Otter Band!! best thing EVER!!
Last week me and Teddy formed a band, and it’s the best band EVER! Being in a band is a really great thing to do. We’re a 3 piece and we’re called “the Kate fighters”. I do the singing because this is the most important job in the band, Teddy plays drums and our new friend Gertrude the plastic cow plays the keyboard. Otter Keeper is also sort of in the band, he says he’s a “roadie”… which means he carries things for us (I suggested he played an instrument because that’s much more fun – but he declined, he’s strange like that).
Being in a band is so much fun! You get to do loads of things and it means people like you and will think you’re cool. The other night we even got to do an exclusive band interview with Otter Keeper. This is because we’re getting to be a really good band and people will want to hear about us. We’re going to be famous.
The only problem is that I hardly seem to have any free time now I’m in the band and I’ve got to go already. But here is our band Interview we did with Otter Keeper last night.
(sorry about this but – Teddy has approached me and said that he thinks Gertrude may be involved in other musical side projects that she’s not telling us about. I’m not sure I believe him, I think he’s Jealous but we are going to have a band meeting to resolve the issue.
Little does Teddy know that I will also be using the meeting to bring up the issue of his bad drumming.)
- where did you all meet?
Me and Teddy have always been friends. I met Gertrude in the toy box the other day when I was looking for additional band members, we just hit it off straight away. Gertrude is a very nice cow. I couldn’t believe it when she said she played keyboards and was looking for a band! - Where have you performed? What are your favourite and least favourite venues? Do you have any upcoming shows?
We like performing in the living room and we’re doing a secret show for Otter Keeper in the bedroom and he doesn’t know about it yet and…
Oh no you’re not! we agreed no band practice in the bedroom remember?
Oh …we only like performing in the living room
Good - Who writes your songs? What are the main themes or topics for most of your songs? Do you think these topics will change over time?
We write all of our songs about KATE. Kate is our next door neighbour and she is really horrible, everyone hates Kate and she is a really really big….
Otter there’s no need to go into this now, why don’t you answer the rest of the question. Do you think these topics will change over time?
Nope, definitely not - Describe the song writing process
Well often I will think of some words. Then I’ll help Gertrude press a few buttons on the keyboard until we find a backing track that we like. Once we’ve pressed the button Gertrude can keep things going. Then I’ll move over to help Teddy try and come up with a beat. Teddy says it’s cheating to use the buttons on the keyboard – but he’s just jealous because he can’t play the drums properly. - What are your rehearsals generally like? Do you have a set time each week in which you practice or are rehearsals more spontaneous?
We have been practising lots, mostly in the day when Otter Keeper is at work. but the other day we were spontaneous because we were watching TV and suddenly Teddy had a really good tune in his head so we did band practice which really annoyed otter keeper… didn’t it otter keeper…
I was only a little annoyed because you’ve made your rehearsal space directly in front of the TV…which I did advise you against didn’t I
…Don’t you like our band Otter Keeper?
Of course I do, but I was very tired and trying to relax
Well ok Keeper … but Teddy says your being mean and you want the band to split up
Teddy didn’t say that Otter you did
……..
Shall we move onto the next question Otter?
…. yes please Otter Keeper - How has your music evolved since you first began playing music together?
ummm I think Gertrude has done very well and is getting better at using her buttons….
Otter Keeper who invented our door bell… was it the postman? I bet he had something to do with it didn’t he Keeper because…
Otter.. are you concentrating on the interview?
yes Keeper - What has been your biggest challenge as a band? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
The other week we had an electric problem! But then it was ok because Otter Keeper found us some new batteries for the keyboard. Otter keeper is very helpful
I love you Otter Keeper
I love you too Otter
and Teddy and Gertrude too?
…yes I love the whole band very much - What’s your ultimate direction for your band? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
Yes definitely. But me and Teddy are also seeking other things because we are explorers in our spare time. We’re currently seeking his red bouncy ball, we lost it the other week. Can I talk about the ball Otter Keeper?
Its not really what you do in a band interview Otter
…ok…. I didn’t actually want to talk about the ball anyway - How can fans-to-be gain access to your music? Do you have a website with sample songs or a demo CD?
umm no we don’t actually . ….Otter keeper we need a website don’t we?
I can’t build you ANOTHER WEBSITE Otter!
…But Otter Keeper we Need a ..
Shall we talk about this later otter..?
…….But Teddy says we REALLY NEED..
Later Otter… - Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering financial or emotional support?
Well before the last question I would have said Otter Keeper but now..
Do you still want me to do this interview with you Otter?
Yes?
Well shoosh then
..Shoosh Teddy..this is an important interview and you’re ruining things - Any last words?
Umm can I say hi to the postman
Yes
Hi postman!!
