Beloved by families nationwide, multi-award-winning Eric Herman’s warm and witty music videos have become hugely popular, with over 100 million views online. To herald the upcoming release of Magic Beans, his ninth album for kids and families, Eric Herman has produced five new music videos. The super-fun, metaphor-infused "Side Scroller" is released today, January 14, 2022.
Watch the "Side Scroller" video HERE.
Culminating in a wailing sax solo that blows through the roof of the metaverse itself, "Side Scroller" is a heady number that contemplates simulation theory through video game metaphor. Eric Herman describes the song as his favorite music vibe on Magic Beans, "like a mid-'70s, weirdly groovy, progressive, reggae, art rock, show tune anthem."
“Simulation hypothesis” is a fascinating concept: the idea that because we are a species that creates and enjoys video games simulating our reality, we might be living inside of an even more elaborate game created by a much more advanced species. Math/science guys like Neil deGrasse Tyson and Elon Musk have said that this hypothesis is not only viable, but likely, with Tyson giving it a 50/50 chance of being true.
As the Gamer Kid in "Side Scroller" says, “I think we must be livin’ in a real-time, roguelike, role-playing, massively-multiplayer, puzzly, platform, action, adventure, tactical, sandbox, survival, simulation, strategy, virtual reality, side scroller"
The "Side Scroller" video was brilliantly created by NYC-based animator and motion graphics artist Jay Marks.
"Jay is an animation wizard," says Eric Herman. "He helped to turn my storyboard for 'Side Scroller' into a video that's almost like a very short Charlie Kaufman film for kids, with things happening and revealing on multiple existential levels. Jay really nailed the different eras of video game graphics to make it all work."
Eric Herman's cool tunes for kids are at once ingeniously witty, indelibly memorable, and incredibly fun. His songs and videos have been featured nationally on PBS Kids, SiriusXM radio, Fox & Friends, The Today Show, and in the Warner Brothers film, Life as We Know It. A version of “The Elephant Song” was even covered for a multi-platinum DVD release by Brazilian superstar, Xuxa.
Previous releases by Eric Herman include The Eric Herman Strikes Back (DVD, 2017), Bubble Wrap (2016), The Incredibly Spaced Out Adventures of Jupiter Jackson (2014, Parents’ Choice Award), Party Animal (2014, NAPPA Award), What a Ride! (2009, Parents’ Choice Award, NAPPA Award), Snail’s Pace (2007, Pearl Award), Snow Day! (2006), Monkey Business (2005), and The Kid in the Mirror (2003).
Magic Beans will be available starting March 18, 2022 at major digital retailers.