Category Archives: Dads Writing About Kindie Culture

Todd McHatton, "Galactic Champions of Joy"

CD Review: Todd McHatton, “Galactic Champions of Joy”

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Todd McHatton, "Galactic Champions of Joy"

Every album title says something, but any artist who gives a record a dazzling name like Galactic Champions of Joy is really shouldering the weight of expectations. I mean, just say those words out loud: Galactic. Champions. Of. Joy. What does a collection of songs have to sound like in order to earn such an exciting, effervescent title?

Here’s your answer:

Todd McHatton’s Galactic Champions of Joy is a wickedly addictive bouillabaisse of family-friendly kindie ‘tude and old-school pop geekery, rolled into fine layers and stacked into infinity. McHatton’s really wearing his influences on his sleeve here, from cockeyed songsmiths like Harry Nilsson and Shel Silverstein to whip-smart musos like Bill Frisell, and the result is a warm-n-fuzzy whirlwind of sound; this is basically the kindie equivalent of Jellyfish’s Spilt Milk, only without the insane budget and bleary-eyed studio bickering. Also, some of the songs are about animals.

If you love great pop music and you love your kids (not necessarily in that order), Galactic Champions of Joy is your must-own album of the fall — but if you need another reason to drop some of your hard-earned coin on McHatton’s music, how about this? If you buy the record this week, you’ll be supporting a worthy cause. I’ll let Todd give you the details:

I am overwhelmingly proud to announce that this Saturday, October 8th, I will be your guest DJ/Host on the perfectly amazing radio show Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child! It’s indie music for indie kids!

In celebration of this momentous occasion, starting tomorrow, and throughout the week until October 8th, we are donating 100% of the profits from all downloads of Todd McHatton / Galactic Champions of Joy to the Haitian People’s Support Project. This, in honor of Bill Childs’ beautiful Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti project. As of September, 2011, the Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti CD has raised over $35,000 for the Haitian People’s Support Project, providing drinking water for thousands and school tuition for kids in tent camps. We want to chip in a little bit more. YOU name the price, from $1 up to whatever you’d like to chip in. You get an album download of fun, joyful, music and you get to help some people that really need it.

Remember, to be a part of the Haiti benefit you must download Galactic of Champions of Joy HERE ONLY between October 3rd and October 8th, 2011!

Much thanks to Bill Childs at Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child…and thank YOU!

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New (Free!) Elizabeth Mitchell Song: “Rollin’ Baby”

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From her official site:

On Saturday October 22 Elizabeth Mitchell will perform two family concerts with Natalie Merchant to Benefit Breast Cancer research at the Old Dutch Church in Kingston, NY. Sponsored by WDST as part of their annual “Pink October” fundraising campaign, these shows will also feature Daniel Littleton, Mike and Ruthy and other special guests. “I think this concert will be a wonderful community event,” said Merchant. “Elizabeth Mitchell and I have been making music together over the past year and I feel like I’ve found a true kindred spirit. We both share a passion for this cause.”

 

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Book Reviews: “Bunny Rabbit in the Sunlight” and “My Woodland Wish”

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If your kids love Caspar Babypants‘ music as much as mine do, you’re doubtless already familiar with the work of his wife, artist Kate Endle. Not only has she been responsible for each Caspar Babypants album cover, she’s also a busy Etsy shopkeeper and thriving illustrator of children’s books like Trout Are Made of Trees and Bella and the Bunny.

Now, Kate and Caspar are expanding their partnership, and the first fruits of their labor are here: Bunny Rabbit in the Sunlight, a beautiful, simply written bedtime story, and My Woodland Wish, the tale of a girl who wishes she could play with the animals in the woods around her house. Both books come with a URL where you can download an mp3 to go with the story.

Both books are fairly similar, in that they focus on the outdoors, feature stories built from easy-to-understand rhymes, and include plenty of lovely Endle artwork. The main difference between the two is that Rabbit in the Sunlight is a board book, and the shorter of the two — it’s the kind of thing you’ll pull out before bed for your favorite toddler — while My Woodland Wish offers more of a full-fledged narrative.

Their differences are less meaningful than their similarities, however — both books capture the peaceful, gentle spirit of Caspar Babypants’ music, and feature some of Endle’s loveliest work. I took the books out on a Sunday morning when my kids were running wild, and they calmed right down, eagerly identifying animals on the pages and absorbing the soothing rhythm of the stories.

Both books have been beautifully assembled by Sasquatch Press, particularly Bunny Rabbit in the Sunlight, which was printed with a really pleasant-looking matte finish on the boards. They’re affordably priced — you can own them both for less than $25 through Amazon — and they come with some wonderful free music. Don’t miss the chance to help support a pair of talented independent artists (and give your family a couple of great gifts in the process).

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