If you want to leave me a comment (and please do because otters love comments – Keeper reads them to me and it makes me happy) about this story please go here: www.iamotter.co.uk/story
I want to be an Otter Band Groupie! 🙂
Dear Otter,
I think that your band is going to be very succesfull!! I would love to hear some of your songs!! 🙂
xoxo
Awww..Great story 🙂 Gertrude seems pretty cool and Teddy will get better at the drums, he might just need a little more practice. I hope your band becomes known all over the world. Maybe one day you can go on tour and come to the United States so I can go to a concert to watch you play.
@Jack The Cat
wow that would be fun .. I think we’ll try a few other venues first to get used to playing shows. LIke the bathroom .. and the hallway
@Maria
there is a record function on my casette player actually … maybe I could do a recording…
*goes to consult ottter keeper*
@Marion
whats a groupie ? is it like a roadie … do you carry things ?
Can’t wait until the world tour!
Oooh can I be a groupie too Otter? You band sounds fabulous. Can we all come round your house to a gig?
@Dot Wonder
world Tour .. that would be amazing !! ( so long as otter keeper could come – otherwise I’d miss him too much)
@Clare
yessssss , it would be like a band party, amazing idea …
I think I need to make a list of things I need to ask Otter keeper when he gets back.
I’m sure he’ll let us do a gig for visitors …
he does want what’s best for the band … I think?
@ otter:
Yes I think is a good idea to practice before you decide to go on tour. Bathroom sounds like a fun place to do so!
@Jack The Cat
yup. The bathrooms great for all types of things, like baths and brushing your teeth but especially band practice.
I LOVE bathrooms. best room EVER!
I’m a new fan of you and I really like your stories! <3 Good luck!
yay a new fan!! I’ll tell teddy and Gertrude the good news…
We all love The Kate Fighters!!!!!!!!! I wonder what Kate would think about your tunes?
@bev otter
me too .. we try and play extra loud so we annoy her … I don’t think it works
Gertrude is a sweetie. That makes three. Maybe a fourth?
Take care, Otter, there are some rival bands out there! You can take a look at this for example: http://www.otterpopstars.com/musvid.html
But I’m sure The Kate Fighters is the best of them all 🙂
@OtterKat
yes she is a very nice cow. She did get quite angry when her keyboard ran out of batteries though… but that’s just because she loves playing keyboard so much I think
aghhhhhhhhhh rival bands !!!!!
why didn’t Teddy know about this sooner – he’s head of band research.
.. right … I need to talk to Gertrude
… we need a plan
Cool!
The band’s name is amazing and also the pic.
I’m your fan for sure!!!
\m/:)\m/
Hello Teddy! I love you- ferret does too- and we both adore Teddy! We all know how much you love Teddy and how lost you felt and how empty your world was when Teddy was missing. I always love a New Otter Story- they are always the highlight of my day – but I must say I detected a change in your attitude and tone in this story- I am truly afraid that if you are not nicer to Teddy and if Gertrude keeps trying to oust him- he will again “explore” without Otter- and this time he may not come back. His heart can not be broken again – he will go explore somewhere else where he doesnt get blamed for everything and where there is no Gertude to boss him around, Teddy is very sensitive and if you break something in his heart that cant be fixed this time, he will have no reason to WANT to come back. I know you Love Teddy but in this story you are being too harsh on him- if you dont want Teddy while you seek fame and fortune in your new band, he can come stay with me and ferret, OK?
I have a little raincoat that will fit him that I got just for him special- you asked for help to make Teddy famous so he could get a raincoat for Rain Box days- and he is very famous now- but did you keep your promise and get him a raincoat? or is BAND Business more important and take precedence? I am very sorry if I sound cross or harsh and I would never be mean to you or Teddy- I love Otter and Teddy with all my heart- BUT I am worried about you Otter! PLEASE dont be mean to Teddy about this band business and no one- including Teddy- likes being blamed for things they dont do- Do you want Teddy to come live with me and Ferret while you get famous? I will even get him a new drum set up that he can play here IF he wants to! I wish you all the luck in the world with your new band and I hope you get famous and rich and travel the world- but at the end of the night, or week, or weekend, when the “Gig” is over and the lights go out and it is time to go home- how will you feel after a while if there is no same old Teddy to come home and love and curl up with and go exploring with ? Otter would be heartbroken and wishing things would go back to normal- wishing it would rain I beet! nDId you even the Red Bouncy ball yet? Take care Otter and send my love to Teddy too okay- I am very concerned about you Otter- perhaps Keeper is too busy to deal with the forming of a new Kate Fighters Otter Band. I hope your band is a huge world famous success and I look forward to hearing the first addition cd/cassette you make when it comes out. Take care Otter- ferret and I love you and Teddy so much and are worried.
