In this podcast I speak with Team Dream a new act out of Melbourne Australia. At first glance you would be forgiven for framing them in the same canvas of similar pop Childrens acts that have come before however if you spend some time and sink deeper into what they do you soon discover that they are anything but. Their desperately sparce take on children’s pop is kind of refreshing and leans them more toward the stylings of Yo Gabba Gabba [...] The post Introducing the Team Dream Dream Team appe...
Aug 16, 2020•44 min
‘Dirk Scheele Children’s Songs’ is one of Netherlands most cherished childrens entertainers. With a career spanning almost 3 decades and several languages, he is the benchmark of passionate and complete commitment to the betterment of our children’s lives. Such demand, celebration and ethic was inevitably going to move him into the world of English and I am delighted to have had the chance to be there on the crest of this emerging title wave into the English speaking children’s entertainment [.....
Aug 04, 2020•46 min
B minor Music is what happens when you have a passionate early childhood teacher forced to learn Ukulele. A collection of well considered, respectful programs designed to engage, stimulate and encourage growth in its children. In this interview Bree talks about her unexpected start and her ongoing love for what she does and where she sees herself headed. Sit back and celebrate the true nature of education as we chat to Bree of B-minor music. The post Being at ease with Bree appeared first on Ben...
Jun 19, 2020•55 min
The children’s scene or the children’s entertainment scene is heavy with the influx of new choice and new stars. And through this growth we as a country have been introduced to many a new talent over the recent years. However, for me, few carry as much promise as my next guests. With a new album imminently on the way and fresh off the back of a overwhelmingly successful fringe festival show, Avocado Smash bring a collective of years of musical education [...] The post Raise a toast to Avocado Sm...
Mar 20, 2020•36 min
Some acts are made for us to think, some acts a designed to enlighten and some acts are designed to give us a warm musical hug….. then some acts are designed purely and simply to make us laugh and remind us that such joy, pleasure and community can be found and created through fun and the act of a giggle. And then some times an act steps a little beyond this and shines a spotlight on everything than could possibly [...] The post Finding Louis and Dan and the Invisible Band appeared first on Benn...
Mar 18, 2020•39 min
In the genre of Family music, the general idea is to write music for the family to enjoy. Creating spaces and themes for a wholesome connection. However my next guests, took the genre and rather going to meet it, dragged it and its families over to meet him. With an incredibly mature soundtrack and musical conviction, his content has the warmth of freshly baked bread while furiously demanding we get up and move. He is undoubetly a genre all to his [...] The post Getting in deep with a Secret Age...
Feb 22, 2020•55 min
The world is awash with kids music. All genres, all topics and all manner of motives are covered however, despite this, still few come from the floors of having to amuse, entertain and enliven childrens lives ddaily. My next guest is one such person, her classes have grown steadily in popularity and thankfully it lead to her music and her shows getting a broader look in. Her message is for children and children alone, and she is someone who believes [...] The post A Cheeky Chat With Cheeky Tunes...
Feb 05, 2020•49 min
Debbie Doo basically makes any version of online success I may have had seem like a Luke warm instant coffee bought in a truck stop. Her online views and followers have casually left the 1000’s in its wake and have reached the millions. With a staggering flow of new content, she is a pioneer in this new frontier and one that has surely created the blueprint for all of us to follow. Her signature look, sound and image have made [...] The post Let Me Introduce….Debbie Doo appeared first on Benny T...
Sep 05, 2019•51 min
To be a children’s artist, or any artist really, you need to hunt. A constant hunt for work, for exposure, and for the next payday. It is exhausting, and it IS constant, however some acts make it work, some acts respond to the hustle with a furrowed brow and rolled up sleaves, and then some….are the Kazoos. An act that has redefined the idea of longevity, hard work and the myriad of different hats one must wear. Their efforts and [...] The post Do you Kazoo? Chatting With Celia Wordsworth appear...
Aug 18, 2019•51 min
In this episode of Parent time, I chat with the award winning Laura, Mim and Michael Beanie as they let us in on their process, their plans and why eggs are the obvious choice. So settle in and discover the world and work of this extraordinary trio of young people as they set about making their mark on Australia’s children’s music scene. The post Feel the warmth of the Beanies. Chatting with Laura, Mim and Michael appeared first on Benny Time ....
