Jacob Stein, one half of The Pop Ups, took time and answer some of our questions about the new album Radio Jungle, the writing process and the Kindie music scene.

How excited are you to have this project for ready for public consumption?

It’s amazing. For this record we finished it and then we went through more post production. We had it mixed at Roll Poll studio by Andy Baldwin who recently worked on the new Bjork record. We had it mastered. We’ve had it done for awhile, but it’s just great to finally have it out there.

How do you go from zero expectations to being Kindie pop darlings?

I can’t say it’s the easiest thing. You can’t avoid the expectations. We just tried to walk into the room, as innocently as you can, and write songs that gave us pleasure. We weren’t aware this whole Kindie world  even existed. The first time we even heard the word ‘Kindie’ was at KindieFest. The response to Outside Voices was tremendous. For this record, we just tried not to think about it. We just wanted to write the next record that we would enjoy ourselves. We just followed the fun. We reminded ourselves throughout the process, just have fun.

You had previously work on kid related projects, so how did the Pop Ups eventually form?

Jason and I had worked together on a couple of kids music projects that were more from my side of the field. He produced a song for a Jewish kids record in 2007. Before that he came in and played on a Passover musical project that I had been working on. It was his idea. He came to me and said, “Let’s write something together” Initially, we had no expectations. We thought we might take some of the music to some classes and that was about it. There was a moment of recognition for us, that when we sat down to write it, it just followed immediately. As an artist, it’s a rare thing to find somebody that you can write and create with and then to find and continue to write with, it was just a pleasure. To tell you the truth, the first Pop Ups record came from the joy of a collaborative, artistic process. You had to honor a good writing relationship because it was just so rare. It’s amazing to connect to another artist.

Did the knowledge of having to write another puppet show, find its way into the writing process this time around?

That was a difficult decision to figure out. We decided to work the exact same way, but knowing it’s really hard to recreate anything. We tried to keep the play angle out of it and not focus on the narrative. Start with ideas for songs that were interesting to us and exploring them. But as we were putting together the Radio Jungle play, there were certainly moments where we asked ourselves “why did we do it this way?” I think Jason and I feel that The Pop Ups, at its root, are a band. As we started to adapt Radio Jungle into a musical, we learned we really had our work cut out for ourselves to try and find connections that made sense. I think Pasta! was an easier show to write. I’m really proud of the new show and excited for it. You can’t try and recreate what you’ve done previously.

How did your relationship with Yo Gabba Gabba Live come about?

One of the producers had seen our Pasta! show and asked us to do a date or two with the live show. We had a visual show that fit in perfectly with Yo Gabba Gabba Live show. We had to make some adaptations.  We were playing such large arenas compared to the Pasta! shows, so we had to remake the Subway Train puppets nearly four times as large as we originally made them. I really think that the crowds, both parents and kids, appreciated something they could really sink into and participate in.  

(At this point Jacob tells a fantastic, Spinal Tap-esque story about their first performance at a Yo Gabba Gabba live show. Typing the words simply won’t do it justice. So the next time you see him, ask him about the story and the phrase “What do you mean it’s not gonna work?” )

How has the kids music scene been on your wallet?

You know, that’s a tough question. As an artist, it’s hard to talk about money. We have been extremely happy to find such a enthusiastic audience. We have found the kindie scene has such a large area for growth. We have been grateful. Let’s just say we haven’t been able to quit our day jobs, but we have however enjoyed our success. The dream is to be able to create our art all the time. As some point, the Kindie scene will get there.

What has been the biggest surprise with discovering the kindie scene?  

I think there were two surprises. First, the bands that we’ve become friends with. The guys in Recess Monkey are great and Lucky Diaz is a pal of ours. There is a bunch more. It’s just been really cool to find other artists who are very similar to us in what they want. Which is that they just want to make music that they love, that can be capable of connecting with kids. It’s been really cool to find kindred artist out there. The second aspect I love is the dialog between writers. Stefan Shepherd writes really well and Jeff Bogle writes really well. The people that take it seriously are really thinking and engaging in a dialog about the scene. I like the higher level discussion. I get a real kick out of it.

