Artist Spotlight: Captain Festus McBoyle

Captain Festus McBoyle is an exciting family entertainer and musician from New Zealand who combines storytelling and rollicking melodies, alongside a healthy disregard for musical convention. On stage, he delights audiences with stunning costumes, imaginative sets, and the antics of his colourful crew — including Miss Lucy Drawers and the world’s strongest man, Ebenezer Strong. However, Captain Festus is much more than a costume character. He is a fully realised persona: part sea shanty singer, part comic storyteller, engaging children by inviting them into a world where pirates sing, nonsense reigns supreme, and imagination is very much the order of the day.

Before children become aware that music has rules, they learn that it can also be heaps of fun. That includes loud fun, chaotic fun, silly — or even slightly unhinged — pirate fun. Captain Festus sails straight into that space, where rhythm, story, and humour collide, proving that children’s music doesn’t have to be polite to be powerful.

Rather than approaching children’s music as a teaching tool first, he always prioritises the performance itself. The songs feel closer to musical theatre or live storytelling than traditional ‘kids’ songs’, with exaggerated characters, narrative arcs, and copious playful asides. The music thrives on the unexpected: lyrics twist and turn, stories veer into absurd territory, and Captain Festus himself rarely behaves as a good role model — in the most likeable way. A true larrikin and master of the absurd, he brings music and mayhem to the masses, pushing boundaries while somehow always coming out on top.

Such irreverence is precisely what sets this artist apart. Captain Festus stands alone, breaking the usual rules of children’s music and providing a refreshing point of difference within the genre. The songs give permission to laugh, question, and delight in this theatre of the absurd, while remaining deeply engaged with language and story. Such a balancing act is no easy feat, but Captain Festus intrinsically understands his audience, cultivating both intrigue and fascination in young listeners along the way.

With his latest album, The Prose and Cons, he doubles down on what he does best: wordplay, theatrical delivery, and gleeful excess. The title alone sets the tone: clever, self-aware, and slightly cheeky. This is an album that revels in language, where lyrics spill over with absurd detail. Phrases twist unexpectedly, and songs feel more like miniature stage productions than conventional tracks. At the heart of each song is a story — whether spinning a pirate tale or plunging listeners into a nautical misadventure, the songs rely on narrative momentum, vivid imagery, and strong character voices.

Captain Festus is never happier than when telling a story, and he even opens the album with a poetic introduction. In the opening track, ‘Brand New Day’, he contemplates the day ahead and all its infinite possibilities. Children don’t just get to meet him — they engage with his infectious personality and look forward with anticipation to the incredible adventures that lie ahead.

The album features a variety of styles and sounds throughout this rollicking journey. ‘A Slight Snag’ is upbeat and lively, almost venturing into ska territory, with lyrics that celebrate repetition and absurdity. ‘Layered by the Plague’ incorporates flamenco influences, complete with Spanish guitar flourishes and theatrical sound effects. ‘Cat Be Free’ offers a slice of country, including yeehaws and cowboy flourishes along the way.

‘Boyle 'em Up’ dives headfirst into bluegrass chaos, including cannibal themes to boot, while ‘Mr Cheese if You Please’ features a piano accordion in full pirate jig mode. ‘Slug’ flirts with heavy rock, whereas ‘Sonnet of the Sad Seahorse’ descends into underwater ambience, complete with ocean sound effects that feel as if they’ve been plundered from a pirate’s locker by Brian Eno.

A personal favourite is the wonderful ‘BABY RAP’, a collaboration with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo. The track blends a noticeable country vibe with what sounds like hip-hop-style rhythmic vocal patterns and additional DJ scratching. Though I admit I’m not an expert in hip-hop — for me the music creates something of a genre mash-up that feels both unexpected and oddly fitting. The song is playful, rhythm-driven, and delightfully strange, with the Captain fully immersing himself in its chaos. A slide guitar competes with an unrelenting beat, where traditional rules are seemingly thrown out of the window. The song exudes a vibe slightly reminiscent of ‘Walk This Way’ when Aerosmith and Run-DMC shared the spoils in the 1980s.

Another standout track is ‘Holding the Baby', a rollicking glimpse into pirate domestic life — exaggerated, swaggering, and intentionally over the top. If you’re looking for political correctness, you won’t find it here. The song is acutely aware of its anti-feminist pirate bravado, but plays it for comic effect rather than taking a political stance. In contrast, ‘Full Sails, No Glamour’ presents a live rendition of a pirate’s lament, adding emotional depth and reminding listeners that even comic characters can possess dramatic nuance.

