minor details

rollin

Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, from Cantata 147 never sounded so dope! (via one of my new favs!)

breakin it down

Directed by Tony Kelly for American Apparel from Tony Kelly Photography on Vimeo.

a 3 string connection

The Loog Guitar is a D.I.Y kit from Rafael Atijas. His kickstarter campaign is going amazingly well! . Its a real guitar, that plays real music! The kit is intended to bond parent and child to build and create music! Given the success already on Kickstarter, you can pre-order your kit for $150. Money well spent i'd say.

the brick thief

Happy friday! (via)

jump, twirl and spin

One thing that has become a staple in my house is the night time ritual of a dance party before we read our bedtime stories. We pick one song to rock out to and dance around the living room like crazy people. Last night we went with this slower jam by Lissie. A female singer and guitar player that has my daughter getting super excited about going to the Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls in a few years.

yo gabba

Here are some recent choice performances from Yo Gabba Gabba from Datarock, Cornelius and The Shins!

twistable turnable man

Sugar Hill records is releasing a musical tribute album to the songs of Shel Silverstein. It's set to release June 8th. The line-up is fantastic! Some of the artists are My Morning Jacket, Andrew Bird,  Dr Dog, Kris Kristofferson, Lucinda Williams, Ray Price and John Prine ... among many others. 

But I have one little problem with this...just one... and rarely does anything negative come out in my posts. But why is no one talking about the cover art? Out of all the work in Shel Silverstein's repertoire, why would they choose the only piece of artwork, for a children's album, that looks like a naked man giving himself a blowjob?? Im just sayin ... perhaps from now to June 8th, they could perhaps re-work the cover??? I actually didn't even want to post the artwork ... but in the end, i did not want to censor someone's creative direction. 

 

alphabutt

Over dinner last night, my dear friend J played this song while the girls ate dinner. It was so funny and awesome, we listened to it about 4 times..... so I thought I would share it with you now ... without further ado, I give you Aphabutt by Kimya Dawson (let the silly potty humor begin)

let the beat drop

OTTO is an electronic musical instrument developed by interaction designer Luca De Rosso. Just plug it into your computer, drop a beat into it and feel the music with your hands. I really like seeing these types of advances in technology that are both intriguing for adults and children. (via)

 

OTTO ~ Getting Started from Luca De Rosso on Vimeo.

zeros and electric cars

white noise and sonic youths

The Avant Garde Preschool, an effort from creative studio Partners and Spade, is holding an amazing event this Sunday in NYC. Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth will be offering a lecture on White Noise to kids aged 8-12. Tickets are $30 and you can RSVP [email protected] . All proceeds go towards the art programs of PS 126. (thank you to the fabulous Hipsters with Kids!)

  

a morning dance

On our walk to school this morning, my daughter and I were basically skipping and dancing as if we were in the 1950's the whole way. We had this song from The Morning Benders blasting in our headphones. Such a great song to start the day! 

two dots

ok go

This video for This Too Shall Pass by OK Go is an amazing visual of perpetual motion meets the domino effect.

beautiful

There is something very peaceful, curious and beautiful about Efterklang's Mirador video animated by Jens Christian Høgni Larsen & Nan Na Hvass.

 

blissful nostalgia

I just saw the latest trailer for Where the Wild Things Are and I am just as excited as I was when I saw the first one.

crocodile rock indeed

It just takes me to a happy place.....

come again?

My daughter's 5th birthday is approaching ... is it wrong that I want to get her THIS instead of that Barbie Princess House she asked for?

up up and away

I am huge fan of the band Grizzly Bear. I am also a huge fan of the Red Balloon. So it's no surprise that I would fall in love with the new Grizzly Bear video for the song Two Weeks, featuring the Red Balloon. Ahhhhhh, exactly what I needed today! Thanks Joanna.

sesame shorts

A childhood friend of mine, David Ahuja, is doing some pretty fun and amazing work. Like these little numbers for Season 39 of Sesame Street!

making music

I love visiting Jolayne's blog. It's such a treasure. Here is a clip on how to make a Paper Roll Xylophone. It's in Japanese I believe but it's easy to follow. Take a peek and save your paper towel rolls for this rainy day project!

our TV show / paper roll xylophone from lullatone on Vimeo.

musical experiments

Dead Man's Bones is one part Ryan Gosling and one part Zach Shields. A two piece band with a dark, haunting Elvis Presley meets Johnny Cash kinda vibe. There is something very erie, vintage and really freakin catchy about their songs. The duo recruited the children's choir from the Silverlake Conservatory of Music,  suited in their halloween best, to aid in the song below. Pitchfork had a great interview wherein they discuss the importance of involving children into their music. I love the little guy at the end with his sword.....wait for it.....

 

yes

How dope is this Melodica? I think we need to add this to our family band of instruments!

An easy-to-play instrument with deep, rich sound, the Melodica is great for beginners and seasoned musicians alike. With a full 3-octave range (37 piano keys), a tonal range from F to F, and a comfortable mouthpiece for blowing air into, this instrument will teach you worlds about forming chords and harmony. Play it just like you would a piano, and the air you push through the mouthpiece brings the sounds of the keys to life! Extremely portable (play it anywhere!) and includes a carrying case. 

lmnop 6

The latest issue of LMNOP has come out and again, I continue to be impressed with Jenny Lacey's curation and eye for design. In this issue, there is section of well-considered toys, coloring books, meal time goods, reading books, chalky tees, Hanne Larsen's amazing NYC loft with her four children, homegrown threads and a show and tell section by Janet and Stu from Three Potato Four. 

