Todd McHatton

Yes This Is a New One

2010-03-08T15:37:42Z

This Tree House is a Bargain

2010-02-22T03:52:07Z

This Tree House is a Bargain.mp3

Still working out how we might publish a quick little video with each song I post this year. Thought scanning a few thumbnails would do the trick. Still have some things to work-out but I'm going crazy not posting regularly. Decided to just start putting things up again even if they're not completely done and release the finished stuff in future packages. We'll call this the storyboard for an upcoming video.
My favorite part is the end... wait for it...
The new album is coming along well. I'm doing a special limited run, hand-made cd/book for those that want more than just the download version. It doesn't look like we'll make the projected February release date though. We're making some studio repairs/upgrades tonight and things are sounding beautiful! I'll keep you posted.

Yes, I'm Still Here... and Thank You!

2010-02-04T07:16:45Z

Hello everyone! Just a quick note to say I haven't forgotten about you. I have been working hard to get the new album ready and have even put together a few new random tracks as well.
(Let's not spread these around guys. They're just intended as a couple of little lo-fi "one-offs".)
This one is a Joanna Newsom cover for a little "Gift Of Music" project...
The Sprout and the Bean.mp3
And, this one was a quick little ditty for my son who wanted a hard rock song to animate his "Cuddle Monster" band to...
Let's Cuddle.mp3

I am absolutely overwhelmed with gratitude for all the kind words and reviews from everyone for the "Christmas Songs" EP.

You who frequent this place already know how much Harry Nilsson means to me. To be featured on this beautiful site and receive all those over the top comments... well, it was just too much. I actually cried. Thank you.

I've also got to thank:
"The Art of Irreverence" - she said:
This is THE indie pop album of the season. It's been compared to The Flaming Lips and The Shins. In what world would you not want to obtain this EP immediately? You'll thank me later.
(yes, I'm still thanking you... thank you!)

Zooglobble for picking it as one of their top 8 Holiday Albums of the year (and for recently featuring our video for "Super Friend Vacation" from a couple of years ago).

Warren Truitt over at Kids Music That Rocks and About.com who writes some of my favorite reviews and who also featured my "Happy Vegan Thanksgiving" tune.

Spare The Rock Spoil The Child for playing one of the Christmas songs on their Holiday Show and for playing "It's A Breeze", the opener from "Grass Stained Twilight", on their first show of 2010. These are fantastic radio shows featured on 93.9 The River in Northampton, MA and 101.5 in Battleboro, VT.

OWTK (Out With The Kids) for featuring the Christmas EP and for the awesome tweets.

Nugget Island for the tweeting.

Almost There Radio for the play on their Chrismas Eve show.

My hometown radio station, Radio Ojai, for featuring the Christmas Record.

And one more thing,
One little dream I've had since I started posting here was to someday be part of a Scott Simon/Daniel Pinkwater conversation on NPR. I think I got something better though when Daniel Pinkwater played "A Pudgy Pig and a Fuzzy Peach" (again, from "Grass Stained Twilight") on his amazing Pinkwater Podcast. Thank You!

So, two more little dreams to go...
Looking forward to playing that musical guest set on Saturday Night Live with Paul McCartney and doing that soundtrack for the next Pixar film!

Thank you again everyone!
We've got a nice animated video and new song coming up shortly... stay tuned.

Get My Brand New Christmas EP for FREE! Merry Christmas!!!

2009-12-12T04:46:00Z

A Plate Of Cookies (Yes We Believe).mp3

Introducing my new holiday collection:
"Todd McHatton Christmas Songs"! (catchy title huh)
You can download the entire thing for free right here, right now (my gift to you), and start getting your Christmas rocking on. Or you can get started with the little tune right there above my head. There is a limited number of actual physical copies available. If you want one of those you'll have to drop me an email me using that little link up there in the right hand corner. I require nickels... Nickels, nickels, nickels! That beautiful sound of plinking nickels!" (approximately 100 of them) "All I want is what I have coming to me; All I want is my fair share." And if it wouldn't be too much, I'd like to get something for you Clark. Something really nice."

Happy Holidays to all of you and thank you for a fantastic year. I look forward to sharing my new full length cd "Sundays At The Rocket Park" with you in the new year as well as a new collection of comics and the epic concept album "The Green Thing."
Merry Christmas!

The Happy Vegan Thanksgiving Song!

2009-11-23T02:41:01Z

Happy Vegan Thanksgiving.mp3

It's the "Happy Vegan Thanksgiving Song"!

The Happy Vegan Thanksgiving Song
Animals gathered round the table - Singin' songs and holdin' hands - This is a decree for all the species - This is a celebration! - Wishing you all a Happy Vegan Thanksgiving - It's a celebration - With bears and birds and turtles and girls and boys and so much more - Celabrating the joy of living - It's what we're all here for - This is a decree for all the species - This is a celebration! - Wishing you all a Happy Vegan Thanksgiving - Please pass the yams! - Please pass the stuffing too - Please pass the garlic mashed potatoes - You say you never ate those? - Oh they're so good too! - Please pass the greens! - Please pass the pearl onions - You gotta try some - Pass some green beans and corn and rolls - Please pass the squash and cranberry sauce - Oh no, I'm already way too full!

