Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band
New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2010 | INDIE
Music
Press
"Backed with bluesy noise, every song is catchy and danceable, innocuous and positive—so if you’re one of the many hipsters who has decided to spawn, here’s one of the local acts you will need to know to guarantee your offspring doesn’t end up too attached to whatever Jonas clone the Mouse House has ready to roll out for the coming decade." ~ Metro Mix - Metro Mix
"This rockin' kids band delivers a mix of funk, rock, blues and wild harmonica improvisation, in quirky songs about the trials of growing up." ~ Time Out New York Kids - Time Out New York Kids
A first class song from Erin Lee, “Ticket to Anywhere” is a fabulously written story that truly captures and portrays a child’s mood and perspective as she’s having second thoughts about running away when she realizes she’s not allowed to cross the street or talk to strangers! With catchy and memorable music and vocals, genuine sound that isn’t overly produced for its pop style, and an overall undeniably feel-good vibe, no one will be able to escape the Awww Factor (as in “Awww, I remember when…”) As if that’s not enough, it might be in your head for days… but with this tune, that’s not such a bad thing! ~ Kids Music Award - Kids Music Award
A first class song from Erin Lee, “Ticket to Anywhere” is a fabulously written story that truly captures and portrays a child’s mood and perspective as she’s having second thoughts about running away when she realizes she’s not allowed to cross the street or talk to strangers! With catchy and memorable music and vocals, genuine sound that isn’t overly produced for its pop style, and an overall undeniably feel-good vibe, no one will be able to escape the Awww Factor (as in “Awww, I remember when…”) As if that’s not enough, it might be in your head for days… but with this tune, that’s not such a bad thing! - Kids Music Award
"The entertainment is fun and hip in this concert celebrating childhood delights". ~ The New York Times - The New York Times
"The entertainment is fun and hip in this concert celebrating childhood delights". ~ The New York Times - The New York Times
"A kid’s-eye view of the world that’s humorous and touching." ~ Moira McCormick, Family Fun Magazine - Disney's Family Fun Magazine
"An exhilarating live performance." ~ Brooklyn Arts Exchange - Brooklyn Arts Exchange
"Artistically right, upbeat tunes from a sharp kids-eye perspective." ~ John Wood, Kidzmusic.com - Kidzmusic.com
"Lively original music combines with equally lively and original lyrics that will delight and entertain children of all ages." ~ Midwest Book Review - Midwest Book Review
"The songs are fun and easy to sing along to, featuring topics near and dear to children’s hearts. Parents and children will laugh out loud at the silly lyrics." ~ School Library Journal
- School Library Journal
"Silly, catchy, inclusive songs about everyday life from a child’s perspective." ~ Dana Rudolph, Mombian Magazine - Mombian Magazine
"This great new CD is full of everyday events in every kid’s life. Each song is told from the perspective of a strong, self-assured child. Uninhibited by specifics of gender and age, each narrator gives an honest and sometimes funny appraisal of the world around them…Someone's Gotta Wanna Play is one of those rare CD’s that's also enjoyable for adults!"~ KidsVT Magazine - KidsVT Magazine
"The bluesy "All Wet" nails the joy of a summertime splash." ~ Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Daily News
- Los Angeles Daily News
Discography
SINGLES
"Ticket to Anywhere" - 2010, produced by Dan Levine. Winner of the 2011 KIDS MUSIC AWARD.
"Cooper" - 2010, produced by Dan Levine
"I'm Stuck in a Bathroom Stall" - 2010, produced by Dan Levine
ALBUMS
SNOWDANCE - 2006 with Marci Appelbaum. Winner of the 2006 FAMILY CHOICE AWARD - BEST PRODUCT FOR CHILDREN.
SOMEONE'S GOTTA WANNA PLAY- 2004 with Marci Appelbaum. Winner of the 2005 CHILDREN'S MUSIC WEB AWARD - BEST RECORDING FOR CHILDREN AGES 5-8.
Photos
Bio
ERIN LEE KELLY is an award-winning songwriter whose family music has received rave reviews (Irresistible! -Disneys Family Fun Magazine) and radio play from California to Canada.
THE UP PAST BEDTIME BAND are a group of terrifically talented New York City musicians who can usually be found up well past bedtime playing rock, funk, blues and country in many of NYCs top venues.
TOGETHER they create fun and funky family music about assorted childhood challenges from accidentally losing your lunchbox to accidentally getting locked in the bathroom.
Erin Lee works, performs and writes with children from birth to young teens from a very wide spectrum of circumstances and backgrounds. Some of these kids come from billionaire families; others are in foster care. Some have traditional two parent homes; others have non-traditional families. Some children are autistic, physically handicapped, or developmentally disabled. Working with such a wide demographic, it has become a mission for Erin Lee to make music inclusive. Her songs are all first person narratives from a childs point of view and include a variety of adults in caregiver roles.
Erin Lee began performing as a teenager in Kingston, Ontario, moving to New York to study at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy. Upon graduation she spent several years as an actress and choreographer, performing in musicals, plays, and films before choosing to focus on music and theatre for children. Her first CD "Someone's Gotta Wanna Play", recorded with Marci Appelbaum, was awarded Best Recording, 2005 by the Childrens Music Web. Their wry lyrics and layered harmonies garnered them widespread attention as "The Indigo Girls of childhood music" (WLUW-FM 88.7, Chicago IL). Their follow-up, "Snowdance", was debuted on Rosie ODonnells R Family Cruise to Alaska, and won the Family Choice Award for 2006.
Erin Lee is an artist-in-residence in inner-city schools in Harlem and the Bronx teaching songwriting and storytelling. She was recently elected to and served on The Childrens Music Network Board of Directors.
Erin Lee and the Up Past Bedtime Band are currently in the studio recording with producer/arranger Dan Levine (http://www.myspace.com/danlevinemusic). Their first single, "Ticket to Anywhere", was a recipient of the 2011 Kids Music Award and a 2012 ASCAP Award.
MEET THE BAND:
Philip Joseph was featured on Erin Lees award-winning CD Someones Gotta Wanna Play. With a background in Funk, Jazz and Classic Rock, he is thrilled with the opportunity to introduce kids to so many styles of music. He can be heard late in the evenings drumming with the band Holy Boy Road and as one of the digits in Dusty Wrights GIANTfingers.
Madria is a singer/songwriter and accomplished musician who has been playing violin for 18 years. You can always find her immersed in some form of artistic expression, whether playing live, laying tracks in the recording studio, or creating large compositions just for fun! This energetic and enthusiastic young woman loves to inspire kids to play instruments, make up their own tunes and teach them that music is a universal language that anyone can speak fluently.
Michael Cumella is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who has written and recorded his own CD of original works called A Tree in the Forest. He has played with countless bands and musicians and can frequently be heard playing a variety of instruments throughout a variety of NYC nightclubs and recording sessions. Many grownups know Michael as the host of WFMU Radios Antique Phonograph Music Program and tune in to hear him play songs from 1900-1929 every Tuesday evening. Michael also is a record collector enthusiast and has been a consultant for television and movies with his vast knowledge of 100 years of recorded music.
Veronica "Roni" Graff is one of New York City's few female harmonica players. She has performed with several NYC Blues and Rock bands and has recorded two albums with Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers. Roni has been performing with Erin Lee throughout the Eastern United States for five years and is very excited to continue sharing her music with kids.
Tony O is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, and drums)and songwriter who performs in venues throughout NYC late into the evening and well past a decent bedtime.
Band Members
Links
