Joe Kaplow with AJ Woods

An evening of songs and music from Touring artist Joe Kaplow and local legend AJ Woods.   

"Before I started my career I had a choice: to take over my parent’s thoroughbred farm in New Jersey or pursue music full time in California and relinquish the farm to sale.  I still wonder what life would have looked like had I stayed, but who can resist the gold rush?  Besides, I plan to get back there one day on another farm with some other red barn.

My music comes from life’s moments — smelling 4 acres of freshly cut grass, watching the steam from a horse’s breath in the early morning, finally holding the neck of my guitar after holding bridles and worn wooden handles all day.  4000 acres of freshly burnt wildfire, watching the steam from the Pacific Ocean’s breath in the early morning, finally holding the neck of my guitar after clutching the worn steering wheel of the tour van all day.

Now my reality is in Bonny Doon, CA, where mountains meet the sea. I am in my recording studio, aptly named Hippie Cowboy, every day.  Slow and steady; keep it fun, stay engaged.  All for the moment when the song finally sounds right.  My dad passed away a couple years ago — his bullwhip is on the wall, his Harley is in the driveway. He visits me in dreams, and oh, the moment I wake up!  Sometimes I write for him. Sometimes for my mom, who I hope will move out to California soon.   Maybe she could volunteer at an equestrian center…

A person is made from their moments, like their music is made.  I know this is a bio but I shouldn’t have to say much.  Listen to the record.  If I’ve done my job well, you will know me by the end."

http://joekaplow.net

Born and raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, AJ Woods has been a part of the Southwest music scene for over a decade. He has released multiple full-length albums, a critically-acclaimed EP, as well as singles and live recordings, all of which have earned him comparisons to people such as Jason Molina and Neil Young. Still, "Woods'[s] lyrical style, guitar playing and singing are his own—something that can't often be said." (Alibi) He's played with acts such as Jim Stallings (JJ Light, Sir Douglas Quintet), A Hawk and a Hacksaw, Big Thief and The Handsome Family among many others. With music and lyrics that are “poignant and powerful" (ABQ Free Press), Woods creates not only songs, but "unpretentious poetry." (Alibi) “As soon as I heard these songs and watched the video, my mind was instantly made up that this was something exceptional, both calming and beautiful to listen to (and watch) and certainly deserving of Song of the Day on Folk Radio UK.” (Folk Radio UK) In times like these, Woods's music and words are grounding forces. They take us back to the earth on which we live and depend, remind us that we have hearts, bones that break and heal, blood that leaves, blood we can share. They show we are related to, made and capable of many things.

perpetualdoom.com/ajwoods