Meet Hullabaloo

Have you attended a show from our Members Only Concert Series yet? Members of The New Children’s Museum have the opportunity to attend our seasonal Hullabaloo concerts! But what is Hullabaloo?

Hullabaloo is a foot-stomping, wing-flapping celebration of song that honors and entertains kids and families. The band consists of Steve Denyes and Brendan Kremer, friends since kindergarten. We interviewed main singer, Steve, to learn more about this musical inspiration!

Did you always know you wanted to be a singer? How old were you when you started performing?
I did always want to be a singer. When I was young it was in the same way kids grow up wanting to be an astronaut or a sports star. It wasn’t until much later that I realized that it was actually possible to have a life as an entertainer. My first real public performances, aside from playing saxophone in the junior high school band, were with my rock’n’roll band in high school. That gave me the first real taste of what it was like to (try to) entertain people.

How did you choose your band name? Why “Hullabaloo”?
Before I had any ideas about starting a kids music band, I made an album for my nieces and nephew of classic kid songs. One of the songs I recorded was “Skip to My Loo” and it has a line in it that says, “Pigs in the bathtub, Hullabaloo”. I just loved that line and it seemed like a natural fit once we started the band.

 Who has been your biggest musical inspiration?
My biggest musical inspiration has been Pete Seeger. I’m just so impressed with how he used music for social change and how he stood up for his beliefs throughout his career. His life story is a big inspiration to me.

What is your favorite part about performing for children?
My favorite part about performing for children is that I get to witness pure, uninhibited joy on a daily basis. Kids haven’t gotten shy about singing and dancing the way most grownups have. I’m naturally a shy person so I try to soak up that spirit as much as I can.

What concert made you the most nervous to perform? On that note, how do you relax if you get nervous before a big show?
I was was performing at a birthday party in front of fewer than 10 people. The uncle and grandfather of the birthday girl just happened to be world-class guitar players – people that have played music for popes and kings! In situations like that and other “big” shows, I just take a few deep breaths and remind myself that I’ve done this before. . . and I can do it again.

We love your music! Do you have any tips on writing a good, catchy song?
Thank you! When it comes to writing music for kids I think it’s really important to remember that parents are listening too. To me the perfect song for kids is like a good Pixar movie where there is a layer of fun and humor for the kids and then an extra layer that the grownups can enjoy as well.

When you’re not singing and dancing, what do you enjoy doing?
I love to surf every morning and walk on the beach with my wife, Jobi and our dog, Desi in the afternoon.

What is your favorite thing about The New Children’s Museum?
My favorite thing about The New Children’s Museum is the huge variety of things to see and do. And, it’s always changing. Just when you think it’s as cool as it could possibly be, you guys find a way to kick it up a notch!

OK, we have to ask: What are you dressing up as for Halloween?!
I haven’t decided on my Halloween costume yet but I like the classic costumes. My top three choices are pirate, train conductor and cowboy. And maybe Elvis. . . It’s so hard to decide!

MEMBERS – don’t miss the upcoming Members Only Halloween Hullabaloo concert on Sunday, October 29! Come join us in your Halloween costume during Members Only Time to boo-gie down and sing along to some of your Hullabaloo favorites!