Rivers Cuomo (Weezer) and Feathers
As long-time readers of the site will know (and if you’re not, the rather sporadic nature of our posts may well give it away), we welcomed Spectral Nights Jr just over two years ago and CBeebies – especially Bluey, Duggee and Moon and Me – have been a life-saver over that time.
Now we’re delighted to see a brand new animation called Yukee come to the screens – and it’s all about the joys of music and how song ideas can come from anywhere and everywhere in main character Yukee’s magical garden.
A preschool series created by musicians for the musicians of the future, the show celebrates the joys of making noise and shows how music is for everyone, while also touching upon themes of community (who doesn’t want to be friends with a toad with a smart hat?), friendship and cooperation.
From the pitter patter of raindrops to stomping ants and annoying hiccups, the series gently starts teaching young viewers early musical concepts including beats, rhythm, pitch, tempo, timbre, form, dynamics, expression and style.
Joining the likes of Jeremy Warmsley and Beardyman in Love Monster, Custard’s Dave McCormack as Bluey’s Dad and all-round hero Bandit and former Candyskins frontman Nick Cope in the transition from alt rockers to children’s show scene-stealers are a number of guest stars including Wet Leg (they play a traveling troupe of snails called The Slime Sisters), Mercury winners Ezra Collective (improvisational jazz musicians), Maisie Peters (a lost mouse), Architects’ Sam Carter (Hoops Van Badger – the King of Rock) and Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo (a pigeon called Feathers who needs the right beat to flap his wings again). If that wasn’t enough, there will also be appearances by PP Arnold, Jurassic 5, Dame Evelyn Glennie and Lauren Laverne as a roving reporter from Sticks Music…
Yukee has already proven to be a hit with SN Jr and we can’t wait to watch more with him. It’s short, sweet and beautifully animated. Now, given SN Jr’s unparalleled love of Blur, any chance of a Damon Albarn cameo in Yukee next?
Yukee is on CBeebies and available to stream on iPlayer now.
