Journal

Various Northwest Cities

Music for Multiple

Generations

Ballew (center) performs live

with Frederick Northup Jr. (left) and
Ronald Hippe (right).

Community Club in Seattles Mount Baker neighborhood buzzes with activity. Dozens of children, most
5 and younger, giggle, clap their hands and sing along
with the man in the canary yellow shirt whos belting
out catchy tunes onstage while strumming an acoustic
guitar. The parents also smile, clap and sing along,
with genuine enthusiasm. This is precisely Caspar
Babypants goal: to make music that people of all
ages can enjoy.
Many know Caspar Babypants by his given name,
Chris Ballew, who found fame in the 1990s as the lead
singer of the Grammy-nominated alternative-rock band The
for a nominal entrance feehe enlists the help of two SeattlePresidents of the United States of America. But for the last several
based musicians, Ronald Babyshoes Hippe and Frederick
years, Ballew has been focusing on a different type of musical
Babyshirt Northup Jr., who, just like Ballew, are as fun to watch
outletcreating simple, upbeat kids music in a modern-folk style.
onstage as their nicknames imply. This month, families can see
The three albums he has released as Caspar Babypants include
the three perform May 1014 at Giant Magnet (formerly the
reworked classics (think Itsy-Bitsy Spider) as well as original tunes
Seattle International Childrens Festival), being held at Seattle
with fun, sometimes goofy, lyrics (such as Speedy Centipede and
Center, and May 28 and 30 at Northwest Folklife, also being held
Googly Eyes). His latest album, 2010s This Is Fun!, also features
at Seattle Center.
a memorable remake of the Nirvana song Sliverwhose chorus,
In the coming months, watch for a new Caspar Babypants CD
Grandma take me home, is fitting for the under-5 set
and a trio of childrens books co-authored by Ballew and Endle,
accompanied by Nirvana bass player Krist Novoselic.
and published by Sasquatch Books. Songs based on the books,
My goal is to make music that helps the world relax, says
performed by Ballew, will be available online to book buyers.
Ballew, a father of two, who was inspired to write kids music by
Fans can undoubtedly expect many more Caspar Babypants
his wife, Kate Endle, a collage artist whose work includes chilprojects to follow. The kind of music Im making now feels
drens books (her art also appears on the Caspar Babypants album
exactly right, says Ballew. If I can get a family singing, then Im
covers). Im always trying to make music that is timeless and not
doing what I was put here to do. For a complete list of upcoming
rooted to trends, and the fact that my songs span across age barrishows, visit www.babypantsmusic.com. Jennifer Schaefer
ers is partly the result of that.
While recording in his studioa detached building in the
Seattle, WA
backyard of his West Seattle
Groundbreaking Nirvana Exhibit
homeBallew acts as a one-man
Museumgoers can see rare and never-before-displayed memorabilia related to the iconic
band, writing the lyrics and
Northwest band Nirvana, now on display. Nirvana: Taking Punk to the Masses, presented by
music, performing the vocals and
the Experience Music Project through April 22, 2013, features 200 artifacts, including song
playing a variety of instruments
lyrics handwritten by Kurt Cobain and scores of candid snapshots from Nirvanas early years.
ranging from two- and threeThe exhibit also includes more than 100 new and archived oral histories from key figures in the
string banjos to keyboards, to an
independent-music scene during the late 1980s and early 90s.
assortment of shakers. He also
Most people know Nirvana as mythologized rock stars. This exhibit balances that
mixes, edits and masters these
understanding with a tangible, human look at their journey from Aberdeen [Washington] to
albums.
the world stage, says Jacob McMurray, EMP senior curator. For more information, call
When Ballew does live
206-770-2700 or visit www.empsfm.com. Jennifer Schaefer
showswhich often take place
at Northwest community venues

Alaska Airlines Magazine

may 2011

21

Galen Maynard

Its a misty Saturday morning, and the light-filled