Artist Spotlight: Lucas Proudfoot

I first met Lucas Proudfoot when my band shared a bill with him at the Playgroup Children's Festival back in 2012. Lucas was the opening act, arriving on stage before the event had really got going, so needless to say the audience was pretty small. It didn't bother Lucas though, he was simply delighted to be there, and performed like he was in a sold-out stadium.

As a result of his seminal performance, we now have a saying in our band when things aren't quite going to plan. We loudly exclaim "Lucas Proudfoot" to try and harness the energy and enthusiasm of what we saw that day. We then stand up tall, smile and give it our absolute all.

I later met up with him again when he kindly agreed to play the didgeridoo on our song "It's Our World". He was the consummate professional, adding a certain mystique and depth to the track, in no time at all. His enthusiasm and conviviality on the day provided a real boost to the entire recording process.

Since then, I've observed Lucas' rise to the top with increasing admiration, from the intimate library event I reviewed at Mt Ommaney library back in 2015, to his headline performance at QPAC - Brisbane's premiere theatre venue. What I wouldn't give to play on that stage!

His original stage show incorporated a unique blend of live music; stand-up comedy, and a historical dive into Indigenous culture. Although I haven't yet seen Lucas' new stage show, I am reliably informed it contains all the previous elements plus a whole lot more. Including a full-colour animated cast of characters adding further potency to the overall mix. There really is something for everyone here, and on this form, I'm convinced Lucas will continue to go from strength to strength.  

If you are not yet familiar with Lucas' work, I suggest you check him out on Spotify or his YouTube channel at your earliest convenience.

Lucas Proudfoot – a man on a mission.

Gig Review: Circular Rhythm at Mt Ommaney Library, Brisbane

Circular Rhythm is the brainchild of Lucas Proudfoot a children’s entertainer and educator, specialising in interactive musical performances for children. These performances also incorporate musical demonstrations, and a historical background to a variety of instruments including the didgeridoo. He has a natural rapport with his audience, and the ability to create a musical workshop, which is great fun. Whether this is by incorporating musical games, or through his relentless wit, the show provides maximum entertainment for the audience.

Welcome to the Lucas Proudfoot show!

After paying his respects to the traditional owners of the land, Lucas begins with a blistering rhythmic guitar and a stomp box to get us under way. The children respond with great enthusiasm clapping along and nodding their heads to the rhythm. What is soon apparent is that Lucas is pretty much a stand up comedian in all but name. His ability to make the children (and the parents) laugh is impressive. This is achieved largely through a spontaneous wit, which takes full advantage of the unpredictability of children. Evidence of this is witnessed through the increasing numbers in the room, with punters eagerly filing in to discover what all the hilarity is about.

Throughout the show, Lucas performs on a variety of instruments with great dexterity. From the guitar to the stomp box to the didgeridoo, he moves effortlessly between each instrument providing a musical narrative to an appreciative crowd. He also readily invites children on to the stage to take part, distributing a variety of instruments, which the children seize with relish. His understanding of the importance of providing children with hands on experience of engaging with instruments is quite inspiring. Furthermore, an ability to remember every child’s name is another plus, along with his natural rapport with the kids revealing an impressive skill at working an audience.

Lucas, like an experienced conductor, is also able to direct this spontaneous children’s orchestra encouraging them to change the pace of the rhythm of the music for additional effect. This type of interactive demonstration through the intuitive guidance of children is really quite remarkable. Furthermore, his unique ability to demonstrate the type of circular breathing necessary to play the didgeridoo is fascinating to watch, as is his description of the way in which the diaphragm pumps the required air.

There is also an interesting historical aspect to the show, with lucid descriptions of the origins of many of the instruments on display.  Lucas illustrates how the didgeridoo was probably the world’s oldest instrument, made from live eucalyptus trees as a result of termites hollowing out the bark. The unique purpose of the boomerang is also explained, and in particular the way in which it is used for hunting, to scatter birds in order that they can be caught in nets. Clearly there’s a lot going on here, and despite the educational aspect of the show, still plenty of time left for some fun musical games, which the children enjoy immensely.

Lucas Proudfoot is an accomplished musician, teacher and entertainer. His shows are informative, imaginative and great fun. He has an easy rapport with the children, and a spontaneous wit. Perhaps this ability stems from his work ethic, as I’m reliably informed that he performs around forty shows a month - a number that makes me tired to even think about. The performance is almost an hour long, providing excellent value for money.  We finish with the artist asking the audience ‘hands up who had a good time today?’ Everyone put their hands up including the parents. Clearly a good time was had by all.  

Hats off to Lucas Proudfoot - children's entertainer extraordinaire!

