Interview of the Month: Chris Ballew
(Photo by Bryan Kasnyik)
This month, The Vault interviewed Chris Ballew, leader of multi-platinum rockers The Presidents of the United States of America and known to the under-five set as Caspar Babypants. We talked about how important it is to put the “music” part of the music business first.
The Vault: You’ve seen the music business from many angles…from busker to rock star to performing music for little kids. What’s your advice to kids who are interested in pursuing music as an occupation?
Chris: Adjust your notions of success to be attainable within your sphere of influence. Early on in my career, I adjusted my idea of success to be the following: write songs, play songs, record songs, and hand out recordings. I could actually do all those things on my own. I felt completely successful, because I was attaining my goals. So, I was relaxed and free and able to be creative.
The Vault: How has technology changed your ability to make a living with your music?
Chris: I’m a thousand percent empowered by technology. With Caspar Babypants, I am in total control of my business in a way that is super relaxing. There are new ways to make money as a musician, and it’s fantastic. But the best way is still to play on the street and put your hat out. You play your song, people give you money, done. That has never changed and it never will change.
The Vault: A lot of people are attracted to the idea of being a rock star. What do you think of that?
Chris: Get a job slinging ice cream. Nobody wants to hear this from someone who has been successful, but being a rock star is not that great. You were in your bedroom playing your music and suddenly you’re a multinational corporation. I lost all the carefree days that inspired the music, all the time with family and friends. All I gained was money. Money doesn’t solve your problems. If you’re irresponsible with ten dollars you’re going to be irresponsible with ten million. Of course, some people have different experiences. For me, I’m more comfortable in a punk rock, DIY kind of setup.
The Vault: Although that success has probably given you a certain degree of freedom.
Chris: Yes, success has given me time. Time is the most important thing you can buy with money. Don’t buy a car, buy a year. When I was in Boston, I would paint houses all summer and buy myself a winter of freedom. It’s an amazing gift to give yourself.
The Vault: How did you learn to do what you do?
Chris: Playing on the street and on the subway was a huge classroom. I learned what makes a busy person stop. It’s like this: songs are like the wire and the point of the whole thing is the electricity in the wire. Songs are to a happy crowd as a wire is to electricity. There’s an SAT question in there somewhere.
The Vault: What’s different about singing for children compared to adults?
Chris: It helps me hone my aesthetic choices based on my clear understanding of who I am singing to. In some ways, though, it’s the same as singing on the subway, except kids are even more honest. If they say they love a song, it’s real. They can’t schmooze.
