More Than Kids Music for the Oot 'n Oots

The Oot 'n Oots don't consider themselves primarily children's musicians. The pride of Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada, the Cipes are a family band in the literal sense (a bunch of brothers and one daughter/niece) producing songs reminiscent of the gentle, whimsical soft rock released by Donovan and early Syd Barrett era Pink Floyd. Their latest collection, PONDEROSA BUNCHGRASS AND THE GOLDEN RULE contains a dozen tracks that espouse concepts we should all know, yet somehow forget to practice much of the time.

The Oots are interested in big, deep thoughts and address them with singalong choruses and power ballads. "Ponderosa Bunchgrass" opens Part 2 (it's side two of the actual vinyl version of the collection) with a girl who walked along her own path. Think Malala Yousafzai or Greta Thunberg. The Oots' frontwoman singer is Ruthie Cipes, who delivers strong vocals on tracks like "Thank You, Universe" and the spaghetti western theme, "Once Upon A Dream."

There's a heaping helping of Donovan (with a sprinkle of Buffalo Springfield) on "The Bird and the Monkey and Me." A mariachi band transforms "Teeny Tiny Horsey" from a novelty number into a spirited Tex-Mex tune. Since I'm busy name-dropping classic rockers, how about the Robert Fripp/Dave Gilmour-esque guitar solos on "The Golden Rule," disbursing its edicts of tolerance, kindness, and patience:

Hey, it's not opinion or a point of view

It's a simple universal truth

Treat others the way you want to be treated, too

Follow the golden rule

The Oots feel that by classifying them solely as "children's music," it diminishes the impact of their songs. As they point out, everyone was once a child – so their CDs are for current kids, former kids, and future kids. PONDEROSA BUNCHGRASS AND THE GOLDEN RULE emerges from the embers of the 1970s era of "family music" and fully inhabits their persona like a newly-refurbished log cabin...with piled-high shag carpet and groovy bellbottoms.

PONDEROSA BUNCHGRASS AND THE GOLDEN RULE is available from the Oot 'n Oots's website, Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music.

Here is the video for the band's song, "Thank You, Universe":

Quick Hits: New Video from Oot n' Oots; Laurie Berkner Father's Day Concert

Canada's pride and joy, the Oot n' Oots are back with a new song and video! The song "Thank You Universe" features 13-year-old Ruth Cipes, her father Erza, and his brothers. The video uses social distancing to bring together a host of people, including Flor Bromley and Ugandan hip-hop pioneer Babaluku.

Right now children's music is focusing on inclusion, togetherness, and positive values. As the country (and the world, since the group comes from north of the US border) becomes more divided, it becomes necessary to stress things that we all love to do, such as singing and dancing. Join the Oot n' Oots as they embark on their mission:



Children's music monarch Laurie Berkner is releasing three new singles this month and is hosting a special Father's Day concert on Sunday, June 21 at 6 PM ET on her website (Tickets are $20 for the direct stream link). Each invite comes with a personal "hello" video and there are "meet and greets" available post-show for $80.

Laurie is looking for the virtual show, as this is the longest time she has gone between full live performances since her daughter was born 15 years ago. According to Laurie, she can’t wait to bring the experience of a live concert to families watching from home and is planning some fun activities that children can enjoy virtually.

Through the Facebook page, Laurie has been producing livestreamed 30-minute "Berkner Break" concerts over the past two months to support kids and families at home during the Covid-19 pandemic. Those sessions are ending as summer approaches; this Father's Day concert will have to suffice as Laurie is looking forward to taking a "Berkner Breather."

“Listen to the Sounds” was released on Friday, June 5. The high-energy song "Jumping Jack" was released today (click here). June's final selection, “Beautiful Light,” comes out Friday, June 19.

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Afternoon Walk – The Okee Dokee Brothers
I'm an Optimist – Dog On Fleas
If Girls Ruled The World – Joanie Leeds
Inkpot – Kepi Ghoulie
Inside I Shine – Danny Weinkauf
pay me no mind – caspar babypants
Thank You Universe – The Oot n' Oots

Ben's Playlist - Tuesday, July 17, 2018

I'm Not Running – Vertical Horizon
The Art of Letting Go – Stone Temple Pilots
Dreaming Again – Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Solar Flares – Mo Phillips
Feels Like Summer  – Weezer
Saturday's a Sadder Day – The Oot 'n Oots

Ben's Playlist - Monday, July 16, 2018

It's A Beautiful World – Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
Breeze Off the Pond – Justin Timberlake
Red Hot Lava – Purple Fox and the Heebie-Jeebies
Magnetic – Phillip Phillips
Stickin  Right by You – Recess Monkey
Electric Jellyfish Boogaloo – The Oot 'n Oots

Ben's Playlist - Wednesday, June 20, 2018

My Barn Door Is Open – Red Yarn
Little Bit of Time – Like Father Like Son
Meadow – Stone Temple Pilots
Saturday Sun – Vance Joy
Breeze Off the Pond – Justin Timberlake
Electric Jellyfish Boogaloo – The Oot 'n Oots

Get Yer Ya-Yas and Ha-Has Out for the Oot n' Oots

There's something in the water in Austin, Texas and British Columbia, Canada. And it's something good – nothing like what's poisoning people in Flint, Michigan. Much like Austin's Jarebear has rediscovered and reconnected with their inner 70s starchild, Canada's The Oot n' Oots is partying like it's 1969 on their second CD, ELECTRIC JELLYFISH BOOGALOO.


The throwback feel is only part of the appeal, as The Oot n'Oots are a family deal. Eleven-year-old singer Ruth Cipes joins her father (Ezra) and uncles Ari, Gabe, and Matthew. They're like Hansen with extra parts, if one of those parts was a "funny uncle." That's sometimes funny ha-ha but also sometimes funny strange, as on "I Like It Saucy."

Kids bands are generally about dancing, having fun, and teachable moments. I can honestly report that I learned perhaps not one thing from ELECTRIC JELLYFISH BOOGALOO and my life is just fine, thanks for asking."Tomato Jungle" is maybe about gardening but also hide and seek. "Where the Purple Geese Fly" slows down Santana's "Black Magic Woman" with a series of progressively ridiculously-colored birds.

Ari takes the helm for tunes like "Dust Pan," singing about the importance of being neat and clean around the house, and the hyperbolic "Yam Fries," overselling the pleasures and value of sweet potatoes:

You know they’re packed with betacarotene
Vitamin A to make you feel keen
They keep digestion regular and right
They put your tummy in the limelight

The Oot n' Oots may be Canadian, but their mission statement is pure sunny San Francisco 1969 – talkin' about "Look at Those Bees" (sung by Ezra) and "Fermented Foods." In place of free love, there's "Pure Love," closing the CD with Ezra voicing a simple truth about what really matters in life – "We’re all that’s real/We become each other/We become nothing/Pure love." If not for the presence of songs for younger audiences, such as "Little Sammy Davis" and "Animal Sounds," one could mistake ELECTRIC JELLYFISH BOOGALOO as a side project from Blues Traveler or the Spin Doctors... genial, quirky, reassuring, border-crossing but not boundary-crossing children's music.

ELECTRIC JELLYFISH BOOGALOO is available from The Oot n' Oots' website, Spotify, Apple Music, and Bandcamp.

Here is the video for "Dust Pan":