This past week I got the chance to sit down with local Santa Cruz musician Joe Kaplow to discuss his music and its influences.

Kaplow is a bluesy folk musician that I happened to hear playing at Mission St. BBQ one Thursday night--he plays there weekly. I was incredibly impressed so I came back the next week to secure an interview. Before reading, I highly suggest you check out his EP, Sounds, so you get a feel for his style and sound!

Can you give me some background as to how you became involved in music?

I come from a musical family. My mom and uncles were always playing guitar and singing at family gatherings, which we had often. There are pictures of me from before I can even remember (2 years old maybe) holding guitars and blowup guitars. I was drawn to it for some reason. I got my first guitar when I was 12 and it was off to the races.

Where are you from originally and how does that inform your sound?

I am originally from an eight-acre horse farm in New Jersey. I don't think New Jersey has much to do with my sound, but the rural setting of my childhood definitely informed my affinity for roots and folk music, which is pretty much the sound of my record.

How is the music scene in the Bay Area and how does that inform your sound?

The music scene in the Bay area is not that great. I'm definitely let down by it. I think the indie bands are pretty cool but only because they're expected to be. And plus, indie was cool when it was something different, now it's mainstream to be indie which is not the point. For the other genres of popular music, the rootsy bands are like watered down roots and the funk bands are watered down funk and so on and so on. Everything is kind of like that in California. Too much sun and warmth and relaxation makes art bland. Also, the places to play music are quickly disappearing and less people care about going out to see music. It's not part of the culture anymore like how it is in NOLA or Austin or NYC. But, it's making me work extra hard for everything which is good.

How was the process of recording your debut EP?

The process of recording the EP was pretty nerve-racking. I'm a worry wart and a perfectionist so I was constantly questioning myself and my decisions. Also, recording live is a big psyche-out because you can't make mistakes. You have to be prepared. It is also very satisfying and gratifying to walk away from a day of hard work in the studio. How it was recorded went like this: once the recording studio and the songs were selected, I just rehearsed a bunch in the weeks prior, alone and with my friends who helped me, and come time to record we spent a six hour time block recording all the songs. Everything was recorded live and organically in Room A at Gadgetbox. After that, I spent another six hour day mixing and doing all the post production stuff.

What is your favorite track off the EP?

I like "When I Open Up at Last."

Where do you draw your main inspiration for music from?

I draw my main inspiration from this vision I have in my head. It's been my dream since I was a little kid. In accordance with that I also draw inspiration from my "never wanting to work a real job, ever."

How would you describe your sound in three words?

Folk

Blues

Storytelling

What are your favorite artists for listening versus for inspiration?

My favorite artists for listening are the ones who are either doing something so musically sophisticated that it's educational or the ones that make me feel the way I want to feel. The artists I turn to for inspiration are the ones who have put out music similar to what I want to put out.

How do you feel about your sound being compared to such artists as The Tallest Man on Earth? Do you identify with that style of contemporary folk?

I think it's cool. It is a contemporary folk record. That's what I wanted, and maybe I'll make a couple more. I have tricks up my sleeve though and I don't know if I'll be in the contemporary folk genre forever.

What three albums do you listen to most at the moment?

There Will Be Nights When I'm Lonely by Possessed by Paul James

Tawk Tomahawk by Hiatus Kaiyote

Voodoo by D'Angelo

What three contemporary albums would you recommend to listeners?

The Possessed by Paul James record, the new one from Hiatus Kyote (Choose Your Weapon) and Live From the Forest by Abalone Grey.

You album art has you characterized as a pig--if you could be any animal in your next life what would you be and why?

I would be a seagull because they can fly and live close to the ocean. And they laugh all the time. Laughing makes you feel good.

What is one of your guilty pleasure bands?

Savage Garden!

Any upcoming shows or music releases?

Well, look for a Santa Cruz show at The Crepe Place sometime in Jan., and look for a six-week West Coast tour in Feb. and March. You can catch a set of country blues at Mission St. BBQ in Santa Cruz every Thursday.