‘Singalongercise’ album featuring bilingual Māori tracks puts focus on tamariki wellbeing

Ngawai Campbell from the roots-reggae band Corrella has partnered with musician and author Jeremy Redmore to create a bilingual children’s song that encourages tamariki to sing, dance, and celebrate te reo Māori.

Singalongercise is Redmore’s debut children’s album, drawing on 10 years of neurophysiological and psychological research aimed at promoting healthy living.

Speaking 531pi Pacific Days host Carolanne Toetu’u, Redmore explains that the project started during the Covid-19 pandemic, when he transitioned from his usual electronic/dance genre to focus on sing-along music for children.

In 2021, he published a read-aloud children’s book and a song titled, Sing Like a Unicorn, which highlights the power of authenticity and uniqueness.

“The reaction to that was better than anything else I'd released in a little while,” he laughs. “So I just began rolling with more kids' content and I realised there's a lot more meaning in this.

“The songs are fun, but what you get from the kids who listen to this is just so joyful and so wholesome. I just love it and now I’m doing a whole collection.”

The album features six interactive, pop-leaning songs designed to be easy to follow, easy to learn, and appealing to all ages.

“I’m all about sing-alongs, I have been since the start of my career with Midnight Youth. Then I thought, why not combine all the benefits of singing along with exercise?

“And so, ‘Sing-along-ercise’. It’s a bit silly, it’s a bit fun, but it’s got some good meaning behind it.”

Watch Jeremy Redmore's full interview below.

Redmore has intentionally kept the subject matter simple, with titles like Just Move, Jump the Rope, Hop to It/E Peke, Peanut Butter, and Spin. Each song has a corresponding music video that provides an easy guide.

“The music videos played a big part in dictating the subjects of the songs because I knew animation costs a lot of money,” Redmore says. “If I had made the songs about hiking up a mountain and seeing the sunrise and the glory of the world, the animation would cost a stupid amount of money, which I could not afford.”

According to Redmore’s website, the album is supported by research conducted in 2021 that supports the effectiveness of synchronised singing and movement as tools for childhood wellbeing. Coordinated movements engender a profound sense of social connection, similar to the benefits derived from group haka, hula, and siva.

Other studies show the physical benefits, such as increased endorphin production and decreasing cortisol levels, sustained oxytocin levels, pain relief, immune system support, and improved respiratory function. The psychological benefits include stress reduction, emotional release, and boosted confidence and self-esteem.

The approach provides an environment for social bonding, community, and belonging - encouraging prosocial behaviour and cooperation. The research also shows that there are educational and musical benefits.

Watch Ngawai Campbell's full interview below.

For Campbell, the bilingual collaborator, the song Tīpatapata carries a rhythm that connects body and language.

“If you hear the track, it's really upbeat and really fun,” she tells Island Time host Tofiga Fepulea’i. “Tīpatapata is actually a foot movement in Māori and the rest of the lyrics are sort of just movement - hands on your hip, that sort of stuff.”

The song draws inspiration from maurākau - traditional Māori martial arts typically performed with weaponry, which Campbell hopes will be more widely integrated into the classroom.

“I would like for them to have fun, especially in kura, because I'm a teacher…and I teach Māori kids, so I know that we're highly under-resourced with this sort of stuff. That's one of my hopes, is that it gets into the schools, into Māori schools as well.”

Singalongercise features Auckland-based music producer Christian Tjandrawinata, and stop-motion animations created by Awkward Animations’ Adam Rowland.

While Redmore is currently based in the Netherlands, he is back in Aotearoa New Zealand to perform and promote his latest album. He will hold a final book reading at Dorothy Butler Bookshop in Ponsonby, Auckland, on Saturday 9 November, plus a special event with Suzy Cato on 16 November before returning to Europe.

Singalongercise is available on YouTube and most music streaming platforms.