Nov 14, 2018•1 hr 10 min
Andy Walker, the man behind the furry ears, speaks at length about his project Bunny Racket, the string of extraordinary musicians who have leant their skills and how amidst all this talent, he still feels like King Bunny. The post Makin’ a racket with King Bunny. appeared first on Benny Time .
Aug 21, 2018•43 min
Tiptoe Giants have landed on the scene with a deeply authentic offering for a debut. An album that speaks directly to the child, and highlights all three members diverse music and arts backgrounds. In this interview, sisters Meg and Lee and friend Vee, get the chance to speak at lengths about who they are, why they are, and why this means so much to them. Enjoy Benny The post Tiptoeing on the shoulders of Giants. I give you Meg, Lee and Vee. appeared first on Benny Time ....
Aug 14, 2018•57 min
No Stone is left unturned when in the hands of the deftly talented Luke Escombe’s fruit and veg parody, The vegetable Plot. A world where vegetables are more than simply things found in the ground, but rather, exciting, intelligent beings, inviting and enticing us to be a part of their goodness. In this in-depth interview Luke talks openly about how he came to write such a unique tale, and the impact the project has had on his [...] The post The Plot Thickens with Luke Escombe. appeared first on...
Feb 19, 2018•57 min
Today on Parent Time we join the red stripy sock club as we chat to Australian sensations, Tina and Mark Harris, aka: Buzz and Lah-lah from Lah-lah’s big live band. In this candid interview, Tina and Mark open up about the inevitable beginnings of Lah-lah, Double Bass solo’s and the impeccable miming skills of their band. The post From The Top, With The Stripy Socks – Tina and Mark Harris appeared first on Benny Time ....
Feb 12, 2018•57 min
Today on parent time I speak with songwriter and co creator of the children’s show Kazoops, Scott Langley. In this interview, Scott opens up about the monster task of writing, recording and producing 78 songs, the advantage of writing to image and why, despite reaching out to the professionals, it was indeed him that made the best pig. The post ‘Kazoops! Jimmy Jones, its Scott Langley’ appeared first on Benny Time ....
Nov 16, 2017•41 min
On Parent Time today we talk to Joshua Turner, the American singer songwriter turned teacher turned singer songwriter…for children, about his new venture, Mr Josh. Mr Josh’s debut album ‘feelings’ is an entire album dedicated to the veritable mind field of a child’s emotional journey. From being scared to being embarrassed, Mr Josh has you covered. The post Are you feeling it? With Mr Josh appeared first on Benny Time ....
Oct 31, 2017•34 min
Very few artists have sustained longevity like Peter Combe. His uniquely individual sound and style has made him a pioneer in the world of children’s music, instantly becoming one of our greatest living treasures. In this interview Peter talks about his beginnings, his process and why exactly he is worth every bit of 70cents The post Peter Combe – the 70 cent man. Speaking with an icon. appeared first on Benny Time ....
Oct 31, 2017•49 min
If you’re into Family Folk then chances are you have meandered across the path of Angie Who. Bringing country folk to the children’s/family musical genre, Angie’s music is a soulful search into the love a mother has for her child and the new found fondness of her own mother. In this Interview, Angie discusses just what went into capturing that feel and how much money she owes her mum because of it. The post Saddle Up with Angie Who appeared first on Benny Time ....
Jul 17, 2017•31 min
There are few children’s acts as dedicated to the art of musical enlightenment when it comes to our children than the Okee Dokee Brothers. Their unique approach in bringing honest, educated genres to our children is unparalleled and has earned them several Grammy Noninations including one win for their album Can You Canoe. On Parent Time today Benny talks with one half of the duo, Joe Mailander, about their methods, their commitment to the craft, a friendship born from a mutual love for [...] Th...
May 15, 2017•32 min
Pevan and Sarah are one of Australia’s hardest working children acts. In this interview Benny talks to Sarah Kechayas, about their beginnings on the classroom floor, taking it to the stage, and just how many ice packs are needed to play a giant Tiger. The post A round of applause for the Paws. Chatting with Pevan and Sarah. appeared first on Benny Time .
Apr 26, 2017•39 min
From DJ Robots to synths and Helmets, its fare to say, battle bird are bringing something new to the children music scene. In this interview I speak with Luke Furgeson, (The older one) about their sound, what its like to collaborate with his son Elliott, and what is Space chicken exactly The post Battle bird have landed…and they’ve brought a robot with them. appeared first on Benny Time ....
