PEV is learning more and more about this “Kindie” movement every day – sure, we don’t jam out to some of our favorite Kindie artists while speeding down the highway, but we know good music when we hear it. And for the parents out there, singer-songwriters Daniel Cole and Kim West of The Rockdoves are producing some of the best kid-oriented sounds that we’ve featured this far.
The New Yorkers have a new release out titled, “From the Birds”, a collection that Cole says is a fun mix of blues, folk, rock, funk, and everything in between. Each song has something that both kids and adults can appreciate. It’s ‘cool music for kids made with parents in mind’. When making a children’s album, the kids need to relate to the songs and the adults should not only be able to tolerate them but truly enjoy listening to them, as well. I think we achieved that goal on -1.jpeg)
this album.” It may go without saying, but “From the Birds” is probably better than whatever other tunes your young child is listening to (I have a nearly 3-year old niece, and I KNOW the Rockdoves are head and shoulders above what she’s getting down to). Just saying. Keep an eye out for more from the Rockdoves and read on for all the answers to the XXQ’s.
XXQs: The Rockdoves
PensEyeView.com (PEV): How would you describe your sound and what do you feel makes you stand out over the others in your genre? What is your take on the “Kindie” movement (Kid Indie music)?
Daniel: There’s a great freedom writing for this band. It feels right to work on a blues song, then a funk song, and then a ballad and it’s easy to envision them alongside each other on an album. I think that I write the same way for The Rockdoves that I have for other projects, meaning I just try to make good music that comes from an honest place. While the subject matter I write about might not be as self-reflective or “intense” as other songwriting I’ve done in the past, it is still about connecting with and getting an idea across to a listener. And because we’re making music for the whole family, the listeners may range in age form 2 to 92. I’m really excited about the other Kindie artists we’ve come to know, musically and personally, and think that there is some quality music being made in this burgeoning genre.
Kim: Our sound is rooted in folk/singer/songwriter and pop rock, but we add in lots of other elements, always going for fun, and a touch of theater. We bring our unique harmonies and shared sense of humor to our music, and I think our approach of using the same musical and production values that we would for any other genre gives us our special vibe and sound. For me, the writing I’m doing for this audience is really the most close to my heart, as there is the opportunity to positively impact kids and families, even in a small way.
PEV: Hailing from New York, what kind of music were you into growing up? Do you remember your first concert?
Daniel: I actually grew up in New Jersey and moved to New York later on. Growing up, my dad was always playing a lot of country music in the house, which I really enjoyed. At around 10, an older cousin turned me on to Bruce Springsteen when she bought me “Born To Run” for my birthday. That record resonated with me from the very first listen and I still have and listen to that same vinyl copy. When my sister’s boyfriend turned my on to Hard Rock and Heavy Metal, I was again blown away by a new aural experience. It took me a little while to realize that I could appreciate and listen to all of these different types of music and didn’t need to choose one over the other. With that realization, I really became a music fan and sought out all types of music. My first big, memorable concert was AC/DC at the Philadelphia Spectrum. I think I was 14.
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Kim: I grew up in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and moved to NYC for college. Growing up, I was into artists like Duran Duran, Kate Bush, Peter Gabriel, but also I was very excited about musicals, and worked on a lot of songs from musicals in my vocal lessons. The first big concerts I saw were Madonna and The Power Station, and they both rocked my world!
PEV: What can fans expect from a live Rockdoves show?
Daniel: A rockin’ good time with plenty of opportunities to dance, sing, and shout. There is also a lot of impromptu humor that occurs, much of which is geared towards the adults in the audience. It keeps the show light, fun, and entertaining. People are sure to learn a thing or two, as well. I can’t tell you how many people have been fascinated just learning that pigeons are actually a part of the dove family and are called rock doves.
Kim: A lot of energy, upbeat music, good vibrations, constant encouragement to dance and sing, laughs, and, I hope, a sense of community.
PEV: What is the first thing that comes to mind when you step on stage?
Daniel: It’s different performing with The Rockdoves than with other “grown-up” music projects/bands that I’ve been a part of in the past. While there’s the same excitement to be in front of people and playing live music, the kids and families in the audience seem more receptive from the very beginning and it feels like a communal, shared experience rather than feeling like you are trying to prove something to the listener.
Kim: I’m wondering how soon I can get folks up and dancing! I also look forward to the spontaneous improv that Daniel and I get to enjoy – he’s always making me laugh and I never quite know what’s he’s going to say. It’s a lot of fun.
PEV: What do you think of mainstream music today – as in what’s being played on the radio?
Daniel: I don’t listen to “mainstream” music on commercial radio, though I do love college radio and “member supported” stations in the area like WFUV and WKCR. I think there has been a resurgence of good music in the last 5 years or so and am always looking for something new to listen to.
