500,000 students. Visit Storypirates.org to learn more.

And for the podcast itself, go here to directly download the show.

Quick Hits: Koo Koo Kanga Roo's Salad, Lucy Kalantari Halloween Tune

Koo Koo Kanga Roo are poised for a touring swing to support new music. The latest video to their song, "Salad," is just as amusing and clever as past favorites. View it below, and click through to their Web site for upcoming appearances.



Grammy winner Lucy Kalantari (and the Jazz Cats) have released a Halloween mini-set. You can grab the set list on Soundcloud.

Their brand now song, "Flick of My Wrist," is the story of a young witch who
goes a little too power-crazy, and learns that there are penalties for your misdeeds or wrong-headed thinking. The Jazz Cats provide ably backup, and the song even features a six-year-old cello (admittedly, her own son).

You can listen to "Flick of My Wrist" on Amazon and her website.

And here it is, now on YouTube:

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Lucky Day – Stacey Peasley
I Am the Wind – Underbirds
I Must Be a Genius – Dog On Fleas
Unicorns R Real – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Ice Cream Soup – Jambo
Thingamajig – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
A Who? (feat. Joanie Leeds) – Father Goose
Freak Out – Astrograss
Unstoppable – Salim Nourallah
It's Not Fair to Me – Bill Harley And Keith Munslow
Hide & Seek – Princess Katie & Racer Steve

Ben's Playlist - Monday, April 21, 2014

S.S. Brooklyn – Lloyd H. Miller
Over Again – One Direction
Wander 'Round the World – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Unicorns R Real – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Let 'em Know – Milkshake
I Love Music (feat. Wordsmith) – Rhymezwell
Combination Pizza Hut – Das Racist
The Ballad of Ben – Danny Weinkauf
Fun Day (feat. Roxanne Farrell) – Father Goose
Dear One  – Jim James

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Everlovin' Water – Lori Henriques
Paper Moon – Laura Doherty
Fart Like a Pirate – Papa Crow
The Owie Song – David Tobocman
LMNOP – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Holidays – Princess Katie & Racer Steve
Everybody Out There – Paul McCartney
Love Factory – Mary Kaye
Go Plane Go – Kira Willey
I Want Some Milk – Danimal
Smallest Breed – Django Jones
Monsters – Edukator, Jr.

Ben's Playlist - Friday, March 7, 2014

Little Little Baby – The Harmonica Pocket
Snow Day – Zak Morgan
Peaceful – Cat Doorman
In A Timeout Now – Randy Kaplan
C-C-C-Cold Outside – Trout Fishing In America
Robots From The 4th Dimension – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
Unicorns R Real – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
The Bullfrog Opera  – Morgan Taylor; The Okee Dokee Brothers
Up Periscope – Recess Monkey

Ben's Playlist - Friday, February 21, 2014

New – Paul McCartney
No, No, No – The Little Rockers Band
Busy – The Not-Its
Closer To You – Michael Franti & Spearhead
Pockets – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
LMNOP – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Give Me Back My Hat – Bill Harley And Keith Munslow
Thinking Good Thoughts – Dog On Fleas
Jump Right In – The Twigs
The Plumbing Song – Weird Al Yankovic

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Lose My Mind – The Wanted
Upside Down – Ratboy Jr.
Till There Was You  – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band
Holidays – Princess Katie & Racer Steve
Unicorns R Real – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Lazy Raisins – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
Electric Lady – Justin Timberlake
We Can't Stop  – Miley Cyrus
Flat Stanley – Steve Songs

Ben's Playlist - Monday, January 20, 2014

Blue Sky Time – Alex & The Kaleidoscope Band
Shine – Shine and the Moonbeams
LMNOP – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Combination Pizza Hut – Das Racist
Hola Hello – Mariana Iranzi
Circle – The Watson Twins
Only When I Walk Away – Justin Timberlake
Adore You – Miley Cyrus
Give Me Back My Hat – Bill Harley And Keith Munslow

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, November 3, 2013

Lose My Mind – The Wanted
Angels We Have Heard On High – Dan Zanes
High Five – Shine and the Moonbeams
Brilliance – The Underbirds
Move Like Saturday Night – Frances England
Just a Normal Day – Lesley and the Flying Foxes
Robots From The 4th Dimension – The Dirty Sock Funtime Band
LMNOP – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Trondaxx Berserker  – Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke
I'm So Glad – Alex & The Kaleidoscope Band

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, November 19, 2013

When I Look Into The Night Sky – Lori Henriques
Is She a Girl or Is She a Monkey – Randy Kaplan
Snow Day – Zak Morgan
Shake it Out – Florence + The Machine
Is This a Joke?  – Billy Kelly and the Blah Blah Blahs
Cool Watermelon – Ethan Rossiter And The Jamberries
No, No, No – The Little Rockers Band
Unicorns R Real – Koo Koo Kanga Roo
Up Periscope – Recess Monkey
Thingamajig – Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band