A call for more live music for small ears

Recorded music is a staple of modern life. It emanates from stereo speakers and headphones everywhere, and worms into our ears from almost every supermarket and shop front. At the best of times, we might sit quietly with some quality headphones listening to our favourite album. It can feel great. However, I reckon that the experience of hearing recorded music can pale in comparison to witnessing a good live music performance. The physical jostling of the audience, the vibrations of the bass notes in your body, the smells of the auditorium, the marvelling at the on-stage talent, the fashions and shapes of the crowd, the sense of unity/community that can be felt being part of an audience. Surely these can all be learning experiences, for better or worse. So why is live music performance often an adults-only thing? Fear of exposure to 'adult' activities - sex, drugs n' rock n' roll and all that? Maybe, but I don't think it has to be that way anymore. 

If you're reading this, chances are you are an adult, and as an adult you've had what I would call the grand privilege of seeing music performed live on stage. Alas, if you're reading this and you're younger than about thirteen, chances are your live music experiences have been pretty few and far between, and constrained to a very narrow range of music genres (e.g. the straight-up pop of the Wiggles or Peppa Pig live on stage, most likely!). Why is that?

The palette of musical styles and sounds that humans have concocted is enormously rich and constantly diversifying. Given that live music performance can add all kinds of sensory dimensions to musical experience, which no set of headphones can substitute, it seems a shame that children generally do not experience more of what live music can offer. 

Children tend to miss out on exposure to a broad range of musical styles and performers, and instead are spoon-fed 'Children's Music', which I reckon it a redundant concept. I find it interesting to presume that children don't appreciate "adult" music. Certainly, the perceptions by children hearing new music is inevitably different to those of most adults. It is more likely to be devoid of the subjective influence of cultural context and bias. I mean that children are less likely to know about the bands-infighting, the possible drug-addled history of the lead singer, the pre-occupation that many have with the private lives of band members. Many great music artists have a troubled history; demons that have inspired and shaped their musical output. But for children seeing the live performance of these musicians, it's all about the feelings evoked by the music in its own right - baggage free.  

A few weeks ago we took the Owlets on a camping trip to a family-friendly music festival in northern Tasmania called Panama. This festival is set in lush forest, is family-friendly and hosts a diverse range cool, "adult" music. Some of the artists in the line-up had been heard by our kids previously through home stereo speakers, but they'd not batted an eyelid to them then! Mostly these were going to be new sounds to their ears. 

On the first afternoon, we took a stroll around the festival site. There was music being played over loud-speakers, but it was mostly being ignored by the owlets. Background noise, distant, inconsequential in their subconscious mind. Then, as the sun was sinking low, a motley group of 20-something's slung on their instruments and started the first live set of the festival. Well this got the kids' attention. Little Owlet exclaimed "I feel it in here!", pointing to her chest. Something had been triggered. Progressive indie-rock being thoroughly enjoyed? What was this madness?

On the next day we witnessed a bunch of musical acts, setting up a rug by the main stage. Now this would be a highly risky manoeuvre in most "adults-only" festivals, especially a few metres from the stage, but here the crowd was limited to 1000 people so it was relatively cruisey. Tiny made a new friend and they danced together and played nearby. As the music passed through jazz, folk, rock and funk, the owlets commented on the instruments and the audience and the way the music made them feel. Big Owlet even danced amongst the loose throng in front of the stage, feeling independent and free, but safe, knowing we could still see her from nearby. It was pretty special. In the evening I took Big and Little owlet to see Bombino, an awesomely cool rock-funk band from Niger. We found a front row spot against the rail by the stage. "I like the bass player, he looks very relaxed." said Little. Towards the end of the set, Little was falling asleep against the back of the main speakers, so we headed back to camp, enjoying the end of Bombino from the comfort of sleeping bags.

On the last day of Panama, we made the most of all the musical offerings, in between naps in the tent. The previous night had been restless as a result of a DJ played retro beats until the small hours. Big Owlet had heard strange "path pah pah pah pah" noises and moaning from our neighbours tent - we had to explain that that's not how everyone sounds when they are intimate with each other!

The highlights for the owlets were the rock-styles of Sharon Van Etten and Courtney Barnett - great, strong women, and great role models for the owlets, showing that it's not all Katy Perry and Beyonce pop (not that they make bad music necessarily, but just that their music is overtly sexualised). "I'm getting their albums dad". I was beaming with pride. 

