While on stage a few years back, the M.C. incorrectly introduced the band. “Ladies and gentlemen, please give it up for… The Destructionists!”

He couldn't have been more incorrect. While destruction and deconstruction both involve breaking things apart, the motive and end result are entirely different. With destruction the goal is simply to take apart- to destroy. Deconstruction involves purpose; to see how and why something is. It requires care. And the end goal is to use some or all of the existing pieces and to put them back together in a different way- to try to make them more beautiful. It is ultimately a process filled with the hope of finding something better than ‘what is'.

This is the songwriting vision of The Deconstructionists’ Chris Kauffman. As lead for the band, and occasional solo performer, Chris’ goal is to use sound to connect with people on a human level. He does this by sharing his own journey and search for beauty and truth. For him (as an Enneagram 5) this comes from first recognizing his own biases and beliefs, and then by tearing them apart to see if they can really stand up to questioning. And then the final phase involves putting them back together in a way that is more purposeful and lovely. Religion, politics, and societal norms are all fodder for deconstruction in this search for truth.

This process is deftly chronicled in much of the music of the band. The Lancaster, Pa based writer is joined by band-mates Joe Stauffer (guitar, vocals), Joel Meck (bass), and Dan Carpenter (drums). The team has played together in one form or another in the northeast US for over a decade. Fiercely independent, they write and produce all of their own original material at their studio/practice space in Strasburg, Pa. They have released 2 studio albums, one EP and various singles to date.

Music Releases…

2018 “The Deconstructionists” Album

Born out of the eternal search for what's true, and the desire to pass on to the next generation only the things that can stand up to questioning, "The Deconstructionists" contains 12 honest songs that chronicle the difficult process of tearing apart one's deeply engrained mindsets. Accompanied by some of his Waiting for Cadence bandmates (Joe Stauffer, Joel Meck, and Dan Carpenter) and others, Chris takes the listener on a journey through the deconstruction process and, in some cases, back out again. Sonically dense on purpose, the listener should hear new things with each listen. Borrowing vibes from late 80's/early 90's alternative music as well as from the current indie and Americana scenes, Chris has created a layered sound that is interesting and unique. Cliches have no place in these writings as The Deconstructionists attempt to use words in new ways to describe the age-old search for truth.

2019 “Thoughts and Prayers” E. P. (digital release)

Experimenting with new sounds, drum machines and a little bit more of an electric feel than their 2018 self-titled album, The Deconstructionists offer up a 5-song E.P. entitled “Thoughts and Prayers”. Acoustic guitar is less central and replaced with big soundscapes as Chris Kauffman and co. explore new ways of writing and performing their original material. As usual, religion, politics, social media, love and other topics are all fodder for deconstructing, as Chris tries to understand the modern world and share his musings in a way that is both relatable and thought-provoking.

2020 "Never Returned" (single-digital release)

2021 “New Heaven, New Earth” Album

Growing up in the Mennonite church in conservative Lancaster County, PA was a combination of blessing and frustration. On their second full-length album, Chris Kauffman explores both the positive and negative impacts of growing up in a faith community. Themes of sexism, racism, hypocrisy, and community are all explored by the band. Woven into the music are also various themes that became very prevelant as the album was being recorded during the pandemic. Restrictions made it hard to practice as a full band, so Chris was able to piece together the music as schedules and health guidelines made it possible. To help fill in some of the gaps, the band was joined by a number of talented friends and regional musicians. Canyon Sharits, Jessica Smucker, Sean Cox (Three Strands), and Dan Menz-Erb and Jansen Herr (both formerly of Jawbone Hill) all added their talents to various tracks on the album, giving it a unique tenor.

2023 “When Six Feet Felt Forever” (single digital release)

2024 “Lily” (single digital release)

2025 “Your Own Song” (single digital release)