Bunchland

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is on a not-so-secret mission – to bring real, modern music to families. After spending over a decade touring nationally with a live hip hop group, 23 Skidoo recognized a need for music that parents could share with their kids – and really enjoy sharing, so he returned to Asheville, NC and got  a band together to make it happen. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo mixes classic hip hop beats with influences from bluegrass to reggae. The result is infectious, sophisticated music that allows him to make music and be with his daughter, which, as he says, “is the whole point, anyhow”

In the neverending search for kids music that doesn’t suck, we’ve stumbled across the whimsical Gustafer Yellowgold. Sometime opener for Wilco and Polyphonic Spree, Gustafer Yellowgold performances are multimedia events, combining whimsical animation with compelling story-songs. The creation of illustrator/songwriter Morgan Taylor, Gustafer has been described as “A cross between Yellow Submarine and Dr. Seuss” by the New York Times and is promised to be a hit with kids and parents alike! check out this Gustafer video for “Pterodactyl Tuxedo”

Read an interview with Gustafer Yellowgold creator Morgan Taylor here.

Check out this Live 365 station: Hip Young Parent Radio! Programmer, DJ and self-described ”young Auntie Mame,” Amy Trulock, mixes retro kid favourites from Doris Day to Schoolhouse Rock with newer, hipster kid-friendly standbys like They Might Be Giants and Shonen Knife. If you’re looking for a soundtrack that’s a little more sophisticated than another run through of Barney Live, HYP Radio is a good place to start.

In the ongoing quest for children’s music that grown-ups can stand to listen to, our bunch has stumbled upon Rock Daddy Rock. Daddy, in this case, is Chris Bihuniak. Chris has been performing in rock bands since the tender age of 14. In addition to Rock Daddy Rock, he’s a music producer and runs a school which helps young musicians learn the ins and outs of playing cooperatively and professionally in a band. The songs themselves cover a wide range of genres, from rap to punk (and everything in between!). You can hear samples on the webpage, and full songs are available on Rock Daddy Rock’s facebook or myspace pages.