Joe McDermott is the writer, lead singer and guitar player, so basically, THE STAR!
The Smart Little Creatures are:
Steve Grimes pounding on those skins, (that's musician talk for drums, ya'll)
Tom Thornton (DR. TOM) is thumpin' the bass
Louise and Katherine sing those sweet backing vocals and show the girls some fancy dance moves.
Influences
Mr. Rogers, They Might Be Giants, Bruce Springstein, The B-52's, Jonathan Richman, Dr. Seuss, The Talking Heads, Shel Silverstein, Ronnie Lane, Johnny Clegg and Ladysmith Black Mombazo, Hank Williams, Mozart, Bach, and Beethoven, Barry Lewis Polisar, Van the Man, the Beatles (who isn't?) Austin 80's music scene, the Athens 80's music scene, The Penguin Cafe Orchestra.
Some artists that we enjoy but like but do not sound like are: Sufjan Stevens, Beck, Elliot Smith, The Smiths, Queen, David Bowie, The Clash
Tom Petty.
Joe's adult music is often compared to the Dave Matthews Band, Crowded House, and Van Morrison (only because he borrows one line).
Sounds Like
It's music for kids and the cool parents who raise them so, it's not really like anything you've heard before.
Record Label
True Blue Music is what we call our label.
Type of Label
Indie
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About Joe McDermott and the Smart Little Creatures
How does one become a musician for kids?!
Try these simple yet effective steps.
First begin playing drums at age five, and then guitar at age ten. Become an outstanding percussionist in your high school marching band. Go to Art School at University of Texas and join as many bands you can manage (blues, rock, punk) and then lead your own late '80's love-bead wearing quintet. Confuse the public by naming your band Grains of Faith and make everyone think you are a gospel band when you are indeed, not one. Make the critics love you for your melodic hooks and poetic lyrics. Take out a bank loan and buy your own recording equipment. Learn to use the equipment as you go. While writing and gigging and recording, open your own preschool and play silly songs for the kids. Record those songs and give them to the parents, then write some more songs for kids, record those songs too. Sell your preschool and start working in a high end toy store where you can sell your songs for kids. Start playing for kids birthday parties, and then schools and libraries, and then festivals, fairs and symphonies. All the while, keep writing and recording! Marry someone who has a "bad attitude" about the workforce but likes to work independently. It's helpful if that person has moderate organizational skills. Test out your new songs on your own children and see how they respond. Submit your songs for awards and contests and win! Hey, we're only half way there! Stay posted to see how this continues to play out. MySpace Backgrounds from MySpace Editor. MySpace Contact Tables from MySpace Editor.
I am no longer a FORMER libraryland lady... I am back in the biz. If you're coming to SA, let me know!! I'm pushing JM to all the kiddos at my branch... it's addictive stuff ... those bricks, skunks and elevators... ;o) xoxo
hey, i'm glad you like the photo of bob the cat. my 8-year-old took it. he has a way with a camera. (he is walker clark's much younger cousin, if you remember walker.) take care, julie
Hey, Joe. Great show at IBM Saturday evening! The kids really got into the "roller coaster!" My first time seeing you live, and it was a very enjoyable show.
Hooray for Joe being on MySpace! I can now influence people by putting some nifty tunes on my page... :o) Hope you're both well!
- Ruth C. Turner (formerly Miss Ruth, the Libraryland Lady)
