June 12, 2013

Pip Blom Does It Again With First Loog-Centric Album Ever

**UPDATE: Pip Blom and the Loog got featured on TechCrunch because of her new album! You can read that story here (they also liked Pip’s album, so don’t just take our work for it).**

Pip Blom - Short Stories

Last time we talked about Pip Blom we mused about how relatable it was for us to read about her experience with song writing. She spoke about the thick calluses on her fingertips, her discipline, her decisions regarding song-length and her choice of using a Loog Guitar.

Yesterday we received news that Pip’s first album ever finally came out.

First, the facts: named “Short Stories”, it’s got 14 songs, the longest of which runs on for about 1:46. And most of them are played on the Loog. And it’s -quite honestly- awesome. Pip’s voice goes perfectly with the Loog. Some tracks have an almost lullaby-esque appeal to them. Others have a more folky feel. Our favorites so far (after about six listens)? PJ’s, I Wanna Go Right Now and I Don’t Understand.

Pip Blom

So, congratulations Pip :-) It’s awesome, we loved it and we’re SO proud right now - not all 16 year-olds have the tenacity and talent to pull this off. We feel like we were witnesses to something that’s just getting started and are sure you’ll be playing at Glastonbury in no time!

You can listen (and buy) the album on Pip’s Bandcamp here. Show her your love and tell us what you think in the comments!

 

Completely unrelated PS: today is the LAST DAY to get a Loog in time for Father’s Day. Just go to our Loog Store and select 1-day shipping at checkout – then enjoy :-)

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June 7, 2013

7 Best Musical Dads (And Their Kids) on YouTube

Seven Best Musical Dads on YoutubeMost of us probably got excited for music as kids, with our parents being the number one reason why. It’s no secret: take musical parents and musical kids will probably follow. And even if they don’t, playing or listening to music together always creates the best kinds of memories (and we already know what music actually does to kids’ brains as well).

Today, the internet allows parents and kids to share these memories just minutes after creating them. After filming, it only takes one upload to YouTube for a musical moment to be instantly shared with the world. So for Father’s Day (which is just one week away), we decided to honor those dads who share music with their kids and create awesome memories along the way. From home videos to full-blown produced gems, these are our favorite musical dad picks. Let us know if we missed any!

1. Alexa and Jorge
This is not their most-viewed video, but their appearance on America’s Got Talent is the cutest out there. 7 year-old Alexa and her dad Jorge cover ‘Home’ together and you just know that little girl’s overflowing curiosity is going to get her places. Too adorable for words.

2. Embarrassing Dancing Dad
Most people call this dad embarrassing – we call him awesome. Not only is he stuck at an electronic festival with his son, but he makes the best of it and just feels the music, man. Watch those moves! Best dad ever.

3. Dad and Kids Sing Bohemian Rhapsody
We love this video because it’s so relatable. Singing along to tunes on the radio while in the car is a childhood staple. Singing along with dad and siblings to Queen? Video-worthy.

4. Toddler Dancebombing Dad’s Gig
So you’re a musical dad and you score this New Year’s Eve gig and bring your family along. And then your toddler jumps into stage and steals the show. And it is AWESOME.

5. Dad and Son Cover The Beatles
We shared this video with you this week but the sheer adorableness factor still stands high. Just do us a favor and sing along: “DON’T LEEET ME DOOOOOOOWN!”

6. Twins Dance Along to Dad’s Guitar
Another classic, this time made better by a little bit of old school complicity. Just look at them before they bust out their moves – they’re totally thinking “That’s our jam!” Plus, we found out the two girls are still dancing to the same tune at 19 months old.

7. DMK Cover Depeche Mode
DMK stands for Dicken (the dad), Milah and Korben (the kids), who have a whole set of videos where they cover Depeche Mode using traditional and improvised instruments. The best part? They never get old.

Finally, you’re still in time to get a Loog Guitar in time for Father’s Day! Go to our Loog Store to see all models or take a quick quiz to see what Loog is best for you (or the dad you’re getting it for).

As for Loog owner dads, check out our accessories (scroll down) to see if there’s something they’d like. A tuner perhaps? The all-new Loog strap? A guitar stand? A new body to spice things up? (We only have Loog bodies available – no human ones, sorry =/) Your pick!

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May 31, 2013

6 Experiments for Kids

You know that thing when you have kids where you’re now once again socially allowed to enjoy certain things you used to be too grown up to do? Fun, simple DIY experiments are one of those things.

From the dead-easy to the “you definitely need an adult for this”, just getting stuff lying around your house and *making* something is always a magical experience, where physics and chemistry can actually be seen in real life and just cutting something up or mixing x and y can bring hours of sheer joy and delight. Oh, and kids also like it. And learn. Yeah.