Mar 24, 2017•39 min
From her days with the wiggles and host of Nickelodians ‘Sarvo’ through to the voice of the beloved Hootabelle, Nay Nay is no stranger to the world of children’s entertainment and performance, Finally, however, she is about to step out on her own heading up her very own show, ‘tinkertime’. With elaborate costuming, high end content and a gloss befitting of any pop release, Nay Nay, is anything but a standard children’s concept. Here she talks about just what goes [...] The post Hey Hey it’s Nay ...
Mar 16, 2017•41 min
Teeny Tiny Stevies are one of Australia’s most endearing childrens act. Their Debut album, ‘Useful Songs For Little People’, is a collection of, um…Useful songs for little people? and has marked them amongst some of Australias best writers for children. In this interview they speak at length about their sound, their topics, going to the toilet, and winning best gift ever on ‘The Project’ The post From Little to Teeny Tiny – The Stevies Get bigger Every Day appeared first on Benny Time ....
Jan 13, 2017•28 min
Gary and Carol Crees – Adventures in music Gary and Carol Crees are the duo behind Sydney based Adventures in Music. Together, for almost three decades, they have immersed themselves in your child’s daycare life providing rich multicultural content for both the children and staff alike. Their insights into music and movement have made them one of early childhoods greatest assets and hear they give us a rare look into what makes them who they are, why they do what they do, [...] The post The musi...
Aug 26, 2016•38 min
Sam Moran is one of Australia’s most endearing and enduring children’s performers, rising up from the ashes of an apparent end to forge a new beginning with a new image, a new show, new fans and now an Aria award to boot. In Part two of our interview, Sam talks song-writing techniques, Why themes are hard, and that his drummer is not a robot. The post The Man in The Hat comes back (Chat along with Sam Part 2) appeared first on Benny Time ....
May 27, 2016•27 min
Sam Moran is one of Australia’s most endearing and enduring children’s performers, rising up from the ashes of an apparent end to forge a new beginning with a new image, a new show, new fans and now an Aria award to boot. In Part 1 of this interview he talks openly about the trappings of being a singing and dance major in 80’s Wagga Wagga, why wrapping presents is the greatest song ever and why his daughter probably will earn more [...] The post The Man in the Hat comes back (Chat along with Sam...
May 20, 2016•31 min
When we think of childrens television, we think of Peppa Pig, Play School and Thomas the Tank Engine, but its hard to imagine that somewhere in the suburbs, in a darkened room with their head in their hands, is a struggling soul trying desperately to come up with new characters, dialogue and scenarios to cater for the ever demanding mind of a child. But there is and today we take time out to chat to one of them. Award winning children [...] The post From Jugglers To Rabbits, Melanie has written ...
Apr 01, 2016•30 min
It is a rare few who can sustain a career in entertainment spanning almost 4 decades. It is an even rarer few that can do it in the world of children’s entertainment. Don Spencer is one such man. Here he sheds some light on his career, his accidental presidency over his very own charity, Australian Children’s Music Foundation, and why Jeremy Irons, never quite had what it took Is Don, is good The post Meet The Don, Children Entertainments Very Own Godfather. appeared first on Benny Time ....
Jul 27, 2015•44 min
TANYA DENNING-ORMAN Tanya Denning-Orman is station Manager for NITV, Australia’s premier Indigenous network. In this interview she talks about Jarjums, NITV’s children’s programming, its success, its future and its battles, not to mention the greatest show ever made, Move It Mob Style With first nation content from around the globe, Jarjums is a breath of fresh air in the share house of children’s content and in just two short years has created and continues to create, programming worthy of all ...
Jun 25, 2015•33 min
Caspar Babypants Chris Ballew is probably better known to most as the front man for tongue in cheek rockers, Presidents of the United States of America. However, to a growing fan base of miniature adults, he is known only as Caspar Babypants, the mad capped purveyor of timeless tunes such as Stompy the Bear, Mr Rabbit Mr Rabbit and The tree stump hotel. Today on ‘Parent Time’, Chris opens up about his Caspar Babypants career, its humble beginnings to its flourishing future. From [...] The post F...
Jun 09, 2015•59 min
