Beth Blenz-Clucas was at Kindiefest in Brooklyn last weekend
For folks who think children’s music begins and ends with the latest TV sensation, “kindie” will be a new concept. No one’s got an accurate count, but my estimate is that there are now literally thousands of unsigned singers and bands making a career out of performing for kids. At last weekend’s Kindiefest (the fourth annual national family music conference in Brooklyn, NY), more than 300 of these artists showed up, networked and learned a few things to bump their careers forward.
Why is this important to the average family? Well, because the artists who come to Kindiefest, sharing their dreams and music, are the ones who will shake your soul during the coming year. It’s just that simple.
Beth Blenz-Clucas blogs about music for kids that grownups will love too
When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do was ride the train into the city. It was always so much better than getting there by car. Everything about it – the crush at the ticket counter, the diesel infused train station, the conductor’s shout, and the clacking of the wheels on the rails—was exciting. There is no shortage of train songs (here’s just one website featuring a big list of them), so if your child is entranced by trains, you can easily build a great set list with just the classics. Jimmie Rodgers’ “Waiting for a Train,” Steve Goodman’s “City of New Orleans” and Johnny Cash’s performance of “Orange Blossom Special” are all good ones to add. Read more...
Laura said: Lots of Beatles, Neil Young and Bob Marley in our house!
Jennifer said: I’ve tried to get my daughter to listen to Dylan but she refuses- good thing she wasn’t a boy because her name was going to BE Dylan! She loves the Beatles and the Stones though she mostly listens to the Glee versions of songs but I try my best to introduce the original artists whenever I can. Read more...
Beth Blenz-Clucas blogs about kid tracks grownups will love and grown-up tracks kids will love
Chanukah or Hanukkah, no matter how you spell it, it’s a holiday worth celebrating. Even if you’re not Jewish, you can appreciate the wonders of candles, latkes, dreidels and singing during this eight-night festival of lights. Everyone’s familiar with Adam Sandler’s hysterical Hanukkah song, so we won’t belabor it. Instead, we spied a delightfully simple Brooklyn, New York-style “Light the Menorah” by Lloyd Miller of the indie kids’ band, The Deedle Deedle Dees. It seems perfect for anyone who wants to learn how to sing along.
(Kudos to Stefan of Zooglobble for pointing this one out!)
If you want to explore Jewish music with your kids, check out The Klezmatics. Dance around to their “Spin Dreydl Spin” as you fry your latkes and light the last two candles on the menorah. Read more...
Jason Collettis a member of Broken Social Scene and solo performer. His forthcoming album, Rat a Tat Tat, comes out March 9. Dan Zanes has released six children’s records with the Grammy-winning group he fronts, Dan Zanes and Friends. What’s one thing they have in common? Exceptional taste in music, of course. Here they’ve cherry-picked their must-listen MB tracks to download, so your family won’t have to make do with adult contemporary radio or whatever CDs you find under the front seat of the family car.
Jason Collett playlist
The Beatles – “I’ve Got a Feeling”
Bob Marley – “Stir It Up”
Fats Domino – “Blueberry Hill”
Feist – “Sea Lion Woman”
The Flaming Lips – “Buggin’”
Johnny Cash – “Nasty Dan”
Manu Chao – “Bongo Bong”
Gonzales – “Working Together”
Brian Wilson – “Vega-tables”
Nick Cave – “Breathless”
The Clash – “Lost in the Supermarket”
Stephen Malkmus – “Pirate Song”
Silver Jews – “Sometimes a Pony Gets Depressed”
The Flaming Lips – “The Yeah Yeah Yeah Song”
Bahamas – “Whole, Wide World”
Dan Zanes playlistRead more...
she mostly listens to the Glee versions of songs but I try my best to introduce the original artists whenever I can. 
