I'm
excited, of course, to be attending and moderating at
Kindiefest in just a couple weeks (April 30-May 2), but since
coming back from SXSW, I understand better that no music conference is complete without unofficial side parties and concerts.
This post, friends, is for those of you attending Kindiefest and feeling like there's not quite enough kids music (or kids music socializing) going on, and needing more. (It's also for you lucky ducks living in Brooklyn who want more than the
official Sunday concert, which kicks off at noon.)
Right now there are two events I know of -- if you're playing a gig in NYC that weekend, shoot me an e-mail or post something in the comments and I'll be happy to expand the list.
See below for more!
Anyway,
Renee Stahl and Jeremy Toback are playing a Renee and Jeremy show of sorts -- they promise
their solo music along with some R&J tunes. There are probably plenty of folks who play Renee & Jeremy tunes late at night -- it's just usually recorded, and in the nursery. Anyway, though details are scant on the
Sullivan Hall website, it appears they're playing at 10:30 PM at the Greenwich Village venue. Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at the door.
Secondly,
Frances England, who's playing the industry showcase at Kindiefest Saturday night, will also be playing a public show at the
92nd Y Tribeca on Sunday, May 2 at 11 AM. NYC folks, if you can't make it to Brooklyn (or if your kids are very easy-going) -- this is a rare opportunity. Tickets are $15.
NEW: Ralph Covert (
Ralph's World) is doing a solo performance/signing at the Borders on Columbus Circle, Friday the 30th at 4 PM. Details
here.
NEW:
Rhythm Child is taping a
Kids Place Live Rumpus Room concert at 2 PM Friday. Send an e-mail to Mindy Thomas (Mindy AT siriusxm DOT com) for details.
Also, here are a few things going on if you're not actually attending KindieFest...
NEW:
AudraRox will be playing the Tribeca Film Festival on Saturday, May 1 at 4 PM, presumably at the
street fair.
NEW: Lloyd Miller of the
Deedle Deedle Dees is leading musical nature workshops for kids in Brooklyn's Prospect Park as part of NYC Wildflower Week, including Saturday morning at 10 AM for the preschoolers, 11 AM for the grade schoolers (details
here).
NEW Princess Katie and Racer Steve are playing the
Luke's Rock 'N' Stroll fundraiser from 8:30 - 11:30 (or so) Saturday morning.
Like I said, if you're performing in NYC that weekend, let me know...
This is a disk that's been sitting on my desk for awhile, and I've actually listened to it a fair amount since receiving it a few months back. I feel slightly bad about this, some sort of cognitive dissonance between the desire to tell folks about a good CD and my inability to, you know, tell folks about a good CD.
The Connecticut-based band Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem has been making music stringband music for a good decade now, but Ranky Tanky is their first album specifically targeted at families. It's a big stew of songs familiar and not, "traditional" and "un." The first 4 songs -- Cat Stevens' "If You Want to Sing Out, Sing Out," traditional tune "The Green Grass Grows All Around," the Meters' "They All Ask'd For You," and the pop novelty hit "Purple People Eater" -- illustrate the band's omniverous, genre-disregarding approach to music. They just find good songs and give them new life.
In essence, while lots of artists talk about making music for families, relatively few of them have taken the Dan Zanes approach of making "age-desgregated" music truly expected to be listened to without irony filters. This album takes this path less-traveled. In the end, I think Arbo falls just a little short of Zanes, which is an admittedly high bar to reach. While the album maintains a genial vibe infused with warmth, there are times on the album where the jolt of a Father Goose or an out-of-left-field guest artist would have helped a bit.
In true Zanes-ian fashion, the idea of an appropriate age range is a little odd with this disk, but think of it as being best for kids ages 3 and up. You can spin five of the tracks here and listen to clips at its CD Baby page.
Ranky Tanky is one of those disks destined to be listened to long after the kids have grown out of their size 1 shoes. Fans of Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell will find the eclectic song choices and cozy arrangements to their families' liking. Though you were always sort of part of this family music world, we'll wish you a formal welcome, Rani -- hope you stick around for awhile. (It won't take me this long next time to tell folks.) Definitely recommended.