If you find your way over to page 20, you'll find my contribution. I wanted to challenge myself and take a highly designed and playfully sophisticated child's room and cheat my way to achieving this designer look for a lot less. I hope you enjoy it.

Also check out LMNOP blog.... for when you just can't wait for the next issue to come out! They dish a hearty dose of great design for children and babies.

You can download the current issue here. 

   

 

pnau baby

I am uncertain who PNAU is. Perhaps a bit more research is in order. This video and song is pretty catchy though. And yes, it contains God talk. Do any of my readers have any more info? (via phlods ur boat)

harmony

Söderberg sisters Johanna and Klara make up the band First Aid Kit. They hail from Enskede, a suburb south of Stockholm. They claim that Klara was given her first guitar at age 13 although it would seem as though they were born to sing and play...together.

the best 3 min 31 seconds ever

Meet Tavi...she's got things to say. She even has her own dope little blog.

(thanks stef)

 

tap tap tap

Their teachers might hate it but your little drummer might love it. You can buy this Drumstick Pencil here.

happy birthday lil D

To my amazing little nephew. Happy happy day my sweets. Click HERE to get a message from P. It's from her favorite band, the Ting Tings ...... from her favorite show Yo Gabba Gabba.

eco tunes

Let your kids create their own speakers with these DIY Eco Speakers.

discovering a bear

In the US today, we are celebrating a national holiday for the man who discovered America known as Christopher Columbus. However, another important person to celebrate today is Paddington Bear.... who turns 50 !

creative keys

Ok, so perhaps I should add a new tab titled "inspiration." This one and this one would certainly make it in there. (photographer Hendrikx Diane / OWI)

its not that small

By far the largest Small Magazine for Aug 08, at 144 pages they don't disappoint. A bit long for an on-line zine but great spreads, beautiful images and well considered.

dance dance dance

The other night at dinner, we put our forks down and literally started dancing around the table to this song. Thanks Lykke Li

we're not in kansas anymore

But this little girl is certainly in the zone. (via storkbitesman)

happy anniversary boo

A SHORT LOVE STORY IN STOP MOTION from Carlos Lascano on Vimeo.(via notcot)

we wanna dance

Picture turning up your volume and dancing around the dining room (several times) ..... thats just what my daughter and I did.

hey jude

have a great weekend!

taking it to tha streets

Feist goes Sesame

(via daddytypes)

have a great weekend

I will be back on Tuesday! I leave you with this great little short called An Eye for Annai.

This film was done by John Klassen and Dan Rodrigues in their third year at Sheridan College's Classical Animation Program. Everything is hand drawn and animated. They coloured the animation digitally, and the backgrounds are a mix of traditional and digital. The jazz music near the middle is from Louis Armstrong's "Jeepers Creepers".

making music mini style

MIMUMA means "Mini Music Machines." This group of protoype instruments, by PKNTS and Florian Schwab, is geared towards children and making music. With a wireless connection that permits file swaps, kids can create a mini recording studio anywhere. I am looking forward to production.

can i listen ?

We travel a ton so when we go to the airport, we have our trusty little bag of tricks. But really, all my daughter wants to do is watch movies on my iPhone. As you know, only Apple earbuds can fit unless you have an extender. So she is sitting there with both hands at her ears and gets frustrated having to do so. So when I saw these dope headphones that come with an iPhone plug..... I said yes please.

this aint no brooklyn kindergarden concert

Okay, so I'm not a fan of the music per se but i felt the need to share this is a performance at a kindergarden concert back in 2006 for the Yamaha Music School. (location unknown...but the kid is named Jay and he's in the zone,) I'm with Cult Gear, this totally puts my rendition of Chopstix to shame.

baby needs some smooth tunes

Say hello to the iStroll. Yes, the iStroll made for the iPod Nano. (Apple - are you really going there?)

titou le lapinou

Thanks Imedagoze, it's stuck in our heads too....but in a great way!

just can't get enough

My daughter is in love with this video by Thao Nguyen. I think we have seen it 10 times this weekend....I don't think I can watch it anymore but the song is great.

kids playing for kids

Meet 7th grade rock band Care Bears on Fire. This Brooklyn-based punk rock band is playing at B.A.M. this Saturday. The noon show sold out so they have added a 2:30pm show. Below is their hit song "Everybody Else." On Sunday, catch Tiny Masters of Today. 11 and 13 year old siblings rock out garage rock anthems. Also based in Brooklyn, you check them out here. Below is their video for "Hologram World." This was directed by Karen O and Barney Clay aka Kids with Canes.

turn it up

Children love music. Children love to rock out. So why not hook them up with Singgih Kartono's Mango wooden radio. Don't be fooled, this designers choice to use wood was not just based on aesthetics but on his appreciation of wood's simplicity and organic vitality. You can even hook up your little nugget's mp3 player! He came out with an earlier model that you can find more info on here.

scraaaaaaatch

genius at only 5 and 8 years old. i'm going out and getting two turntables and microphone right now.

(via theapt)

yo gabba gabba

Yo Gabba Gabba is my daughters (ok, my) newest obsession. if you have not checked it out yet, you are wasting precious time. i know, some people think that television is the root of all evil. i will agree to disagree with you. it's like the modern day electric company.

if having Biz Markie's beat of the day is wrong then i dont want to be right.