Larkspell takes the stage, and members of The Shellies walk on to join them. That live moment is one of 10 videos in Whatchamacallits, a YouTube playlist full of melodies, studio fun and cheerful creativity.
Where the Two Groups Meet
Time We Blew (Larkspell) was captured at one of the band’s last events, where they performed this song. When the music wound down, members of The Shellies walked on to share the stage. It makes a lively centrepiece for the whole playlist, and it shows how naturally the two groups share a musical space. Larkspell is an all-female band, and its fun-loving spirit suits the mood of the whole collection.
Such Fun To Sing takes a pier in the Shire as its setting, with The Shellies filming a song while enjoying their day. Music, positive thinking and creativity run through the clip, giving it an upbeat feel from start to finish. Led By Dreams Show promo adds another invitation, describing happy, creative, feel good songs that carry listeners on an imaginative journey. Together the two clips show the playlist at its cheerful best.
The name itself is a conversation starter. Whatchamacallit stands in for any object whose name escapes you, is unknown to you or is deliberately left unsaid, and it began as a shortened, phonetic take on “what you may call it”. Many people also know it as a popular chocolate candy bar made by The Hershey Company, with peanut butter crisp covered in chocolate. That playful double meaning suits a playlist built on fun, and it gives the collection a name that is easy to remember.
Little Pleasures, One Video at a Time
Studio clips reward a closer look. The clips are easy to enjoy, and each one catches the collective in a relaxed mood. Viewers who like seeing how songs come together will find backing vocals, bass and producer sessions here, while anyone who prefers a quick burst of fun can pick a clip and enjoy it in just a few minutes, with no need to commit to a full session.
Sweet Nothings brings the laughs that followed the session recording that very song, while A little bit of Fun shows more bass being added to a track in Dandelion Studio. Never Stop Believing follows the group as they meet their producer and begin Never Never, adding backing vocals and bits of this and that, with plenty of smiles on camera. Taken together, the clips show a group that enjoys the process as much as the result.
In Song begins before any music starts. The Shellies arrive early to pick up the vibes of the rooms and equipment, and a little messing about serves as their icebreaker. Viewers are asked to join in and sing along, which makes the video feel like a warm welcome into the studio day. It is a gentle reminder that good songs often start with good company and a little time to relax into the room.
Three dandelion videos finish the tour. Dandelion Seedlets presents snippets of fun that were planted and nurtured at the Music Studio, then set free to bloom into your days. Dandelion Seeds trims three tracks and sets them together in an effort to explain life’s meaning in the Shire. Dandelion Spores offers three songs to chill with, concentrate to, dance along with or let your hair down.
About the Artists
At its core, The Shellies is a group of singing songwriters. Their way of seeing things comes from positivity, imagination and their place within the Shire community, and they cherish self-improvement along with simple everyday delights. Visual artists, animators, producers and musicians work with them, exploring storytelling through creative expression and welcoming many different perspectives. A band made up entirely of women, Larkspell has a musical personality that loves fun. Both groups make the studio, the stage and plain play a natural home for movement and cheerful ideas.
Stories Told Through Song
Whatchamacallits gathers the creative life of The Shellies and Larkspell in one place, with a clip for nearly every mood. Press play on any of the 10 videos and the music does the introducing. Fans of cheerful songs, imaginative ideas and relaxed studio moments will find plenty to enjoy in this collection of small joys.
