Friday, May 28, 2010

Video Friday - Moon Boots by Recess Monkey

Photo by Kevin Fry

It's almost here!  The new album by Recess Monkey, The Final Funktier! is set for release on June 15.  Here's a preview of what to expect from the new album which, if you couldn't tell, has a space theme.  Their first video for the new album is for the song Moon Boots and is based on the story line of, "Recess Monkey Fakes a Moon Landing".  Hilarious to say the least, an awesome song obviously, and it totally whets your appetite in anticipation for the new album. 

The video has a bit of a slow start as they set up the back story for the song.  Your preschooler may wiggle a bit as he waits for the music to start, but once it does I'm sure he'll be transfixed.  The idea of a moon landing whether real or imaginary will appeal to any little kid.  I think it's even more fun to see that so much can be done with stuff  from around the house (and the dumpster too!  How soon before your kid wants to go dumpster diving?)

I've got to tell you that Recess Monkey is certainly one of the best kids music bands out there making fun and creative videos for their songs.  And without a big budget mind you.  It's the simple things like the fact that I suddenly realized they call Mayor Monkey, "MayMo".  Or watching lead singer, Andrew Holloway, dance in his astronaut suit.  Or even hearing how excited my 6-year-old got when they made a moon out of a big white balloon ("It's perfect!")  Some people have it, and some don't.  Recess Monkey has it.



If you haven't done it yet, go check out Recess Monkeytown where you can sample other songs from the new album as well as favorites from past albums.  Also, don't forget to check out the website for Kindiependent the new collaborative effort by Seattle Kindie artists Recess Monkey, Caspar Babypants, The Not-It's!, Johnny Bregar, and The Board of Education (And now with added Harmonica Pocket!).  You can find out more about the Share the Music festival and Recess Monkey's CD release party at Freeway Park on June 13.  Hope to see you there!

Happy Funky Friday everyone!  I leave you with this parting picture of my son's "moon boots" a.k.a. "go-go boots" a.k.a. polar bear snow boots.  Get out your moon boots and have a wild adventure today!




Friday, May 21, 2010

Video Friday - Tricycle by Frances England

I've been seeing the new Bisquick commercial with Frances England's Blueberry Pancakes song everywhere lately.  Have you seen it?  I'd love to show it to you, but it's not licensed for showing on the internet.  (How dumb is that?  What's the problem with advertising on the internet?)  However, if you go here, you can at least hear the song and then I'm sure you'll know what commercial I'm talking about because, as I've said, it's everywhere.  Anyhoo, the blueberry pancake commercial got me thinking about one of my favorite Frances England songs, Tricycle, off of her debut album Fascinating Creatures.  England's soft and dreamy voice lends a real sense of nostalgia to a staple of childhood.  And of course with lyrics like, "Win the Tour de France in my underpants", what's not to love?  It's a sweet and simple video that I know you're going to love.



By the way, if you've never been, go check out France England's website.  She's got three beautiful, musical e-cards that you can send to all the people you love.  I suspect that Daddy-O is quite popular around Father's day.  Send it to your favorite macho, man's-man at work just so you can give him a light-hearted ribbing when he starts crying right there in the office.

Have a great Friday everyone!  I wish you a day as fun and carefree as this video.  See you next week!

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Kindiependent and the Share the Music Concert

Look out because Seattle is spreading the word about it's kindie bands!  On Sunday, June 13 you can catch four of the big names in Seattle kids music as they host the "Share the Music Concert".  Recess Monkey along with Caspar Babypants, The Not-It's!, Johnny Bregar, and Central Services Presents:  The Board of Education have all banded together to create Kindiependent.  From the website, "Kindiependent is a collective of like-minded people who are passionate about cultivating a vibrant kids and family music scene in the Pacific Northwest.  Through creative collaborations and community events, our mission is to develop a network of family-friendly artists and organizations that supports cultural innovation."