Welcome Home Frank

2009-11-14T00:20:46Z

Welcome Home Frank.mp3

So you let this guy crash at your pad while you're outta town and he decides it might be alright to have a couple of his buddies over for cribbage and leap frog and whatnot. They get into your unmentionables and then they think they'll just completely evade all accountability for their devastating little escapade with a wacky little welcome home serenade. Yeah, well... it is a pretty nice little tune...

Welcome Home Frank
Good to see you man - I hope you understand - Things was rough when you was gone - The bears misplaced all your under-wears - and the turtles have torn up the lawn - Don't be mad Frank they're gonna - Find your under-pants - They're gonna - Fix up all the grass - They're gonna - Find your underpants - Fix up all the grass - Welcome home Frank - Welcome home - There's no under-pants in the place - And the lawn is ruined - Still welcome home Frank - Welcome home - 'Least the turtles and bears and I aren't gone - And you've been gone so very long - Good to see you man - You know we missed you and - Things be better now you're home - We can plant some grass - And make you some new under-pants - But first we gotta teach the bears how to sew - Don't be mad Frank they're gonna - Make you under-pants - Fix up all the grass - Welcome home Frank - Welcome home - There's no under-pants in the place - And the lawn is ruined - Still welcome home Frank - Welcome home - 'Least the turtles and bears and I aren't gone

Hey Money Man! (a song for Eliot)

2009-11-08T23:47:33Z

Hey Money Man.mp3

This ones for my awesome little nephew Eliot who's got that nasty bug that's going around right now. He said he wanted me to make him a song about a money man walking down the street. Get better Eliot!
Hey Money Man!
Little Money Man walking down the street says "coins come out whenever I sneeze" - Eliot walks up and hands him - A handkerchief - He says "Hey Money Man, Hey Money Man don't you know it's cold out?" - "Hey Money Man, Hey Money Man take off your coat now" - Little Money Man walking down the street says "cash comes out when I cut the cheese" - Eliot walks up behind him - With a bag in the breeze - He says "Hey Money Man, Hey Money Man don't hold it in now" - He says "Hey Money Man, Hey Money Man just let it go now" - If you've got spare change I can arrange a solution or two - Even snot or poo that's okay - I'll be there for you - Little Money - Little Money Man walking down the street says "coins come out whenever I sneeze" - Eliot walks up and hands him - A handkerchief - He says "Hey Money Man, Hey Money Man I'm following wherever you go now" - "Hey Money Man, Hey Money Man 'cause that's how we roll now"

Cooper Animates Hippo! (and more)

2009-11-01T20:27:05Z

Well, here it is... Coopers' amazing animation of Hippo!
Plus, you get to see a few more of his toons. Isn't he awesome!

Who Needs Sleep

2009-10-28T18:02:44Z

Who Needs Sleep.mp3

It's a brand new tune! And it will be featured on my upcoming new cd entitled "Sundays At The Rocket Park"...yay! It's also featured on Song Fight this week so give it a listen and, if you like it best, go over there and give it a vote for me!

Who Needs Sleep?
Had to be done - No way around it - Celia Sheep had to be counted - Who needs sleep? - Celia Sheep says I do - Getting paid in z's doesn't cover expenses - Spendin' her nights jumpin' over the fences - Who needs sleep? - Celia Sheep says I do - Uh eh oh - Uh eh oh - Chicka - Chicka - It shouldn't be so hard - Getting to sleep - While you're lying in a lump - They're lining up - To get you into a dream - It shouldn't be so hard - Getting to sleep - While you're lying in a lump - They're lining up - To get you into a dream - While these little white clouds are floatin' over the fence posts - You're lying in bed - Cozy on your pillows - Who needs sleep? - Celia Sheep says I do - Who needs sleep? - Celia Sheep says I do - Uh eh oh - Uh eh oh - Chicka - Chicka - It shouldn't be so hard - Getting to sleep - While you're lying in a lump - They're lining up - To get you into a dream - It shouldn't be so hard - Getting to sleep - While you're lying in a lump - They're lining up - To get you into a dream - Who a who a who who needs sleep - Ba ba ba - Had to be a way - And Celia found it - She dreamed up somethin' else for the people to count and - Now who gets to sleep? - Celia Sheep says - We do - We do - We do - We do

Love & Dreams

2009-10-15T05:23:46Z

Love & Dreams.mp3

Yes indeed, it's all you need...
A little song about love and dreams.
and,
The kids and I drew a little picture to go with it too!

