BY ALANA MITCHELSON
Children’s band The MikMaks have new farm-inspired songs to perform in Geelong next week with special friends Drums the Panda and Bruce the Hairy Crocodile.
Brothers Brian, Joel, Alan and Dean McInnes grew up on a farm in Western Victoria where they sang carols together as children.
In the summer of 2012 they were in a caravan at Port Fairy when they decided to write a song for their kids.
Within six months they had 10 songs and had performed their first show, at Anglesea.
Their new album, Working on the Farm, sends the McInnes brothers back to their roots with a focus on nature, country life and working the land, depicted with bright sets.
The opening song features a MikMak express train as the quartet makes its journey to the family farmhouse.
Joel McInnes, who adorns his characteristic bright blue jacket, described the live shows as energetic, fun and colourful.
“We drive the train to grandpa’s farm and perform the songs from our new album,” he said.
“We have 12 kids between the four of us.
“Our children really provide us inspiration for song ideas.
“Our songs usually come from something they say or do, or even something they’re humming.
“Even the questions they ask you, such as ’what do belly buttons do?’”
McInnes said the MikMaks’ target age group was kids aged one to eight but the show was entertaining for all ages.
The MikMaks play Bell Park’s Croatian Club from 10am on 19 December.
