THURSDAY FEBRUARY 20thJoe Kaplow + Suzanimal + Bart Budwig (solo)$15/$17(rsvp on facebook)<h2>JOE KAPLOW</h2>—Before embarking on a full-time music career in California, I faced a tough decision: continue the family tradition of running our thoroughbred farm in New Jersey or chase my musical dreams. While I often wonder what life would have been like had I stayed, the allure of the music industry was too strong to resist. I still hope to return to the farm someday, perhaps with a red barn of my own.My music is deeply rooted in life's experiences. Whether it's the tranquility of a quiet morning on the farm or the frenetic energy of a tour bus, these moments shape my songwriting. The smell of freshly cut grass, the mist rising from a horse's breath, the feel of a guitar neck—these are the things that inspire me.Today, I find myself in the serene beauty of Bonny Doon, California, where I spend my days in my home studio, aptly named Hippie Cowboy. It's a place where I can slow down, stay focused, and let the music flow. The spirit of my late father, a man who loved horses and motorcycles, still lingers. I often dream of him and feel his presence in my music. I hope to dedicate my future work to him and my mother, who I hope will join me in California someday.This record is a special one. Unlike my previous albums, it captures the essence of a band. We recorded most of the tracks live in the studio, creating a cohesive and energetic sound. The camaraderie and musical synergy between Jeff, Elliott, Rob, and myself were truly special. We spent countless hours touring and honing our craft, and the energy of those live performances is reflected in this album.I hope you enjoy listening to this music as much as we enjoyed creating it.<h2>SUZANIMAL</h2>—Suzanimal is a smart, playful psychedelic pop/rock project from San Francisco Bay Area singer, songwriter and bassist Suzanne Galal. Inspired by her love of Talking Heads and the Tom Tom Club. Galal — a scientist and pharmacy professor by day — picked up a bass guitar for the first time at the age of 30, and began writing confident, groove-centered tracks soon after. With Galal’s seductive yet light-as-air vocals, lyrics driven by her curiosity about the human mind, and a rotating cast of veteran backing musicians, the band quickly earned a reputation for engaging live performances and genre-defying style. A Suzanimal show is designed to make you lose yourself to the rhythm — with just enough of the unexpected to keep you on your toes ‘til the afterparty.Suzanimal released their debut EP, Body, recorded at San Francisco’s legendary Hyde Street Studios. It was described by KQED as, "subtle, evocative and precise — swings with an attitude that’s breezy yet grounded." Passing, just released in September of 2022, is the first full-length from Suzanimal. Written over a period that included the birth of Galal’s son, her first year of parenthood, and the beginning of a global pandemic, the album expands on the funky, danceable sounds she introduced with her debut EP, Body. Featuring more experimental, sophisticated arrangements and lush production that makes each track feel both intimate and spacious. Passing finds Galal considering the ways of the universe and the plight of the household spider; crafting long-distance love songs and deeply felt lullabies; and making peace with coexisting joy and grief during a uniquely strange moment in time. The song “Eel” was recently featured in KQED’s Pass the Aux. (KQED)<h2>BART BUDWIG - SOLO</h2>—Sometimes when Bart sings, I forget what we’re talking about. I’m sure he knows though. I trust him. He sounds like John Prine, plays like Hoyt Axton, and looks like well...Bart Budwig. He’s a cosmic country lawn gnome. He’s cherubic, cheery, and an old soul. Songs spring from the dreams of his noonday naps, and punch the keys of his typewriter above the OK Theater in Enterprise, Oregon. When words won’t take, he calls 'em in with a bugle of his trumpet, or a strum of soothing guitar.