High Places Jump In

Posted: 07 August, 2009

For some of us, primary school conjures up less-than-perfect memories: the awkwardness, the unrequited crushes, the tough kids with facial hair waiting for you behind the sheds. Not so for experimental pop heads High Places, who went back to school in a big way.

The New York-based duo's association with the kids began when Mary's mother, a teacher at Gilkey Elementary, where Mary herself went to school, asked her daughter to pen an anthem for the kids' yearly theme. Jump in (For Gilkey Elementary School), as the song was originally called, was such a hit with the kids that Mary's mum began working with them to sing and perform the song in their musical classes.

The song, which has a distinctly sunny, motivational vibe (If you never take the first step / You cannot go too far / So get a move on, jump in!), was written to introduce the kids to polyrhythm, percussion and other musical ideas. The kids fell in love with the song's message and its ideas, and began choreographing their own routines for it. Seeing their response, Mary and Rob Barber, the other half of High Places, traveled to the school and performed the song with the kids at assemblies. Inspired by the experience, many of the kids went on to form their own bands, which will no doubt go on to fight the good fight against all the nu-metal in the world. 

Eventually, in 2008, Jump In surfaced on an obscure, internet-only singles comp put out by our friends at Mistletone. Then, this year, NAB got wind of it, and used it with their NAB Schools campaign TVC, which is also all about motivating the next generation of little people. To get hold of the track and get motivated yourself, head on over to the itunes store, or check out a snatch from it in the NAB TVC below.

High Places appear on Gaga Master via Thrill Jockey.

Pete : 07 August, 2009

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