{{short description|American musician (born 1972)}} {{BLP sources|date=March 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2026}} {{Infobox musical artist | background = person | name = Josh Joplin | image = Josh Joplin In Studio New York City.jpg | image_size = 250px | alt = Josh Joplin wearing jeans and a sweater with collared shirt and tie underneath, sitting down, holding an electric guitar, and looking at camera over his glasses | caption = Joplin in 2015 | birth_name = Joshua David Blum | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1972|01|01}} | birth_place = Washington DC, US | genre = {{hlist|Rock|folk}} | occupation = {{hlist|Musician|record producer|film producer}} | current_member_of = Among the Oak & Ash | past_member_of = Josh Joplin Group | label = {{hlist|Sleepless Nights Records|Artemis Records|Sony Records|Epic Records|Verve Records|9th Grade Records}} }}
'''Josh Joplin''' (born '''Joshua David Blum''' on January 1, 1972) is an American singer, songwriter, as well as music and film producer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.queensworldfilmfestival.com/films/detail.asp?fid=1312|title=About Colonia|last=Blum|first=Joshua David|date=February 13, 2020|website=Queens World Film Festival}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Stehman|first=Scott|title=Tot, 3, Cut and Bruised|date=September 11, 1974|work=Intelligencer Journal}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite news|last=Alexieff|first=Stephanie H.|title=Teen Of The Week|date=July 7, 1984|work=Lancaster New Era}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://meetinmontauk.com/2016/10/30/song-of-the-day-3040-who-is-afraid-of-thomas-wolfe-josh-joplin-group/|title=Who's Afraid of Thomas Wolfe?|last=Montes|first=Kevin|date=October 30, 2016|website=MeetMeInMontauk}}</ref> He has founded the bands Josh Joplin Group and Among the Oak & Ash.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Waterhouse|first=Jon|title=Go Guide: 10 Days Out|date=August 6, 2010|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Harrington|first=Michael|title=7 Days: Two of Our Faves: Among the Oak & Ash a Fine Frenzy|date=October 29, 2009|work=The Philadelphia Inquirer}}</ref> His song "Camera One" was the first independent release to hit #1 at Triple A radio.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/josh-joplin-group|title=Chart History|date=April 14, 2001|magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Jenkins|first=Daniel|title=Billboard|date=December 16, 2000}}</ref> His song "Blue Skies Again" was recorded by Jessica Lea Mayfield for her Nonesuch debut ''Tell Me''. ''Pitchfork'' praised it as, "simple, the infectious chorus makes it a standout...it's also a sunny, reassuring song."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/15090-tell-me/|title=Tell Me Album Review|last=Deusner|first=Stephen M.|date=February 11, 2011|website=Pitchfork}}</ref> Joplin has toured extensively in North America, Europe, and Australia, and has recorded several albums with different bands.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|last=Dollar|first=Steve|title=Sound Shopping: Local Acts Independents Fuel The Resurgence Of 7-inch Vinyl|date=June 8, 1993|work=The Atlanta Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Murray|first=Sonia|title=In The Clubs: CD Release Party Josh Joplin|work=The Atlanta Journal}}</ref>
==Life and career== {{BLP sources section|date=March 2022}}
Born in Washington, DC, Joplin grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Kassulke|first=Natasha|title=Josh Joplin Group Focuses on Annex|date=July 21, 2001|work=Madison State Journal}}</ref> His family relocated to Columbia, Maryland,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brooks|first=Paula|title=This Weekend: Roots Cafe|date=September 27, 1991|work=The Baltimore Sun}}</ref> in 1985, when he was 13. There, Joplin attended Sandy Spring Friends School and learned to play guitar. He quit the school's Community House program in the ninth grade and finished the year at Hammond High School. He briefly returned before dropping out of high school altogether. At the age of sixteen, Joplin successfully passed the GED and earned his Maryland high school diploma.
His first professional job in music was as the runner for folk/blues legend Dave Van Ronk's concert at Swallow Hill Music Association. They hired him later the same year to open for Bill Staines.
