My kid knows more music than your kid!

Fans of Indie Music who have kids can finally rejoice! Turn off your Wiggles CDs and save your sanity! Finally, indie music is hitting TV and targeting kids!

There are currently two shows to keep your eyes and ears open to, Firstly, Pancake Mountain: which is an independantly run show, which films in Washington, DC and only costs creator (and music lover), Scott Stuckly under $500 to make each episode. Pancake Mountain is shown on public access channels throughout the East coast, and has been a hit with kids (and grown ups alike). It has featured such indie and renowned artists such as: Bright Eyes, Tegan & Sara, Jenny Lewis (of Rilo Kiley), the Flaming Lips. As well as more up and coming/smaller artists like Northern State, Metric, Tilly and the Wall, and the Fiery Furnaces.


my favorite pancake performance: the beautiful Jenny Lewis

As someone who is so passionate about music, I'll admit I watch this show regularly. There is no way to describe the happiness that these episodes exude. Watching little tykes dance around and sing along with the artists who often sing some of their own songs or create a song just for the show that is super kid friendly (Ted Leo even rocked out to his version of The Wheels on the Bus!) The main target of this show besides the kids? Hipster parents! A demographic all on their own. This audience is made up of young parents who are still in touch with their youth and are eager to stay "in with culture" whether it be popular indie music, or popular fashion and art. In other words, the coolest parents ever. Creator of the show, Struckly stated, "that the bands usually approach him wanting to play the show, mostly because they love it. It's just a really fun, different experience for them."

Don't fret if you don't get to watch "Pancake Mountain", because not only is it available on DVD, BUT Nickelodeon has created a similar show called "Yo Gaba Gaba!" where artists such as Devo's frontman Mark Mothersbaugh or the new dance rock band Shiny Toy Guns, play songs written for the show while being surrounded by huge puppets.

Doug Cohn, senior VP of music marketing and talent at Nickelodeon says, "tons of bands have contacted us wanting to be on the show, and we are really focused on including strong, great music." To prove success of this show, let's look at the numbers: "Yo Gabba Gabba!" averages 683,000 2- to 5-year-old viewers per week. It's also the #1 show for kids 2-5 in its time period, says Nielsen.

KEEP THE KIDS ROCKING!! Who knows, at the next M.I.A. concert maybe you'll be surounded by 5 year olds!!


Tegan and Sara with puppet Host, Rufus (LOOK they teach morals and lessons too!)

(source: Billboard article, "Doin' it for the Kids" by Courtney Harding, found through database LexisNexis)