The festival ended with a speakeasy performance by troubadour Ben Salter on a little outdoor stage on the other side of the festival site to the main stage. Big Owlet and I watched some of his set, drinking home-made lemonade. Then we moved over to the centre of a big grassy oval adjacent to the stage and lay on our backs and watched low moonlit clouds fly over as the acoustic sounds washed over us too. Big owlet was reflective and felt changed from the festival, from "getting" the live music buzz and experiencing the positive community vibes built around the common appreciation for good music. Not "children's music", just "music". I wish there were more opportunities for children to be exposed to diverse live music, and hopefully festivals like Panama are an indication that music does not have to be an adults-only affair.

Do you agree that children deserve more live music experiences, outside the genre of "children's music"? Let us know in the comments! 

~ Owletpapa.

{this moment}

Joining in with SouleMama tonight while Tiny has a moment with the music... Slipper (there is only one) optional.

Happy weekend, peeps. xx

summer

Hello! How's your summer going? It's been a bit of a mixed bag here with extreme weather, bushfires and the like. We are all safe in our nest though and grateful for it and finding ways to help. We've also had some gorgeous days lounging around, listening to music, playing at the beach and in the garden... and although Huz is back at work, there's more of the same to come.

I've been quietly contemplating my year. The one behind us and the one before us. I've been laying down marvellous plans, hatching ideas and finding resolution and clarity. It is excellent stuff and has meant I've not had much time for writing and documenting our days... but I will get back to it with regularity soon.... Stay cool and safe. xx

unschool monday :: being and becoming

"But how do you know that they'll learn everything they need to learn?" This is one of the most frequent questions we're asked as unschooling parents. The answer is quite straight forward... If we encourage them to follow their interests, they'll pick up or ask to learn what they need to along the way to getting wherever it is they are going. We don't know where that is, so putting them in a classroom, or at home, with a set of arbitrary goals for them to attain and a pre-ordained path for them to follow may not be the best use of their time or enthusiasm. We have no idea when certain concepts will be relevant to them, enough so that they grasp them. We have a fair idea that pushing them to learn before they are ready to understand is quite futile. We don't teach our children to crawl, walk or talk... why do we teach them to read? And why do we expect that they will all do it at the same time?

 

Little Owlet was ready to learn how to write a lower case 'e' on Thursday at approximately 3.20pm. I was unwell and idle parenting was very much on the agenda. I sat down with a cup of tea, rolled my jeans up to my knees and handed the two smallest owlets a pack of face paints. They delighted in drawing all over my legs and after a little while, I could hear Little Owlet writing out letters, saying them as she went along, and then... "Mama, how do you write a lower case 'e'? This is the first time she's expressed an understanding that there even is a lower case of letters. She seems to have picked it up by osmosis, as owlets often do. I showed her the shape with my fingers, as seems to work best for Little Owlet. "Uh-huh!" She said as she went about writing it... Sure enough, half an hour later I noticed it. The perfect 'e'. In this moment, Little Owlet is pottering away, doing everything she needs to gain the knowledge to pursue her interests. It's slow and incremental, so we may not notice it all the time, but the learning is happening as part of the living. As part of the being.

As for what Little Owlet is becoming? That is yet to be decided. But, if she follows her heart's desires, and if we are able to provide access to them, where possible, the sky is the limit. And the lessons required to get there will happen along the way... We, as adults, are not generally working towards one particular thing that we'll do forever and never learn anything or move beyond that. We are always learning and striving for new information, new ways to do things and new ways of being. We prefer to remove the focus from Little Owlet's future life and provide learning opportunities for her right now. This moment that she is in. What does she need to learn and do and be in *this* moment? This week she is a drummer. She's always responded to drums, always drums along with music. She loves nothing more than to make a loud noise on the pots and pans. I have the dented pots to prove it. So this week we found her a decent second hand drum kit. Will she become a drummer? I don't know. But she is one now. And that's important.

As for the others? Well, Tiny is a natural.

Huz is having a blast making up some new beats and finally indulging in some time at the drums... Something he's always felt drawn to, but never had the opportunity until now.

Big Owlet sees herself as a guitarist and singer, so enjoys the odd play and observing the others. She's not a drummer right now... but she might become one, one day.

What do you think? Are you on the path to becoming something in particular? Or are you just being and learning as you go? 