Joplin's interest in folk music began in earnest after hearing Bob Dylan's ''The Times They Are a-Changin''', and Phil Ochs' ''Gunfight at Carnegie Hall''. He recorded an Ochs cover, "I Ain't a Marchin' Anymore", on his first record, ''Facts of Fortune for Sleepless Nights Records'', a DC record label, founded by Mr. Issa (Diao) of Good Clean Fun.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.equalvision.com/artists/good-clean-fun/|title=Equal Vision: Good Clean Fun|last=Diao|first=Issa}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3643572/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1|title=Good Clean Fun Movie|last=Joplin|first=Josh|website=IMDb}}</ref> Joplin released his first single, "A Present for Hitler", in 1989, which featured three original folk songs.<ref name=":4">{{cite AV media notes |last1 = Joplin |first1 = Josh |date = 2005 |title = Josh Joplin: The Early Years – Volume One |work = Liner notes |publisher = Lifting Lomax Songs}}</ref>
===Atlanta=== Having stayed a short time in New York City, Joplin heard Kevn Kinney on WFUV radio and bought his first record, ''MacDougal Blues''.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.redandblack.com/variety/joplin-has-the-future-that-was-is-and-will-be/article_d5e2904b-ede5-55bc-bc6a-f0fbb8e2017a.html|title=The Red& Black (Archives)|last=Newman|first=Leah|date=September 25, 2002}}</ref> This convinced him to relocate to Atlanta. He played mostly solo shows for tips at Sylvia's Atomic Cafe, a Candler Park neighborhood landmark.<ref name=":7" /> It was here that Josh met fellow songwriter Kelly Hogan, who worked there as a cook and played in The Jody Grind. He also met Shawn Mullins at the cafe.<ref name=":7">{{Cite news|last=Crenshaw|first=Holly|title=Coffeehouses, The Funky Teen Haven|date=April 29, 1993|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Murray|first=Sonia|title=In The Clubs|date=April 10, 1993|work=The Atlanta Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=DeVault|first=Russ|title=In The Clubs|date=January 23, 1993|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref> Upon seeing Five-Eight opening for The Jody Grind, Joplin began to look for a band of his own.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Best Bets: Five-Eight et al, opening Josh Joplin|date=February 19, 1994|work=The Atlanta Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Dollar|first=Steve|title=Dodging Pigeonhole, Jody Grind Unleashes Genre-Jumping 'Deceiver'|date=April 10, 1992|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref>
He recorded his third and last album for Sleepless Nights, ''I Love Janey, But Janey Loves The Grateful Dead''. It was produced by Ed Burdell (Magnapop). Members of the Mirthmakers and Joybang backed Joplin on the recording.<ref name=":2" /> For a while, he played music with Ani Cordero on drums and a friend on bass, but he finally emerged with his own lineup. In 1995, Geoff Melkonian (bass, viola) and Jason Buecker (drums) founded the Josh Joplin Band. They released the albums ''Projector Head'' and ''Boxing Nostalgic'' as a trio, later adding Allen Broyles on piano and organ.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hamilton|first=Doug|title=Josh Joplin Band|date=January 5, 1996|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref> Shawn Mullins signed the quartet to his own SMG Label. He produced the original version of ''Useful Music'', Joplin's sixth studio album. Shortly after its 1999 release, Jason Buecker was replaced on drums by Ani Cordero, then Eric Taylor. Deeds Davis was added on lead guitar, and the band made a slight name change, to Josh Joplin Group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=1827|title=Useful Music Review|date=February 15, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/372113-Josh-Joplin-Group|title=Discography: Josh Joplin Group|website=Discogs}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://ink19.com/2002/11/magazine/music-reviews/josh-joplin-group|title=Review: The Future That Was|last=Slone|first=Sean|date=November 25, 2002|website=Ink19}}</ref>
