A Blue Canary in the Outlet by the Light Switch. Really.

IMG_4647.jpgI don't do a lot that is not kids-music-focused here, but I think you'll understand why I've made an exception for this item. It's the Blue Canary Night Light, and, yes, it's an homage to They Might Be Giants' super-catchy "Birdhouse in Your Soul" from their album Flood. (An album which, I might add, was released more than 20 years ago. Pardon me while I feel old.) But not only is it an homage, it's a darn fine nightlight. I am a happy customer, and it occurred to me that the Venn diagram of people who read this site and those families who might, for many reasons, want a Blue Canary Night Light could be sizable. I also liked simple statement on the website -- "We needed a night light for our daughter a few months ago, and really wanted a blue canary night light, but couldn't find one. So I made one!" That sort of attitude merited further investigation. So I got in touch with Brock Tice, the creator of the night light, who kindly answered a few questions. So read on to find out what it takes to manufacture a nightlight, Tice's favorite TMBG album, and a picture of the nightlight lit up while, yes, in the (OK, my) outlet by the light switch. Zooglobble: When did you first hear Flood? Brock Tice: I was introduced to TMBG when my sixth grade (read: around 1995 or '96, can't recall for sure) drama teacher did a class on the song "Birdhouse in Your Soul". I also heard "Particle Man" around that time on Tiny Toon Adventures along with their amusing illustration of the song. After that it was a while before I heard more of Flood, but in college with the advent of Napster I ended up listening to a lot more of that album. I also really loved "Why Does The Sun Shine", which is not on Flood. Regarding the nighlight's creation, you written that you "needed a night light for our daughter a few months ago, and really wanted a blue canary night light, but couldn't find one. So I made one!" How long had you been thinking a blue canary night light would be a cool idea? (Was it since before your daughter was born?) What pushed the idea from "that'd be cool" to you investigating manufacturing techniques? I had thought on and off since college (2000-2004) that a blue canary night light would be pretty cool to have, but from time to time I'd search the Internet and stores, and not find anything. A combination of having a daughter and wanting a night light for her in 2008, plus a second reading of Tim Ferriss' 4 Hour Work-Week inspired me to try building the light, with the eventual goal of selling it to others if it worked out well. How long did it take you from concept to production?

The Ketchup Report, Vol. 4

Here's a roundup of some stuff that's crossed my desk over the past week or two... First off, there's not one but two Kickstarter-like approaches to fund kids music albums. The first is from The LMNOPs, a new project from Missouri musician Zach Reasoner. While I think you know my position re: using the phrase "parents won't hate" as it pertains to kids music (in case you're not -- old and tired), I think the music shows definite promise. An alphabet song and fun video below, or check out "Happy To Be Me" here. Also, Chicago musician Jeanie B is also taking the crowdfunding route via IndieGoGo -- details here.

Christmas 2010 Family Music, Part 4

Hooo boy. Last Christmas/holiday season was busy, but this year just seems off the hook. This'll be the last roundup for 2010, 'cause even I have shipping deadlines. Remember, you can read the previous entries in the holiday roundup: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Reviews Anyway, to the jingles... A new song from Poochamungas, "Santa's Eating Pancakes," is a fun alt-country tune. At least half the proceeds will go to Ignite the Spirit Charities, which is a Chicago-area charity for emergency responders, firefighters, and paramedics. Download it here. The Hipwaders' Kindie Christmas was one of last year's best, er, kindie Christmas CDs. They've posted some video from their holiday concerts, and this rendition of "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year" from the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer TV special is quite nice. The Hipwaders - "The Most Wonderful Day of the Year" [YouTube] One half of the geniuses behind John and Mark's Children's Record, Mark Greenberg has had a holiday tradition for many years recording and sharing holiday music, and although I've heard a few of the CDs, it wasn't until Amberly mentioned it today that I knew that there was a website for all of it. Some of it is definitely worth your time, such as "Under Blankets," one of this year's offerings. (Click "Share," then "link to mp3" if you'd like to download...)

Christmas CD Reviews (2010 Edition)

Last year saw a veritable sleigh-load of Christmas and holiday albums for families. This year's list of CDs is smaller, but there are a few disks that came out this fall and winter that your family may enjoy... SlugsAndBugsChristmas.jpgMy favorite was A Slugs and Bugs Christmas from Slugs and Bugs, AKA Randall Goodgame and Andrew Peterson, who were behind Slugs & Bugs & Lullabies. If you are interested in Christmas just from a secular perspective, you can skip the rest of the review, as this disk is definitely geared toward the crowd who attends church on more than just Christmas and Easter. The first song, "Happy Birthday Jesus," makes that clear, as do a number of other songs. (That song also features one of the niftier arrangements I've heard in some time, blending a modern bluegrass song with a kids' chorus taking on "The First Noel.") As you might expect from songwriters who've had some songs featured on VeggieTales videos, it's not entirely serious -- on what other Christmas album are you going to hear a song about roasting mice for eating ("Pass the Ketchup" -- it's not macabre, really)? While the shifting between secular and explicitly Christian feels a little uneven at times, at its best (like on "I Spy" or the amazing "The Camel Song"), the disk deftly mixes popular Christmas culture with its spiritual underpinnings with humor and grace.

Video: "Fish and Mice" - Holly Throsby

This video, the first from Holly Throsby's excellent album See!, is pretty much what I'd expect a live-action video from the album to look like -- cute normal-looking kids, rough around edges, but with stellar production values. And the crafty fishes (it is for "Fish and Mice" after all) look like something that every preschool should be attempting. Holly Throsby - "Fish and Mice" [YouTube]

Listen To This: "Silent Night / Sing a Song of Christmas Cheer" - Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke

KWMC xmascvr_lowres.jpgGiven that Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke's Rise and Shine was my second favorite kids music record of 2010, you would expect that I'd treat the news that they'd recorded a couple Christmas tunes for Little Monster Records with great excitement. Even better, the tunes themselves don't disappoint. You will not dance to another Christmas song with more abandon than to "Sing a Song of Christmas Cheer." And their take on "Silent Night" is somehow simultaneously a little punk and a little reverential. Together they're just $1.29...
And if you're not sure about it all, for the price of an e-mail, pick up "Silent Night" for free using the link below...