We had the good fortune of connecting with Anne Montone and Jennifer Cook of Again Again and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anne and Jennifer, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
We created Again Again, with the goal to teach kids life lessons on progressive topics because we thought there were subjects that needed attention now. Anne and I were already music partners and first time moms singing made up lullabies to our babies. Anne thought, why not record some of these compositions. I loved the idea. Shortly there after, Again Again was born. Anne and I released our debut album Listen. Love. Repeat. in October 2019 along with our companion coloring and lyric book. Listen. Love. Repeat. has received accolades from notable family publications and blogs as well as made it on Phil Sayblack’s 2019 “Top Family Music Albums of the Year” list. We were super pleased to be selected as a 2019 Parent’s Choice selection as well. Catching on to the sounds of Again Again are kids stations including WFDU-FM, KCSS-FM, WAWL FM, WVEW-FM (VT), WXPN-FM (PA), WTUL-FM (LA), KDXH-FM (MO), WFDU-FM (NJ), KDXH-FM (MO), Radio Nursery -Jonzie Kurian, KUTX-FM (TX), KDXH-FM (MO) as well as Spotify, Amazon and Apple Music. Some of our song topics include: Blended/Multicultural Families. Families with two dads or two moms or just one parent. Empathy towards those in need. Be kind to planet earth. Helping out at home. Using your imagination. Being brave on your first day of school. For our upcoming album, some of our topics will include: Speaking up for what you believe. Being the boss of your body. Anti-bullying. Pronoun Song/Gender Identity: She, He, They. Bath time fun with Captain Bubble Beard. Again Again is excited for our future plans which involve continuing to perform at local schools, libraries and within the community, growing our podcast and continuing to partner with community programs such as Crayon Collection and Harmony Project. Due to the pandemic, Again Again pivoted to online resources by creating short music lessons on YouTube for schools to supplement their music programs.  

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Jen and I went to college together, created downtempo electronic band Elephonic and have continued to make music over the years. Having children helped us create progressive, loving songs that teach life lessons, messages we like teaching our own kids. We’re DYI musicians but being new to children’s music, we knew we needed someone to help us get our name and sound out there and who was experienced within the family music space. Elizabeth Waldman at Waldmania PR really stepped in to help us get Again Again out in the world. We’ve also sold books and music at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair as well as local festivals. We love meeting people and sharing our music but because we’re in a pandemic, we’re depending on reaching out online and having backyard, masked, music rehearsals and writing sessions. We’re lucky the weather is usually pretty agreeable in Los Angeles so Again Again has had some nice backyard sessions; keyboards, ukuleles, birds chirping, dogs running, kids jumping on the trampoline and all.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Pre pandemic a week long visit with a friend would include: Sunday: We’d start the day with brunch at the DTLA SOHO House followed by a planned visit to the Broad Museum and topping it off with a stroll through the Lost Bookstore. Monday: We would explore the Grove, see a movie, and grab a bite at the Original Farmer’s Market on Fairfax. Tuesday: We would hike at Griffith Park and visit the Observatory (free entry). Wednesday: Take a walk at Venice Beach and window shop on Abbot Kinney. Stop in for ice cream at Salt and Straw. Thursday: Little Tokyo Galleria, stop in for some vegan sushi at Shojin and bowling at Xlanes. Friday: Spend the day eating and shopping at Eataly in Century City’s outdoor shopping center, Westfield Mall. Saturday: Take the tram to the Getty Museum (free entry) and explore the beautiful grounds and amazing collection of art.  

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Again Again would like to give big thanks to our family and friends and all who helped make the album. Jay Montone – Writer/Composer, Keith Senior – Engineer/Producer/Composer/Keyboards/Guitars/Drum Programming/String & Horn Arrangements,Alex Kahn – Producer, Wally Callerio (Dufflebag Studios) – Mastering, Jiyoung Park – Legal Counsel, Cover Art & Design by AJ Jimenez, Web – Richard Cook, PR – Waldmania PR,Additional Vocals: Aria Nice, Brooklyn Denson, Nicolas Denson, Leina Cook , Anara Cook, Grace Ferguson. Additional Strings: Manoela Wunder, Book Illustrators: Angela Bryant, Mary Ellen Loc, DensonCreative, Meg Peterson, Jade Wolf, Manuela Torres-Orejuela, Trish Hagedon, Jennifer Garber, James Nice, Louie Valen

Website: http://www.againagain.net/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/againagainmusic/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/againagainmusic
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW8Vkd-KGa4R8aosl82CAzA
Other: https://againagainmusic.bandcamp.com/releases

Image Credits
Mathias Fau

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