Listen to the new album in it’s entirety below. If you can’t move your head to ‘Box of Crayons’ we can’t be friends.

Check out the video for “Pancake Smackdown”

For those of you with Sirius/XM Kids Place Live will be doing a “Short Stack Attack: Gustafer Yellowgold/Recess Monkey Back to Back” double feature throughout today playing “Pancake Smackdown” and Recess Monkey’s “Flapjacks.”

And since it’s Fat Tuesday, who wants more?

Rockin' or Huskin' corn?

Farmer Jason is set release his latest kids record, Nature Jams on February 7th. It will be the debut release for the brand new record label and entertainment channel, MyKaZooTV.

Farmer Jason was kind enough to take time out of his busy schedule to chat with us about the new record and MyKaZooTV.

Farmer Jason: For starters the two guys running it, Rick Dobbis and Richard Ellis are really sharp, very experienced business men.  They’ve run major record companies. Right off the bat you have these guys who don’t have false assumptions about what they can and can’t do. They are very committed to bringing quality music to families. The family music industry needs a good record label. There are some, but not enough. This should help without a doubt. It’s a strong idea with lots of potential.

Dadnabbit: Similarities and differences between releasing a Jason & the Scorchers record and a Farmer Jason record?

Farmer Jason: Certainly the Farmer Jason world, in terms as creating songs as catchy as possible is the substantial difference but the energy level is about the same. The exuberance with a Scorchers record is still there with a Farmer Jason record. Let’s have fun and break some barriers.

Dadnabbit: Does having a good cup of coffee in the morning help decide if you’re going to write a Scorchers or a Farmer Jason song?

Farmer Jason: Most of the time it is project driven. I know I have a project in front of me and that’s what I write. I don’t tend to write songs all the time, I tend to write for projects so it’s not as schizophrenic as you might think.

Dadnabbit: The first Farmer Jason record was an accidental success, that had no preconceived notion about it. How do you follow it up, knowing how high you’ve set the bar?

Farmer Jason:  I think with Nature Jams, it’s the first Farmer Jason record where I have to meet previous expectations. Thankfully I have 30 years of history trying to do that w/ the Scorchers so doing it for Farmer Jason comes relatively easy.  Anything I release will be compared to the first Farmer Jason record and I’m fine with it.

Dadnabbit: The guest list on Nature Jams looks like a hip-hop record with different guests on each track.

Farmer Jason:  Some of the songs were written and then I tried to find an artist that would fit. But some were custom made. “Take A Hike” for example I knew right away would be a perfect song for Mike Mills (R.E.M.) I have know him for years and his personality. But primarily, the songs are written first then the  guests are added later on, with who I thought would fit the chemistry of the song.

Dadnabbit: How has your friendship with Todd Snider developed into him becoming a regular on Farmer Jason records?

Farmer Jason: His first show in Nashville was opening for my band in 1992. The Farmer Jason collaborative effort has really grown organically. Todd doesn’t have children. But there is something about his personality and tone of voice that connects with both parents and children listening to the records. Even little 3 year old kids get the message that is Todd Snider. It’s always a high point on the record. It’s just a spontaneous party when he’s in the studio.

Dadnabbit: How accepting were Scorchers fans to seeing you write kids music?

Farmer Jason:  We grew Farmer Jason initially via the Scorchers audience; some of them even have grandchildren now. But lots of the Farmer Jason fans have little to no knowledge of Jason & The Scorchers. It has honestly help grow the Scorchers audience. We were a cult band.

Dadnabbit: Is there a freedom to writing kids music over a Jason & The Scorchers song?

Farmer Jason:  One the great blessings of being Farmer Jason is walking into a room full of 4 year olds and having no idea what to expect. It truly is spontaneous. Being Farmer Jason allows for a much bigger artistic freedom.

Dadnabbit: How did Jason & The Scorchers end up as a guest on Nature Jams?

