Since Krazy Kup opened late last year, it has built quite a reputation as being a cozy neighborhood coffeehouse.
Now, its owners want to expand that image.
Frank and Wenda Trunzo, have been working to add a musical note to their shop. They already have invited local bands and performers to play in the upstairs loft, but now, they also will offer recording services. The ability to record should be available within the next couple of months.
“We’re all so passionate about this,” said Frank Trunzo. “Songwriting and recording are really the backbone to what you see done on the front end.”
The family is musically gifted. Trunzo likes to write. His sons, Jacob, 19, and Joshua, 17, play many instruments and styles, such as bluegrass, jazz, classic rock and pop. But, it’s Jacob who loves the recording side of the industry — just like his father.
When he was a teenager, Trunzo used to hitchhike to the Hilltop Club in Oakmont, Pa., to listen to the shows.
“That’s something that has always been with me, and I never thought I’d be able to provide the same opportunity for other young artists,” Trunzo said. “This has been a labor of love. It’s been painful to be disenfranchised from music for so long. But now, I’m feeling stronger again.”
The upstairs loft has a vintage vibe, with posters of music greats, such as Bob Marley, Neil Young and Jimi Hendrix. Quaint tables are set up around a centered stage that used to be in the corner. Instruments are set up to be in the spotlight of strobe lights and LEDs. Jacob and a former Disney technician rigged the room themselves. An original 1966 Hammond B3 organ is another focal point of the space.
“We have a lot of fun up here playing, jamming and experimenting,” Trunzo said.
And the acoustics are great for music, too, despite being a brick room with windows, he said. Krazy Kup has attracted different performers, including Shannon Magrane, a Tampa-based singer who finished 11th on the 11th season of “American Idol.” The performances have drawn quite a crowd from 15- to 65-year-olds.
Every Saturday, Krazy Kup hosts a Young Adult Night, during which musicians and performers ages 16 to 21 can come and play and hang out. Krazy Kup also will be adding a Christian music night of any style of music on Friday nights and “Get Jazzed with Live Jazz” on Saturdays.
In addition to being used as a recording room and private performance venue, the loft also features “Black and White Nite” on Thursdays, during which the coffeehouse shows vintage sitcoms and sci-fi from the 50s and 60s.
“We’re so excited to offer this to the community,” Trunzo said. “We’re giving kids a place to be young adults and they do come here and act like young adults. The objective is to always give young people with talent the opportunity to be creative.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.
Krazy Kup
ADDRESS: 101 E. J. Arden Mays Blvd.
PHONE: (813) 752-1220
HOURS: 8:13 a.m. to 8:13 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10:33 a.m. to 10:33 p.m. Saturdays
BLACK & WHITE NITE
WHEN: 6:33 to 8:13 p.m. Thursdays
DETAILS: Vintage sitcoms and sci-fi from the 50s and 60s will be played on a large drop-down screen.
YOUNG ADULT NITE
WHEN: 7:33 to 10:33 p.m. Saturdays
DETAILS: Live music and movies for 16- to 21-year-olds
COMING SOON
Get Jazzed with Live Jazz
WHEN: 11:33 a.m. to 1:33 p.m. Saturdays
Christian Music
WHEN: Fridays