Laugh Lines marks the 8th release from Kingston band Grampfather. This album follows Pipes (2015), Gramps of Wrath (2017), The Gramp Stamp (2019), Magnum Grampus (2020), Gramppappies (2022), 666G (2022), and Live at the Hive (2023). Lead singer James Kwapisz says that Laugh Lines came from the idea that "as you're aging you get lines in your face, and it's a nice metaphor because you've laughed and cried and lived a life." James describes the album as being very "meta" being that it's about writing and music and writing music! Each project, Grampfather tries to think of something different, but Laugh Lines is more reflective than anything else.

The Hudson Valley's Favorite Grampfather Releases New Album

"We've got a new album coming out called Laugh Lines," says James Kwapisz. "It's 11 songs, 44 minutes long. We jumped around a bunch genre-wise in our previous albums, but this project is more of a focused indie-rock record. It's been brewing and marinating for a while and we're real proud of it." Check out their music video "Dredging." First of all, I love the authentic rock sound from this sound. It's gritty and raw, and I love the lines:

"Exorcising the beasts inside of me—
tame them and frame them
to save them from the abyss
that they came from."

Just from this one song, you can understand the reflective vibe that Grampfather is shooting for. Lyrics and music that are wise beyond their years (in Grampfather fashion).

Grampfather urges fans new and old to enjoy this project from start to finish. They wrote on Instagram saying:

I know it’s common practice to listen to music in a fragmented manner, but consider playing the album through. We put a lot of thought and effort into making the songs flow into each other. That being said, be sure to add your favorite songs off the record to your playlists. Also, follow us on your preferred platforms and help #feedthealgorithm. Word of mouth is king—tell your friends about the album if you dig it. Any help in spreading the word is much appreciated!

The Band

To better understand the music, it helps to better understand the band. Grampfather is based out of Kingston, New York, and was founded in 2013. It was while in undergrad at SUNY New Paltz that James was inspired by the house/basement scene to make fun, energetic rock music. What was once a two-piece garage rock group has since evolved into "a four-piece genre-whirling force," said James. Some of the group's influences over the years have been Modest Mouse, Broken Social Scene, and The Strokes, among a variety of others.

 

These days, a major influence who especially inspired this latest project is King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. James said, "I wanted to keep listeners on their toes by having our music waver between genres, momentums, feelings, whatever you want to call it... [King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard] exemplify the criteria that all my favorite bands share, and that I strive for with this project, in that they are eclectic,  prolific, and never boring or meandering."

Austin Sandick

Austin Sandick

 

 

 

 

 

Grampfather is composed of Andrew Blot on lead guitar, Tony DiMauro on drums, Jake Offermann on bass, and James Kwapisz on rhythm guitar and vocals. James writes, records, and mixes the band's music. Although the band has had members come and go throughout the years, James says that the current line-up is dedicated to the vision.

Anthony Poveromo

Anthony Poveromo

 

 

 

 

 

When asked out the band got it's name, James explained that he would often be called an "old man" by his friends because of his older, elder-like mannerisms. "Alright, Gramps," was a common response he heard from his friends following his antics. That's something that I definitely relate to myself since one of my nicknames going back to high school has been "Dad." There's just something special about us old souls! James went on to say that he thought "Grampfather" would be a great name for the band because of it's funny juxtaposition to the group's energetic, youthful and fun sound.

X-Mansion Brought to Life in Westchester County, New York

Gallery Credit: Conor Walsh

25 Non-Profits to Support in the Hudson Valley

While people benefit from them every single day, non-profit organizations remain one of the many overlooked key parts of communities. Within New York State alone, there are 116,834 non-profit organizations created to benefit the local communities, with over thousands of them being located within the Hudson Valley. With many focusing on multiple different needs of various communities, there are non-profits in the Hudson Valley that advocate for community, change, and growth – all for little to no direct profit. 

Non-profits rely on the support of their local communities to be able to spread their messages and widen their audiences, allowing more people to benefit from their organizations. From creative arts and wildlife explorations to support and donation centers, there are multiple non-profits located in the Hudson Valley that cater towards the needs of their respective communities to help aid in their growth. 

25 must visit sweet shops in the Hudson valley!

Apple Cider Donuts from Wilklow Orchards
341 Pancake Hollow Rd, Highland, NY 12528
Wilklow Orchards offers delightful apple cider donuts, an amazing sweet treat in the Hudson Valley. Made with fresh apple cider and dusted with cinnamon sugar, these donuts capture the highlight of fall in every bite.

Blueberry Cheesecake from Bread Alone Bakery
2121 Ulster Ave, Lake Katrine, NY 12449
 Bread Alone Bakery's blueberry cheesecake and fresh bread is a delight that perfectly balances the rich creaminess of cheesecake with the tart sweetness of fresh blueberries and a warmth and freshnes to each bite of bread. Each slice is a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, making it a favorite among locals and visitors all over NY.

Maple Walnut Fudge from Crown Maple Estate
47 McCourt Rd, Dover Plains, NY 12522
Crown Maple Estate's maple walnut fudge is a heavenly confection crafted with pure maple syrup and crunchy walnuts. The sweetness of the syrup is complemented by the nuttiness of the walnuts, creating a soft but crunchy treat that melts in your mouth!

Chocolate Babka from Kingston Bread + Bar
43 N Front St, Kingston, NY 12401
Kingston Bread + Bar's chocolate babka is a delightful twist on the ordinary, Layers of rich chocolate swirl within tender, buttery dough, creating a delectable treat that pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee.

