Chris Ballew already has it made as a rock star. As a member of the Grammy nominated alternative rock band The Presidents of the United States, Ballew has a loyal following — of adults. Now he’s cornering the children’s market as well. As Caspar Babypants Ballew fronts a three-member group for which he is both singer and songwriter. With two youngsters of his own, Ballew knows a thing or two about creating quirky lyrics that appeal to the kid in all of us. His songs are as likely to be about the noble Duke of York as they are about dust bunnies. With some glockenspiel, droning guitars and other musical oddities Ballew calls his sound rootsy hillbilly folk. The rest of the kids are just calling it a doggone good time. Little One Books talks to Ballew about life since his 2009 debut album, Here I Am!
Suzanne Beal: First things first: How did you come up with the name of your band?
Chris Ballew: I got the nickname back in the early nineties in Boston. First I changed my name to Caspar and then, during the winter when I couldn’t find a proper hat, I wore a pair of hand-knit baby pants on my head and people started calling me “Babypants!” I put the two names together and resurrected it when I started doing kids’ music.
SB: Where did the inspiration for the music come from?
CB: The visual art of my wife, Kate Endele. Her images just spoke to me. I started writing lyrics about the look of her art — simple music that felt like kids’ music. We still dream of creating a book together.
SB: Is that her art on your albums?
CB: Yes, Kate’s art is on both covers.
SB: What are you working on right now?
CB: I’m supposed to be narrowing down song choices for the next album, but just now I was working on some lyrics.
SB: About what?
CB: Well, they’re about a crow whose having a bad day, and in the song I’m trying to cheer him up. (Ballew croons a few lines).
SB: So, you’re giving him a pep talk?
CB: Yeah, I guess I am.
SB: How does Caspar Babypants differ from other children’s music?
CB: There is already lot out there for the seven to twelve age set, which doesn’t mean Caspar Babypants won’t work for older kids and adults, but I’m focusing on really small kids: birth to age five. I try to explore the impossible aspects of life, like walking under a rock, or talking to a crow. I try to bring the small wishes of infants to life.
SB: Do you have a process for developing your albums?
CB: I have thirty test families from whom I get detailed feedback. I listen to what they have to say and make alterations as needed. I’m paying attention to what works for parents and kids. I like taking the time to connect to my audience and to chill out the kids.
SB: Tell me about your upcoming album. Will it have a calming influence?
CB: Not all the music is mellow — this next album This is Fun will be almost raucous in comparison to the last two created. I want people to be relaxed but engaged. The body might be tapping and your head swaying back and forth, but your mind is going on a private trip all its own.
SB: You have some unexpected subject matter in your songs, like Dust Mite. Where did that come from?
CB: I wrote the entire song in a Tokyo airport between security check and the gate. I was just standing there and found myself imagining someone holding a leash that lead down to a dust mite — I mean, how ridiculous is that? I had my ukulele and was just killing time, so I popped into a bathroom, pulled out my laptop and got the whole song down.
SB: I understand that you’re doing all the mixing in a backyard studio. Must be kind of tight in there!
CB: No it’s perfect – I didn’t want to have room for a whole band. It’s pretty quiet with just the equipment and me.
SB: Do you see any crossover between songs that you perform with The Presidents of the United States of America and the work you’ve created for Caspar Babypants?
CB: Some people who were President’s fans now have kids of their own and can enjoy both, but Caspar Babypants is like the innocent core of the Presidents, who use a lot more innuendo. Caspar Babypants is simple, and in a way more sustainable than a rock band. The Presidents still tour and play regularly, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve found that I like to do the loud thing less frequently.
This is Fun! is scheduled to come out in October 2010
Tags: album, lyrics, Music, rock, songwriter
