When Roswell Rehearsals announced in November 2022 that they’d lost the lease on their beloved west-end location, the shock rippled across Kingston’s music community.

For seven years, the facility had been the beating heart of countless bands — a place where song ideas were born, friendships formed, and the city’s creative spirit found room to breathe. Losing it wasn’t just a logistical blow; it felt like the silencing of a communal voice.

“It was really hard,” says co-owner Anita Johnson, known to most musicians as Bobbi Roswell. “We missed everybody. Seeing people week after week, you build relationships. Being the first to hear new songs, seeing new bands come together — we missed all of it.”

But Kingston wasn’t ready to let Roswell Rehearsals disappear. And neither were Anita and her husband Trevor — or Buck Roswell, as he’s known to their patrons. Two years after shutting the doors, they’ve reopened in a new location just three doors down from the original. It’s a comeback fuelled by grit, generosity, and a shared belief that musicians deserve a place to make noise, take risks, and grow.

Now, they need Kingston’s help again.

A long road back — and a very different space

Roswell Rehearsals officially reopened in October 2024 inside “Site 7,” a unit in the same building at 700 Progress Avenue where the original space once thrived. But if anyone thinks this is simply a reboot, they haven’t seen what the Johnsons have been working with.

“This space is a little different than the last one,” Anita says with a laugh. “For one thing, we’re currently sharing it with another business — I call them our ‘Roomies’ — which has been working out surprisingly well.”

The second difference is more complicated: the old Roswell space was designed and purpose-built from the ground up. This new site was previously office space. After a quick cosmetic refresh, musicians were already jamming within days — exciting, but not ideal.

“It was great to have people making noise so quickly after such a long break,” Anita explains, “but it also means we need to make improvements. The space wasn’t designed for what we do.”

Soundproofing is the biggest challenge. With minimal insulation in the ceilings and HVAC system, noise spill is a real issue. For quieter bands especially, the bleed between rooms can be discouraging. For Roswell’s neighbours, daytime volume can be disruptive.

That’s why Roswell Rehearsals has launched a community-driven Indiegogo campaign — and why the timing is so urgent.

Why rehearsal space matters in a city like Kingston

Kingston’s music scene punches well above its weight — and that doesn’t happen by accident. From Sarah Harmer to The Gertrudes to budding teenage garage bands, the city’s creative output depends on giving artists the time, tools, and space to develop.

“There are so many challenges to having a band,” Anita says. “If you don’t have somewhere you can get together, make noise, and be creative, it can literally mean the end of the band or the idea.”

It’s a point that’s easy to overlook. Kingston has bars, venues, studios, and festivals — but incredibly few places where bands can simply rehearse regularly without worrying about neighbours, weather, or sound complaints. Before Roswell existed, many musicians relied on basements, storage units, borrowed rooms, or luck.

Roswell filled a gap no one else was addressing: a safe, clean, welcoming, musician-focused environment with quality gear, fair prices, and owners who genuinely care.

“We’ve always tried to be a place where musicians feel respected and comfortable,” Anita says. “A place to grow as people and as musicians.”

When the 2022 closure happened, the outpouring of messages from local artists changed the Johnsons’ perspective.

“People told us what Roswell meant to them,” Anita explains. “That response kept us looking for two years. It made us realise this wasn’t just our dream anymore. It mattered to the community.”

Rebuilding Roswell — and reimagining what it can be

Even as they reopened Site 7, the Johnsons knew a two-room set-up wouldn’t be sustainable long-term. In its first year back, more than 100 individuals and bands used the new space — including some who had never rehearsed at Roswell before. The appetite is clearly there.

But growth requires investment.

Over the next few months, Roswell plans to:

• Build two new soundproofed rehearsal rooms
• Insulate the existing HVAC and ceiling structures
• Improve sound separation so quieter bands aren’t overwhelmed
• Lay the groundwork for future expansion

“This building project is critical,” Anita says. “Adding two soundproof rooms and insulating the ducting will mean quieter bands won’t suffer, and we won’t disturb our neighbours during daytime hours.”