We're rather keen to see this film, "Being and Becoming". All about choosing not to school, but to follow our children's passions. It looks fab.

owlets rock out

Our favourite thing about Melbourne is family. We miss them so much when we are home and quietly wish they'd followed us when we made the journey down here to Hobart... Alas, they are city folk. And we are not (well not for very long)... For the owlets, a large highlight of their time with family is hanging out in their uncle Cam's rehearsal studio. Most of their rock dreams are fulfilled...



 Usually they spend hours rehearsing before a chaotic grand performance. Cam is so generous with his time, treating the owlets as equals, allowing them to share his space, showing them how to use the instruments and encouraging their ideas. It's pretty ace. They're so blessed to have him.



I'm looking forward to more rehearsals, more gigs and more opportunities to cheer wildly to the random musical stylings of our owlets... especially when their new cousin owlet joins in! Good times ahead!!

day 21 :: one last thing... (a giveaway)

I couldn't go to bed without announcing the winner of last week's giveaway... And starting up a new one! It is blogtober after all!! And, I'm down a couple of posts this week, so a catch up won't hurt ;)

So. The winner... thanks to random.org (and well chosen, I must say), is Georgi! Bravo!! Georgi keeps a lovely blog of her writings and musings and favourite music... which is most of our favourite music too. So it's a good thing she's won Huz's music pack... She tells me she has lots of tiny owlets on the way in her circle, so it's a good thing she's won a baby t-shirt too! Happy Friday Georgi!

Next week, I'll be giving away the lovebird t-shirt above, plus whatever goodies I can find. Maybe a matching hat, or a vintage knitting pattern, or some buttons, or fabric, or maybe I'll make something extra? Let's wait and see... What you have to do is leave a comment here, and on another comment later in the week. Then meet me back here Friday night and I'll draw the winner. Simple. Look forward to seeing you around! xx

unschool monday :: following + strewing

"Oh I could never home educate my daughter. She's so headstrong. She'd never listen to me..." This is one of the most common things people say to me when I tell them I home educate. I always find it amusing... Firstly, because I don't ask them why they don't home educate, but they feel compelled to offer justification. Secondly, because anyone who's ever met my owlets knows they're some of the most headstrong, determined kids you will meet. I could never make them listen to me. I could never teach them. Unless they specifically asked me to. So how do we fit everything in? How do we do it? Do we lead the way? Do we follow their lead?

Well, it's a little bit of both. A balance between following their lead and strewing the path for them. But always responding to a need. Sometimes if we sit back, brilliant stuff happens and they wander freely from one thing to the next. Other times, they need someone to point them in the right direction.

Last week, Big Owlet decided she wanted to camp. On her own. Outside. Reluctantly, we set the tent up, suspecting she may be inside before dark. But no. She took all her bits and pieces, rugged up in layers, and snuggled down for the night. It was a really cold night! We didn't sleep a wink, thinking of our small girl out there all alone. She slept better than ever, emerging to tell me of roosters in the neighbourhood, bandicoots around the tent and bush wees at dawn, under the lemon tree... That's my Big Owlet. Headstrong. Determined. She was afraid, but she needed to do this. And with our trust and support, she did.



We left the tent up for a couple of days and it became a feature of owlet play. It became known as the "Funfair Spectacular... Its Miracula!" (not actual spelling). There was a face painting booth, and inside, a music performance space. A Spiegeltent in my own backyard!



They played there ALL DAY. They wrote signs, devised a ticketing system and currency to pay for the attractions. They role played. Performed music... It was a brilliant exercise in saying yes and following their lead. Beginning with camping. Just going with the flow.



Then yesterday, the owlets were a bit weary. They watched some programs on iView, then proceeded to melt down when we suggested they stop, as they usually do when they've become vegetables early in the day. I asked Little Owlet why she couldn't find something to do. Why all she could think of doing was watching... "Because I don't know what to do, Mama!" She pleaded. Ahhh... this made sense. Strewing hat ON!



We started with the art cupboard. Pulling out the paints. Big Owlet muddled around and didn't know where to start. Then something sparked in my brain about a blog post on Altered Books. An unschooled girl Big Owlet knows and likes has been making some. So I showed her and we checked out some youtube clips for inspiration. We also checked out Lap Books, which are a tool some home schooling families use, but we deemed them to schooly. I showed her an old visual journal of mine which is similar to an altered book in apperance. Big Owlet decided altered books are the go... Then we found an old book each and off we went! An hour of fun, and learning there, at least, to begin with.



