Full Of Beans
A love of music, theatre, dance and creative arts brought together Laura, Mim and Michael to form The Beanies. The childrens entertainers first rose to prominence in 2016 and have since captured the nations sense of wonder and fun with their vibrant performances and catchy tunes.
Their much-loved podcast is about to launch a whole new season, on the back of their signing with ABC Kids. The Beanies invite you to join them on their next adventure - but first, let’s get to know them a little better.
“We have had some beautiful interactions with families and always love to hear from Mini-Beanies.”
How did you all meet?
Michael Beanie: I met Mim through performing educational shows in schools. She introduced me to Laura and our music wizard, James. The Beanies went from there!
Mim Beanie: Laura and I met in Canberra performing in musicals. Our first show together was in Grease where Laura played Sandy and I choreographed the dance numbers.
Laura Beanie: I met the Music Wizard (our composer James Court) in high school in a program for students across the ACT education department, for kids interested in music. Mim and I met in a production of Grease and when we decided to start a children’s band five years later. We knew we needed someone to balance us out - enter Michael Beanie!
Where did you grow up?
Michael Beanie: I grew up in Newcastle, right next to the beach. Growing up in a relaxing environment has made me pretty chilled out…
Mim Beanie: I grew up in Canberra, where I met Laura Beanie! (Our Music Wizard, James Court is also from Canberra)
Laura Beanie: Yep, three quarters of us are from Canberra - and they say nothing fun happens in Canberra ;)
Did you grow up in musical households?
Michael Beanie: My family had a piano in the living room, and when I was younger I remember singing along to the pianola. My sisters and I had our turns learning different instruments. My family always really appreciated music.
Mim Beanie: No one in my family played music but we all loved it. We used to listen to musicals in the car on repeat. I knew the whole score of Phantom of the Opera at age 8!
Laura Beanie: Not particularly! My family are full of talented sports and business people, so when I basically came out singing and dancing it was a bit of a surprise!
What career did you dream of as a child?
Michael Beanie: I always wanted to be a pilot. Aeroplanes still fascinate me to this day! However, I was born with a lazy eye so I can never get my pilots licence. But that’s okay- it led me to my love of performing and to what I do now!
Mim Beanie: I have always liked kids and wanted to be a primary school teacher. I loved the idea of getting to do something different every day. Which is pretty close to what I do now as Mim Beanie :)
Laura Beanie: For as long as can I remember I wanted to be a singer and be on stage. In my teen years I was passionate about writing, which led me into a degree in literature. But now I get to do all of those things with Beanies!
What pathway lead you towards children entertainment? What is your working background?
Michael Beanie: I started performing for theatre companies that would go into schools and perform for students. I have travelled all over Australia performing in hundreds of schools!
Mim Beanie: I also performed in schools while on tour. It was great! I also used to work in after school care at Campbell Primary School.
Laura Beanie: I’ve always loved hanging around with children, I even completed my high school work experience in a childcare centre! During university I worked as a party host for children’s birthdays (which I still do now) so it only seemed right to combine the things I loved doing!
What inspires your song writing?
Our inspiration is a mixture of silliness, exploring our imagination, and sometimes simple problems that need solving!
You have a very popular podcast which is about to launch a whole new season! How did this get up and going?
Early on in the Beanies working together, we decided we wanted to make a podcast just for children. There wasn’t really any podcasts for our target audience yet and being podcast listeners ourselves we couldn’t wait to fill that gap! We were excited about telling stories to children in a different medium, and that’s why we worked on it more!
What goes on behind the scenes in the process of making the podcast?
We go through a brainstorminh process to come up with many ideas, no matter how crazy! Out of hundreds of ideas we decide on ten that we develop into a song, and then into a podcast. It all flows from one thing into another.
What do you enjoy most about performing live?
Michael Beanie: I love the spontaneity of performing live- that your audience is right in front of you and interacting with you. It makes every performance unique and special.
Mim Beanie: I love seeing Mini-Beanies sing and dance along. Seeing kids happy makes me happy.
Laura Beanie: Definitely seeing children dancing along - there is something so magical about children enjoying music!
What are some of your favourite Beanies moments so far?
Michael Beanie: We wrote and put on our first full length theatre show “The Beanies Egg-straordinary day” in 2018. It was such a great journey to write and rehearse our own story for a stage. We recently performed another season of it in March this year (before Covid-19 rudely stopped us touring!) and performing it again was great fun.
Mim Beanie: When we won best Australian podcast! It was such a surprise and made us so happy that people are enjoying what we make- and then of course being nominated for an Aria award last year. It was a really validating moment for all of The Beanies.
Laura Beanie: The messages we get from Mini-Beanies letting us know they’re enjoying the songs and podcasts. I remember how happy music made me as a child so the thought of being that to a child now makes my heart so very happy! Also being signed to ABC this year has been a big bucket list moment for the group.
What are the interactions like with the families you meet?
Michael Beanie: I think parents appreciate how we tell stories in a different way, and also with an Australian voice. We try and offer something away from screens and parents can appreciate that.
Mim Beanie: We have had some beautiful interactions with families and always love to hear from Mini-Beanies. I find it most exciting when kids know the words to our songs and sing along during the show.
Laura Beanie: I think because we interact with children on their level (as peers rather than adults speaking down to them) during our podcasts and live shows, our mini-beanies often feel a real comradery with us when we meet them. It makes for some absolutely adorable conversations.
On a personal level, what does this role mean to each of you?
Michael Beanie: I love exploring and nourishing childrens imaginations. Encouraging
children to play, and be silly is what makes me happy!
Mim Beanie: Being part of The Beanies is very important to me. Not only do I get to be with my best friends singing and dancing but we get to create every day (and make kids happy!)
Laura Beanie: Being a Beanie really does combine everything I love to do in life - singing, writing, dancing, hanging out with children - I couldn’t think of a better job!
What should people expect to see at a Beanies show?
High energy, silliness, dancing, and plenty of catchy music.
Have you ever been to a playgroup? What do you love about Playgroup?
Michael Beanie: I’ve actually performed at a playgroup a few years ago with a different company and the welcoming, tender environment was something I loved to see.
Laura Beanie: Playgroup was a BIG part of my life when I was little. My parent’s friends didn’t really have children when I was young so we went to playgroup every week and being the absolute extrovert I am, I vividly remember it being one of the things I looked forward to as a child.
Article by Sinead Halliday
