Radio Show Review: Radio Active Kids

Radio Active Kids is a programme for kids that also welcomes mums, dads and everyone in between. Every Saturday from 8–10am, presenter Sagan Thacker struts their stuff with an infectious enthusiasm that can't help but make you smile. The show features cool kid-friendly tunes, storytelling, comedy and even a healthy dose of genuine weirdness. It's a rollercoaster ride of frivolity and fun, and if you haven't already tuned in, what are you waiting for?

With so much self-interest dominating the music business, it's refreshing to discover someone who is genuinely giving back to the community. Sagan Thacker, producer and DJ at Radio Active Kids in Asheville, North Carolina, is one of the few selfless souls truly making a difference.

As a teenager, Sagan grew up listening to artists like Dan Zanes and Laurie Berkner and was keen to find what else was out there. Armed with boundless energy and curiosity, they soon discovered countless talented children’s musicians receiving little or no exposure. Recognising this gap, Sagan set out to do something about it, not for financial gain, but to connect with great artists and help bring their work to a wider audience.

What makes Sagan so important is their willingness to play music that many broadcasters overlook. They don't judge artists by social media numbers, and remain refreshingly unimpressed by the hype and spin that often dominate the industry. Their formula is simple, play great music and support passionate creators. You don't have to be famous or well connected to be featured. Sagan is happy to reach out, spread the word and provide a level playing field which challenges the status quo.

They play  music from a variety of genres, from post punk to country, and they firmly believe that children's music deserves great respect. Their music selection avoids the corporate money grab, showcasing intelligent music that doesn’t patronise its audience and instead treats young listeners with respect.

Sagan receives masses of music daily, utilising their master’s degree in library science to catalogue a huge number of songs while rarely letting a submission slip through the cracks. They are a DJ that really believes in their work, with a passion and enthusiasm for showcasing the musical and lyrical diversity of the genre, noting ‘there’s awesome new stuff coming out virtually every week'.

At its heart, Sagan's work is about celebrating the joy of life, while introducing the next generation to the social issues that shape our modern world. Their show doesn't just educate, it provides heaps of fun for listeners, entertaining with warmth, humour and imagination. Their enthusiasm for their craft is showcased in each and every broadcast.

Sagan Thacker is a rare breed. Their focus on joy, communication and community sets them apart in today's world. They possess a generosity of spirit that defies typical expectations, creating a programme that is informative, inspiring and refreshing. They provide magical moments for young listeners, while giving deserving artists opportunities they might not otherwise receive. Most importantly, they genuinely care about their audience, the musicians they support and the wider community. If we had more people like this our world would undoubtedly be a much better place.

I have to say their ethos has inspired me tremendously. It’s a great honour to review a DJ who cuts through the noise, with a big heart and a mission to educate, entertain and inspire. I take my hat off to them.

Sagan Thacker at Radio Active Kids – someone who cares.

Single Review: Party at the Pool – Corinda Crew

'Party at the Pool' is the vibrant debut release from Corinda Crew, a collective of students from Corinda State School in Brisbane who have taken part in a hands-on musical workshop, writing and recording their own original material. The track is lifted from their forthcoming album Dynamite Boom, soon to be available on Bandcamp as well as across all major streaming platforms.

This particular song was composed by a group of Year 6 girls who, armed with little more than an iPad, some rough sheets of paper, and a wealth of imagination, managed to bring this track to life, despite the considerable limitations of a DIY recording process in a noisy classroom. That sense of creativity under constraint is part of what gives the single both its vitality and charm.  

Musically, 'Party at the Pool' is an upbeat, feel-good dance track that’s almost impossible to sit still through. Its lyrics capture the simple but universal thrill of a pool party – friends gathering, sun shining, laughter echoing and the joy of living fully in the moment. There’s an infectious sense of fun that runs through every second of the song.

Vocally, the girls sing in unison rather than in layered harmonies, but this only adds to the track’s sense of unity and shared excitement. The result is a powerful collective voice that radiates both anticipation and energy. Combined with its lively rhythms and enthusiastic delivery, the song creates a sound that feels fresh, uplifting and undeniably genuine.

