Grégoire (left) and Kiekbusch (right) perform with the rest of The Papercuts Band at Brickstreet in July. photo provided by The Papercuts.
THE PAPERCUTS What started as a way to fill time during quarantine, grew into a successful band that has performed over five gigs since May. The Papercuts was formed by juniors Ben Larsen, Peter Jalaie, Ronin Kiekbusch, Roméo Grégoire and senior Evan Emsley, all of whom have a variety of musical talents. “Basically, we all sing and play back up instruments,” Kiekbusch said. Grégoire acts as main vocalist, while the rest act as back up singers and play instruments; Larson as pianist, Kiekbusch and Emsley with the guitar, and Jalaie on the drums. “We’ve been a band, basically since quarantine started,” Grégoire said. “It all started with Mr. Jalaie, Peter’s dad. He invited Peter to play at one of the gigs he usually plays.” From first performing with Bob Jalaie, the group moved on to form their own band and named themselves “The Papercuts.” “It’s just a fun, little, catchy, high school band name,” Larsen said. Their first gig took place in the backyard of the Larsens. From there, they booked and played multiple gigs throughout the summer including a graduation party, a restaurant on Main Street, and they even had a “failed” performance at The Scoop. “We played about three songs before it
started pouring rain all over us,” Kiekbusch said. “We had the entire set that we had just made about 30 The Papercuts perform on their stage at Azionaqua. photo minutes earlier, and had to pack it provided by The Papercuts. into a bunch of cars.” Their next performance was on They even sang songs that they had written July 23 for Zionsville’s Night on the Bricks. themselves. The group agrees that this gig was one of “We’ve done five originals in total,” Kiektheir best. busch said. “Everybody here writes so we have “We had a little set up on the sidewalk and some songs and we decide, ‘We all really like a lot of people came and watched, Kiekbusch that song that you wrote, so let’s do that.’” said. “We got a lot of new fans, I think, from While much of the Papercuts’ success that gig.” can be accredited to their musical talent, the Some of their new fans were singers from members can’t thank Bob Jalaie, Peter’s dad, the band Remember June. enough for his support. “I think we’ve all gone to multiple of the “He’s basically the CEO,” Kiekbusch said, Papercuts’ gigs because they’re so good,” Fran- laughing. ces Stemme said. “I can’t say enough good Even though Emsley will be graduating in things about them; they’re amazing.” the spring, the Papercuts hope to stay a band Support for the group grew when they for as long as they can. performed at Azionaqua on July 30. “My hope and dream is that Evan has to “That was probably our biggest gig, in take a Super-Senior year while we’re all in terms of people that showed up to see us,” our senior years so we can remain a band,” Kiekbusch said. “Probably around 400 peoKiekbusch said. ple came.” Follow them on Instagram: At their Azionaqua performance, The Remember June: @rememberjunee Papercuts played music ranging from classic The Papercuts: @thepapercutsband rock, like The Beatles, to more recent artists, like John Mayer and Rex Orange County.
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