New song “Part of me”. Listen now!
Multiple award winner AJ Plug is a highly talented singer from the Dutch ro roots scene. Alexandra Jolanda Plug is widely known as one of the most impressive female blues roots singers to have emerged from the Dutch roots scene in recent years.
As well as going on extensive tours with her own band, AJ Plug also joined up with Dutch television celebrity Johan Derksen on his theatre tour ‘The Sound of The Blues & Americana’ which was performed in almost every theatre in Holland.
After the release of her debut album ‘Let Go or Be Dragged’ (2014), her career really kicked off. October 2016 saw the release of her second album ‘Chew Chew Chew’ which was also highly praised. AJ’s music rapidly conquered the modern roots scene, with both albums by this tough blonde receiving fabulous reviews.
Music Maker magazine said: “She wrote all twelve songs on the album herself and each one of them was top-notch”. Her mastery of the roots genre and different styles allows her to produce powerful rock and to traverse to a tear jerking ballad. Simply a great album” (5 stars).
At the beginning of May 2018 AJ arrived at a run-down farmhouse in Grolloo with her partner and guitarist Klaas Kuijt. It was here that they recorded and released the acoustic album ‘Barefoot the Grolloo Takes’ in June 2018. They used minimal equipment but created maximum atmosphere.
A fabulous album recorded in an amazing ambiance. The sound is beautiful, clear and has an analogue shine
Unfortunately, the beginning of 2019 saw fate deal a terrible blow. AJ was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus which almost costs her her life. Logically, this album deals with illness and recovery. The song titles speak for themselves: The Shape I’m In, The Sky Turned Black, Tears Ran Dry, Never Gonna Stop, It’ll Be Alright, Gimme a Smile. Killer King has turned into a very musical and accessible album with a rough edge here and there. “It’s an honest album. No bullshit. No songs about Saturday night partying, that’s pretty clear. Each song has a deep meaning and hopefully offers recognition and comfort”. In March 2022, Killer King was given the best album award, by the Dutch Blues Foundation.
In the spring of 2024, she began writing her new album ‘Underneath your skin’, that is to say, continue to flow from her previous album, Killer King. That cancer doesn’t just disappear from your life even though you’ve survived but make strides forward, is evident in the first single ‘Part of me’. A surprisingly new sound with once again rave reviews!
The release of ‘Underneath your skin’ will take place on Oct. 12, 2024 during the presentation at Podium Scum in her hometown of Katwijk aan zee.