What stands out most is the spirit behind the project. This kind of uninhibited creative exploration deserves recognition and encouragement. The workshop itself is part of a much broader initiative, with students from Years 3 to 6 experimenting with soundscapes in ways that reflect pure curiosity and imagination. 

As a first taste, 'Party at the Pool' offers an exciting glimpse into what this young collective is capable of. It’s a joyful celebration of movement, friendship and fun, delivered with an energy that feels larger than the stage it came from. Both the single and forthcoming album Dynamite Boom come highly recommended for anyone willing to tap into something refreshingly sincere. I've also heard through the grapevine that there's a further album lying in waiting with additional tracks, but we'll leave that story for another day.

All funds raised from this creative enterprise will be donated to the school itself to improve the facilities for the students. So, all you dear readers around the world, you could really help the kids out here by subscribing to their recently created YouTube channel and garner some international attention. I'm sure the kids would be very grateful, and perhaps even organise another pool party to celebrate.

Corinda Crew – pump up the volume.

Single Review: Big Blue Sky – Damo

I'm not overly familiar with this artist, but I have to say, I absolutely love this track. I'm referring to the recent release 'Big Blue Sky' by Australian singer-songwriter Damo. It’s a real retro blast from the past, driven by thundering guitars that wouldn’t sound out of place on a classic Tom Petty record. 

The song wastes no time, bursting out of the gate with a scintillating riff before the vocals arrive and get straight to the point. 'We’re flying away in the sky' Damo confidently declares, and from that moment on, you better fasten your seatbelts because this is one unforgettable ride.

The verse introduces a welcome slice of melody before a descending bass line powers the song back into the chorus. It’s repetition without overkill, delivered through an inspired arrangement. As a result, there’s no need for this track to 'grow' on the listener,  it grabs you on first listen and never lets go.

We’re then treated to a guitar solo that reflects the vocal melody, giving the singer a brief respite while the bass and drums continue to thunder relentlessly underneath. This is where rock and roll collides with inspired melody, as you can feel Damo really getting his teeth into it. Consequently, you can almost picture kids running around with their arms outstretched, having the time of their lives.

There are shades of Springsteen here, perhaps even a touch of The Clash, though with a stronger emphasis on melody. The rhythm section is tight, confident and perfectly supportive of the vocal hook, while the production itself is superb. Every instrument sounds crisp and purposeful, and there’s just enough happening to keep things exciting without ever becoming cluttered. 

Damo is an artist who has delivered a rock and roll anthem in its purest form. A memorable singalong that resonates with considerable impact. So here’s my challenge to you: stream this cool song just once, and see if you can walk away without the melody spinning round your head head. It’s three minutes of scintillating rock and roll for kids, although I suspect plenty of parents will be turning this one up on the car stereo too. Tune in, turn it up, and party on with Damo, and I guarantee you'll feel all the better for it.

Damo – an anthem for the age.

Album Review: I Count – Margot Bevington

Margot Bevington is a singer-songwriter and school teacher with more than twenty years of classroom experience to date. A passionate advocate for inclusive education, she has used her music to help children  discover their voices through song. An award-winning songwriter and graduate of Oberlin Conservatory of Music, Bevington has crafted a sound that blends the warmth of folk music with the energy of classic rock. Yet her latest album I Count is about far more than music alone or even learning for that matter. After all, what a brilliant title for an album, an empowering sentiment in a world where too many of us feel like we're not enough, it reminds us that yes, we do count. Its message is unmistakable, and she delivers it with considerable conviction.  

According to Bevington, counting songs, which is her particular area of focus on this album, provide 'a lesson in how we each have value, a voice, and differences we can identify and celebrate'. The album bridges the gap between old and new through irresistibly catchy songs that speak to a generation where ideas such as diversity and equity are part of everyday conversation. As she so eloquently puts it, 'counting songs are a child’s first lessons in differentiation and value', and too often traditional nursery rhymes 'aren’t always inclusive or filled with positive messages'. I personally couldn't agree more.

