Justin Roberts writes intelligent songs detailing the collective human experience. He sings about subjects we all can relate to — being obsessed with trucks, getting distracted in the outfield, the magic of snow days and the fun of a simple cardboard box. OK, so kids are his target audience. But you’ll enjoy his songs just as much as a toddler due to Justin’s well-written lyrics and whimsical melodies.
Justin got his start playing in Minneapolis-based indie rock band Pimentos for Gus. He moonlighted (during the day, of course) as a Montessori preschool teacher. Before he knew it he was writing and singing songs for his students. The kids responded well and Justin recorded a few songs to send friends for Christmas. College pal and music producer Liam Davis got a hold of the songs and encouraged Justin to record professionally.
Fast-forward to the present: Justin released his seventh critically-acclaimed family CD, Jungle Gym, and is a 2011 Grammy nominee. Cool Cleveland‘s Sarah Valek got the chance to speak with Justin Roberts before he plays the Grog Shop on Sun 1/16 at 2:30PM.
Cool Cleveland: Your songs really capture the essence of childhood. You sing about everything from gym class parachutes to being a distracted outfielder and being obsessed with trucks. How, as an adult, do you so accurately tap into a child’s experiences? Isn’t it difficult to write songs kids are interested in?
Justin Roberts: When I’m writing a song, I’m either tapping into an image from my own childhood or imagining someone else’s experience. I can vividly remember one specific time that we played with the parachute in gym class at my elementary school. I borrowed the story about the brother who is obsessed by trucks from my wife’s childhood. Either way, it’s about getting inside the character’s head and trying to see things through that person’s eyes. I’m never entirely sure if kids will be interested in my songs until they are released.
Like many “kindie” rock groups, you started out playing in your own indie rock band, Pimentos for Gus. What made you make the transition from playing music for adults to playing music for kids? Is there a big different between the two?
In concert, you have to really get the audience involved in the show so that they become part of the performance. It’s a lot more communal than a traditional indie rock show.
Do you find it at all limiting to write music for children?
Not at all, if anything I feel like I can write about more of the human experience and include more ages from kids to grandparents through kids music than I would be able to if I were just writing unrequited love songs and playing in some bar. I can write a song about my grandmother or growing up or just something silly like Henrietta’s Hair and hopefully have it work on different levels depending on who is listening to it.
Who inspires you, musically or otherwise?
Musically, I love songwriters that are careful with every word like Loudon Wainwright or Nick Lowe and also anyone that writes a really hooky melody like Fountains of Wayne or the Flaming Lips or Teenage Fanclub. But ultimately I’m inspired by anyone who is truly passionate about what they do whether it be watching my costume designer get thrilled by a certain accent on the bands clothes or meeting someone who is super knowledgeable about one thing and takes real care in sharing that passion with you.
Describe your concerts. I’ve heard your music sparks many spontaneous kiddie mosh pits.
We have a very fun interactive show that features many songs from our records. A few puppets make surprise visits to the stage. There are some planned moments of singing and dancing with the audience. But we always leave just a bit of room for the unexpected. And that may happen onstage or take place in the audience. It’s those moments that make live performance so fun to see. We don’t even know what’s going to happen next.
Kids music used to be strictly for kids and only tolerated by adults. But now more artists are creating music both kids and parents can enjoy. What are the keys to making music enjoyable for everyone?
I think there is a tendency to forget how much great kids music has been made in the past 60 years. Musicians like Woody Guthrie and others made really smart and silly songs for kids that are still fun for adults. I grew up listening to things like Free to Be You and Me and the School House rock interstitials. In the 80s you might have had to search a little more to wade through the cartoon characters and saccharine sing-a-longs, but you could find real music by groups like Trout Fishing in America and Cathy and Marcy.
For me, making music for families has evolved since I started doing this in the early 90s writing songs for my preschool class. The lyrics have gotten way more verbose and the music has gotten much more layered with melodies and a full band sound. However, the one constant has been making music that I would enjoy listening to as an adult. If something makes me laugh or gave me an emotional pull while writing it, I’d keep it in the song. I don’t try to imagine what I think my audience is going to like. I try to make something that is meaningful to me and hope that it will be for those who listen to it.
Congrats on being a 2011 Grammy nominee! Thoughts on your nomination?
It is really an honor and a wonderful surprise to be nominated. It’s thrilling to get to travel to Los Angeles with my producer Liam Davis and the rest of the Not Ready for Naptime Players to celebrate all of the sweat and hard work and laughter that went into making Jungle Gym.
What’s up next for you and the Not Ready for Naptime Players?
We have a few things in the fire — not sure what will be next, but I’m working on new songs, looking into recording a live concert, and working on picture book ideas too.
See what unfolds when Justin Roberts and the Not Ready For Naptime Players take the stage @ the Grog Shop on Sun 1/16 at 2:30PM. Visit http://www.JustinRoberts.org and http://GrogShop.gs.
Cool Cleveland editor Sarah Valek graduated from Ithaca College with a double-major in arts and writing. After graduation, she came back to her beloved city and served as an AmeriCorps*VISTA with the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. She currently spends her days chasing after her toddler-age son, drinking soy lattes and digging up the coolest events around town. Contact her at CoolEditorATCoolCleveland.com.