The "Share the Music Concert" is what looks to be the first of many collaborative events to come.  It's also the release show for Recess Monkey's latest CD, The Final Funktier!  Awesome!  I just can't tell you how exciting this is for me!  I love the fact that my family has easy access to so many great kindie bands and that they are actually collaborating and working together to share all their great music with Pacific Northwest families.  The festival is going to be four back-to-back sets with four out of the five bands:  Recess Monkey, Caspar Babypants, The Not-It's!, and Johnny Bregar.  The concert is FREE!  For more information, check out the new Kindiependent website.  You can also get more information about other upcoming group events and you'll also find links for each of the five bands.

I'm hoping that once the word gets out, even more kids music bands located in the Pacific Northwest will join ranks with these guys.  I can see Harmonica Pocket and Captain Bogg and Salty jumping on the bandwagon.  Maybe this means that there will be a giant kindie music fest coming our way in the very near future?  We can only hope.  And of course, support these guys like crazy!!!  See you there!

Update:  Check it out!  Harmonica Pocket has joined Kindiependent too!  Told you they would!

Monday, May 17, 2010

Happy Birthday, Craig

I recently shared the fact that I've become a fan of tv's Craig Ferguson, the hilarious host of CBS's The Late, Late Show.  Today just so happens to be his birthday, and I just thought it would be fun to share some Craig Ferguson stuff with you.

Also, today I just finished his book American on Purpose:  The Improbable Adventures of an Unlikely Patriot and I enjoyed it so much I started listening to it again.  That's right, I said listening.  I have very little time to read books lately, but I can mix audio books with some of my more monotonous duties at work.  I must admit that I also got the audio book version because I half hoped that it would be narrated by Craig himself, and yay!  It was!  I highly suggest that you check out the audio book version first.

I've never been a late night talk show kinda person before, and for good reason.  I just can't stay up late enough to watch the shows.  I have to admit that they just never really interested me before either.  But I love watching The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson.  And thanks to YouTube, I can watch it any damn time I want to!  Check out Malinky's TV's Craig Ferguson Channel for a great Craig Ferguson fix.  He uploads the entire show every night for your viewing pleasure.  Thanks to Malinky I can even watch Craig Ferguson on my iPod, and that makes me happy beyond measure.  (Ooh, cute little rhyme there.) 

If you are a true fan of Craig, you know that he loves to tweet.  You can follow CraigyFerg on Twitter and become part of his Robot Skeleton Army.  And speaking of Geoff Peterson, here's a fun little link so that you too can make your very own robot skeleton.

Choosing a favorite episode of TLLS is nearly impossible, they are always good, no matter who the guest is.  However, I do love the combination of Lauren Graham and Craig Ferguson.  She's absolutely charming and yet ridiculously silly all at once.  And Craig is, well, the same way Craig always is with any beautiful, smart, and funny woman.  It's comedy gold.



You should also check out the show's intro for their puppet routine.  Hilarious!  And did you know that you can get your own Nadine and Wavy puppets to reenact skits at home?  Check out the Folkmanis website to see a behind the scenes video of the 1000th episode of TLLS.

If you're interested in seeking out Craig Ferguson in other forms of media check out his stand-up comedy.  His recent show A Wee Bit o' Revolution is very funny.  I especially like the bits that he does about his mum.  Unfortunately, I couldn't find a video of that so you'll have to be happy with the Sean Connery bit.  Still hilarious though.

And if you haven't seen it yet, watch Saving Grace.  Craig co-wrote and stars in the movie with the wonderful Brenda Blethyne and Martin Clunes (of Kipper the Dog fame!)  It's based on a true story and was the inspiration for the spin-off show Doc Martin.  (By the way, a big thanks to Jeanne who got me hooked on Doc Martin.  I'll watch it with you anytime!)

Did you know that Craig Ferguson won a Peabody award for his interview with Archbishop Desmond Tutu?  Whaaah?  I knowwww!  He did and you can see the entire episode with a brand new introduction by Craig airing tonight on CBS.  Or you can watch the original interview here.  It's awesome.  I love how the Archbishop says, "I think you're crazy!" and then giggles like a little girl.  It's very, very good.  Just to hear the Archbishop laugh is well worth watching it.  Craig Ferguson really does have an awesome talent for interviewing people.  The award is well deserved.

