Kindie Songwriting Club, Vol. 1: Green Beans Everywhere

KSCbasiclogo_lowres.jpgFirst 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.

Share: "Freeze Tag" - The Not-Its! (World Premiere)

TagYoureIt.jpgSeattle band The Not-Its! release their third album Tag, You're It! tomorrow, June 28, and the leadoff track is everything a summertime hit should be -- it rocks, it's catchy, and by combining the game of tag with popsicles, it covers a kids' quintessential summertime experience. In short, it totally earns the band's exclamation point. Now, courtesy of the band, I'm happy to offer this track as a world premiere download in advance of tomorrow's album release. Stream it or for a limited time download it as well, either here or in the player below. The downloading window's over, but the album's out now... Freeze Tag - The Not-Its! by zooglobble

Newborn: Johnny and Jason

JohnnyAndJason.jpgIt's a little odd to be discussing the Portland duo Johnny and Jason in my "Newborn" series when I've reviewed not one but two albums from half of the duo. But this new band from Johnny Keener (creator of the aforementioned albums) and Jason Greene feels sufficiently new to give it the "Newborn" treatment. They've just released their first album Go, Go... Go, Go, Go, and it's definitely a contender for one of the year's best debuts. The roots rock sound is somewhat familiar to listeners of Keener's work, but the hooks are hookier and the sound slightly fuller. "I Can Fly" kicks the album off with some country-fried punk, "What's Your Pet's Name" is a dreamy song with a kids' chorus, and "Corn Cob Man" or "Ride Wagon Ride" jangle just enough. And the album closer "Tomatoes and Toast" is a simple but beautiful homage to gardening. The best part for you is that not only can you stream the album below but, for a limited time, you can download the whole thing. For free. Portland's reached the tipping point where they're now a serious kids music town. Johnny and Jason are just one symbol of that creative explosion.

Share: Welcome to Balloononia - Space Balloons

WelcomeToBalloononia.jpgYay! for new music! Today's new music -- the Welcome to Balloononia EP -- comes courtesy of Space Balloons, which the brainchild of the veryveryvery busy Boston musicians Michael J. Epstein and Sophia Cacciola. The duo are recording some songs for a new Boston-based "children's [TV] show for adults," Worried All the Time. The songs are dorky but sweet, with the added benefit of ukulele accompaniment and, for a limited time, downloadable for free. Look for a full-length in the future... After the jump, a music video from the TV show...

Share: "Wear My Pajamas to School" - Rudy Trubitt

WearMyPajamasToSchool.jpgRudy Trubitt has been writing songs for awhile, both for The Sippy Cups as well as solo stuff. While the Sippy Cups take a hiatus (a "nap," Trubitt calls it), he's got some new music out, notably "Wear My Pajamas to School." He says he wrote it "inspired by a tradition at our Oakland Public Elementary School: Pajama Day! You know the drill--leave your P.J.s on, grab a stuffy and out the door." (Evidently, transitional objects are a theme this week.) Anyway, for the price of an e-mail to Trubitt's e-mail list you can download the song below. Or just stream it, if you'd like. If you like the Sippy Cups, you'll like this.

Share: "Shoes Had Laces" - Clubbard Clarmac Family Singers

This new Matt Clark song is mostly a lark, but what a fun lark it is. It's called "Shoes Had Laces," and it's an amusing take on the "when I was your age" genre. Leaves out the grumpiness of "I walked uphill both ways, in the snow," leaves in an old guy singing along with a bunch of kids (including Clark's older son) who are unfamiliar with "phones plugged in to the wall." That would be the Clubbard Clarmac Family Singers who are formally credited with the song. The recording's a little ragged vocally, but that just adds to the charm. Pick it up here.