Hauling Stars

2009-09-30T22:48:51Z

Hauling Stars.mp3

You're thinking to yourself... "Hey, I know this one" and, "I've seen that picture before" and, "Wait, that part at the end, I know that one too!"
Yes, it's true, some thing's are old and some thing's are new. The past 3 posts have been new songs for old stories and pictures from everyone's favorite book "Grass Stained Twilight".
I can't recall this elephants name 'cause, like most elephants, he comes and goes pretty quickly. No time for chit-chat. You know elephants and their rocket ships. Anyway, if you see him, maybe you'll point out that somebody posted a song about him on the internet.
I hear elephants like that sort of thing.
Also, if you're aware of any other species that enjoy this type of friendly entertainment perhaps you wouldn't mind letting them know as well.

Say Hello To My Hippo!

2009-09-13T05:04:17Z

Hippo.mp3

Say Hello to my Hippo,
He's as friendly as can be.
There really is no reason
To hide up in that tree.
He's big and fat and funny,
And he's got a lovely smile.
He only shops at thrift stores,
But he's got a lot of style.
Don't let his scrunched face fool you,
It's only just pretend.
It's not because he's angry,
It's 'cause he's breaking wind.
On second thought, I'll join you,
Up there in your tree,
'Cause sometimes by my hippo,
It's hard for me to breathe.

Yes, well there you are folks. This one's a considered a classic around our camp. Coop's been begging me to get it recorded and posted for a very long time. He's working on an animation for it right now using the new Nintendo DS Lite Flip Note Studio. If you haven't seen that little program yet you've got to check it out. Absolutely amazing. I'll post a link here as soon as he's ready. This song will be included on next years "Grass Stained Twilight Volume 2" CD but you're gettin' it here and now for free! Send your friends a link. Everyone loves a flatulent hippo!
In other news;
The Green Thing is coming along nicely. It really is turning into the epic we always wanted it to be. Remember, this one isn't coming out until next year either but if you're really wanting a sneak peak you can check out "Call Me They". Kids Music That Rocks gave it this splendid little introduction: "If The Flaming Lips Made a Kids' Album..."
The newest CD cover (for the collection coming out this year) is almost complete and we'll announce the title and give you a sneak preview in the coming weeks.
And, we just can't get enough of The Beatles RockBand around here. Landen and Caden came over last night and we rocked that thing for hours. The whole fam's learning the words to every Beatles song. Just awesome.

Cereal Guy

2009-08-24T05:21:09Z

Cereal Guy.mp3

Cereal Guy
When I wake up in the
morning, I have only one goal, And that is to get to my cereal bowl. I start with the classics, The crunches and puffs, And when I have munched up All of that stuff, I move on to granolas, And then to oatmeals, Till my head starts to spinning, And I'm feeling surreal. I chew through the boxes,
Never stopping to rest,
Always in hope of completing my quest,
Hoping that someday, When the sun starts to rise,
I'll pour into my bowl A half decent prize.

So that's a brand new one from the upcoming "Grass Stained Twilight: Volume 2" CD, with more to follow in the coming months... final release date mid 2010.
We've also been hard at work on "The Green Thing" with five brand new songs in the mixing stages. Release date should be as advertised in early 2010. Would someone please tell Hayao Miyazaki that we'd like him and John Lasseter to produce and direct the film.
And, still to come this year... another CD of favorites from this site (and a few new ones) as well as a Christmas record!

Just a brief note about the passing of the amazing Les Paul...
I once had the extreme pleasure of sitting down to a conversation with Les Paul, the man who pioneered and invented everything from multi-track recording to the electric guitar. In the room with us that night were Jerry Cantrell from Alice In Chains, Billy Sheehan from David Lee Roth's band, and Rick Nielsen from Cheap Trick. Everyone sat completely glued to the man who had essentialy given them their reason for being. I was living on the beach in Oxnard at the time and he told me how he and Bing Crosby had been driving up the coast to an event many, many years ago. He pointed out how the drive took much longer in those days and how they had made it to Oxnard when Bing realized he had to use the restroom. There was nothing in Oxnard at the time so they drove up to a house in a residential area, knocked on the door, and the two living legends gave the occupants the surprise of their life. My re-telling of this story fails in communicating the warmth and humor that left everyone laughing and hanging on his every word. It's not just what you do, it's how you do it. Les continued to surprise all of us that evening with his amazing energy, his incredible joy for life, and his beautiful guitar playing. His legacy will continue to give all of us new joys and surprises for years and generations to come. I will use the tools he gave me with great joy and respect for the rest of my life.

They Meet

2009-07-26T17:34:21Z

They Meet.mp3

A Brand New Song of the Week! And it's live and unplugged!

Good news for all you folks in Ojai who haven't picked up your copy of "Grass Stained Twilight" yet... We've just added two more stores: Serendipity Toys, without a doubt one of the greatest toy stores ever -and- Bhavantu, Catherine Nations wonderful clothing store with shoes, books, jewelry, yoga, and more.
Thank You!

Is It?... Oh Yes It Is!.. a Comic AND a Song!!!

2009-07-15T07:42:15Z

Fun & Adventure.mp3