Callupsie is a noted 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 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, alongside bands such as Aqueduct, Jacob Fred Jazz Odyssey, and Ester Drang. His virtuous technical abilities were foundational for Callupsie to create a sound all their own in the years that would follow.[1]

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 with different gypsy jazz musicians. Sam Ewing, drummer for the 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 album. Callupsie collaborated with Tulsa based label Hard Work Records (Stevedore) and 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, next door to the famous Circle Cinema in the historic Kendall Whittier district where much of the motion picture The Outsiders was filmed .The album was mastered by Jason Livermore (Drag the River) and Bill Stevenson (Black Flag) at the Blasting Room in Ft. Collins, Colorado. Callupsie signed up with 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 new record. Shortly after recording the S/T album, Sam Ewing left the band to focus on his studies at the University of Tulsa and 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, Friends of the Apocolypse and Antenna Lodge.[2]

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.

Callupsie released their debut album as a Vinyl and CD combination. The disc was attached to a clear hub on the inside of the gatefold. Only 1000 Limited Edition copies were made.

It was announced in May of 2008 that Callupsie would play the D-Fest Music Conference in the Blue Dome District of Downtown Tulsa.

As the Tulsa underground music scene began to gain national attention, KOTV aired an interview with Aaron Hamby which featured Callupsie. [3]

Callupsie was featured in the April 2008 issue of SPIN magazine. [4]

Callupsie won the Tulsa World SPOT Music award of “Rising Star” in 2007. [5]

Martian Circles Productions has just recently finished filming a documentary about Callupsie that will be due out in late 2008. [6]

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.[7]