Mil's Trill's Amelia Robinson Photo Credit: Molly Robinson
One of our favorite activities that I have done with Bebe Bird ever since he was a wee bird (about 7 months old) was venture out & listen to the upbeat melodies from Amelia Robinson's, Mil's Trills, a children's music project that includes Robinson on her Ukulele and a rotating ensemble of musical guests. What we love about her shows is the introduction of new instruments & books read aloud to the kids about the featured musical instrument of the day. The little ones often sit fascinated & dance around to the new rhythms and beats that fill the room & their ears...
Mil's Trills Amelia Robinson & Bebe Bird at a jam session back in 2012
We had the opportunity to interview Amelia & we are super excited to share that with you all. So, without further adieu, meet Amelia & Mil's Trills:
Amelia Robinson (AR): Sure! I think, like many people, getting into children's music was something that happened very organically. For awhile, I explored different parts of the music industry trying to find a good fit-moving to London, dabbling in composition, writing ads and film and playing the ukulele on an artificial island in Qatar! More on that here!
It wasn't until I returned home to Brooklyn in 2010 when it all fell into place. My sister just had a baby and I'd hang out with her and her friends toting along my ukulele and playing the same tunes I had been doing daily in Qatar. Although the songs weren't initially written for children, they were catchy and playful enough to transcend age barriers. The ukulele helped, because it made everyone smile instantly! Anyway, the folks in this group told their friends, and their friends told THEIR friends, and pretty soon we had a following. Mil's Trills was born.
BB: That's so cool because I first learned about Mil's Trills after meeting your sister in the park. From that day forward Rocco (Bebe Bird) and I would travel around Brooklyn frequenting your shows. Could you share your journey in the music world? How did you get started & when did you learn the ukulele?
AR: I started playing piano and singing when I was three years old. We had a really special music community in Brooklyn led by a wonderful teacher, Judy Bain, who taught us piano and choir every week from her little house in Boerum Hill. (I remember it rained almost every Tuesday when I had my piano lesson.) Our group was really tight-knit- we went on yearly retreats and stayed together even through high school. (We're still close today and many have been guests at Mil's Trills shows). This experience is really what inspired the formation of Mil's Trills and our mission to build community for families everywhere through music.
As for the ukulele, well I guess I've been playing since 2006, when a good friend, Reggie Wingnutz, brought me to the Ukulele Cabaret a gathering of uke-thusiasts who met monthly at Jimmys #43 in New York's Lower East Side. I just loved the power of this lil' instrument and took it everywhere-backpacking solo through Europe, traveling to Kazakhstan, Israel, Australia and moving to London. It became a springboard for instant connections breaking down language and cultural barriers and sobering friendships that last a lifetime. it is amazing what something so small can do
BB: When growing up did you have a favorite musician that has influenced your work?
AR: Probably one of the biggest influences is not a musician, but a poet- My grandfather was a very silly man and would craft delicious poems that we just adored. He lived 'til the "ridiculous age" of 96 and left a little piece of his playfulness in all of our hearts.
James was one but now is two,
Which is odd to me and odd to you
For though he's two he's still but one
One whole that is, and full of fun
Written in 1977 for his first grandson, James (my older brother)
Other than that, I've got a big random mishmash of music loves. My first tapes (yes, tapes!) were hand me downs like "Mermaids" and "Pretty Woman" soundtracks. We had the vinyl of Raffi, and the song Joshua Giraffe terrified me. Thanks to my brother, I discovered a true love for the song, My Brave Face, by Paul McCartney. On long family car trips we'd listen to a "best of" album by Australian folk singer John Williamson on repeat. There was this one song called "I'm just a Dog" where every time it came on my dad would sing and pant like a dog while driving and my mum would yell at him to keep his eyes on the road. (the lyrics were "and you don't know my mother was a dingoooo….she used to howl at the moon-Awooooo"). Good times.
It wasn't until I got into the NYC public school system where I learned how to really dance and appreciate a whole new genre of music-regaeton! I'm not ashamed that I generally love all 90s music-TLC, Salt n Peppa, Mariah Carey, Boys II Men, Fugees, etc. I also love, love, love Mary J. Blige and Janet Jackson.
There's also New Orleans-Rebirth Brass Band; Rachmaninoff; Dee-lite…oh man, I can go on and on. I love all sorts of music from all over the world too! I love music that makes me feel something and I love music that makes me want to dance.
Photo Credit: Eric Sumberg
BB: Kids say and do the funniest things sometimes. Can you share any funny incidents with little ones from the show?
AR: Without a doubt, there's always an adventurer in the crowd! Some bold kid who powers over the motors & through the tangled vines of wires to get on stage. It happens every time-no joke!
There's a lot of space in my songs for audience interaction, so often I get really silly suggestions as to what to eat for breakfast (light bulbs?!)
BB: What can we look forward to seeing from Mils Trills in the future?
AR: Well, I'm secretly training all kids out there to be a part of my band, so when they grow up, you'll see a lot more people on stage with me.
We also have some great shows coming up! (There is one in the works that I'm not at liberty to talk about yet but I'll let you know as soon as it goes public). We've been invited back to Lincoln Center's Meet the Artist Saturdays on May 3 & playing the Madison Square Park Spring Kids fest on May 17th, and we will be featured at the Play Date! series up in Riverside Park on June 14th. We are also excited to be playing at the Edinburg Festival Fringe for a return engagement with The Pleasance Theater Company's Kidzone.
BB: So exciting! We can't wait to hit up one of your shows. Is there anything else you would like to share?
AR: I just want to give a BIG thank you to everyone who has supported our music over the years! It means so much to be able to connect and share experiences together. We're so excited to have this album out and hope to continue to build communities and make new friends!
This year is all about saying "Hello!" so if you'd like Mil's Trills to come visit your town please get in touch and sign up for the Mil's Trills newsletter for up to date info.
Thanks again Amelia for bringing good/entertaining music & lots of fun to the littlest New Yorkers and beyond! Bebe Birds loves ya! To learn more about Amelia & Mil's Trills visit them here.
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