Video: "Summer All Year Long" - Genevieve Goings (World Premiere!)

Genevieve Goings with umbrella (via her website)

I will say that Genevieve Goings, in addition to being a very talented singer, songwriter and actor, has excellent timing. This is a very good week (if you’re on the East Coast) to release a song about using your imagination to pretend it’s summer while in the midst of, oh, a massive winter snowstorm.

Lots of us kindie old-timers (well, comparative old-timers) recognize Genevieve from her long run in the Disney Junior series she co-created, Choo Choo Soul. But she’s been creating music outside of that series as well, and this new song, “Summer All Year Long,” is from her forthcoming album Great Indoors, out tomorrow(!) on 8 Pound Gorilla Records (also responsible for releasing Frances England’s new album).

The new song is clearly inspired by feeling a little trapped during the pandemic summer of 2020, but I think it’ll jam just as sweetly in February 2022 (or 2024) as it does right now. I’m happy to world-premiere the video, full of cute kids and of course Goings’ bright, clear voice.

Genevieve Goings - “Summer All Year Long” [YouTube]

The Imaginary Accomplishments Podcast: Todd McHatton's New Thing

Just the other day, I was talking about podcasts for kids, and noting that there wasn't enough different kinds of podcasts aimed at the pre-teen and below crowd.  A fair number of (really good) science podcasts, but stuff for younger crowds?  More comedic and fictional in nature?  Not so much.

As it turns out, kids musician Todd McHatton, who already has a ton of side projects, is adding one more project to his list, one I'm pretty excited about, not to mention explore some of the less-traveled areas of the podcast, er, space.  It's called "The Imaginary Accomplishments Podcast," and I think this image from Todd sums it all up... sort of.

OK.  Maybe it doesn't explain a lot.

So what is it really?  McHatton says that heroes above (that's monsters like Finch, Larry, and Marvy, in addition to Todd himself) will "explore the stories and accomplishments of random champions throughout the galaxy."  There will be news coverage and imaginary ad breaks, original music and humor.  He promises an "all ages, family friendly mix of The Muppets, Cheech & Chong, Monty Python, and 70s rock and roll cartoon shows."

McHatton says he's already got six episodes ready to go, so when the podcast officially launches later this month, you'll have a lot to look forward to.  (I know I am.)

Itty-Bitty Review: We All Shine - Play Date

Play Date We All Shine album cover

For whatever reason, kindie pop-punk has tended not to be nearly as boundary-pushing as its adult counterpart.  I'm not expecting every song to be about challenging or countercultural notions, but more of this subgenre covers familiar topics than I'd expect.

Play Date, the duo of Greg Attonito and Shanti Wintergate, is no different.  On their new album We All Shine, they tackle a song about colors (er, "Colors") and four variations of public service announcements for "Fruits & Vegetables."  The musical packaging is novel (it's a PSA as delivered by circus barker), but the notions are common fare.  More intriguing to me, then, are the songs that break those familiar molds to varying degrees.  "Ninja Pajamas" is about, well, stealthy pajamas, but brings in Minneapolis hip-hop artist P.O.S to rap some of the lyrics.  "Cardboard Box" rocks hardest, and follow the "show, don't tell" dictum -- by listing all the different things the box can be, it more effectively demonstrates the power of imagination.  And sometimes all you need is a simple story song, like the grunge-pop of "Stevie the Fox," which kicks off the album.

The 41-minute album will have most appeal to kids ages 3 through 7.  We All Shine fits the kindie pop-punk mold quite nicely, with an ear for crunchy melody.  Come for the songs about fruits and vegetables, stay for the songs about ninja pajamas.

Note: I received a copy of the album for possible review.

Video: "Costume Party" - The Pop Ups

This is such a sweet little video from The Pop Ups.  It's for their song "Costume Party" off their forthcoming release Appetite for Construction.  (Preorder it on iTunes here and Amazon here.)  The premise of the song is simple -- it's OK to wear all types of different clothes -- and the gentle groove serves as perfect accompaniment to the feeling of acceptance in the lyrics.  The video, meanwhile, features the duo (and puppets, and kids) goofing around with different clothes.  It's a feel-good song and video in more ways than one.  (Hat tip: OWTK's Jeff Bogle, premiering the video on Huffington Post.)

The Pop Ups - "Costume Party" [YouTube]