Artemis Records re-released ''Useful Music'' in 2001 and scored the band's first and only number one hit at Triple A radio with "Camera One", which was produced by Jerry Harrison of the Modern Lovers and Talking Heads.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/jerry-harrison-mn0000330961/credits|title=Jerry Harrison Discography|last=Harrison|first=Jerry|website=AllMusic}}</ref> The band made their television debut that year, appearing on the ''Late Show with David Letterman'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://vortago.com/view/josh-joplin-group-on-the-late-show-with-david-letterman-on-friday-march-2nd-2001/|title=Late Night with David Letterman Appearance|last=Letterman|first=David|date=March 2, 2001|website=Vortago}}</ref> followed by ''Late Night with Conan O'Brien''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Star Democrat|date=December 28, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thetvdb.com/series/late-night-with-conan-obrien/episodes/7358053|title=Late Night With Conan O'Brien|last=O'Brien|first=Conan|date=February 9, 2001|website=The TV DB}}</ref> "Camera One" was also featured in the TV shows ''Scrubs'', ''Dawsons Creek'', ''Party of Five'', ''Roswell'', among others.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0696632/|title=Scrubs: My Super Ego|date=November 6, 2001|website=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://dawsonscreek.tktv.net/Season4/20.html|title=Dawsons Creek: Promicide|date=May 2, 2001|website=Dawsons Creek TkTV}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sweet-honeygirl.livejournal.com/38693.html|title=Roswell: Juliana Theory|date=February 2, 2001|website=Sweet Honey Girl}}</ref>
===New York City=== Joplin moved to the Brooklyn borough of New York City in 1998. He continued to tour and play with Josh Joplin Group as well as doing solo shows. The band followed the success of ''Useful Music'' with the album ''The Future That Was'', produced by Rob Gal (the Rock-A-Teens). It was recorded at Adam Schlesinger and James Iha's studio, Stratosphere Sound.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sonicscoop.com/2012/12/15/stratosphere-sound-studios-to-close-reflections-from-co-owner-adam-schlesinger-2/|title=Reflects From Co-owner Adam Schlesinger|last=Schlesinger|first=Adam|date=December 15, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/382693-Rudyard-Lee-Cullers|title=Discogs|last=Cullers|first=Rudyard Lee|website=Discogs |date=May 5, 2002}}</ref> Though it received much more critical acclaim,<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.robertchristgau.com/xg/rock/josh-03.php|title=Not Joshing Around|last=Christgau|first=Robert|date=September 2, 2004|website=Village Voice Reviews: Robert Christgau}}</ref><ref name=":3" /> it had very little commercial success. Josh Joplin Group disbanded in December 2003.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
In 2004, Joplin was still living in Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, across the street from his then-neighbor, Dan Zanes (the Del Fuegos).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Beck|first=Mariko|title=Josh Joplin Walks Alone|date=October 28, 2005|work=The Record}}</ref> Zanes hosted impromptu stoop concerts for the children (and adults) on the block. Joplin stated being deeply inspired by these intimate events.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.citybeat.com/music/article/13028336/upcoming-concert-reviews-of-sleaterkinney-and-more|title=CityBeat|last=Gargano|first=Jason|date=October 5, 2005}}</ref> When he recorded the album ''Jaywalker'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/jaywalker-mw0000217671|title=Jaywalker Review|last=Stewart|first=Mason|date=August 23, 2005|website=AllMusic}}</ref> he sought ways to mimic the joy he witnessed with Zanes by recording the album with the friends and people he'd grown up with,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Harrison|first=Shane|title=Joplin Returns|date=December 7, 2007|work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref> including the headmaster who had taught him guitar. ''Jaywalker'' was released on August 23, 2005, on Eleven Thirty Records.<ref>{{Cite news|title=New Releases: Jaywalker|date=August 19, 2005}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Rob|first=Thomas|title=Jaywalker: CD Reviews|date=September 1, 2005|work=Wisconsin State Journal}}</ref>
In 2013, Joplin independently released the five-song EP ''Earth and Other Things'' on 9th Grade Records. It remains his last musical effort under the name Josh Joplin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timeout.com/newyork/music/josh-joplin-earth-and-other-things|title=Josh Joplin: Earth and Other Things|date=October 3, 2013|website=Time Out – New York City}}</ref> It was recorded at Mercy Sound Studio<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.celebsecrets.com/sky-ferreira-and-blondies-debbie-harry-seen-together-at-a-studio-in-new-york-city-whats-going-on-skyferreira/|title=Debbie Harry at NYC Studio|date=September 4, 2015|website=Celebs Secrets}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mercysound.com/clients|title=Clients: Mercy Sound|date=April 30, 2001|website=Mercy Sound Studio}}</ref> on the Lower East Side of New York City by producer/engineer/guitarist Matt Chiaravalle.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/301765-Matt-Chiaravalle|title=Matt Chiaravalle|website=Discogs |date=October 3, 2013}}</ref> Matt and Josh had also worked together on ''Useful Music''.<ref name=":8" />
