Bryan and Neil, from Koo Koo Kanga Roo courtesy of Facebook
If you haven’t yet heard of the entertainment sensation taking the country by storm and inspiring smiles across fans of all ages, fear not. Today we have the joy of speaking with both Bryan and Neil, from Koo Koo Kanga Roo, a kid’s band for adults too. It’s tough to imagine how one can accomplish this feat, but Koo Koo Kanga Roo creates original music surrounding fond childhood conversation topics, then develops an inarguably stimulating performance, whether you are into it or not. There isn’t a dull moment at a Koo Koo Kanga Roo show and it’s because they are all about crowd engagement. From songs about chocolate milk to cat parties to unicorns, it somehow remains relevant and fun for adults to experience as well.
Enough of my own chattering on about the dynamic duo though, let’s hear more about how this all evolved straight from the source. Bryan, Neil, thank you so much for taking out the time to shine your brilliant and sparkling light on the GoAbroad Blog.
1. To start, you’ve just finished a massive tour across the US along with the man who inspired Music Meets Travel, Frank Turner. How did you all come together despite your differing sounds?
How did we meet Frank? We played before him on a one time festival show in St Paul, MN. He saw our show and told us afterwards that he would take us on tour someday. Four years later, we got an email from him and and got the ride of a lifetime.
2. This tour was across the US and you are Minnesota Natives yourself, right? Have you ever studied abroad, had any international travels or experienced another culture that influenced you?
In 2006 we studied abroad together in London, through our college Saint Mary’s University. It was a great time. We backpacked through eastern Europe for two and a half weeks after the London trip. That is where a lot of ideas for Koo Koo Kanga Roo came about.
I never thought about it before, but maybe living with nothing but a backpack subconsciously influenced us into making an iPod band… On this tour we finally got to play in another country, Canada! This was also our first border crossing as a band and we are ready for more.
3. How did the name Koo Koo Kanga Roo come about? We thought you might have been a group from Australia at first, do you get that a lot?
We didn’t really get that until we toured with The Smith Street Band (from Australia) actually. I think people heard there was an Aussie Band and assumed… It was funny. The name doesn’t have a great story. We usually make one up, but I’ll spare you. It actually was created because of a psychology class I took in College. We talked about memory and brain function and they were talking about how we remember sharp and soothing sounds together so Koo Koo was on the list and became the obvious choice.
4. Your music is fun and funny to listen to no matter what a person’s age is. It’s made more engaging through your energetic performances. Does this come naturally in your song-writing or is that something you do with intent and strategy?
We write songs that we think are funny and more importantly have things you can do during the live show. I’m surprised people can even listen to these songs [outside of performance]. They are completely made for live. Everything comes back to the live show and being interactive.
5. What do you think you would you be doing if you weren’t a member of Koo Koo Kanga Roo and where?
Working at a camp. Someday I’ll own a camp. I’m a Minnesota boy. Love to travel, but I want to live where my family is. Minnesota is the #1 best state. Neil is going to start an all ages music venue in Minnesota.
6. How did you two come together and create this?
We became college roommates, then studied in London together and traveled Europe. We started our friendship in another band and wanted to try something new- Then the Koo Koo conversation started.
7. If you could travel anywhere in the world tomorrow, where would you go and why?
My top three are Scotland, Alaska, and New Zealand. With a runner up of Mongolia.
8. You have a background in both education and music. How important do you think these things are for any students of life to learn and grow more?
I think that you need to be versed in everything- dabbles of it all: Sports, Science, Music, Literature, Film, Agriculture… Right? I just feel, you’ve gotta have your finger on the pulse of a lot of stuff.
![Koo Koo Kanga Roo in Concert]( "Koo Koo Kanga Roo in Concert")
9. What is the big picture goal you’d like to realize with the workings of Koo Koo Kanga Roo?
To realize? Whoa. I have realized so much already from being in a band: taxes, auto work, budgets, traveling, personal limits, nutrition. Being in a band is a crash course on getting your life together.
10. You’ve just released a fitness video as well! Can you tell us more about this project? It sounds like it might be a great option for our readers who travel and seek ways of staying fit while they are on the go!
Our workout DVD is called House Party. It came out on December 12th. It consists of 17 dance-a-long songs. Its super fun and ridiculous. You’ll get sweaty while doing it! We are releasing DVD and Digital versions. If you get the digital one you could throw it on your iPad or phone and do the moves anywhere you want!