Later, I was lying down, feeding Tiny Owlet to sleep, when I stumbled across the next activity in my Twitter feed... LEGO Quest. Fantastic! I loaded up the website, ready to show them if they needed some more direction. Lo and behold, 15 minutes later, "Mama, I'd like to watch now..." So I showed them.

And they loved the idea! They built a garden. Then they went back to the art books.  Then they pulled out boxes and more LEGO and they were unstoppable! In the zone! Thank goodness... Back to following their lead.



At dinner that night, Little Owlet said "you know, Mama. I think art is really wonderful. Making art makes me happy". Me too. She's at it again this morning. Big Owlet has already solved another mystery we set for her and she's wanting to learn about art too. Yesterday's strewing has lead to a whole new path of learning for her today... and so we follow their lead.

owlets + Feist

Before we moved to Tasmania, we imagined a better life for ourselves. A place where our children (there was only one back then), could grow up and feel safe. Where we might have a lovely garden. And cozy winters, with a fire place. We listened to Feist's song Mushaboom and she described it all perfectly. The dream, the longing. Then Huz got a fantastic job offer in Hobart and we listened to that album, Let it Die, constantly as we packed the house up.

Then we arrived. And little owlet arrived too, then we bought our nest. And Feist released a new album, The Reminder. It was hugely popular and made her famous. We named a guinea pig after her. I think she may have come close to that dream, just as we did. Big owlet wanted to listen to it every day in the car on the way to kindy. Every Day. When we rounded a certain bend in the road, I knew that a certain song would play and Big Owlet would bellow "KATE'S FAVOURITE SONG!!", speaking of my sister who danced to that song with her. And the owlets know every word. I can match certain bends in the road to each song on that album. I'd listen to it and think about not driving on that road twice each day. Then we took a leap and chose unschooling and we didn't listen so much...

So Feist is making a new album. It sounds new and exciting and I wonder what new adventures are waiting for us too.

Does your life has a soundtrack? Can you trace your adventures with certain music too?

Follow Feist's adventures here.

colouring

Coolest colouring book ever + afternoon waiting for Huz to come home = super fun!



Listening to our favourite bands + colouring pages about them = happy owlets + happy mama.



There are so many awesome colouring books available now. It's so much fun just to flop on the floor and spend some time bringing colour to some gorgeous illustrations...



Talking, working together, listening to music and spending time... Happy days.

unschool monday :: remembering us

As I mentioned earlier, sharing our passions with the owlets is a fantastic way to spark their interests and it shows them how we like to get involved in things, in life. But in the daily grind it can be tricky to keep doing all the things you love. Things get put away in cupboards for when you have more space, or time. For when babies are grown. And you forget. Well, last weekend we moved the owlets into the blue sky room together. They requested to share again (they had been anyway) and this weekend we found ourselves with a room to spare! Luxury! So... we now have a space. A space to escape for some quiet time, to dream or to read. It is also a space for music. It's filled with guitars and a keyboard, flutes, recorders, drums, accordions... more! All pulled out of cupboards and out from under beds... And there is music! Huz is excited to have a dedicated space to indulge in some music making. I've even dusted off my flute and had a go, showing the owlets that its ok to make MANY mistakes and how to make a good sound occasionally. I've been talking about returning to flute for years... perhaps this is my time? Tiny owlet thinks it's hilarious and soothing sitting on my back while I (attempt to) play...



Another thing the owlets love is screen printing. They know how much I love it. How instant it is and clean and messy all at once. And how you can make something practical out of it. They know I used to do lots of it back in my Uni days and how I'd like to return to it again. One day. So they demand that we do it on occasion. On this particular occasion though, The thought of mess and screen printing everything we could see and all before breakfast got the better of me and we ended up freezer paper stenciling instead. But it was fun. And I've located the screen and squeegee for a quiet moment...



Finally, yesterday, we also found time for me to go out to have lunch with a friend. On my own. At a posh restaurant! Oh my! I did feel strange and grown up. And I remembered a little bit what it is like to be just me. When I came home, the owlets showered me in hugs and kisses and big owlet told me she thought it was great that I got some time to myself. And then we went for a swim. And I told them how I like to swim. How I used to do it lots. And I tore up and down the pool a few times until my arms could swim no more. And I plan to do it again soon. Modelling healthy relationships, and the importance of trying new things, pushing yourself, making mistakes and enjoying life... Can there be any lesson more valuable?