On April 23, 2022, the Josh Joplin Group performed a twentieth-anniversary reunion show in Atlanta, Georgia.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://creativeloafing.com/event-504517-josh-joplin-group-jessica-lea-mayfield?fbclid=IwAR3FYHE3STXeaIBBP9pOCSm3e9Xa9tUg83sXna9nTLwVgXsJFZ2f-yAeQKU | title=Josh Joplin Group, Jessica Lea Mayfield }}</ref>
===Among the Oak & Ash=== In 2008, Joplin formed a new band called Among the Oak & Ash<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2009/08/qa-josh-joplin-and-garrison-starr-on-making-appalachia-rock|title=Making Appalachia Rock|last=DiGiacomo|first=Frank|date=August 14, 2009|magazine=Vanity Fair}}</ref> with Garrison Starr,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/artists/112924921/among-the-oak-ash|title=NPR Artists at WFUV|website=NPR |date=September 17, 2009}}</ref> Bryan Owings,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bryan-owings-mn0000111467|title=Bryan Owings Credits|last=Owings|first=Bryan|date=February 1, 2009|website=AllMusic}}</ref> and Brian Harrison. They released their self-titled debut album in 2009 on Verve Records.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/brian-harrison-mn0000096857/credits|title=Credits: Brian Harrison|last=Harrison|first=Brian|website=AllMusic |date=February 1, 2014}}</ref> It was named Album of the Year<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/soundcheck/articles/1838-soundchecks-picks-year|title=Soundcheck: Picks Of The Year 2009|last=Schaeffer|first=John|website=WNYC Studios: Soundcheck}}</ref> by WNYC's John Schaeffer on his program Soundcheck.<ref name=":6" /> They followed it with ''Devil Ship'' in 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Among-The-Oak-Ash-Devil-Ship/release/9034611|title=Devil Ship Album Credits|last=Joplin|first=Josh|date=February 1, 2014|website=Discogs}}</ref> This album featured performances by Lucy Wainwright Roche, Jessica Lea Mayfield, Paleface, and Rachael Hester.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/Among-The-Oak-Ash-Devil-Ship/release/9034611|title=Album Credits: Devil Ship|date=February 1, 2014|website=Discogs}}</ref> In 2014, they recorded a third album, ''A Skeptics Gospel'', which was never released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.discogs.com/artist/464901-Brian-Harrison|title=Brian Harrison|last=Harrison|first=Brian|website=Discogs}}</ref> Harrison, who had co-produced all three records, died at his Nashville studio on February 18, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nashvillescene.com/music/article/13052707/musician-and-producer-brian-brain-harrison-dies-at-54|title=Musician Producer Brian Brain Harrison Dies at 54|last=Silverman|first=Jack|date=February 20, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/tennessean/obituary.aspx?pid=169792839|title=Obituary: Brian Harrison|date=February 20, 2014|website=The Tennessean}}</ref>
In 2023, the band started releasing singles on streaming services and playing shows under the moniker Josh Joplin and Among the Oak & Ash.<ref>{{cite news|title=Among the Oak & Ash |url=https://amongtheoakandash.bandcamp.com/ |website=bandcamp.com|access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Josh Joplin and Among the Oak & Ash |url=https://allevents.in/mobile/amp-event.php?event_id=200024671973127 |website=allevents.in |access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref> They released a new album, titled ''Figure Drawing'', on October 24, 2023. Contributing musicians included guitarist and fiddler Fats Kaplin.<ref>{{cite news|title=Josh Joplin (Josh Joplin Group/Among the Oak and Ash) |url=https://podcastindex.org/podcast/223972?episode=14196190807 |website=podcastindex.org |date=March 17, 2023 |access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Josh Joplin, Among the Oak & Ash |url=https://creativeloafing.com/event-527402-josh-joplin-among-the-oak-ash |website=creativeloafing.com |date=July 14, 2023 |access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref>
