Emma Memma’s Picnic Beats & Treats Playlist

Emma Memma’s Picnic Beats & Treats Playlist

Joyous bursts of movement and rhythms mark this exclusive playlist curated by children’s entertainer—and former Wiggle—Emma Watkins. Informed by her overlapping passion for dance, sign language and music, Watkins’ post-Wiggles work as Emma Memma focuses on brightly accessible methods of communication. That sense of openness also informs her selections here, from Tito Puente’s salsa standout “El Cayuco” to The East Pointers’ folky singalong “Halfway Tree”. “I’m so happy to share this playlist and hope that it encourages happy moments, dance-party picnics and reminiscing on nostalgic beats,” Watkins tells Apple Music. “It feels like the kinds of tracks that could underscore your next summer soirée whilst eating some fairy bread. I wanted to mix some songs that I remember from my childhood that my parents would play, [plus] tunes from high school and the lo-fi vibes of the now.” Read on as she explains her fondness for three specific tracks, both new and old. Steely Dan, “Peg” “This song reminds me of family—my dad would play this every Sunday while cooking scrambled eggs for us. As a child I thought it was about clothesline pegs but when I found out that it was a girl’s name, I soon wanted to change my name to Peg.” The Preatures, “Young Brave Me” “I used to listen to The Preatures often during studying at uni and later on, I had the opportunity to learn drums from their fabulous drummer Luke Davison. It was just surreal hearing the tracks and then watching Luke, in real time, break down different drum tracks so I could learn them, rehearse, translate them into tap dancing patterns and try and incorporate them onstage.” BENEE, “Glitter” “BENEE is just amazing. I just feel that she is one of the most melodic and clever songwriters of our time. We were fortunate to see her perform at Luna Park in Sydney and her voice live just blew us away. What a talent. I sing along to her songs driving in the car all summer. Or really, all year around.”

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