We actually thought of sharing some exclusively musical experiments for kids with you guys. But after we started googling to find the actual directions to these experiments, new and awesome ones started popping up. Did you know you can actually make a bouncing ball? In your kitchen? We had to include that!

So here are 4 6 musical experiments for kids you can try out this weekend or save for a rainy day. We’ve listed them from easiest to hardest, leaving the two non-music related ones for the end. Let us know how it goes!


1. Musical Straws

StrawsUsing just one straw and a pair of scissors, make sounds to show how wind instruments work. Fair warning: liking this experiment too much might end in your kid doing it every single time you’re out in a restaurant. True story, bro. Full directions (and explanation) here.2. Making Music with Water
Classic experiment that’s all kinds of awesome. Fill up glasses or bottles with varying amounts of water and use a pencil to tap the sides and create sounds with different tones. Bonus: after the fun is had, double it by showing your kid what happens when you blow across the glasses’ rim. In case you need proper instructions, find them here.

3. Matchbox Guitar
Some people create cigar box guitars, you can create a matchbox one (which will also probably have three strings – aww!). This is a great little experiment to see how plucking strings generates sound and how the physics behind how the Loog works. Full instructions here.

Matchbox guitar

4. Make Your Own Phonograph
This one gets a little more complex but once you get the hang of it, it’s great to think up of new materials to see how they affect sound. Maybe leave this one for older kids that really have an interest in music. Get the directions from here.

Flubber5. Flubber
Flubber is a gooey, kinda solid goo that looks like glossy play dough. You can easily make it at home – the process is cool and kids get a new toy out of it. Tip: add glow-in-the-dark paint instead of food coloring and take the fun well into the night. This video gives perfect steps to getting it just right and the kid’s reaction in it proves it will be worthwhile.

6. Bouncing Balls!
Yes, you can actually make these. We read up on different people’s views on how much these balls can actually bounce and they’re not really the same as store-bought. BUT you get a little bounce and hey, you just made it. Plus, it uses almost the same ingredients as Flubber, so you can make a 2 for 1. Detailed instructions here.

Let us know if you try any of these and how it goes! As for us, we’ll be right back. There’s some Borax that needs to be bought.

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May 24, 2013

What Loog Guitar Should You Get?

Life is full of tough choices and we know choosing between the three Loog Guitars can be a bit overwhelming (right? Guys? Anyone?). Well, good news! We can help.

Instead of working, we spent all morning researching the different personality types that purchase each guitar and created a thoroughly scientific quiz to aid you in your tough decision. Or maybe we just invented the entire thing, but that’s for us to know and you to find out.

How? By taking the “What Loog Guitar Should You Get?” quiz below, of course! Maybe you’re a Loog I person pressured by society to get a Loog II. Or maybe you’re eyeing the Loog III but were meant to get a Loog I all along. Now you can know:

So what did you get? Let us know if you liked the quiz and we’ll make one for kids, also based on their personalities. We love to help out – even if it’s in the goofiest way possible ;-) Oh, and just to know which guitar is which:

Loog Guitars - The Loog I

Loog I

Loog Guitars - Loog II

Loog II

Loog Guitars - Loog III

Loog III

P.S.: Already got a Loog but it doesn’t match your personality? Not a problem: remember you can get just the body from our Loog Store. Don’t have a Loog? What are you waiting for?!

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May 17, 2013

National Bike Month at Loog Guitars

National Bike Month LogoIn case you haven’t heard yet, May is National Bike Month. All over the country people are finally daring to ride their bikes and enjoy the welcoming change in weather. May 8 was Bike to School Day and today, Friday 17, is Bike to Work Day.

Why an entire month to celebrate riding a bike? Well, according to the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, commuting by bike has grown 47% since 2000, a number that goes up to 80% when considering the most bike-friendly cities (you can check out how your city scores up here). This is a good thing – riding a bike is a great way to cut on carbon emissions, do your part to take care of the planet and get fit in the meantime.

If Bike to Work Day is news for you and you’ve left your bike at home, don’t worry – you still have two weeks to partake in the 4 billion bike trips happening annually in the US (and all summer as well!). Plus, cities around the country are holding special events throughout the month to finally take in a little sunshine on two wheels. You can check out what’s happening near you at the League of American Bicyclist’s nifty search page.

As for us, apart from riding our bikes to the office today we’ve also put together a little bicycle-centric playlist. Keep in mind, though, that wearing headphones to listen to music while riding in the street is illegal in many states. You’re probably allowed to do it on bike paths but the debate on whether this is wise is a heated one. Our take? Just take a listen half an hour before work is over to get your mind all geared up :-)

So, in the words of Freddy Mercury, bicycles races are coming your way so forget all your duties! Here are our favorite bicycle songs:

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