Meaning, Connection & Positivity: Behind the Songs of Pep & Perk with Smidi and Scott Krippayne
BMI composers Michael “Smidi” Smith and Scott Krippayne have both achieved a level of success in the music industry that most creators can only aspire to. As award-winning songwriters and producers, they’ve individually worked directly with a wide array of prominent recording artists from across the spectrum of genres, and their work is regularly heard at both the top of the charts and throughout a wide array of acclaimed films and television series. But behind the literal armfuls of prestigious awards, industry accolades and enviable resume highlights has been an astonishing amount of hard work and a driving passion to write, produce and create music that resonates. Having already professionally achieved so much, their mission to make that resonant music for a very specific audience – specifically children—brought the two together, and that alchemy opened a whole new avenue of creative fulfillment to explore.
Smidi and Scott’s latest collaboration is the Pep & Perk project, a series of fun songs for kids sung by two lovable, hairy characters with an emphasis on self-love, education, and positivity. The newest collection of Pep & Perk songs, Helping Out!, is an infectious record that encourages the universal values of responsibility and contribution, but delivers those messages with an irrepressibly upbeat sensibility that makes performing even the most workaday chores seem celebratory. In very short order, Helping Out! has garnered wide acclaim among children and parents alike, and is currently touted as a formidable GRAMMY contender.
BMI spoke with Smidi and Scott to get their take on their amazing careers thus far and the path to Helping Out! Here’s what they had to say.
You’ve both enjoyed incredible, award-winning careers in the music business, working across multiple genres with a wide host of different artists, sounds, and disciplines. You’ve both achieved major milestones via your exceptional music and hard work. What inspired you to collaborate on children’s music, specifically?
Smidi: When my sons were 1 and 3, I asked my manager, Molly Kaye, to see if she could find an opportunity to write something for them. They didn’t care about any of the popular artists that I had already written for. Scott and I ended up getting a shot to pitch a theme song idea for a new show on Nickelodeon called PAW Patrol. We ended up winning, which put us on the radar of some great creatives at Nick, Disney, and Dreamworks. Soon after, we started to write songs for another new show, Blaze and The Monster Machines. We have been writing episodic songs for them for nearly 10 years now - over 100 songs.
How did Pep & Perk come about? How did you two get involved? What is it about these two characters that work so well, do you think?
Scott: After collaborating on PAW Patrol, Blaze, and some other things, Smidi and I had a great working relationship creating music for younger ears. A couple years back, we thought we’d try to write some songs that would be helpful to parents and fun for kids… and the Pep & Perk project was born. The characters came along a little bit later, but we think they’re pretty lovable, cute, and a little quirky - and that seems to be connecting with kids and parents alike.
What’s the biggest misconception about writing music for children? What are the biggest challenges?
Smidi: I think that some people assume that children’s music is baby music. In our case, we wanted the music to be written and produced like any other modern pop song, but with lyrics and topics appropriate for kids - and songs that (hopefully) don’t drive parents crazy.
Scott: Kids are naturally curious and creative and sometimes our society underestimates what they can understand and enjoy. The challenges are similar to writing in any genre - how do we create the best song we can for the intended audience. That said, getting asked to write songs like “Centripetal Force” and “Structural Engineering” (for Blaze and The Monster Machines) were interesting puzzles to try to solve.
What’s your favorite element of the music-creation process: writing, recording, or performing? Please explain why.
Smidi: We created Pep & Perk to be the Gorillaz of Children’s Music. Great music, and cool-looking characters who are not defined by a human form or gender. For me, I love the recording and production process. Building these productions and trying them out on my 8-year-old daughter. Hearing her singing them in her room with the door closed is a big one for me. Just being part of something that connects with her in this way is special.
Scott: The writing process is my favorite… from inspiration to idea, discovering the song as it unfolds, and then having it all come together. That process never gets old for me - I’ve loved it since I was a kid and am grateful I still get to do it! I enjoy getting to sing on many of the songs as well - but songwriting still takes the cake for me.
Can you share a bit about your creative process?
Smidi: One thing that is unique about our process is that we have always worked remotely. From our Bebe Rexha song to our kids’ projects, it has always been sending ideas back and forth. Sometimes Scott will write the basics of the song, mockup a rough shape, and send it to me to do my production thing. Sometimes I’ll create tracks for Scott to topline.
Scott: Yeah, I don’t think we’ve ever actually written a song together in the same room or even on Zoom. We get together when I’m down in Los Angeles, but we’re usually just hanging out, talking about life, or attending an event.
Pep & Perk’s Helping Out is under consideration for the GRAMMY nomination for Best Children’s Music Album. How does that recognition feel?
Smidi: We’re on the ballot and HOPING for a nomination. At this point we are sharing our FYC links with peers, hoping to make that elusive, final nominee list. But to circle back to your question, even to get this far feels so great. For me personally, I spent so much of my career chasing major artists and celebrating those great, rare cuts. I never thought that I would be working on a children’s music project. Now as a father of three, this is especially meaningful to me.
Scott: Recognition is always exciting, but it’s never been the motivation for creating. For me, this season of writing songs in the kid space has coincided with doing a lot of therapy and healing work on my younger self. So, in a sense, I get the chance to write songs that 5-year-old me would like. And the opportunity to put a smile on a child’s face is pretty cool.
What’s next for you two?
Smidi: Writing and producing every day. From long-shot major label publishing briefs to the next kids’ music show that needs a special song. Constant collaboration and creation seem to be the key to happiness. We just finished contributing to our fourth touring musical (A Mighty Adventure) for the PAW Patrol franchise with our long-time live show collaborators at Audio by the Bay. We’re also working to grow our Pep & PerkYouTube channel. Our label, Platoon has been great for this. We’re thankful for all of the support that Tara Steward and the rest of the Platoon team have given us from day one.
Scott: More Pep & Perk music for sure! We’ve also been creating songs and underscore for a new interactive children’s show called Brighty’s World that’s currently getting pitched around. The early interest has been exciting - so we’re about to begin work on the second season. I also do a little work in the TV ad world as well - so it’s always fun to take shots at those.
What role has BMI played in your journeys thus far?
Smidi: I joined BMI right after college. My contact in New York was amazing, always taking my calls and helping to find writing rooms when I would come to Manhattan. After moving to LA, BMI continued to be a valuable resource not only for royalty collection but networking as well. They saw me through a couple of major publishing deals and helped as I moved into music sync, and the film and TV world. I’m also a professor in USC’s Music Production program. BMI has been extremely helpful with my students, helping to organize listening sessions with high-profile music executives here in Los Angeles. Alex Bostelman, in particular, has been an incredible resource for me in the L.A. office.
Scott: It took me a little longer to see the light… I moved over to BMI in 2006 and haven’t looked back. And since I’m trying to do this music thing from Tacoma, WA - the BMI relationships, their belief in what I do, and the opportunities they’ve provided have been invaluable. Even Smidi and I first getting connected to write happened over a conversation between his manager (Molly) and my publisher (Jeff Cohen) at a BMI event. So yeah - I’m very grateful!
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