Today -- June 14 -- is Flag Day, a holiday which, though minor in the greeting card scheme of things, looms large in the imaginations of kids music artists. (Why doesn't Thanksgiving get the same respect?) Here are three Flag Day videos to get you in a patriotic summertime mood.
First up, it's Billy Kelly, with a new video for "That Old American Flag," off his most recent album The Family Garden. It's a straight-up, un-ironic tribute to the flag and his dad. Added bonus of the video -- revealing one of Billy's secret talents. It's, er, singular in nature (watch 'til the end).
Bill Kelly - "That Old American Flag" [YouTube]
Video: "Magic" - Rabbit!
I've heard the Florida band Rabbit! described half-seriously as kids' music, and even they tag themselves in part as "children's music." I suppose that might be a bit much, as a lot of their songs are twee love songs that probably won't hold the kids' interest, at least from a subject-matter perspective. (The hyper love songs might be a little more up the kids' alley.) But they're not entirely unfamiliar from the kids' music world -- for example, they contributed five songs to the Do Fun Stuff kids' compilation.
Their latest video, for "Magic" off their 2010 album Connect the Dots, is a pretty cool kids' song and totally cute. If would very much fit in, say, a Yo Gabba Gabba! episode.
Rabbit! - "Magic" [YouTube]
Stream the album and their recent EP after the jump...Monday Morning Smile: The Grand Rapids LipDub
I posted this on my own Facebook page a couple weeks ago, and I certainly wasn't the only one -- when Roger Ebert calls your video the "Greatest Music Video of All Time," that tends to drive some views. If you haven't seen it, the back story behind the video isn't that important, except to say that Grand Rapids, Michigan felt a little slighted. But instead of cursing or complaining, they channeled their voice into action, leading to the use of helicopters, fireworks, and football teams as part of the "lip dub" to Don McLean's "American Pie." It's pretty awesome. And inspiring.
Grand Rapids Lip Dub ("American Pie" by Don McLean) [YouTube]
Newborn: The Thinkers
After I heard Oh Zoooty!, the debut from The Thinkers, a couple times, I e-mailed the band, of which I knew very little, and said, "I hope you won't take this wrong way, but who the hell are you guys?"
Because what they've created is one of those utterly imaginative works that ten minutes in, you'll either have turned it off or -- more likely -- be totally smitten. So who they are is this: Bo (Bo Moore) and Moy (Matt Saporito), or as they replied in my e-mail, "two best buddies in our mid 20s from Boston & New York." They've actually been working on their album for more than a year now, but are only recently unleashing it upon the world. Listen to the album, I implore you, here. My favorites -- for the moment -- include "Chocolate Milk & Ice Cream Cake," "Froggy Hop," and "Mushy Berry Pie." It's a pretty unique sound, sometimes sea chanty, sometimes British Invasion, but if you miss the sounds of The Quiet Two or the Telephone Company (OK, they're still around), you won't want to miss this.
They'll also be making their way across the country this summer, starting in Boston in about a couple weeks, making their way to Sacramento by the beginning of August. Check out their tour schedule and if you see some gaps near where you live (like I have in Arizona in mid-July), I think you know what to do...Video: "The Wheels on the Bus" - Readeez
Michael Rachap has been working on a bunch of Readeez that tackle nursery rhymeez (er, rhymes). I personally prefer his take on "The Wheels on the Bus," which sounds very "wheels-on-the-bus"-ish while not sounding quite like most other takes you've heard. Simple but effective.
The Wheels On The Bus from Readeez on Vimeo.
Radio Playlist: New Music June 2011
It has been way too long since I updated the Zooglobble radio station. (Ahem.) 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. As always, the listing below is alphabetical, but the play order on air is random due to Internet music restrictions.
Stinkerbelle (Timeout Mix) - Alex The Seal (Kids' Club)
Metaphor - The Alphabeticians (Rock)
Skywriter - Baron Von Rumblebuss (Agreeably Loud!!)
House On Wheels - Caroline Herring (The Little House Songs)
Tired Eyes - Mark Erelli (Innocent When You Dream)
All I Wanna Do Is Dance - Fuzzy Lollipop (Sweet!)
The Alphabet Song - Groove Kid Nation (Wheels On The Bus)
Wisconsin Poncho - Gustafer Yellowgold (Gustafer Yellowgold's Infinity Sock)
10-4 Good Buddy - Hullabaloo (Road Trip)
Waters of March - Jamie Broza (I Want a Dog!)
Froggie Went A Courtin' (Featuring Secret Agent 23 Skidoo) - Joanie Leeds And The Nightlights (What A Zoo!)
1 2 3 4 - Kurt Gallagher (1 2 3 4)
I Love The Mountains - The Learning Station (#1 Best Kid's Songs!)
It's Hard To Wait For Your Birthday - Lori Henriques (Outside My Door)
Bluebonnet Time - Lucas Miller (I <3 Earth)
Let's Dance - Lucky Diaz And The Family Jam Band (Oh Lucky Day!)
Magic Pony - Miss Amy & Her Big Kids Band (Fitness Rock & Roll)
Gonna Take My Hat - Mister G (Bugs)
Super Scientist - Monty Harper (Songs From The Science Frontier)
Our Family - Mr. Leebot (Erratic Schematic)
The Funkier The Better - Nikolai Moderbacher (The Funkier The Better)
Would You Sing Me? - Octopretzel (If I Were A Song...)
Hip Hop - RhymeZwell (Nursery Rhymez)
Super Can - The RTTs (Goodie Bag)
Wear My Pajamas To School - Rudy Trubitt (Wear My Pajamas To School)
Un, deux, trois - Sophie & Les Petites (Bonjour)
Dandelion - Steve Weeks (Dandelion)
Cooperate - Sugar Free Allstars & Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Slow Food - Van Oodles (Flossophy 101)
Lester's Dementia - Zak & Dela (The Candy Machine)