On this album, Captain Festus reminds us that children’s music can be strange, theatrical, and joyfully subversive. Always pushing the boundaries of acceptable entertainment, he succeeds because he is unafraid to experiment. Much like Roald Dahl, he recognises that children are more perceptive than often credited, able to understand both light and dark, and to appreciate the humour in each.

All in all, The Prose and Cons is an intriguing album from an unusual artist who manages to educate and entertain in equal measure. For young listeners, his story-driven songs foster listening stamina, comprehension, and imaginative thinking — without ever feeling like a lesson. Captain Festus exists outside any traditional music lane, unafraid to push the envelope and experiment where necessary. The arrangements are bold, the themes unconventional, and the humour aimed squarely at entertaining both adults and children alike. Self-deprecation is the order of the day, placing humour above protocol, where ‘there’s no glamour at all'.

Captain Festus McBoyle — always outside the box.

Artist Spotlight: Donna Dyson — Spotty Kites

I first met Donna Dyson through Brisbane's music scene, and it quickly became clear that we shared more than just a love of music — we shared a respect for the power of a well-crafted song. Interestingly, our paths are almost mirror images in reverse: I was a rock musician and songwriter who became a teacher later in life; Donna was a teacher who became a songwriter. That intersection of education and music is what makes her work so compelling.

Spotty Kites is the label under which Donna composes children's music. She collaborates with a range of artists who perform her songs with care. Her music has made a considerable impact, frequently charting at number one on the children's charts and earning numerous music awards over the years. Her influence has spread far beyond these shores, with her songs performed in family shows worldwide.

Donna is something of a powerhouse when it comes to songwriting, and the word prolific hardly does her justice. She's written a staggering number of songs, all with a clarity, warmth, and sophistication that leave them accessible to school choirs, teachers, and families alike. Even after facing a life-changing illness that left her partially sighted, she continues to create at a pace that feels almost impossible — her ideas landing with precision, always hitting the mark.

In addition to her songwriting career, Donna is also the author of several well-received educational children's books and shares her creative world through her growing YouTube channel. She has recently turned her attention to building that platform — including recording a forthcoming album titled Classic Nursery Rhymes, set for release this year. While nursery rhymes may seem like a departure from some of her more intricate original compositions, they sit squarely within her broader educational mission: literacy through music.

This year alone is shaping up to be remarkable. Alongside Classic Nursery Rhymes, Donna is preparing to release Celebrate All, currently awaiting a confirmed date as production wraps up. In total, she has four albums and one EP scheduled for release this year, as well as a string of singles — her creative momentum shows no sign of slowing.

Her catalogue continues to expand, now approaching nine studio albums, with themes ranging from Christmas and Easter to days of the week and bedtime stories. She runs a substantial creative team, manages a vast body of work, and somehow still finds the energy to generate new material at lightning speed.

One of her most imaginative ventures is Nonna Donna — a character and creative concept that blends storytelling, education, and performance. It is a natural extension of everything Donna has been building: literacy, music, and personality combined. As Nonna Donna formally launches in 2026 with an even stronger focus on advocating literacy through music, it feels less like a new chapter and more like the next summit. Watch this space!

For me, knowing Donna is a lesson in resilience, creativity, and generosity. She shows that music and education aren’t just careers — they’re a way of shaping the next generation, one song at a time.

Donna Dyson — a musical powerhouse.

A Grammy Moment That Meant More — Füytch & Aura V

When Füytch stepped up to accept the Grammy for Best Children’s Album, he didn’t just take home an award — he made a powerful statement.

Congratulations to all this year’s nominees — their work reflects the creativity, heart, and impact of today’s children’s music. While everyone may have their own favorite album, there was no doubt who delivered the most memorable speech of the night.

Füytch’s work consistently celebrates creativity, culture, and representation in ways that elevate what children’s music can be. But it wasn’t just the win that stood out — it was his words.

Instead of limiting his remarks to thank-yous, Füytch used the stage to speak about something bigger. He highlighted the importance of representation, affirming young people, and recognising the power of children’s art. It wasn’t political grandstanding — it was purposeful, aligned with his work, and deeply meaningful.

This raises an interesting question: should artists use their platforms to comment on issues beyond their music? Some believe entertainers should “just sing” or “just act.” But children’s musicians, especially, don’t create in a vacuum. Their songs shape how kids see themselves and others. They help define ideas about kindness, fairness, identity, and belonging. If that isn’t connected to the real world, what is?

Award stages are rare moments when millions are listening. When an artist chooses to reinforce the same values they embed in their music, it feels less like stepping out of bounds and more like standing fully in their purpose.

No artist is obligated to make a statement. But they should absolutely have the freedom to do so. Füytch’s Grammy win celebrated great music, and his speech reminded us why children’s music matters.