Kim: I’m definitely a Lady Gaga fan, but these days I mostly listen to music from the 70’s – it’s my favorite decade for music across the board. I also like modern neo-soul as well as lots of different singer-songwriters.
PEV: What was the underlining inspiration for your music? Where do get your best ideas for songs?
Daniel: Having worked with kids for several years, I do get some inspiration from the time I spend with them. The song “Don’t And Do Blues” was written about a toddler in my classroom who had a tough time communicating with his peers and acted out in a physical manner in order to interact with them. The languages -2.jpeg)
mentioned in “So Many Ways To Say Hi” were the eight different languages spoken in my classroom one particular year. Sometimes you’re lucky and you just have an idea for a song and it comes pouring out. For those, you’re always thankful.
Kim: I love to communicate, and am often thinking about ways I can improve and refine my contributions to my relationships. For writing, I will take a concept or idea that I’m working on and write from the heart, getting down to the essence – how would I communicate this to a child, or, really, how would the child inside me say this? It’s hard to define exactly how inspiration comes, but of course I’m very grateful when it does!
PEV: Tell us about your latest release, “From The Birds”. What can fans expect from this album?
Daniel: The album is a fun mix of blues, folk, rock, funk, and everything in between. Each song has something that both kids and adults can appreciate. It’s “cool music for kids made with parents in mind”. When making a children’s album, the kids need to relate to the songs and the adults should not only be able to tolerate them but truly enjoy listening to them, as well. I think we achieved that goal on this album. And from an artists standpoint, it was so much fun to record. I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun and on-the-spot creative inspiration as I did making this record.
Kim: I agree completely with Daniel on this one!
PEV: What is the feeling you get after a song is complete and you can sit back and listen to it being played the way you envisioned?
Daniel: Some songs clearly present themselves from the beginning and you have a picture of how you think the other parts will sound or what the general feel of the song will be. While it might not ultimately turn out that way, you have a creative map that you feel you can follow. Others are subtler and are purely acoustic skeletons that need to be dressed and shaped as they grow. In either case, you get a sense of accomplishment when they become fully realized and you can share them with others.
Kim: I am always amazed when something that starts as an idea or a phrase or a melody becomes a complete, realized song. It’s the cycle of creativity that never gets old, and I still enjoy the miraculous feeling of listening to our (and all) music this way. The reality is that sometimes things turn out as you envisioned, but often the finished song is beyond what you imagined, and that’s really magical.
PEV: How have all your friends and family reacted to your career? What’s it like when you get to play at your hometown?
Daniel: I have been fortunate that people in my life have been incredibly supportive of my musical ventures. With The Rockdoves, in particular, friends and family have helped in countless ways, from spreading the word, to supporting the album, to offering kind words of inspiration. We recently played in Delaware, where I lived for 12 years, and we were greeted so warmly. There was a great turnout and many friends who had supported me in past were there, with their families. It was very touching and so much fun.
Kim: My friends and family are very supportive of The Rockdoves - I think they see how much fun and expression the project brings to my life. As a band, we’ve enjoyed so much support from the very beginning, which has been wonderful. When people just “get” what you’re doing, and want to help you, and it all comes naturally, it’s an amazing feeling.
PEV: What can we find each of you doing in your spare time, aside from playing/writing music?
Daniel: Lately, if I’m not writing or playing music, I’m working on the business aspect of The Rockdoves. It’s exciting, in a very different way, from the creative side of the band and has led to us making some great connections with other kindie artists in the area, and beyond. There’s a very supportive community of musicians here and we’re really trying to build something special. I’ve also reconnected with my yoga practice, which has been beneficial in so many ways.
Kim: I try to spend my time brainstorming with Daniel and other creative people, as well as practicing and teaching yoga, and enjoying life in New York City.
PEV: Name one present and past artist or group that would be your dream collaboration? Why?
Daniel: I’d love to collaborate with Paul Simon. He’s had such an amazing career and has progressed with the constantly changing musical terrain, yet he has managed to sound current and relevant through it all. David Byrne is another one. I think making a children’s album with him would be a blast.
Kim: I wish I could have sung a duet with Marvin Gaye. My current dream-collaborator is George Michael – he ‘s such a brilliant writer, singer and producer and I think we’d really hit it off!
PEV: Is there an up and coming band or artist you think we should all be looking out for now?
Daniel: It’s not music for kids but, there’s a Brooklyn-based band called “The Shivers” that I think people should check out.
Kim: I suggest checking out the very cool Atarah Valentine – his single, Passe, is on iTunes, and he’s got an edgy, of-the-moment sound with powerful, old-school torch vocals.
PEV: So, what is next for The Rockdoves?
Daniel: We have more than an album’s worth of new songs and are eager to get back into the studio and record the next album. We also want to get out and meet some friends and fans in new areas.
Kim: Absolutely – I second that!