Listen To This: "Cooperate" - Sugar Free Allstars and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Cooperate.jpgI'm all about the collaboration and cooperation, so of course I dig the fact that Sugar Free Allstars and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo hooked up for a new single. Both of 'em hung out together a bit at Kindiefest, and their affinity is obvious on this funky track. Stream it below or buy it here or here.

This Cover Art is FLYING!

FLYING Cover 72 dpi.jpgAh, Recess Monkey, look what you've done now. You've proven beyond all doubt that Mayor Monkey is indeed your secret weapon. Clearly the slightly bumbling and affable nature of Hizzoner is just a front, judging by the cover of the band's upcoming release FLYING!. That's a great photo, boys. (The rest of the album art is from Jarrett Krosoczka, creator of the Lunch Lady comics). Tracklisting for the Tor Hyams-produced album, due out June 21 -- along with the listing of a gazillion guest stars -- is after the jump.

KidVid Tournament 2011 Championship: Keller Williams vs. Sugar Free Allstars

KidVid11_logo2lowres.jpgDid it start with the brackets? Or maybe even before then with the list of my favorite videos? No, KidVid Tournament 2011 really started many months if not years ago when the two artists here today first came up with the germ of an idea for a song, then followed that up with an idea for a video. The KidVid Tournament 2011 Championship features Keller Williams and his video for "Hula Hoop to Da Loop" going up against Sugar Free Allstars and the video for "Cars and Trucks." SFA's been a giant-killer all tournament -- can they come through one more time? This is the championship matchup when fans can sometimes get a little frenzied, so just a few reminders: 1) This is for fun. There is no money, schwag, or anything except a final congratulatory post and the self-satisfaction that your favorite artist/video won an internet popularity contest. So please balance your attitude accordingly. 2) Please watch both videos -- many of you may know who you're going to vote for, but these are both excellent videos and worth your time. 3) One vote per household please. 4) All votes are due by 9 PM West Coast time tonight (Monday). Thanks, and have fun! Keller Williams - "Hula Hoop to Da Loop" [YouTube] Sugar Free Allstars - "Cars and Trucks" [YouTube]

KidVid Tournament 2011 Semifinal #2 (Sugar Free Allstars vs. Caspar Babypants)

KidVid11_logo2lowres.jpgToday it's time for the other KidVid Tournament 2011 semifinal. This matchup features the Ella Jenkins Regional winner, the #4 seed which busted everyone's brackets, Sugar Free Allstars' video for "Cars and Trucks," going up against last year's finalist Caspar Babypants, the winner of this year's Leadbelly Regional with "$9.99." They're both animated -- sort of -- but very different. Even if you came here intending to vote for one or the other, I hope you'll take 2 or 3 minutes and check out the competition's song and video. Polls close at 9 PM West Coast time tonight (Friday). As always, one vote per household, and play nice. Caspar Babypants - "$9.99" [YouTube] Sugar Free Allstars - "Cars and Trucks" [YouTube]

KidVid Tournament 2011: Round 2 (The Not-Its vs. Sugar Free Allstars)

KidVid11_logo2lowres.jpgDay 1 of Day 3 of second round voting for KidVid Tournament 2011 and it's time for the Ella Jenkins Regional. This regional final features The Not-Its' and their video for "Green Light, Go!" (a #2 seed) facing Sugar Free Allstars, the only #4 seed to make it out of the first round. Watch both and vote over at Out with the Kids today and today only. Vote here.

KidVid Tournament 2011: Round 1 Review

KidVid11_logo2lowres.jpgIt started with my favorite kids music videos of the year. Then you voted on your favorites at Saturday Morning Cereal Bowl. Then you went to Out With the Kids, Ages 3 and Up!, Gooney Bird Kids, and Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child to vote in Round 1. Maybe you even went to Dadnabbit (or should've, anyway) to read Jeff's handicapping of the brackets. All that, and we still have seven matchups to go. Here, then, are the Round 1 winners who will be facing off in Round 2. Ella Jenkins Region: The Not-Its!, "Green Light, Go!" (2) vs. Sugar Free Allstars, "Cars and Trucks" (4) Pete Seeger Region: Keller Williams, "Hula Hoop To Da Loop" (1) vs. Recess Monkey, "Black Hole in My Room" (2) Leadbelly Region: Caspar Babypants, "$9.99" (1) vs. Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke, "Big Pet Pig" (2) Woody Guthrie Region: The Bazillions, "Preposition" (1) vs. Debbie and Friends, "Cinderella" (2) Some of the winners won in blowouts, some in squeakers, but all of these (friendly) face-offs will get even closer here in this next round. Even though I like the Sugar Free Allstars video (it made my Top 25 list, after all), it makes me a little sad that John and Mark's "A Counting Error," my favorite video of the year, didn't make it to round 2, but that's the perils of fandom, right? Round 2 will start on Saturday, March 26. Which matchup will kick off Round 2 and where will it be found? Well, you'll just have to wait for Saturday to find out...