helplessness blues

We're still wondering what we can do and I'm sure every bit helps... Better than sitting here feeling helpless... Huz's new album is available for download here. All proceeds raised in the next 24hrs go to Save the Children's Japan Earthquake Appeal. I think my favourite song is the title track because it's all about our family and the owlets in particular. It makes me smile and wish that all children could live without fear, as ours do... So anyway, go download! It's a minimum of $6 per download, but you can donate more if you like and Huz will transfer that straight over to Save the Children for you. In the meantime, enjoy this cover of a song off the upcoming Fleet Foxes album, with tiny owlet wriggling around as she does most evenings while her daddy plays. xx

decade :: building the owlet nest

I've read a few friends' posts during the last week that reflected on the events, ups and downs of the previous decade. One sleepless hour or two during the week led me to do the same in my head, so I thought I'd share our decade with you for a bit of fun. It was all about building and finding home...

2000
I turned 25.
We lived in Newport in the weatherboard house with a dog, a cat and a garden. Our first proper house together.
I worked. Hard. I went from junior designer to only designer as workmates left to have babies.
O proposed over fish & chips in the car, in the rain. I said yes. The rain stopped and a rainbow appeared.
Went on a camping holiday to Narooma. Discovered we weren't cut out for camping. Relaxed.



2001
Was made design manager. Worked hard.
Katherine threw us a surprise engagement party. Discovered O doesn't like surprise parties.
O got his first full time ecology job.
Travelled overseas for the first time. On my own. For work.
Tokyo, Seoul, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Was in a hotel room in Seoul when the twin towers collapsed.
Felt quite alone with US airforce planes circling the city as I watched the TV.
Married Huz.
Honeymooned in Tasmania. Loved it, wanted to live there.



2002
Worked hard.
Did a brief stint as brand manager. Decided I really didn't want to work in sales.
Got tired of commuting for hours. Moved to Heidelberg.
Met Cammo (uncle Cam).
Travelled to Asia again.
Decided to have a baby. Saved and planned. Became pregnant.
Huz went diving in Cairns. He nearly drowned.
Visited Nanna for her birthday. Told her about the baby.
Went on holidays to Narooma.
Nanna died. Came home.



2003
Worked hard.
Enjoyed pregnancy.
Finished work. Relaxed.
Gave birth to big owlet.
Enjoyed life.
Began working from home. Decided full time work was overrated.



2004
Watched big owlet grow.
Huz applied for a job in Hobart. Didn't get the job... came close though.
Bought a house in Heidelberg West. Decided it was a dodgy suburb that might come good.
Renovated the kitchen, polished the floors, painted the walls, landscaped the garden.
Adopted a beagle puppy.
Continued working from home and freelancing.



2005
Went back to work in the office part time.
Big owlet went to Nanny's for one day each week and Huz and I juggled work on the other days.
Worked hard.
Missed big owlet dreadfully.
Felt a tad unsafe in new neighbourhood.
Huz applied for a job in Hobart. Got the job.
Finished renovating and packed up the house.
Moved to Hobart. Lived in a huge house on the water.
Rainbows everyday.
Felt like we were on holidays.
Went back to working from home.
Became pregnant.



2006
I turned 30.
Worked from home. Lots.
Commuted to Melbourne for work every month.
Felt tired.
Huz got really sick with salmonella poisoning. Took a ride in an ambulance.
Found some new friends.
Huz started writing music more serioulsy.
Gave birth to little owlet. At home.



2007
Big owlet started kindergarten.
Went for a drive. Bought a house.
Stressed out about owning two houses and paying enormous mortgage.
Huz developed a twitch.
Sold house in Melbourne.
Started a blog.
Moved into new house, with help from new friends.
Planted trees and little owlet's placenta in the garden.
Worked from home. Lots.



2008
Big owlet went to big kinder, three days per week.
Missed her.
Found a new home for our unhappy beagle.
Adopted guinea pigs and chooks.
Renovated the bathroom.
Huz released his first album.
Made some kids clothes and sold them at a market.
Quit job. Finally.
Decided to home educate after reading about unschooling.



2009
Became pregnant.
Unschooling everyday. Freedom.
Opened the owlet shop and sold at lots of markets.
Miscarried Pippin. Buried him in the garden.
Went to Canberra to rally for homebirth.
Miscarried again.
Painted part of the house.
Went camping on the east coast.
Decided we like camping after all.
Worked on feeling healthy.



2010
Became pregnant.
Felt well.
Floated through the days.
Huz recorded his second album.
Gave birth to tiny owlet. In my own house.
Made it a home.