Farmer Jason: I knew making a guest record without the Scorchers would be a crime. I think it is a magical track. When our drummer is talking about glaciers in a Swedish accent, it is really a magic moment.

Dadnabbit: Few children’s artists’ have intros on their songs. Why have you chosen to have those on your records?

Farmer Jason:  There is always a debate about doing intros. Some people really don’t want to hear introductions after the first time. I know some kids have memorized the introductions; it’s something kids don’t seem to mind. I have always felt there should be some type of education going on in the songs and on this album I think there are some strong educational moments in the intros.

Dadnabbit: It’s becoming harder and harder to make a living music as most money is made on live shows. Has making kids’ music been financially beneficial to you?

Farmer Jason:  I make a living off of my music. Luckily we’ve been able to do enough live shows and make money doing it. I’m very fortunate to be able to make a living with what I love to do, playing music. Farmer Jason is the center of my career and I’ll be playing live shows for kids for as long as possible.

Dadnabbit: As you write songs for your kids, do you find yourself writing for older kids as your own kids get older?

Farmer Jason:  I think the new record is primarily written for slightly older kids 6-12 years old which is my daughters age range. You can follow along on my three albums and see me writing for older kids each time, but for the next record I think I’ll go back to more a preschool aged focus.

For all things Farmer Jason, check out FarmerJason.com

Thankfully Prep & Landing is neither one of those.

Though it originally aired in 2009, it’s the exception to the rule. Entertaining for both kids and parents, I liked it when it first aired and my daughter has loved watching it ever since the DVD arrived. It’s a cute and clever addition to television’s holiday arsenal.

The story revolves around Wayne (Dave Foley from Kids in the Hall, Newsradio) and his colleague Lanny (Derek Richardson) as they prepare houses for Santa’s arrival. Unfortunately things turn bleak and the duo face Christmas being canceled. Thankfully through some good old-fashioned teamwork, Wayne and company are able to save Christmas.

In addition to my daughter loving it, Prep & Landing also won an Emmy® Award in 2010 for Outstanding Animated Program, an Annie Award in 2010 for Best Animated Television Production plus a Visual Effects Society Award in 2010 for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Miniseries, Movie or a Special.

As good timing would have it, a brand new Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice, will air on ABC tonight, Dec. 5 at 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. central).

Bonus material on this DVD includes a short with Betty White as the voice of Mrs Claus. There are also bonus “training videos” the elves have to watch. Every single parent who has ever had to sit through one of those videos will greatly enjoy them.

Details:
Release Format:1-Disc DVD
Feature Run Time:  22-minutes
Rated: TV-G (bonus material not yet rated)
Presentation: 16×9 Widescreen
Audio & Languages: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, Latin Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles:  French & Spanish

The Squeakquel opens with good guy, Dave (Jason Lee), the surrogate father of the chipmunks, Alvin, Simon and Theodore, suffering a debilitating injury at the tail end of a chipmunk “Save the Music” concert (thanks to Alvin, of course). While Dave is laid up in a hospital bed, the chipmunks are sent home and enrolled in high school. Looking after them is a distant relative of Dave’s, Toby, played with goofy charm by Chuck’s Zachary Levi. Toby is a gaming nerd with no social skills and little self confidence, except when he’s kicking ass against his anonymous online friends.

The chipmunks’ story follows a standard story of friends entering high school, with Alvin falling into the cool crowd and alienating his two brothers. Since this is a movie about internationally famous recording artists who are furry forest rodents, you let it slide that Alvin, Simon and Theodore easily slip into high school clichés. Plus, you know, this is a kids movie. To help make the school scenes funnier is the presence of the great comic actress, Wendie Malick (Just Shoot Me), as principal Rubin. She persuades the chipmunks to represent their school in Music Mania, a competition that could award the school money for their failing music program. Reluctantly they agree.

