A video series spotlighting local bands started off in a chicken coop

Flew The Coop Sessions, a nonprofit video series profiling local bands, is a love letter of sorts to independent, below-the-radar artists. The brainchild of co-founders Cody Boston and Mitchell Hewlett, the project started off filming intimate concerts inside a chicken coop turned recording studio (hence the name) in Lawrence.

In total, 65 sessions were filmed in that humble chicken coop. But when the pandemic hit, the team had to find filming locations that allowed for social distancing. The series, akin to NPR’s Tiny Desk concerts, has since transitioned to a pop-up format, filming in recording studios, music venues and unlikely locales like Lake of the Ozark’s Bridal Cave and the Westside’s Seven Swans Creperie. Live recordings are then dropped on Flew The Coop’s Youtube and Instagram accounts.

“We want to highlight unique spaces and businesses in and around the KC area, including places you might never see a band play,” Boston says of the project, which was launched in 2019. “We’re constantly adding venues to the roster.”

Beyond spotlighting artists, Boston—a video journalist—sees the nonprofit as a way to document the region’s musical landscape. Spanning anything and everything from folk to jazz fusion to death metal, the live sessions are also a perfect starting point for newcomers to KC’s scene. There’s something for everyone.

“This is a series by and for musicians,” Boston says. “We’re looking to support artists and their work and be a place where music lovers in general can find local music that they love.”

Although Hewlett, an audio engineer by trade, stepped away from the project in 2021, due to his heavy touring schedule working with acts like The Greeting Committee, Boston has carried on. And despite the changes and growth, Flew the Coop remains a community-centric, grassroots operation. Boston does a lot with a little, heading the operation with plenty of help from videographers, photographers and editors. Many of them are musicians themselves. 

“It’s largely been a volunteer effort from people who want to see the local music scene thriving in KC,” Boston says. “My approach to it is that as long as it’s still fun, I’m still going to do it. It’s still fun.” 

When it comes to narrowing down the growing list of interested bands, curating a diverse and eclectic range of music is at the forefront. Boston also says he searches for artists who are committed to their craft and are actively performing around town. Occasionally, the series features a touring act as well: National acts expand viewership, and in turn, help the local community, Boston says. “We want an audience that will raise all boats.”

After a brief summer hiatus, Flew the Coop is back to its every-other-week release schedule this fall. This month’s releases include returning artist Jass, recording a fresh jazz project at All Keyed Up Piano Shop, followed by Columbia-based surf rock band Highway Demon, filmed at Groovin’ High Studio.

Looking ahead, Boston has ambitions to expand into public-facing events. Plans are underway for Flew the Coop Session’s first multi-stage festival next fall. 

“We want to show to a broader music industry that Kansas City isn’t simply flyover country,” Boston says. 

Look for new Flew The Coop Sessions releases on Youtube and Instagram @flewthecoopsessions.  

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