Brooklyn mom Vered’s Songs for Sisters and Brothers combines Vered’s classic, versatile voice with doo-wop, African, and oldies influences to create a fun collection of songs perfect for cooking together or family art time. Songs for Sisters and Brothers features contributions by Marty Beller (They Might Be Giants), Rob Jost (Dear Evan Hansen,) Matt Hilgenberg (Winton Marsalis, Arturo O’farril), Walter Martin, Joanie Leeds, and more.
Some songs, like PR Agent, are so personal and true that it feels as if you are meeting for coffee and she is telling you about her life. Others songs are more universal and intended to show we all have the same rewards and challenges as parents.
We asked Vered a few questions about herself and her new album.
Songs for Brothers and Sisters
This is your third album for kids and their parents. I say kids and their parents because a lot of these songs are in some ways messages to parents too–we are all in this together. Is that what you intended?
“Yes. As I was writing this album I imagined a family driving in the car, each member relating to different songs. I saw the eldest listening closely to the song about yearning once again for the full attention of the parent, I saw the youngest smiling at the song about how everything the eldest does is hysterical to them, I saw the parent shedding a tear at the idea that they could not give the second the same attention but that they thrive nonetheless and perhaps even more so. And I saw them all enjoying the song called Family Hug which is about the moment in which the chaos melts away and everyone is present in togetherness.”
“All three of my albums have been just as much for and about the parent as they are for the kids. That is probably because I am writing first and foremost from my own perspective as a mom.”
Your album Songs for Sisters and Brothers is inspired by sibling relationships with songs like “One Family”, “Family Hug” and “Sharing”. How did you infuse the spirit of such a complex topic into the music?
“The topic is indeed so complex. There are so many facets and perspectives that I wanted to touch on. My inspiration came first and foremost from watching my kids together. I witnessed their struggles and how it related to having a sibling, and also their joy with their siblings. There are two songs that talk about sharing directly because so much of the sibling dynamic is about sharing. Underlying the difficulty of sharing a toy is the competition over the parents’ attention and love. The kids question – Am I the most special? Am I the most loved? And really – Am I special?
There are also songs about the beautiful moments together, and the desire to be friends forever. Though the sibling dynamic kids learn to support each other, understand another perspective, and allow for space when needed.
Many of these songs were inspired by the sibling dynamic but apply just as much to any close relationship between kids, with cousins or with close friends. And the song One Family takes a more idealistic approach and is about how we are all a family in this world, all of us brothers, sisters, and cousins.”
Do any of the song portray sibling fighting? Do you think there is such a thing as healthy fighting?
“Yes in “Little Bit Tough” I express the idea that being knocked down by our brother/sister teaches us how to be a little tougher. This serves them well later when they encounter peers who challenge them in some way.
Siblings can be brutal with each others. Constantly challenging choices, ability, and confidence. But they can also bolster each other without realizing it by admiring and mimicking each other’s behavior.
In the song Two Ducks I talk about how the sibling ducks play beautifully together when mama duck is not around. I believe that there is a lot less fighting without adding a triangle dynamic of competing over the parent. So our job as parents is to get out of the way of their relationship.”
You did a kickstarter for this album and it looks like it was very successful. What did you think of the experience and would you do that again? Is it still possible to get one of those great kids t-shirts?
“Whew! What a relief. This was actually my second Kickstarter campaign and both times it was a ton of work and I sweated a bit there in the middle. But I have to say that it has been the best way to get the word out about my work. I have worked with so many families over the years and they don’t always know I am working on a new project. The Kickstarter campaign forces me to reach out to them and give them the news. And then I get to reconnect and hear about how they still listen to my music, or are expecting a new member of the family, or just want to say hello again.
Yes you can get the cool t-shirts! I will have them on sale on Sunday at the show and then will put them up on my website. I love how they came out and ordered some for my kids too. Now I just have to get me one…”
You are also a psychologist, correct? Are you still practicing? How does that continue to impact your music?
“I am a music therapist and psychotherapist. My classes, Baby in Tune, blend music therapy and psychology to give parents musical tools to understand and bond with their baby. Parents learn how to use music to soothe, establish routine, play, encourage language, and connect to their own inner voice. The classes each have a different focus and provide parents with a new tool. They are very intimate and often the parents end up being friends for life as a result. There is something about connecting through music and discussion that allows us to open up even more.
My music is constantly influenced by my studies and experience as a therapist along with my experience as a mom. At this point it is hard for me to distinguish which part of myself is writing which lyric.”
What do you wish someone would ask you?
“What do you hope families will get out of this album?
As with my prior albums, this one is all about the family connection. My hope is that families will feel a little closer as they listen to it and singing along. Hearing someone else’s perspective and feeling like you are not alone in yours allows us to understand each other better and open up as a result.
The sibling relationship is extremely challenging. I hope that kids and grown ups will feel a deeper appreciation for their sibling and will feel inspired to stick together, no matter how hard it gets.”
Vered and the Babes will be playing a free album release concert at the Old Stone House this Sunday. I plan to get there early as I bet it will be packed.
Who has not sung these kinds of songs to their little chunk of love? We all have but not with the same skill and style Vered brings.
Vered is a friend of A Child Grows, participating in our Baby and Family Expo, and collaborating on content. We also teaches parents more about connecting to their babies through music with Baby-in-Tune.
Also, we are an Amazon Affiliate (which means if you link to Amazon from this site we get a teeny, tiny percentage, but, as they have everything, it really doesn’t impact what we recommend)
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