Album Review: Let's Skidaddle - Brett Campbell

Brett Campbell is a singer-songwriter from Queensland, Australia, and is arguably one of the hardest working musicians around performing over three hundred shows a year.  His latest album Let’s Skidaddle is a real winner, featuring eleven original songs that are imaginative, melodic and interactive.  I was looking forward to hearing this album because, having seen Brett perform live, I was particularly interested to see if he could capture that raw energy in the studio – I was certainly not disappointed.

The opening track “Welcome To The Show” grabs the listener’s attention immediately.  The song features both a lively acoustic guitar and a melodic honky tonk piano.  It is a delightful sing along track, providing ample opportunities for the kids to join in on the chorus.  “What’s in My Lunch Box?” opens with bongos and continues this positive vibe with the artist describing the variety of goodies contained in his lunch box.  “Duck, Duck, Frog”, reminded me a little of the famous ditty “Pop Goes the Weasel” but on this occasion expertly delivered on the banjo.  “How Many Sleeps?” is more up-tempo with its use of a shuffle beat and some imaginative bass playing revealing a noticeable skiffle influence.

“Cats and Dogs Are My Favourite People” is a very interesting song title and pays homage to “The 59^th Street Bridge Song”, adapted slightly to reminisce on the many benefits of pet ownership.  Continuing on the subject of interesting song titles, they don’t get much more bizarre than “Triantiwontigongolope”, a melodic tribute to the poetry of C.J. Dennis, with a staccato rhythm and some interesting kazoo playing throughout.  “Can You?” features a clean electric guitar, and some subtle bass playing which leaves the required space for the inclusion of a Hammond organ.  This is a superb action song, which I’m sure would be great live or in the classroom.

“Crocodile In The Washing Pile” has a great up-tempo drum pattern; with captivating lyrics used to describe the visit you might expect from a number of animals when you live in a zoo.  Shades of Bob Dylan are on display here with the harmonica taking centre stage.  “Max the Acrobat”, eloquently describes a circus bat, and its variety of tricks. A sparse ukulele introduces the song, along with some solid bass playing and a hypnotic tambourine.  “Chloe’s Fright” is both surreal and ambitious, as it explores a child’s night-time fears.  The vocals here are really quite haunting as they scrutinise the hidden depths of a child’s imagination, from ‘flying platypuses with horns on their wings’ to ‘monsters with sharp shiny teeth’.

Last but certainly not least comes “Dirty Dog Ditty”, which introduces an expertly played didgeridoo courtesy of the very talented Lucas Proudfoot.  The song provides a new departure in style, boasting a  somewhat funkier feel.  It is also great to dance to, with the inclusion of some clever percussion underpinning a hypnotic reciprocal vocal.  This song really is Brett Campbell at his best, in both musical style and delivery.

  

Brett Campbell is an artist who writes songs about the every day experiences of children, and he does so in a simplistic, measured and imaginative way.  This album may not contain the most lavish of productions, but it more than makes up for it with the strength of the content on display.  The songs are melodic, tell a story and are easy to dance to. Furthermore, many of the songs would be more than suitable for use in the classroom, or at children’s parties.  

Brett Campbell - great live, even better in the studio!

EKM - Top 20 Kindie Music Videos From Around the World

YouTube can be a treasure trove of entertaining, meaningful music videos for children and I've viewed plenty of them over my many years working in the children's music space. So just for fun, I decided to put together a list of my Top 20 favourite clips (in no particular order). I must say that it was a difficult task as there are so many good ones to choose from, however I've managed to narrow it down to twenty videos. Original, unique, and truly fabulous, they all struck a chord with me. If you haven't done so already, I urge you to give them a view or two. Here they are collated in a handy YouTube playlist for easy viewing.

ELECTRIC KIDS MUSIC - TOP TWENTY VIDEOS

1. Esther Crowe - Solar Power (USA)

2. Joanie Leeds - Banned (USA)

3. Lucas Proudfoot - Hello (AU)

4. Alphabet Rockers - Slide (USA)

5. Laurie Berkner - One Seed (USA)

6. Tiptoe Giants - Bubble Bubble (Be Like a Bubble) (AU)

7. Pevan and Sarah - On My Way (Graduation Song) (AU)

8. Formidable Vegetables - No Such Thing As Waste (AU)

9. Brady Rymer - Love Me For Who I Am (USA)

10. The Oot N' Oots - Thank You Universe (USA)

11. Darrelle London - Wild Party (CAN)

12. Elena Moon Park - Let It Come, Let It Go (USA) 

13. Strawbitty Yops - Rainbow Superpowers - "Pride Song for Kids" (USA) 

14. Andy and the Odd Socks - Calling Out (UK)

15. The Not-Its! - Washington DC (USA)

16. 123 Andres - Los Sentimientos (COL/USA)

17. Electric Lunchbox - Prawn Crackers (AU)

18. Allioopsy - The Alphabet Song (AU)

19. Blackberry Jam and Jack Hartmann - Team Work Makes the Dream Work (CAN/USA)

20. Suzy Cato and Kath Bee - I Can Do It (NZ)