Callupsie is an indie rock band from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The band was formed in 2005 by Aaron Hamby. Aaron played in various groups in the Oklahoma City music scene before moving to Tulsa to pursue music and film. He met Liz Wattoff, a school teacher and veteran drummer from Long Island, NY in July of 2005. Callupsie initially formed as a duo and played only a handful of gigs before recruiting local jazz guitarist Clay Welch. Clay was also a respected hardcore guitarist and had played in many bands in the Tulsa underground rock scene, along side such bands as Aqueduct, Antenna Lodge, and Ester Drang. His virtuous technical abilities were foundational for callupsie to create a sound all their own in the years that would follow.<ref>http://www.tulsaworld.com/TWPDFs/2008/Final/W_040508_D_3.pdf</ref>
<ref>http://www.oklahomarock.com/blog/?p=617</ref>The trio played with that incarnation of the band for a year until Clay left to continue his jazz career, playing on many recordings and making trips to San Francisco and New York City for collaborations between different gypsy jazz musicians. Sam Ewing, drummer for Waving Wheat Records band Happy News Please, joined as bassist. Six months later, Clay Welch returned alongside Sam, Aaron, and Liz to become a permanent member of Callupsie. This would be the lineup that recorded the 2008 Self-Titled recording. Callupsie collaborated with Oklahoma City based label Little Mafia Records (El Paso Hot Button, Ali Harter, Student Film) in 2007 and released their self-titled full length in May of 2008. The album was recorded by Stephen Egerton, guitarist for ALL and The Descendants, and co-owner of Armstrong Recordings in Tulsa, OK. The album was mastered by Jason Livermore (Drag the River) and Bill Stevenson (Black Flag) at the Blasting Room in Ft. Collins Colorado. Callupsie was picked up by Ballistic Missile Booking, Data Panic Distro, and Carrot Top Distribution. In the spring of 2008, they began touring the United States in support of their first full length album. Shortly after recording the S/T album, Sam Ewing was replaced by local veteran musician Daniel Sutliff. Daniel came to callupsie courtesy of his previous associated acts, The Jesse Aycock Band, Damezumari, Atl Atl, Antenna Lodge, And Their Stand Empires, and Friends of the Apocalypse.

Notable Press and Events

Callupsie has been noted in being a forerunner in the Tulsa indie music scene that has garnered national attention by major music labels and publications.
Callupsie has shared the stage with many national acts such as Unwed Sailor, Metal Hearts, The Constantines, Peter Hook of New Order, Headlights, The New Amsterdams, The One AM Radio, Snowden, etc.
It was announced in May of 2008 that Callupsie would play the D-Fest Music Conference in Tulsa OK.
As the Tulsa underground music scene began to gain national attention KOTV News on 6 featured an interview with Aaron Hamby about Callupsie. <ref>http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?s=8053878</ref>
Callupsie was featured in the April 2008 issue of SPIN magazine. <ref>http://www.oklahomarock.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/04/spintulsa02.jpg</ref>
Callupsie was nominated and won a Tulsa World SPOT Music award in 2007. <ref>http://www.oklahomarock.com/blog/?p=414</ref>
Martian Circles Productions has just recently finished filming a documentary about Callupsie that will be due out in late 2008. <ref>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbeqA0rTLdA</ref>
Aaron Hamby is a former touring guitarist for the instrumental indie rock band Unwed Sailor and is featured on their upcoming record History which is due out in 2009.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unwed_Sailor</ref>

Discography

Sugar and Liquor EP (2006)

Callupsie S/T (2008)

Print

[1734] April 2008 SPIN Magazine Review

[1735] Urban Tulsa Interview by Josh Kline

[1736] Oklahoma Gazette Interview

[1737] Tulsa World Interview with Aaron Hamby and Clay Welch

Television

[1738] KOTV Interview with Aaron Hamby

Video

[1739] Martian Circles Productions Documentary Clip

Gear

Aaron Hamby currently plays a 1962 Gibson Les Paul Junior. He plays through a Fender Super Six. He is also seen on stage with a custom 1964 Fender Mustang and various Standard American Fender Telecasters.

Clay Welch currently plays a Fender Jazzmaster. He plays through a Custom Fender Twin Reverb. Clay recorded the Callupsie S/T record with a Fender Jaguar.

Liz Wattoff plays Ludwig Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, and Vic Firth 7A Sticks. She endorses Drum World Drum Shop in Tulsa, OK.

Daniel Sutliff plays a 50th Anniversary Black Fender Jazz Bass and uses Ampeg Amplifiers and Cabinets. He also plays Roland Keyboards.

External Links

Little Mafia Records

Callupsie Online

References