===NarrowMoat=== In 2015, Joplin founded the production company NarrowMoat. He has produced two independent films, ''About Colonia''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.queensworldfilmfestival.com/films/detail.asp?fid=1312|title=About Colonia|date=March 19, 2020|website=Queen World Film Festival}}{{dead link|date=October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cinemaboreal.com/about-colonia|title=About Colonia|date=June 2, 2019|website=Cinema Boreal|access-date=April 23, 2020|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019231801/https://www.cinemaboreal.com/about-colonia|url-status=dead}}</ref> and ''The Murphys''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9970803/|title=The Murphys|date=April 1, 2018|website=IMDb}}</ref> ''About Colonia'', directed by Eduardo Shlomo Velázquez, was screened and lauded with awards in the short film and Spanish-language categories at several international film festivals.{{Citation needed|date=October 2023}}
NarrowMoat's most recent film, ''Boys Clap, Girls Dance'', directed and animated by Dena Springer,<ref>{{cite news|title=Boys Clap, Girls Dance |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15037754/ |website=imdb.com |access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref> was released June 28, 2022. It garnered nominations at several film festivals, including the Chicago Underground Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news|title=CUFF 2022 |url=https://cuff29.eventive.org/films |website=cuff29.eventive.org |access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref> It won Best Animated Film at BIFF Sweden<ref>{{cite news|title=Boys Clap, Girls Dance |url=https://bodenfilmfestival.se/boys-clap-girls-dance/ |website=bodenfilmfestival.se |access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref> and was screened at the Cork International Film Festival<ref>{{cite news|title=Boys Clap, Girls Dance |url=https://mubi.com/en/ca/films/boys-clap-girls-dance |website=mubi.com |access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref> and the Atlanta Film Festival.<ref>{{cite news|title=Spotlight Track: New Mavericks |url=https://www.atlantafilmfestival.com/new-mavericks |website=atlantafilmfestival.com |access-date=October 19, 2023}}</ref>
==Discography== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Studio Albums |- ! Album !! Year !! Label !! Released as |- | ''Facts of Fortune'' || 1990 || Sleepless Nights || Josh Joplin |- | ''Projector Head'' || 1995 || Jolly Joe Music || Josh Joplin Band |- | ''Boxing Nostalgic'' || 1997 || Jolly Joe Music || Josh Joplin Band |- | ''Useful Music'' || 1998 || SMG Entertainment || Josh Joplin Group |- | ''Useful Music'' (reissue) || 2001 || Artemis Records || Josh Joplin Group |- | ''The Future That Was'' || 2002 || Artemis Records || Josh Joplin Group |- | ''Jaywalker'' || 2005 || Eleven Thirty Records || Josh Joplin |- | ''Among the Oak & Ash'' || 2009 || Verve Forecast Records || Among the Oak & Ash |- | ''Devil Ship'' || 2011 || NarrowMoat || Among the Oak & Ash |- | ''Earth and Other Things'' || 2013 || 9th Grade Records || Josh Joplin |- | ''Figure Drawing'' || 2023 || NarrowMoat || Josh Joplin Group |- | ''GyPr'' || 2025 || NarrowMoat || Josh Joplin Group |- | ''Useful Music'' (25th Anniversary) || 2026 || NarrowMoat || Josh Joplin Group |}
{| class="wikitable" |+ Singles |- ! Album !! Year !! Label !! Format |- | "A Present for Hitler"<ref name=":4" /> || 1989 || Sleepless Nights || 7"<ref name=":4" /> |- | "I Love Janey, but Janey Loves the Grateful Dead"<ref name=":4" /> || 1992 || Sleepless Nights || 7"<ref name=":4" /> |- |}
{| class="wikitable" |+ Compilations |- ! Album !! Year !! Label |- | ''The Early Years: Volume One''<ref name=":4" /> || 2004 || Lifting Lomax Songs |- | ''The Best of the Josh Joplin Group'' || 2005 || Artemis Records |- | ''misc..misc'' || 2024 || Narrow Moat |}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.dailyvault.com/toc.php5?review=2995 Jaywalker review], dailyvault.com, August 23, 2005. * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090917085852/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/culture/2009/08/14/qa-josh-joplin-and-garrison-starr-on-making-appalachia-rock.html Q&A with Josh Joplin and Garrison Starr]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Joplin, Josh}} Category:American male singers Category:American rock singers Category:Living people Category:People from Columbia, Maryland Category:People from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Category:Singers from Pennsylvania Category:Singers from Maryland Category:1972 births