Emma and Cecilia Black grew up in a large family that sang together constantly. Now these two sisters from Grand Rapids, Michigan, have made an album of folk songs for children. They want people to know that any family can start singing together, without special training or equipment.

Here Emma and Cecilia, who record under the name Roundabout, discuss the ethos of folk music, which is about participation rather than consumption. They amusingly disabuse us of the notion that folk music is always squeaky-clean and wholesome. Finally, they touch on the problems with commercial children’s music, in contrast to their album, Singsong Pennywhistle, which is engaging and accessible without being musically and lyrically dumbed-down.

All songs used with permission from Roundabout.

Links

https://www.roundaboutfolk.com

Buy Singsong Pennywhistle https://www.roundaboutfolk.com/music

Folk music resources https://www.roundaboutfolk.com/why-folk