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie from Jones Farm
190 Angola Rd, Cornwall, NY 12518
Jones Farm's strawberry pie is a seasonal delight that showcases the fresh flavors of summer with a whole bunch of strawberries! The sweet strawberries and tart are baked into a flaky crust, creating a pie that is delicious for all ages. 

Salted Caramel Cupcakes from Sweet Maresa's
291 Wall St, Kingston, NY 12401
Sweet Maresa's salted caramel cupcakes are an indulgence for anyone with a sweet tooth! Each moist cupcake is topped with creamy caramel frosting and a sprinkle of salt, creating the perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors which we all love. 

Raspberry Linzer Tart from Le Express Bistro & Bar
1820 New Hackensack Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603
Le Express Bistro & Bar's raspberry linzer tart is a classic French pastry that showcases the vibrant flavors of fresh raspberries and buttery almond crust. Adding on they also have a great variety of meals to enjoy if you’re also hungry!

Honey Lavender Gelato from Bellvale Farms Creamery
1390 NY-17A, Warwick, NY 10990
Bellvale Farms Creamery's honey lavender gelato is a refreshing and different dessert that combines the notes of lavender with the sweetness of local honey. Which is the perfect taste for a summer snack

Cinnamon Buns from Our Daily Bread:
 116 Hudson Ave, Chatham, NY 12037
 Our Daily Bread's cinnamon buns are a beloved breakfast treat in the Hudson Valley. These soft, gooey cinnamon buns are swirled with cinnamon sugar and topped with a drizzle of cream cheese frosting which change the taste, making them a delicious snack.
          
Blueberry Cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory: 
The Cheesecake Factory at the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, NY, serves up a slice of heaven with their blueberry cheesecake. Creamy, velvety cheesecake studded with plump blueberries mixed with graham cracker crust is a decadent dessert that never fails to impress anyone! Its a classic staple to all cheesecake lovers

Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwich from Beacon Bread Company: 
193-195 Main St, Beacon, NY 12508
Beacon Bread Company in Beacon, NY, puts a twist on the classic chocolate chip cookie with their cookie sandwich. Its made with Two soft, chewy cookies enveloping a layer of creamy vanilla frosting, which create a handheld indulgence that's impossible to resist, resembling the classic icecream cookie sandwich! 

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie from Frida's Bakery & Cafe:
26 Main St, Milton, NY 12547
 Frida's Bakery & Cafe in Milton, NY, celebrates the flavors of spring with their strawberry rhubarb pie. Tart rhubarb and sweet strawberries baked in a flaky, golden crust make this pie a delight for all.

Cinnamon Rolls from Love Bites Cafe:
69 Partition St, Saugerties, NY 12477
serves up a breakfast classic with their cinnamon rolls. Pillowy soft dough swirled with cinnamon sugar and drenched in creamy frosting create a comforting treat that's perfect for starting your day on a sweet note for those who love doughy sweetness

Lavender Shortbread Cookies from Hudson Valley Seed Co: 
4737 US-209, Accord, NY 12404
Hudson Valley Seed Co. in Accord, NY, offers a delicate and aromatic treat with their lavender shortbread cookies. Buttery shortbread infused with fragrant lavender flowers creates a cookie that's both elegant and irresistible taste for all. 

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream from Holy Cow Ice Cream:
7270 S Broadway # 1, Red Hook, NY 12571
 Holy Cow Ice Cream in Red Hook, NY, offers a cool and refreshing treat with their mint chocolate chip ice cream. Creamy mint ice cream studded with chocolate chips is a timeless favorite that's perfect for all who love some minty icecream!

Cold Stone Creamery 
offers a unique twist on traditional ice cream, allowing customers to customize their frozen treats with a variety of mix-ins and toppings. Whether you're craving a classic sundae lover or a refreshing sorbet kind of person, Cold Stone Creamery promises a memorable dessert experience for all in any season.

Cinnabon 
Cinnabon entices the senses with its irresistible aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls, drawing crowds to its locations across.. Known for its indulgent swirls of cinnamon, gooey icing, and fluffy dough, Cinnabon's signature treats are a comforting delight for sweet enthusiasts, you'll be sure to smell cinnabon in any mall as soon as you walk in!

Auntie Anne's Pretzels
Auntie Anne's Pretzels invites all to indulge in the simple pleasure of freshly baked pretzels, served hot and sprinkled with an array of savory and sweet toppings. this franchise captivates customers with its soft, doughy pretzels and enticing aroma that you can smell from miles away!.

Dunkin' Donuts 
Dunkin' Donuts is a beloved fixture in the Hudson Valley, delighting customers with its freshly brewed coffee, breakfast sandwiches, and an array of delicious doughnuts. Whether you're grabbing a quick bite before work or on the go, Dunkin' Donuts promises a satisfying start to your day with its comforting flavors we all love. 

Baskin-Robbins 
Baskin-Robbins invites all with its wide selection of ice cream flavors, sundaes, and frozen treats. With its iconic pink spoons and cups and endless variety of flavors to choose from, this franchise captivates customers with its innovative creations and classic favorites. Perfect for a quick reliable snack!

Dominos Cinnamon twists
Share the sweetness with Dominos Cinnamon twists, soft and fluffy dough bites coated in cinnamon sugar and drizzled with sweet icing (if you desire). Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet snack these are perfect to pair right after your pizza!

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