For the past four months, I’ve been in the process of writing and recording a new Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta album! My last album, Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta HOLIDAYS, was a special project focusing on songs and stories that celebrate global light. Every time I complete a project, I feel a sense of accomplishment, yet I’m also thinking about “what’s next?” I think about how to express my passion, share my love of music and make a difference in sound, song and performance.
Since the release of HOLIDAYS, I’ve explored new music, storytelling and methods of movement including #FingerPlays, #Tickles and #SignLanguage.
During Co-Vid a wonderful teacher/friend Brigid Finucane, launched a facebook page specifically showcasing songs that catered to young children. I was inspired to write a song every week and decided this past July, to turn that collection into a new album.
Most people don’t know what the process is, of writing, recording and producing an album, and it can look very differently for each individual. Here is a peak into my mine:
I used to write whatever popped into my mind. And then try to fit those songs into a theme. My first two albums were just fun songs. These days, I find it more challenging to develop a theme first, or to receive a specific songwriting assignment. I love working children of all ages and have studied their behavioral development for many years, so education is a big component. Plus, I think of HOW the song would work in performance, so making sure an audience can move to my music, is important. The title for my new album is Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta SEASONS: Songs, Sign Language, Fingerplays and Tickles for Young Children. Each song will eventually include a video showing the Sign Language or movements for each song.
My own songwriting process usually comes into my brain as a single bolt: Words, rhythm and music happen simultaneously. Sometimes I can’t get the lyrics or melody written quickly enough to match what I hear in my head. Because our language is naturally full of rhythm and expression, it’s easier for me to sing a sentence than speak it. Since I can easily separate the rhythm, lyric and melody, co-writing is a lot of fun because I can switch back and forth between the three.
Here are the lyrics to one of my newest songs that will be on the new album.
SNOWFLAKE SNOWFLAKE
©2023 Katherine Dines Kiddie Korral Music, ASCAP
Snowflake snowflake where will you land?
On top of my head or the back of my hand?
Maybe on my arm or the tip of my toe,
Snowflake snowflake where did you go?
Snowflake snowflake why won’t you freeze?
On my tummy tum or the front of my knees?
Maybe you will fall on my tongue or nose.
Snowflake snowflake where did you go?
Snowflake snowflake up in the skies,
Fluttering down in front of my eyes.
I try to catch you on my chinny chin chin,
But you disappear when you touch my skin!
Snowflake snowflake please will you stay?
And stick to my mitten or hat all day.
Maybe you will wait while the cold winds blow…
Snowflake snowflake where did you go?
Snowflake snowflake you are unique!
-An intricate pattern of diversity .
Maybe it’s time to let yourself show…
Snowflake snowflake where did you go?
REPEAT CHORUS THEN
Winter’s gonna last for quite a spell
But snowflake snowflake please don’t melt. Snowflake snowflake why did you melt?
For me, the actual recording process is a total blast. It usually takes me three or four takes to get into the comfort zone of a new song. SOMEtimes, I get parts of the song– or even a whole song done in one take, but it usually takes a couple of hours for each song. It’s always amazing to hear the glitches in your voice.
I used to record in a studio. Now I do all the vocal work in my home studio and send in digital files of my vocals to James Coffey along with instrumental and arrangement ideas, and he puts it all together… right in his home studio… in INDIANA! Jim is an absolute genius at audio production. I honestly think he can do just about anything. The most miraculous thing about working with him though is, he really just gets how I want the song to sound. Very seldom does he have to do a complete redux – it’s usually just a few tweaks here and there, and he gets just the right feel for each song every time. My favorite part of the recording process happens when I receive a rough production of the music and get to sing along to the musical tracks.
The final product is a compilation of love, hard work and creativity. I put a lot of time into writing and recording each song, and always hope that people find value and joy in every one. After 24 years and 12 albums, I also hope that my music is continuing to evolve– just like we all do. If you look back at past CDs you can see many different themes that include: lullabies, chants, lyrical songs, storytelling, multi-cultures, fun ways to learn and hopefully- always love and kindness.