So how does she take on such a Herculean task? By creating ten engaging songs that hit their target with considerable force. Bevington combines pop sensibility with educational expertise in a way that rarely feels instructional. The artist clearly understands that young children learn best when concepts are broken down into manageable pieces, and she approaches that challenge with consummate skill. In this sense the listener learns organically almost unaware that they are counting at all, which is perhaps what lies at the very heart of all inspired composition. Or as the German polymath Gottfried Wihelm von Leibniz famously declared - music is the 'arithmetic exercise of the soul, which doesn't not know that it is counting'.

The album opens with the bouncy and playful 'All Bubbling Babies', where bass, gentle percussion, and nimble piano create a lightness of touch that allows the vocals to really cut through. Exquisite harmonies add further uplift as the lyrics transform counting into something hypnotic and melodic, providing the perfect introduction to both the album’s sound and philosophy. The true strength of the song lies in its simplicity, here less is more, and therefore succeeds in keeping the listener engaged through its hypnotic allure.

'Many Ways to Be' introduces a shuffle beat alongside a solid bassline, with a hypnotic piano once again driving the melody. The song sparkles throughout, its soaring vocals celebrating individuality and learning in equal measure. 'Many Happy Helpers' takes a slightly more forthright approach, featuring instructional lyrics that demonstrates how tasks can be shared and broken down numerically, encouraging children to contribute and participate. The message is simple, many hands make light work. I'm sure all you teachers out there would no doubt agree.

'Three Is a Magic Number' takes a more freeform approach to this classic children's track, allowing the musicianship more room to breathe. Slightly funky in tone, the song highlight the number three, whether through family structures or the ease with which the number multiplies. The dexterity of the musical arrangement here is impressive, pushing the boundaries of what a counting song can sound like. It is then followed by 'Three Big Feelings', which carries a noticeable Americana flavour through its doo-wop harmonies and gentle melody. Conjuring images of fifties nostalgia, and providing an interesting nostalgic accompaniment to the songs lyrical message.

My favourite track on the album is the superb 'That’s How I Can Make Equity'. It is a beautifully crafted song with both a memorable melody and a stirring message. Here, numbers become a way of explaining fairness and equity, in a way that reflects the expectations of contemporary society. Musically, the track has a cool, laid-back vibe that perfectly complements its reflective lyrics. One could almost imagine Joni Mitchell performing such a song with a similar artistic approach. The message is simple but powerful: kindness, sharing, and fairness enrich not only others, but ourselves as well.

'He, She, They' is equally delightful, built around a strong hook and a hypnotic arrangement that effortlessly draws the listener in. What sounds like a xylophone adds extra colour and subtle texture to the melody. It is another ambitious composition, confident without ever feeling forced. 'All the Colours on Our Skin' focuses on diversity, celebrating the many shades that make up humanity while weaving the counting process naturally into the lyrics. The music strives forward with considerable purpose, yet never loses its sense of fun, allowing children to clap and sing along as they learn.

'The Baby Not a Baby' introduces a traditional country influence through its rootsy arrangement and catchy singalong chorus. As the child in the song grows older, birthdays are celebrated, numbers exponentially increase, and counting becomes part of the storytelling itself. It is a clever idea that blends melody, humour, and education seamlessly. Finally, 'One Me' closes the album with sweeping emotion and an anthemic quality that truly hits the mark. Here, children are encouraged to sing along as the melody rises and the arrangement gently builds toward a moving finale. It is a fitting conclusion to an album that is both ambitious, and refreshingly original.

Margot Bevington is clearly an artist who cares deeply about both music and education. She has identified a gap within children’s music and responded with compassion, and creativity. Highlighting how many traditional nursery rhymes feel outdated, she sets out here to redress the balance with educational songs that reflect the modern world. Traditional nursery rhymes are replaced here by thoughtful songs that encourage empathy, inclusion, and curiosity. Through her expertise in writing songs about rhythm and numbers, Bevington demonstrates how music can help children understand fairness, solve problems, and celebrate individuality. Teachers, parents, and educators alike would do well to pay attention. This is music with a message, a message that encourages children to learn, respect one another, and enjoy the process along the way. 

Margot Bevington – 1,2,3 eyes on me.