Local muso brings home a whimsical hit for kiwi kids

Growing up in Blenheim, Tom Knowles has spent years returning to his hometown to perform and work on creative projects. Now, he is bringing back something extra special – a children’s song created with fellow Kiwi musician Jed Parsons, better known to young audiences as Jeff Parsnips.

All the Things I Wish I Could Be was released on August 14, alongside an official music video, with support from NZ On Air Tamariki. It can be found on YouTube or any online streaming platforms.

“It has been so cool to release this song into the wild and watch it grow over the last week,” says Tom. “We have received so many awesome messages of people sharing it around, including some Blenheim schools saying they were playing it in classrooms, and the kids were loving it! After all, the only way for us grassroots independent artists to do what we do is by the support from everyone locally, and boy do we feel the support from our hometowns!”

The playful family anthem follows a Dad imagining all the animals he could be, before his child reminds him that perhaps the best thing to be is simply yourself. For the duo, it is the first release in what they hope will become a growing catalogue of original family music.

The pair have spent the past year taking their songs and interactive performances around the country, performing for more than 8000 children and families at theatres, festivals and community events.

They have performed the new song more than 40 times, including at Circa Theatre and festivals in Nelson, Hamilton, Tauranga, Taranaki and Christchurch.

The music video was filmed at Orana Wildlife Park during its 50th anniversary celebrations, a fitting location for two musicians whose childhood visits to the park helped inspire the project.

Tom, who has toured nationally with Capital E and played Shrek in the New Zealand production of Shrek the Musical, has also picked up international recognition for his children’s music and video work.

“We have so many things in the pipeline and hope to bring our full show to Blenheim really soon but, in the meantime, we are stoked to get something out that can be played in classrooms and on car rides, no matter where you are.”

Tom will be back in the region later this month, performing with his covers band at Hospice Marlborough’s A Night of Elegance fundraiser.

“I am very much looking forward to coming back next weekend with The Full Noise Boys to play at the sold-out event.

“It’s all for a great cause and I’m sure it will be a great night full of celebration and dancing. After all, for those who know me, a night of elegance pretty much sums me up nicely!”