I'll finish this post with one of my favorite parts of The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson . . . the awkward pause.  Occasionally, Craig will choose a guest to perform an awkward pause as a finish to the interview.  It's hilarious to watch and truly unique to Craig.  My favorite one, arguably the best one yet was part of the same show as the Lauren Graham interview above.  It's an interview with Simon Helberg from The Big Bang Theory (another favorite show of mine).  The interview itself is not necessarily the best, but the awkward pause at the end?  Shear perfection.  Enjoy this great compilation of awkward pauses, which includes some of Simon's awkward pause with Craig. 



By the way, if you haven't seen it yet, go see How to Train Your Dragon.  It's something that even the adults will enjoy.  And if you haven't guessed by now (or have been living under a rock), Craig Ferguson does the voice of Gobber, one of the Scottish Vikings.  I love it.  Scottish Viking, who would have thought?

Friday, May 14, 2010

Video Friday - Cat in a Bathysphere by the Hipwaders

I love this song, and my sons love this video.  It's a good combination of edgy sound for the parents and cool underwater adventure for the kids.  The Hipwaders are the kind of band who love the freedom of doing kids music because they can pretty much experiment with any kind of sound that they want.  Whatever they do, however they do it, it all sounds good.  While most people would probably choose Educated Kid (off their album by the same title) as an example of the band's work, I lean in the opposite direction with Cat in a Bathysphere.  No doubt about it, what ever your style you'll find something about the Hipwaders to love.

Happy Friday everyone!  Let's hope that all the squid you meet today are very nice
. . . in bite-sized portions.



Monday, May 10, 2010

Happy Belated Mother's Day!

Again, I've been sick so everything is sort of one day behind.  I found this video the other day and I thought it would provide a good laugh for a day that honors all Mamas.

I was listening to the CD Grace's Bell by Ben Rudnick & Friends and their version of Mama Don't 'low the other day.  I know I've heard this song before, but probably not since I was a kid.  All I could think of was, Wow, this mama is no fun to be around!  Then I came across this video and suddenly it all made sense.  Of course MAMA ain't no fun!  She's a robot!

Check out this oldie but goodie by Dudley Moore and the Muppets then call up your Mama and tell her how much you love her (because she isn't a robot).  She'll never expect it one day late (well, my mom will because she knows me.)  Happy Belated Mother's Day all!



PS - I love how in the comments someone wrote that MAMA looks like someone took a Dalek and smashed it into R2D2.  Hilarious!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Video Saturday - The Swagger Wagon by Toyota's Sienna Family

Do to the fact that I've been sick for the last few days, I missed posting a video for Video Friday yesterday.  But, I plan to make it up to you by giving you . . . THE SWAGGER WAGON, ah-yeah!  You've seen these commercials by Toyota with the Sienna Family.  They know that they are the best parents and everyone is jealous of their swagger wagon.  You know who I'm talking about.  Unless you DVR everything and then I insist you're totally missing out on a whole section of pop-culture.  If I've learned anything from Lorelai Gilmore, it's that you keep all those old VHS tapes from the 80's so that you can watch the iconic commercials.  Now don't you want to go back and re-watch all your DVR stuff just for the commercials?  Of course you don't!  Neither do you want to buy a minivan after watching this video!  Still, it's funny and that's what you have YouTube for, so you can watch the funny commercials without having to watch "Kidz Bop" commercials until you go insane.



BwahHaHaHa!  I almost wish that I actually knew a family like this because they'd just be hilarious to be around.  I love how they have to interrupt the music video so that the little girl can go potty.  Uh yeah, I can relate.  Not that I make many music videos, but my kids do manage to interrupt just about everything for potty breaks.

Sometimes I wish that life really was as simple and easy as it is for the Sienna Family.  Their naivety leaves no room for doubt in their lives and nothing worse than a really stinky diaper.  I don't think I could sell my soul for a minivan though, and my family just couldn't rock it like this family does.  That's okay with me though.

Happy Saturday everyone!  Here's hoping that if you do happen to own a minivan you rock it as much as the Sienna Family does when you head on out to Home Depot today.