News of the chipmunks competing makes headlines, allowing the film to introduce the film’s antagonist, Ian Hawke, that detestable music exec from the first film. He’s played with glee, once again, by David Cross. In the first film, Ian was a music svengali, milking the chipmunks for all they were worth until his plan failed, he was fired and rendered penniless. Ian is now living in a basement, digging through dumpsters, and fighting rats for food. He dreams of getting back at the chipmunks and somehow regaining his crown as a top music executive. If only…

As if on cue, a Fed Ex package rolls up to Ian’s feet and out pop three girl chipmunks, the Chipettes! They are Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor and they aspire to become internationally famous recording starts, too. Ian’s eyes light up and he begins plotting his comeback. His plan: to enter the Chipettes in the same music competition, defeat Alvin and the boys, then score a huge record deal, securing his place in music history and making millions of dollars.  Naturally, the girls have to enter high school, allowing the two plots to converge and lead up to an action packed, music filled climax.

There is a great deal of talent behind this film, from veteran family film director, Betty Thomas, at the helm, to the actors providing the voices of the chipmunks. Joining returning actors Justin Long (Alvin), Matthew Gray Gubler (Simon) and Jesse McCartney (Theordore) are Christina Applegate (Brittany),Anna Farris (Jeanette) and Amy Poehler (Eleanor). As for the flesh and blood actors, Levi turns out to be a fine substitute for Lee (who appears in a handful of scenes), while Cross gives another spirited performance as Ian. The movie moves at a slick, glossy pace, par for course for most kids films. Like I said, The Squeakquel isn’t high art, but under the right frame of mind, especially sitting with your kids, who will eat up the CG chipmunks and high pitched musical numbers, The Squeakquel is a good time.

The bonus features on two-disc special edition are actually pretty good. There are several behind the scenes featurettes, all done tongue in cheek, as if the chipmunks are actual living creatures. “Music Mania” breaks down all the planning and rehearsal that went into the final film sequence; “Behind the Squeaking” is a fauz “Behind the Music” featurette on how “difficult” the chimpunks can be as actors; “Meet the Chipettes” goes over the history of those cute characters and how they came to be back in the early 80′s; and ‘Munking History: 50 Years of Chipmunk Mischief, Mayhem and Music” details just what it says it does. There are also music videos for the songs in the movie, three of which are sing-along videos. Overall, the extras on this DVD will provide just as much entertainment as the movie.

Milkshake – Great Day (2009, Milkshake Music)
purchase from Amazon

Milkshake isn’t just a band, it’s a budding media empire. Since rising from the ashes of Baltimore’s LOVE RiOT in 2002, they’ve become fast favorites of the indie kidpop world, releasing three well-received CDs (Happy Songs, Bottle of Sunshine, and PLAY!), a DVD (Screen Play, issued earlier this year), appearing all over the Noggin, Discovery Kids, and PBS Kids networks, and even spinning off a Milkshake comic book (featuring the band as superheroes, natch); with their brand new fourth album, Great Day, they stand poised to rock the diapers off musically adventurous children of all ages.

I don’t mean “rock” ironically, either — Milkshake’s stuff has sharper teeth than most children’s music, and it’s more musically adventurous to boot: Great Day‘s dozen tracks lead the listener on a madcap dash that boasts punk-kissed pop (“Shake It Up”), hints of zydeco (“Statue of Me”), and a dash of newgrass (the banjo-laced “When I’m Old”). It’s also packed to the rafters with stringed instruments, from the aforementioned banjo to the ukulele, mandolin, and hollow-body Gretsch guitar (lended by ex-Glenmont Pope Rodney Henry). It’s fun, mostly uptempo stuff, with messages that are both appealing (“I want five scoops of ice cream, piled up so high”) and important (“You did it! Yeah! I gotta say I think you’re great”) for the band’s target demographic.

If you’re already a fan (or a parent of a fan), Great Day will not disappoint — and if you haven’t partaken of Milkshake’s tasty sweet goodness until now, this album’s a fine place to start, boasting some of the band’s best material in addition to solid production work from Tor Hyams and a handful of hip cameos. Sample Milkshake’s wares at their official site.