OK, not really. I wrote the newsletter.
OK, not really. I haven't written it quite yet.
But I will.
And I'd like to think Alex Chilton would approve.
So, anyway, some of you may have noticed that section on the right-hand side of the main page asking for a name and e-mail and promising sweet sweet newsletter-y goodness in return. Well, it's time for me to get crackin' on that promise.
Here's the deal: sign up below to get an occasional newsletter highlighting posts you might have along with, I don't know, maybe some other crazy stuff that hasn't made it to the website. I promise I won't send it out too much because I hate overly eager e-mailers just as much as you do. (Also: I like privacy as much as you do -- I'll never sell, barter, trade, give, or do anything else with your e-mail addresses except send you these newsletters.)
I should also note that I'm not above bribery. I have five fabulous CDs that I will randomly give away to people who sign up for the list by July 15. (OK, I guess I'll have to use your e-mail addresses if I pick your name.)
Anyway, I hope you'll take a few seconds to fill out the form -- Arizona folks also get the opportunity to join my long-running Arizona events newsletter -- and hopefully I'll make it worth your while. Thanks!
Share: "Innocent When You Dream" - Mark Erelli
After the hubbub of the Fourth of July, perhaps your family needs a little more relaxation. Mark Erelli is here to help. His recently-re-released 2007 album Innocent When You Dream is streaming online, making it easy to check out my favorite lullaby release thus far this year. Really, it's a sweet little disk (or packet of information zooming across the intrawebs, whatever your medium).
The Thinkers Seek Your Help
I think we've established that I like The Thinkers. The duo from Boston and NYC released their first album and I used words and phrases like "utterly imaginative" and "smitten" and "sea chanty" to describe it. Those are usually good signs that I liked the album, right?
Anyway, I wrote those words as the band was about to head out across the country -- I mean, Recess Monkey-style, playing dozens of gigs.
But there's still time for you to a) catch them on tour, or b) help further overburden their schedule. (The latter is what I did, getting them into an impromptu gig at the Children's Museum of Phoenix in a week and a half.) The rest of the schedule, after the jump, and, really, folks, lots of opportunities here...Monday Morning Smile: "Tubthumping" - They Might Be Giants
I know, it's not Monday, but after a July 4th which fell on a Monday, it feels like a Monday. And if you think I'm waiting 'til next Monday to play this, you're nuts. It's They Might Be Giants covering Chumbawumba's one big hit, "Tubthumping," for The Onion's AV Club.
Now, I've actually loved the original song unironically since I first heard it -- it's got a nice melodic line, killer sing-along chorus, and the end, when there are like four different melodies interwoven is brilliant brilliant brilliant, easily one of my top ten musical moments of all time. On top of that, the lyrics are simultaneously celebratory and mocking -- the band (around for many years and known for its anarchist tendencies) is able to have its cake and eat it too. Yes, this song is on my iPod.
Having said that, I've never bothered embedding the song here; the combination of one of my favorite bands and the song, however, is almost reason enough to do so. I doubt the band are huge fans of the song, though I'm sure they appreciate it from a songwriters' standpoint. But since by the time TMBG got to the series, many of the tunes had been chosen, the band had to think strategically, and where the band's version doesn't quite have the studio production values that puts the original over the top, the choice to invite a whole of AV Club staffers into the tiny room and shout the chorus makes this required posting (and watching).
If your kids can sing or play music this joyfully, then you've done right by them, musically.
They Might Be Giants covers Chumbawamba
They Might Be Giants covers Chumbawamba
Share: "Grand Old Flag" - The Boogers
It's the Fourth of July, and hot as blazes around here, so it's a good thing that The Boogers' free mp3 for the holiday clocks in at a shade under 30 seconds. Because if their cover of "Grand Old Flag" were any longer, the undeniable urge to pogo up and down to the track could cause heat exhaustion if your kids aren't properly prepared.
To download the track, head to The Boogers' home page and click on the cute kid in the upper-right hand corner.Kindie Songwriting Club, Vol. 1: Green Beans Everywhere
First there was the idea -- pick a few artists, give 'em a title to base a song, and set 'em free to do what they do best. Then there was the picking of the title.
Now, it's time for the album. It's called Green Beans Everywhere, and it features five fun songs from (in geographical order): Hullabaloo (San Diego), The Hollow Trees (Los Angeles), Charity and the JAMband (San Francisco), Matt Clark (Portland), and Johnny Bregar (Seattle).
Some of the artists took a pretty simple approach (similar to what you might see at a typical songrwiting club night), some fancied it up a bit, but all the artists rose to the challenge of creating something out of the barest germ of an idea.
Thanks to all the artists for participating. And, for a limited time (at least until we run out of free downloads), you can download the 5-song EP for free. Even if your kids (or you) don't like green beans, and even if one of these songs don't change their (or your) mind, you'll enjoy the album anyway.