As he so eloquently put it:

'Children’s music is more than a genre; it is an intention of artists who have dedicated our craft to educating, entertaining and empowering the next generation, which is our highest calling to care for our children globally.'

I couldn’t agree more.

Füytch & Aura V — a family on a mission.

Album Review: Ride the Merry-Go-Round — Carol Nicodemi

Ride the Merry-Go-Round is the third and most recent album from Carol Nicodemi, an engaging children's music artist from the USA. It features thirteen original, absorbing, and educational songs for young children. Exploring themes as diverse as friendship, nature, animals, and emotional understanding, Nicodemi approaches each subject with a fun, engaging, and light-hearted touch.

The album is a true family affair. Her husband Ed is her co-writer and plays guitar and piano, her daughter Elyse is her vocal collaborator, and even the grandchildren weigh in, adding to the warmth and joy of the music. That sense of love and connection infuses every note, as Nicodemi delivers her artistic message with skill and heartfelt sincerity.

The title track, ‘Ride the Merry-Go-Round’, opens the album in uplifting fashion, with mother and daughter sharing vocal duties alongside a full band that truly packs a punch. Bass, drums, and acoustic guitar set the tone with both precision and drive. The musicality on display is superb — particularly the bass playing which, speaking as a bass player myself, really hits the mark with warmth, rhythm, and melody in perfect balance. One of Nicodemi’s major strengths lies in the vocal melodies she seems to conjure effortlessly out of thin air, further enhanced by her daughter’s equally impressive performance.

As the album progresses, ‘I Like to Know’ features wonderful guitar work that carries the weight of the song, sparring beautifully with a piercing vocal that cuts through the backing track. Once again, a powerful melody hypnotises the listener, supported by thoughtful, perceptive lyrics. The song reflects on the desire to understand, the inevitability of impatience and the importance of feeling safe. The arrangement is particularly effective, with a rhythmic lift in the chorus and a soaring middle eight featuring elongated notes that add emotional impact.

‘Me and You’ is as sweet a ballad as you're ever likely to hear, featuring a chord progression that would sit comfortably on a Fleetwood Mac album. Speaking of inspired influences, ‘Be My Friend’ includes a guitar riff that wouldn’t sound out of place on a Dylan record, yet the lyrics remain comforting, reassuring, and uplifting. Once again, the vocal blend between mother and daughter is sublime.

There are also some delightful acoustic singalongs on this album, and none more so than ‘Mother Earth’, which bounces along with real purpose. Here the sun, the stars, the moon, and the trees are celebrated, with a clear message about preserving the beauty around us. Whether it’s saving water or protecting the flowers that grow, the environmental message contained here is both heartfelt and sincere.

There is also no shortage of variety on this album. ‘Gentle People’ leans toward a country vibe, complete with lively banjo underpinning the vocals. In contrast, ‘Little Blue Engine’ is pure fun — reminding us that despite the musical sophistication on display, this is first and foremost a family album designed to bring joy. Alternatively, ‘Fly on the Wall’ carries an almost Celtic flavour, with a catchy vocal phrasing that lingered in my head long after listening.

My favourite track is undoubtedly ‘What Should We Do on a Rainy Day?’ As someone originally from the north of England, I can certainly relate to such lyrics. The song offers a host of imaginative suggestions for those long, dreary days indoors. Slightly old-fashioned yet thoroughly refreshing — without a computer game in sight — it encourages children to use their imagination. Whether through make-believe games, listening to music, or baking chocolate cookies, boredom simply doesn’t exist in this world.

Nicodemi is also unafraid to experiment with genre, nowhere is this more evident than on ‘Up in the Swing’, which adopts a waltz rhythm with the occasional drum roll for added charm. The song pays homage to the simple joy of playground swings soaring high enough to ‘touch the sky’. Dreamy and poetic, it captures the innocent exhilaration of childhood, with ambitious vocals gliding effortlessly between mother and daughter.

The album closes with the gentle, slightly melancholy ballad ‘Stories’. Here a sparse piano arrangement provides space for the vocals to really cut through. The melody is exquisite, and the song feels perfectly suited to provide the final tune a child hears before bedtime. The haunting piano underpins a heartfelt vocal performance that drifts delicately through the closing moments.

All in all, Ride the Merry-Go-Round is a tremendous album from an artist who continues to evolve and explore different musical styles and genres on the way. Variety defines the project, both musically and thematically. Where Nicodemi combines descriptive, poetic, and informative lyrics with sumptuous vocals and delicate melodies, creating a collection that remains engaging from start to finish. This album takes the listener on an uplifting and inspiring journey — delivered with warmth, imagination, and undeniable heart.

Carol Nicodemi — timeless charm.