I have a quick question for Otter about his plans for the band. I was wondering if the band has any plans to go on tour in the near future? I really hope they do- and that they can come to Dublin! See the Kate Fighters playing in real life would be the highlight of my year. In the mean time, I hope the Kate Fighters will be releasing their first album soon…
Sending Otter lots of love and musical inspiration!
Hello ! Here is TT ! I’m Louloute’s teddy and she just went out to chill out in the bathroom after reading your comment. I asked keeper to read me what you wrote and I’m so deeply touched by what you told about the role of teddies. Otters are always the stars and we are just there to console them they’re not under the fires of the ramp. They only miss us when they really need us and they forget us as soon as they find new friends. It’s a hard job to be an “otter” teddy and, although I love to be with Louloute, I feel like having a time out when she’s too demanding. So, would you and ferret accept me in your rainbox too if I’m a bit tired of Louloute ? I’d like to go exploring from my own like Teddy !
XXX TT
oh otter is just so cute! i can’t get over how amazing the drawing is though! i especially love the patterned wallpaper and chair and rug! this is truly one of my favourite blogs! i hope it gets published as a book one day cos i would buy it!
Hey Otter,
I’m so happy about your recent fame and I hope you’ll give your first concert very soon. You have probably rehearsals every day now and I can’t wait to get to know your repertoire I imagine full of songs against Kate. So, my contribution would only be modest if you’d accept the text I wrote for your band and for which I haven’t sadly no composer. One of your or Otter keeper’s friends has perhaps some talents in composing. You’ll tell me because I’m very proud I wrote a song -it’s my first one ! You must convince Otter keeper to help you designing the tickets for the tour and the CD cover : I feel the band can be a very good opportunity to make you more famous than you already are. I let you wait already too much time : Here is my song !
Hey Kate !
Why are you late
Today ?
Hey Kate !
I can’t wait
To see you – ou ! ou !
In the garden, in the kitchen,in the bedroom,
I’ll trap you – ou! -ou !
Wherever you’ll hide
Hey Kate !
Do you hear me ?
This is my otter song !
To tell you ou ! ou !
Kate !
We’ll fight you -ou ! ou !
In the garden, in the kitchen, in the bedroom,
Oh, and of course, the bathroom !
We’ll sing and dance and bounce
Till the walls will burst
And you’ll get lost.
Hey Kate !
You stole my little friend, the bear
This wasn’t fair
Just mean – ean !
He could free and ran somewhere
He couldn’t be seen – een !
The postman found him there
And brought him back to me
He’s my friend and he’ll fight you
Kate, be aware !
Oh Kate !
You’re a nightmare
For otters everywhere
And we’ll fight you
In the garden, in the kitchen in the bedroom
With my friends the postman and the bear
That’s why I have a band -and !
To sing and bounce and dance
Till the very end -end !
Kate !
You don’t know my name
But you’ll make my fame
There will be an otter everywhere
Who can’t wait to trap you
Kate !
And then we’ll sing and dance and bounce
Till late !
Yeah Kate !
I’ll take my red bow and skate
To make the show – ow ! ow !
In the staircase, the bathroom and the hall
Whereever you may go – o ! o !
Kate yeah !
You don’t know
But if you wouldn’t be
My nightmare
I wouldn’t know
What I could do
No spying, no exploring
That’s too boring
Without you – ou ! ou !
Kate, oh Kate !
Tell me where you hide
I have new traps
To fight and catch you
Till you’ll hear my sound
I need you for my band
Since we are the Kate fighters
And the show must go on
Kate, hey
It’s late
Plea-ea- ea-se tell me
Where you are
That I can fight you
And dance and sing and bounce
Till late
Yeah Kate !
You’re my fate !
Kate, yeah ! Kate o yeah ! yeah ! yeah ! o yeah Kate !
Keeper asks me what’s the noise I make : I’m singing while writing yeah ! yeah ! and I didn’t notice I became louder and louder and I’m just in my song. I love it and I love to feel like an artist. I hope you’ll perform it under her window. I can’t wait to hear about her reaction ! Don’t forget to let Dino play the trumpet : It must be very LOUD so that she must get out and see you and your band !
Take care of you and your band members and good luck !
Lots of love
Louloute
Hooolaa!!! Acabo de conocerte y ya siento q te quiero otter, dile a otter kepper q su trabajo es excelente, me encantó todo, las ilustraciones, las historias, la manera en q estan conectadas, todo!!! Ojala puedas entenderme Otter porq me encantarÃa ser tu amiga, yo soy colombiana y ahora vivio en argentina. Tengo un gato como tu vecina, se llama Tico y seguro q serian muy buenos amigos. Te dejo un abrazo grandisimo!!!
Your art is so stunningly amazing and clever. I absolutely love it, way better than Beatrix Potter ever was. You should be a household name. Keep up the wonderful work !!!