They even have a narrow window in December — while their tenant neighbours are closed for the holidays — to complete the work. Miss that window, and the next possible building period could be summer… or even December 2026.

“That makes the campaign really urgent right now,” Anita stresses.

Looking further ahead, the potential for Site 7 is enormous. Larger retail space. Café possibilities. A loading bay. More services like recording, video production, photography, and engineering.

But the foundation comes first.

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Support the “Musicians Deserve Space” Indiegogo fundraising campaign

Donate online here.

Initial goal: $20,000 CAD (minimum needed to begin construction)
Stretch goal: $65,000 CAD (covers full build, campaign costs, and gear)
Format: Rewards-based crowdfunding (no investors, no equity — the community owns the impact)

Sponsor a square foot — Join the Roswell Alliance

Backers become part of an “elite crew of space adventurers” and receive:

• Their name immortalized in a space-themed mural by a local artist
• Exclusive perks and goodies
• The knowledge that they helped keep Kingston’s rehearsal culture alive

Musicians deserve space. Kingston deserves Roswell.

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A community hub ready to grow

Not everything is future tense. Roswell already has some new additions in play.

Slightly updated pricing reflects rising operating costs, but if the crowdfunding stretch goal is reached, they’ll introduce an innovative membership system offering:

 Lower monthly rates for regular bands
 Reduced pricing for drummers and solo musicians
 More flexible booking options

They’ve also expanded their jam sessions, open to musicians who want to play with others even if they aren’t in a formal band.

“We want people to enjoy making music together,” Anita says. “Community is everything.”

Recording, video, and podcast services will follow. And the team itself is growing: Roswell is already getting help from a small crew, with more roles to come.

“We need people who enjoy being around musicians, understand sound and gear, and want to help us grow,” Anita says. “We’re not profit-driven — we just need to be sustainable so the space can last well into the future.”

They also want to open the building to others: photographers, engineers, independent creatives — anyone who can add value to Kingston’s arts ecosystem.

Booking is easier than ever

The booking system has been streamlined thanks to modernised software, and bands have embraced it.

Online booking: roswellkingston.book.app
Phone/text: (613) 583-5178
Email: [email protected]

For last-minute bookings, Anita says it’s best to contact her directly.

“I know how hard it is to get band members to agree on a date,” she says. “We don’t want to add to your troubles!”

Roswell also posts updates and availability on Facebook, Instagram, and via their growing email list.

Why Roswell Rehearsals needs Kingston now

Rehearsal spaces aren’t glamorous. They’re not headline-grabbing. But they are foundational.

No sold-out show, no album release, no breakthrough artist happens without hours spent in a room where musicians feel supported enough to try, fail, experiment, and improve.

In cities across Canada, affordable rehearsal space is disappearing. Kingston is no exception. Yet Kingston has something many communities don’t: a fiercely passionate music scene and two people — Buck and Bobbi Roswell — who have spent nearly a decade giving everything they have to help that scene thrive.

Now, with a short construction window and a long list of musicians waiting for reliable, quality rooms, Roswell is asking the city to step up.

“We’re stepping way out of our comfort zone with crowdfunding,” Anita admits. “But we want backers to feel like part of the Roswell family. This space is bigger than us.”

They’re right. It always has been.

How to support Roswell Rehearsals today

Here are three concrete ways to help safeguard Kingston’s creative future:

 1. Support the Indiegogo campaign: Sponsor a square foot. Become part of the mural. Keep the rooms alive.

 2. Spread the word: Share the campaign with musicians, friends, family, venue owners, and anyone who loves Kingston’s arts scene.

 3. Book a room or attend a jam: Direct support keeps the lights on and the community strong.

A space built by musicians — for musicians

Roswell Rehearsals isn’t just reopening. It’s rebuilding, reimagining, and recommitting itself to Kingston’s music creators.

And if the last two years proved anything, it’s that this city believes in what Roswell represents.

“It’s been overwhelming how grateful people are to have the space back,” Anita says. “Being here again… it feels right.”

For Kingston’s musicians, it feels essential.

Musicians deserve space. And Kingston deserves Roswell.

Posted: Nov 11, 2025