Sprockster: Hi guys! Thanks so much for doing an interview with Sprockster.com. You are definitely a community fave, but - for our new readers - can you tell us a little bit about The SqueeGees?

The SqueeGees: The SqueeGees are a band for the whole family. We write songs that encourage living a healthy lifestyle, enjoying nature, eco consciousness, and other issues we believe in. Of course, we also enjoy being completely silly and making lots of noise too! We are really excited to have Pierre de Reeder with us, our newest addition to the band. I’m sure most of you would know him as the bassist of Rilo Kiley.

Sprockster: Congratulations on your release, Meet The SqueeGees! Can you tell us a little bit about your album?

The SqueeGees: We put a lot of love into the making of the CD, not only the songs, but the artwork (we have a poster included), and making sure it was sustainable. It is recyclable with soy-based ink. We really just wanted to make a really enjoyable album for the whole family.

Sprockster: I can’t help but notice the reference to The Beatles’ second album Meet The Beatles! Did they inspire any parts of this album?

The SqueeGees: Yes, that was our little Beatles tribute. They inspire us in general! We always include a few Beatles tunes in our sets. We all grew up listening to the Beatles. My mom was a huge fan. In fact, my mom taught nursery school and I remember her playing Beatles songs in her classes. I know Pierre likes to play the Beatles for his children at home too. It is wonderful family music!

Sprockster: I saw Meet The SqueeGees in Target the other day and I understand that it is a “Target Exclusive.” For most artists working in the family music genre, national distribution is a mystery. Can you tell us what it is like to work with such a big company like Target?

The SqueeGees: Our CD just launched in Target, which is so unbelievable. We are all pretty excited about that. Target is an amazing company. Actually, my first job was working as a cashier at Target and I worked there again when I was in graduate school, on Target Baby/ Kids and Hispanic Marketing. Not too many corporate giants are as philanthropic and give as much back to the community as genuinely as Target does. I really appreciate that as a consumer and as you know we are pretty passionate about causes that we believe in and try to raise awareness as well.  I think it is a great fit and we are just beyond excited to have “Meet the SqueeGees” in Target stores.

Sprockster: Do you have any advice for family music acts trying to get out there and sell their own independent CD releases in their hometown?

The SqueeGees: I think approaching children’s boutiques, local businesses and companies is a good way to get it out there and off course sharing as much music as possible with friends and online with fans. I always believe if things are done with love they will be received with love.

Sprockster: Besides your Target exclusive, do you have any other big plans to promote the new album?

The SqueeGees: Yes, we have a lot of exciting plans in the works. We have been playing in and around the Los Angeles area as much as possible and are looking forward to touring in other areas. We are also in the process of shooting a music video for one of the songs from the album. And, we are working on a new release. Writing children’s music is so inspiring and enjoyable. We just love working on songs and performing.

Sprockster: Will your Target exclusive end and, if so, when/where can someone get a copy of Meet The SqueeGees?

The SqueeGees: We are still in the process of ironing things out in terms of how long it will be an exclusive at Target, but for now you can get it at all Target stores and Target.com. If not, you can purchase it on iTunes or contact us at http://www.meetthesqueegees.com/squeegees.html

Sprockster: I see that Samantha has a solo project and that you each have traditional songwriting experience. Can you tell us how - if any - your experience in the contemporary music world has benefited The SqueeGees.

The SqueeGees: I know Pierre’s children really inspire him in his solo work and writing for the SqueeGees. I just love writing songs. Having my solo stuff has influenced me, but I think even more collaborating with others and broadening my mind when it comes to songwriting has been really enlightening as well. Also I am sure Pierre’s experiences in Rilo Kiley have also shaped his songwriting. He is so talented.

Sprockster: What inspired you to branch out and start making family music?

The SqueeGees: Well, I started writing songs when I was little. I would mostly write songs about my pets, which I guess I am still doing. When I started teaching and working with children, it just kind of happened. Raffi was a big influence for me as well. When I was little he was just the coolest. He has such a beautiful heart and spirit and it just pours out in his songs. Pierre says that having his own children introduced him to a whole new world of music and songwriting. His daughters Amelia and Sophia really love, Tweet Tweet, Tweet, which is the last track on the CD.

Sprockster: Your album says that all songs were produced at “Home” studios. Can you tell our readers a bit about your writing and production process?

The SqueeGees: The songs all came about in different ways, but mostly when I was teaching Mommy and Me classes. There were tons of songs about ice cream, and piling food on your plate, which is all great, but I thought that there should be more songs about healthy living, the earth, and other things that we believe in. We’re also huge supporters of dog rescue and animal activism and we wanted to include a song on our album. We recorded the album on protools and in Pierre’s studio in North Hollywood, and our friend Assaf Lotan helped us with mixing.

Sprockster: What do you typically enjoy the most, writing or performing?

The SqueeGees: It’s just so much fun because there are so many wonderful things to write about. Children appreciate the simple things and are so open and uninhibited. I think adults would benefit by taking some time out every day to make animal sounds, spin around, and sing and dance. It is a very magical thing. Writing and performing as The SqueeGees just gives us license to be children again and to be silly and explore life through song.

Sprockster: Tell us about your next big show.

The SqueeGees: Our next show will be at The Grove in Los Angeles on November 11th at 11am. We’re always looking for new venues to play and hopefully will be touring in the future.

Sprockster: What’s next for The SqueeGees?

The SqueeGees: We’re writing new music and will be recording a new album. We are also trying to do some new music videos. We are open to whatever comes our way.

Sprockster: In addition to your Sprockster profile page, where else can people learn more about you?

The SqueeGees: You can visit our website http://www.meetthesqueegees.com/squeegees.html, plus we’re on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/MeetTheSqueeGees or follow us on Twitter.

Sprockster: What is one thing that no one in the world knows about your band right now?

The SqueeGees: My dog Nala was the inspiration behind the song “Nala The Chihuahua.”

Sprockster: Team . . . ?

The SqueeGees: Team Green

Sprockster: That’s it. Any last words?

The SqueeGees: This has been a lot of fun. The SqueeGees are passionate about making the world a better place. Parents seem to appreciate are songs with positive messages such as healthy eating, animal rescue and living a green lifestyle. We’re so pleased children love our songs and enjoy singing and dancing when we’re performing on stage. Just knowing children are processing these important messages and having a good time makes us proud that we’re making an impact. Sprockster you’ve been awesome and thank you so much for supporting The SqueeGees. We feel special.

Sprockster: Thanks so much! The SqueeGees ROCK!

To learn more about The SqueeGees, please visit http://www.meetthesqueegees.com/squeegees.html The SqueeGees’ new album is called Meet The SqueeGees and is available nationwide at Target and Target.com.