It's pretty simple really: artists, parents, and kids. Acts like Dan Zanes and They Might Be Giants crossed over into the kids music genre, about a decade ago, and made respectable gains. Parents tend to not be that keen about letting their youngest children listen to pop music garbage--if they can help it. And, today's kids, if sang to from a perspective that actually aligns with their world, are willing to tune in. As a result, the golden age of kids' music is upon us and many artists, like Justin Roberts, have found themselves within a niche market that not only pays the bills, but, in many ways, offers far more artistic experimentation.
Kids, as it turns out, are rather open to catchy, indie music--if its relatable. No more songs about brushing their teeth and eating more veggies. Try songs about having a brother that's obsessed with trucks and the fear of getting lost in the mall; the lyrics get stuck in your head easier than you would think. The best thing of all: parents are the ones buying the music and it's not likely that kids that young are privy to file-sharing just yet. These forces have the effect of creating an opportunity for artists who are willing to put themselves in smaller shoes and contemplate the real things that concern kids. The funny thing is that the parents end of being fans of the artists themselves. As opposed to the drudgery of Veggie Tales and Barney, kindie music is a happier, more sane medium. Read more.
