Stream Frances England's "Mind of My Own"

MindOfMyOwn.JPGSan Francisco's Frances England may be a pro at making lovely handmade art, but she's also good at that newfangled electronic stuff. As I noted this summer, England's signed up with the folks at Topspin to get her music heard far and wide. And so it is that her new, not-even-yet-released album Mind of My Own is available for your streaming pleasure. Just click away below. Might I suggest the leadoff title track, or #6 ("Place in Your Heart," with Mates of State), or perhaps #9 ("Cookies and Milk," featuring the Jellydots' Doug Snyder)? Or perhaps just the whole thing. And once you've done that go here and give her other albums a spin. Mind of My Own is released Nov. 9th.

"Pop Ups," "Wall Street Journal," and "Zooglobble"

I would typically suggest that one of these things is not like the other, but last Friday, that was not the case, as the Wall Street Journal ran an article featuring New York's The Pop Ups that featured a quote from Bill Childs and quoted my review of Outside Voices, their debut album. I know most of you have probably read the piece, but it's a decent article that actually covers more than surface platitudes about the kids music genre right now. Or at least about a single band. (And, yes, I will get to some ACL coverage very soon.)

Video: "Hula Hoop to Da Loop" - Keller Williams

Enjoying listening to "Hula Hoop to Da Loop" from the forthcoming Keller Williams album Kids? Of course you are. But maybe you're more of a visually-stimulated family. Then check out this video, featuring Williams, a display of his looping prowess, and a display of his (and others') hula-hooping prowess. Fun.

Radio Playlist: New Music October 2010

Time once again to update the Zooglobble radio station. Lots of disks since my last update. This playlist airs in the mid-afternoons (West Coast time), but if you can't listen in the afternoon, the tracks are scattered throughout the day, too. Antarctica - Aaron Joseph (A Band of Our Own) Josey Durango, The Boy Raised By Bullfrogs - The Amoeba People - (Songs, Stories, And Other Non Sequiturs) I'm in Trouble Again - Big Bang Boom (Songs Your Mom Will Like!) Mister Rabbit - Caspar Babypants w/ Charlie Hope (This Is Fun!) Hot and Bothered - Duke Ellington (Swing Cafe) Place In Your Heart - Frances England w/ Mates of State (Mind of My Own) Sock Monster - Groovy David (Everybody) Wrong's Alright - Jeremy Plays Guitar (Use Your Words) Spaghetti And Goofballs - Jim Cosgrove (Swimming In Noodles) Hula Hoop To Da Loop - Keller Williams (Kids) Vagabond Worms - Kindiependent What I Like - Krazy Kuzins (Krazy Kuzins Its A Kid's Thing) Hairdos - Meredith Wright's Sweetbeatz (Soulful Songs for City Kids) Studio Brew - The Monkey Bunch (Power 2 The Little People) Brinca Jump! - Moona Luna w/ Dan Zanes (Piñata Party) The Hammer - Paul Campagne (The Little Blue Doggy) QWERTYUIOP - Professor Banjo (Old Time, Good Time!) Digging The Weeds - Readeez (Growing Veggie Soup; Celebrate Earth Music Series) Suspicious Minds - Rockabye Baby! (Lullaby Renditions of Elvis Presley) All My Friends Are Different - Salteens (Kid Songs) Red Rover - Scythian (Cake For Dinner : A Children's Album) Due to internet radio restrictions, playlist is shown alphabetically by artist.

Video: "Googly Eyes" - Caspar Babypants

Has Chris Ballew AKA Caspar Babypants released a bad music video yet? The answer, methinks, is no. His latest in his minimalist classics is for "Googly Eyes" from his upcoming album This Is Fun! (released Nov. 2nd). A pen, some household objects (the calculator made me laugh), and a pair of googly eyes (natch) -- that's all you need, really. Well, I suppose a good editor helps, too. Watch this video, then cheer up and smile. Caspar Babypants - "Googly Eyes" [YouTube]

Video: "Night Mantra" - Renee & Jeremy

LA's Renee & Jeremy go back to their first album It's a Big World for this, their latest video for "Night Mantra." I applaud the mother in the simple but nicely done video for having more patience with her slow-to-sleep child than I might have. The video reminds me just how much I love the way it takes forever for the song to fade away. "Sleep now in your room," indeed. Renee & Jeremy - "Night Mantra" [YouTube]