Children’s Music Spotlight – The Rockin’ Movement Of Red Yarn

Red Yarn’s latest album, The Get-Together, sounds like one big family-friendly party. Apparently, that was the idea. “The whole concept of the album was to have an inclusive, joyful family dance party,” says Red Yarn, AKA Andy Furgeson. The local Portland musician released his debut album, The Deep Woods, in 2013, and since then, he’s been rocking the children’s music scene. His work is inspired by everything from blues to rockabilly to old American folk songs. 

“I grew up in Austin, Texas—a great music town,” says Furgeson. “From a really early age, I was going to shows.” Influenced by the legacy of Texas blues, along with the burgeoning alt-country scene, Furgeson was inspired to switch from violin to guitar. “I played in bands all through high school, like punk rock, surf rock, and rockabilly kind of stuff.” After moving to Southern California for college, Furgeson grew more inspired by bluegrass and folk music. Once he graduated and moved to Portland, he realized he could combine his passion for education with playing music.

“As I was playing music for grownups and working with kids, I started to combine the two,” says Furgeson. “I was doing a deeper dive into old American folk songs at that time. Then, I realized what a cool fit it would be in working with kids.” Indeed, Furgeson cites a long tradition of folk songs for children, with artists like Ella Jenkins, Pete Seeger, Woody Guthrie, and Lead Belly as inspirations. Soon, Furgeson developed the Red Yarn persona. “It’s been evolving ever since then!”

Red Yarn’s 2023 album The Get-Together is a joyous combination of rock and roll, R&B, and soul, inspired by the classics of the 50s and 60s. Each song is comprised of encouraging, sing-along lyrics that kids (and parents) will love. One of the standouts of the album is “Daydreams,” a relatable anthem to any kid who sometimes finds themselves lost in their thoughts. “Inside My Books,” another stellar track, features Portland-based jazz, soul, funk, and R&B musician Arietta Ward. It’s one of the many incredible collaborations on the album. Others include Portland jazz saxophonist Eldon “T” Jones and Red Yarn’s wife and singing partner, Ms. Jessie.

“Over the last few years, I’ve definitely opened my mind and my heart to the power of collaboration.” Red Yarn’s latest album and previous projects with other artists celebrate the local music scene by including an array of multi-genre collaborations. He cites the early days of the pandemic and the 2020 protests for racial justice as catalysts for this passion for collaborative work. “There was a real call to action within the family music community,” Furgeson shares. “How can we build bridges between genres? How can we build bridges between cultures?” 

In recording The Get-Together, Furgeson set out to make an album that explored these values for young kids. Many of the lyrics cover concepts like community and friendship, all while championing the spirit of collaboration through music. “This idea of a big, inclusive retro dance party seemed like the perfect way to do that. The concept going into it was, ‘Make it collaborative and bring in as many guests as I can.’” 

Earlier this month, Red Yarn and friends got a chance to bring the party to life at the Crystal Ballroom. The album release show featured puppeteers, local children’s musicians, collaborators on The Get-Together, and even Red Yarn’s own two children. Looking back on the show, Furgeson says, “The final track on the album is called ‘Dream Come True,’ and that’s what it was.”

If you’d like to join in on the fun, there are a number of Red Yarn shows coming up. The artist is playing Austin City Limits this weekend on October 7th and 8th alongside children’s reggae musician Aaron Nigel Smith as the duo Smith & Yarn. Later this month, your family can catch Red Yarn and Ms. Jessie live at the Walters Cultural Arts Center in Hillsboro, OR on October 14th. To learn more about the event and other recurring Red Yarn shows, visit the artist’s Events Calendar. Find Red Yarn’s latest album, as well as previous recordings, on his Bandcamp. 

Children’s Music Spotlight is a recurring column showcasing the children’s music scene here in Oregon. Tune in next month for more local music updates for families and burgeoning young musicians!