Chris Ballew, the lead singer of Presidents of the United States of America, is better known to delighted tots and their families as Caspar Babypants. This month Chris is releasing his seventh CD and first cover album, Baby Beatles.
Chris has a jam-packed schedule of shows around Washington and is already working hard on next year's collaboration with the Seattle Symphony, but took a few moments to chat about Baby Beatles, his favorite tunes from the Fab Four, and what the future holds for Caspar Babypants and the Presidents.
Seattle's Child: What made you decide to do your first cover album?
Chris Ballew: I actually started this album about four years ago, right after the first Caspar album came out, but I decided that I wanted to establish myself a bit more before doing a covers album. I waited until I had six records out to make the move!
One day I found a few covers that I had done years before, and when I listened to them I got inspired and just started diving into the process again. Before I knew it, I had recorded the album.
Which is more challenging – song writing or obtaining the license for the Beatles songs?
The most difficult part was the paperwork. I finally learned it all, but it was really hard on my little brain. I am definitely built to write songs, but I can squeeze myself into an administrator role when I have to! I find myself running a record label now and so these chores come with the territory. I do love the freedom of being in charge of it all myself, though.
Did you have to clear the small changes you made to make the songs as kid-friendly as possible?
I did not have to clear musical decisions like getting rid of instruments or cutting the song in half. I kept all the words exactly as they were in the originals, too, but if I had changed any of them I would have had to get permission.
It was super fun to find ways to bring my own personality into these classics. In general, I reduced the music to make room for the vocals and melodies so that small babies can latch on to the songs easily.
Was there a song you wanted to include on Baby Beatles but weren't able to?
YES! I recorded 30 songs for the album, and only 20 made it, so I had to put 10 songs into deep storage. The most difficult one to leave off was "For You Blue." It was really close, but I had a few too many love songs on there. The original lyrics have the word "girl" in them, and I thought it was too grownup and romantic with that in there, and removing it would have been problematic – so I left it off.
I also recorded "Within You Without You" which came out amazing, but it is sung from the perspective of someone counseling someone about getting back on a path to enlightenment. Since little babies are already enlightened, I felt that it was not perfect, either.
You're a lifelong Beatles fan – which is song is your favorite?
That is easy! It is the song "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey." I used to run around the house with that song on full crazy volume, refuse to take my bath, and make my parents crazy! It has a happy high-octane energy that no other Beatles song approaches.
[On Baby Beatles] I recorded it with a groovy little feel, and my good buddy Fysah sings the lead vocal on it to give it a soulful edge.
Are you doing more work on the Beatles covers to get them ready for your collaboration next year with the Seattle Symphony?
I sure am. I met with the arranger a few weeks ago and he is working on the charts now. It will be an interesting show that will be only the Beatles songs and none of my own.
There will be no conductor, so that will be my job, and I must say that makes me excited and a little nervous. It will be a ton of work to get together, but it will be a super great show.
Any hints about other future projects and/or albums you have in the works?
I am going to slow down just a tiny bit now and stop making records every nine months like I have been for the last four years. I will settle into putting an album out every year in September so that I can finish the work in June, and have some summertime free to be mellow, and be outside in the world and not in the studio.
In September of 2014 I will put out two records at the same time, though! A new regular Caspar album called "RISE AND SHINE!" and a lullaby record called "SLEEP TIGHT!" So although I am slowing down, the fans will still get two records in 2014.
Your time as Caspar Babypants might be slowing down a bit, but what does the future hold for Presidents of the United States of America (PUSA)?
Well, I will be slowing down on Caspar shows next summer in theory to tour more with PUSA. Beyond that, I am just not sure. We are recording new songs and might release them as singles, or as an album, or both. It really isn't clear at this point.
You're a prolific songwriter as Caspar. Do you still work on "grown up" songs for Presidents of the United States of America when inspiration strikes?
Very rarely. These days I only work on PUSA songs in the studio or practice space with the band. Otherwise at home alone it is all Caspar Babypants!
I am still trying to climb out from under the deluge of new Caspar songs, while PUSA tracks come less easily these days. I am finding that I have a ton of older songs that PUSA can re-imagine and reinvent to become new songs.
Do the crowds at your PUSA concerts have as much energy as your Caspar fans?
It is just different, really. But if you hooked up the whole crowd to electric lights and had their physical energy power them, then I think the PUSA show would make a brighter light.
