This week, we are happy to feature an optimistic chat with DIY (do it yourself) promoter and local musician James Kwapisz. James moved here not too long ago, but has embedded themself in and contributed greatly to the momentum of the local scene.

Morgan Y. Evans: How long have you lived in the area and what makes it feel like “home” to you?

James Kwapisz: I moved to Kingston in June 2019 after graduating from an English grad school program at SUNY New Paltz. I’d lived in New Paltz for about five or six years on and off during undergrad and grad school. Moving to Kingston was really refreshing for me as there are more people my age and with similar interests living here. New Paltz has a way of making anyone in their late 20s feel ancient. My band’s name, Grampfather, started losing its irony.

MYE: That is very funny and pretty true. You run the DIY Kingston Instagram page for Hudson Valley area music events. How did this start and how have you stayed positive about the anemic state of events during this current time period?

JK: I created the Instagram account and Facebook group back in May when vaccines first started rolling out, and much-needed optimism was in the air. As a musician, performing live is a pretty crucial element to the lifestyle. I felt kind of lost for that long, long year and a half. But even before the pandemic, I always thought Kingston needed more organization in regards to music promotion in the area. The group DIY New Paltz has impressed me and continues to do so with its coherent model of getting the word out about shows in the town. I wanted to do the same for Kingston, but in a way that’s not as college-centric and more open to musicians of all ages.

Also, seeing as there aren’t many venues hosting music events in Kingston these days, the page covers shows going on in various other towns and cities in the Hudson Valley. I love helping people get the word out about their shows and new music. I think what’s so great about having created this centralized promo page is that it helps not only my band, but so many others’ bands and musical endeavors.

MYE: The different ages you cover is good as well because it makes more cross-generational awareness happen. As you said, you play with the band Grampfather, right? How did that project start and how would you describe the “feel” of the band to others? Have you been a musician a long time?

JK: I started the band back in 2013 while in undergrad at SUNY New Paltz as a two-piece garage rock band. The project has since evolved into a five-piece indie, psych, thrash, rock band. Kind of a genre whirl, but all my favorite artists share the trait of versatility (Modest Mouse, Broken Social Scene, and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard come to mind). Bands get real stale when they just adhere to one genre album after album, in my opinion.

Last year we put out a mostly thrash-rock album. It was a liberating experience to not hold back and let myself explore darker and angrier themes, such as were fitting for whatever the hell 2020 was. While the album we’re working on now does have some thrashy, abrasive songs, we’re chilling out a bit with some more indie, chill-rock tunes with more contemplative themes, thinking about how to heal from the constant tragedies of last year in a way that’s reflective and responsible, hoping to grow from our experiences, good and bad. “Doom and Bloom,” the title of one of the new tracks on the new album, I think succinctly gets at that idea/sentiment.

I’ve been playing guitar for 14 years, since I was 15. I started playing when I tore ligaments in my foot skateboarding. I made the important resolve that if I couldn’t shred one way, I’d find a way to do so in another way. Such had proved to be a recurring theme in my music ... making the best of sh--ty situations.

MYE: That's the essence of DIY, hahaha. What is something special about Kingston that means a lot to you? It could be a memory or a place you love or even a prevailing philosophy of our area, if you think one exists.

JK: Well, I’m originally from Long Island. Being a musician/writer or anyone with a remotely artistic sensibility with long hair down there, you’re bound to be typified as a tree-hugging hippie or something of the like, even if that’s not the case in reality. While many of my loved ones still reside there, I’d say inhabitants of the Hudson Valley are more so my kind of people. It just feels a lot more welcoming and less judgmental. I appreciate the diversity of ways of thinking and living around here. I guess what I love most about Kingston is the prevalence of like-minded people who prioritize creating art, music, etc., and who don’t judge you as “wasting your time” on your craft just because it might not necessarily be lucrative.

MYE: What are some other local bands you are excited about right now and why?

JK: Moonunitt is the first band that comes to mind. They’re on the rise right now it seems, and they deserve it. They’re super tight, guarantee the feel-good vibes, have great production quality on their studio albums and put on an awesome live show. We’ve played with them a bunch before in the past.

They’re our buds. The most recent show we played with them was in Kingston actually, at Blueprint at the old IBM ruins, which is a venue that seems to be popping off and I’m excited for all they’re doing and will do in the future.

We’re playing there Oct. 16 for Door Daze, a fest promoting Doors at 7, a student-made documentary about the New Paltz DIY scene. Our keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist Dylan and myself are interviewed in the doc, and I believe there will be some clips of us performing live at some basement venue or other featured in there as well.

Here are some other local bands that I think deserve a shout-out: Back From Nothing, Withr, Firing Squad, Builders, Only Pulp, Art Thief, Los Doggies, Bby Carrots, Kablamo, Uncledad, What?!, Yolanda Yolanda … I could go on. We’re all so lucky to live in an area that’s so stacked with amazingly talented bands and musicians.

MYE: Art Thief have chops. How has your Summer been going and what do you hope to still do in the final weeks?

JK: This summer has been a breath of fresh air in comparison to summer 2020. It’s been enlivening to get back to playing live music. In the final weeks, however, we’re turning back to the studio to work on the finishing touches on our forthcoming fifth album, which will be called Gramppappies. We’re hoping to get the bulk of the work done in September, and then we have a bunch of shows set up for October.

The local gigs include Oct. 2 at Arrowood Outpost in New Paltz, Oct. 9 at a house show in Albany, Oct. 16 at Blueprint in Kingston and Oct. 22 at Troy Speakeasy in Troy. So, come out and see us one of these days.

MYE: What is something Kingston needs to improve?

JK: Kingston needs more music venues. The closing of BSP was tragic and definitely not what Kingston needed. Also, The Anchor stopped having music events, which is sad considering what a great setup and sound system they had. They still have amazing burgers though, so all is not lost. Word is The Beverly will re-open sometime in the near future and they’ll be having shows again. Tubby’s is coming back full force with shows, so that’s reassuring. While the pandemic put an end to some great music venues, new spots like Blueprint are filling the void. It’s an exciting time for music in the Hudson Valley. Things are getting better.