Bio
Mostly Strangers is an indie music venture that sprouted from the creative mind of James W. Dinsmoor, a native of Georgia, who began cultivating the idea in the heart of New York City during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Armed with a recently earned music composition degree from Atlanta, James embarked on a journey that would fuse his love for alt/pop/punk music with his background in contemporary classical composition.
In his pursuit of blending genres and narratives, James drew inspiration from a wide array of influences. He looked up to singer-songwriter heroes like Justin Courtney Pierre (of Motion City Soundtrack and Farewell Continental) and Max Bemis (of Say Anything and Two Tongues); and in addition to those influences, also incorporated elements from alt/emo bands such as My Chemical Romance, the Front Bottoms, and Microwave. Additionally, he incorporated late 2000s pop, inspired by the likes of Gorillaz, Hey Ocean!, and Bleachers. Beyond musical influences, James recognized the potential of music as a medium for deep and complex storytelling. This recognition fueled his vision for a concept album, layered with double entendres, and exploring themes of love and life lost.
Recording the first demos for what would become the band’s first full-length album in his Manhattan apartment just before lockdown, James found himself in a unique position to channel his emotions into his music. Later, while quarantined with his ex-girlfriend, he completed the song "Forever" the day before their breakup, capturing a poignant moment of transition and heartache.
As the world grappled with the pandemic's challenges, James returned briefly to his childhood home in Georgia, where he sought to produce his envisioned concept album. However, feeling too inexperienced to do the album justice, he instead channeled his emotions from a tumultuous period in his life between 2017 and 2018 into a new project. This EP, titled Where the Heart is, would become the band's debut release early the following year.
James co-produced the EP with friend Jordan Bridges during the summer and fall of 2020. Notably, James showcased his knack for collaboration by reaching out to various artists, each contributing their unique talents to the project. This approach inspired the band's name, "Mostly Strangers," reflecting the loose connections of the featured artists.
With the EP completed, James announced the band's existence on January 1st, 2021, setting a release date for Where the Heart is on February 12th, strategically aligning with Valentine's Day weekend. The EP's release was met with enthusiasm, spurring James to immediately embark on his next project—a return to his original concept album.
Initially intending to release just a few songs from the album as another EP, James enlisted Caleb Hicks to produce the record. However, the collaboration blossomed, leading to the recording of GONE, the band's first full-length album. Released on March 11th, 2022, GONE delved into themes of loss, love, and unchecked depression, offering a compelling narrative that unfolded gradually over its tracks.
The summer of 2022 marked a pivotal turning point for Mostly Strangers, as James began assembling a group of musicians in Atlanta to bring the band's music to life on stage. Cody Ojea joined as lead guitarist, Cole Hankins as the bassist, and Hannah Beamon as the drummer. With the lineup complete, James returned to Georgia from New York in the fall of that same year.
On January 28th, 2023, Mostly Strangers made their live debut at Boggs Social & Supply in Atlanta, supporting the Robin Shakedown Band and Flat Tired. Since then, they've graced stages at Furnace 41, Smith’s Olde Bar, and intimate house shows—sharing the bill with bands such as Echo Pilot, Graham and the Band Upstairs, Pretty Colors, and Novanauts. Their high-energy performances and crowd-pleasing shows have garnered local acclaim, establishing Mostly Strangers as an up-and-coming fixture in the Atlanta DIY alt/punk scene.
Currently, the band is hard at work crafting new music expected for release in 2024, with plans to feature even more talented Atlanta artists as guest performers. The journey of Mostly Strangers continues to evolve, promising exciting new chapters and a fresh wave of music that resonates with audiences far and wide.
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James working on the first Mostly Strangers demos in NYC
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James converted his childhood bedroom into a makeshift studio to work on 'Where the Heart is'
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James recording vocals for 'Where the Heart is' in his closet
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James' Studio in Hoboken where he finished working on 'GONE'
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First rehearsal with the full band
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The band's first show at Boggs Social & Supply