Snail People

“Snailpeople played at my son’s fifth birthday party and it was a smashing success! The kids really responded to their music, warmth, and silliness. We all had a fantastic time. And my son remains a huge Snailpeople fan, listening to their CD and wearing their t-shirt at every opportunity.” - Doug, Portland, OR

“I loved Mindy snail. Her voice was beautiful!”

“She also has repeatedly said, Snail eyes! (putting her pointy fingers up on her head) Slooooooow dooooowwwwnnnnnnn (bending over)
and we play the ‘What is green?’ game all the time especially in the car! :-)
thank you for a fun event!“ - Jillian, Age 5 and Jillian's mom, Melissa

By Rob Cullivan

Take your time reading this story.

That’s what Mindy Dillard and Eric McEuen would tell you to do.

The Snail People, as the couple call themselves, use music and storytelling “to encourage slowing down, being at home wherever you are, problem solving and compassion.”

The cheerful musicians sing and play guitar, fiddle, mandolin, banjo, drums, percussion, shakers, ukulele and tambourine and will share their philosophy from 11 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Aug. 11, in the Center for the Arts Plaza, 401 N.E. Second St.

Admission is free to the show, part of the city’s family friendly Musicalu summer series, and the act should especially appeal to children ages 3 to 7, although everyone is welcome.

The duo enjoys getting audiences to sing and dance, and have been known to call on the crowd to help them write a song on the spot. Dillard says the duo might take a familiar folk song and have the children suggest words they can use to rhyme as lyrics to sing over the melody.

Snail People have performed in Oregon schools, libraries, farmers’ markets and more since April 2010. Snail People have also played shows, school residencies and house concerts in California, Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Massachusetts, Maine, Virginia and North Dakota.

Area fans of Snail People should note this is their last performance for awhile in Oregon — the Snails are moving to Berkeley, Calif., soon, although they do plan to come back eventually and play here. The couple also performs as the Americana act Heartroot (heartrootmusic.com).

Dillard says the Snail People have amassed an ample following in the Northwest, so she hopes to see some of their most loyal fans at the Gresham show.

“It’s really funny when kids come wearing T-shirts to our concert,” she says, noting the couple is more than willing to sign autographs on their merchandise. “We have some really kind of nice fans who follow us around and come to our shows. One mom even crocheted a knitted snail.”

Snail’s pace

Dillard says Snail People’s signature tune, “Slow Down,” was ironically written rather quickly.

“We actually wrote it while we were driving really fast to get to this gig in Utah,” she says with a laugh.

The duo also plays such classics as “Oh! Susanna,” and “She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain.” However, they’ll add their own twist, incorporating “green themes” into the songs, she says noting they promote sustainability by singing about locally grown fruits like apples as well as eating healthy foods like spinach, asparagus and avocado.

The duo also teaches children not to litter by disposing of chewing gum properly, for example, or not throwing garbage into a stream.

The couple started Snail People because they like performing for young audiences, she says, noting her own background in children’s theater.

“Some kids are really into the way we look,” she adds, highlighting McKuen’s polka dot bowties and her colorful dresses.

And, of course, no musical group today can get through a show without some kind of hand sign for the audience, and for Snail People, it’s the “snail eyes.” The duo place their fingers on both sides of their heads and move them, just a like a snail would move its eyes.

“Throughout the performance we’ll say ‘snail eyes’ if we want to get people’s attention,” she says. “That usually gets a smile and a laugh.”

For more information, visit snailpeople.com. - Portland Tribune