Video: "Twinkle Little Star" - Kori Pop

Sometime last year Songs for Little Bean album coverCanadian singer Kori Pop was asked to be a godparent.  So as a present to her goddaughter and her parents, she recorded an album of lullabies and children's songs.  One listen to the tracks and clips at the album's Bandcamp page will indicate that this is not a run-of-the-mill lullabye album.

But that's not why I'm featuring this video.

This video is why I'm featuring this video for her take on the kids' classic "Twinkle Little Star" (yes, only one "twinkle" in the title).  Directed by Kori herself, with a whole bunch of puppeteers, it is utterly captivating.

Kori Pop - "Twinkle Little Star" [YouTube]

Video: "Lemonade" - Recess Monkey

In Tents album coverRecess Monkey's new circus-themed album In Tents is out on June 19, and they're really gearing up the promotional process.  Last week brought the video for "The Dancin' Bear," and this week's it's a video for the zippity-doodah sound of "Lemonade" (not to mention a preview copy of the album in my mailbox). Besides featuring some highfalutin' words like "dehydration" and "upsell," it also features lemon puppets with googly eyes.  I'm pretty sure you can never go wrong with lemon puppets with googly eyes.

Recess Monkey - "Lemonade" [YouTube]

Video: "Frutero" - Apple Brains

Get Fruity album coverThere are those videos in which a gentle melody is accompanied by a similarly gentle animation featuring bunnies, perhaps, or very loving and slow-moving kids.

And then there's this world premiere video from Los Angeles band Apple Brains for "Frutero," off their debut album Get Fruity!  Live action, sometimes at double speed; goofy animation melded in, leading to visuals like an animated rocket ship landing in a Los Angeles park lake; a band member dressed up like a banana -- you get the idea.  All in service of a bilingual dance paean to LA's fruit vendors.

It is hyperactive, but in good ways.  It suggests that their Kindiefest performance this year could be semi-delirious.  (Also: one hopes that they will bring enough good vibes to encourage more food trucks to stop by.)

Apple Brains - "Frutero" [YouTube]

Video: "One To Ten" - Lucky Diaz

A Potluck album coverAm I a big Loog Guitars fan?  Am I a big Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band fan?  I dig my Loog guitar, and Diaz crafts some earwormy hooks, so let's answer in the affirmative.

And now, like some sort of kindie Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, they've joined forces. Diaz has written "One To Ten," a short, sharp pop tune written and recorded by Diaz on the Loog guitar.  I can vouch that the Loogs have that very percussive sound.

Diaz features other instruments on his upcoming album with the Family Jam Band, A Potluck, which is due out May 15 (with a new single, "Lines and Dots" out later this week).  But, you know, Loog hasn't figured out how to manufacture horns and accordions. Yet.

Lucky Diaz - "One To Ten" [YouTube]

Video: "On Hockey Days" - Raffi

On Hockey Days single coverHockey has not exactly had the reputation of a gentle sport; perhaps as a result, gentle kids music legend Raffi is probably not the first kids musician to come to mind when you think of "kids song about hockey."  (Of, course, neither was James Superstar Kochalka, and his song was pretty good.)

But, he is Canadian.  So perhaps that helps explain why he's just released a new song, "On Hockey Days," about the sport, and about youth hockey in particular.  It's a benefit song for his Centre for Child Honouring, and on the song's page for his website, he notes that the new song honors "hockey parents who devotedly take their kids to the rink all winter long, and sounds a call to fun, fair play and respect."  It's not a new album, but as a one-off single from Raffi, it's not bad at all.  The charity single was released north of the border last week and will be released here in the States tomorrow.

Or just watch the video.

Raffi - "On Hockey Days" [YouTube]

Video: "Box of Crayons" - The Pop Ups

Radio Jungle album coverThe Pop Ups are primed to have a big April -- the follow-up to their stunning debut Outside Voices, Radio Jungle, is going to be released next Tuesday, April 3. In addition, the Kickstarter-funded follow-up to their live-action puppet extravaganza opens in Brooklyn on April 22. What else could they possibly do in April?

Well, nothing -- they're just too busy. Which explains why they're premiering their video for "Box of Crayons" today, at the end of March. On a disk with lots of radio-friendly hits, "Box of Crayons" -- '80s-inspired synths and soaring choruses with a touch of The Postal Service mixed up with a whole bunch of colors -- might just be the radio-friendliest (not to mention one of my favorites). It's matched up here with animation from Garrett Davis; Harold only had a single, purple crayon -- imagine how much more he could have done with a whole box.

Beyond that -- how would you like to win a copy of the new album? (Yes, yes you would.) Just comment below by 8 PM West Coast time Friday night (the 30th) with your favorite color, and I'll randomly pick a winner (one entry per person, please). Thanks, good luck, and enjoy...

The Pop Ups - "Box of Crayons" [YouTube]