‘Killer King’ has been named the best Dutch blues record of the year 2021 – Dutch Blues Foundation
AJ Plug is known as one of the best blues singers in the Netherlands. Her second album Chew Chew Chew from 2016 garnered jubilant five-star reviews in Music Maker and the Blueskrant, among others. It resulted in successful theater tours with Johan Derksen and in the United States she was even on the cover of the leading magazine Blues E-News. With her latest album ‘Killer King’ she recently won an award for the best blues album of 2021.

In 2018, the singer from Katwijk and her partner and regular guitarist Klaas Kuijt moved into a studio in Grolloo, the epicenter of Dutch blues where Cuby + The Blizzards once experienced their heyday. The acoustic album Barefoot The Grolloo Takes, recorded there, again garnered much praise. But a short time later disaster struck: esophageal cancer almost killed her.

Killer King
Now AJ Plug is completely back. The disease, the Killer King, has been contained. It is only logical that her album is about being sick and getting better. The song titles speak volumes: The Shape I’m In, The Sky Turned Black, Tears Ran Dry, Never Gonna Stop, It Will Be Alright, Gimme A Smile. “Writing is processing. While I was ill, I did not consciously experience a lot. I also repressed a lot, I think. When I started writing songs again, it all came back. That’s how I was able to give it a place for myself. Now it’s it finished.”

With the help of top musicians such as guitarist/producer Guy Smeets, keyboardist Roel Spanjers and drummer Arie Verhaar, Killer King has become a very musical and accessible blues rock record, with a raw edge here and there. “It’s an honest record, no bullshit. It’s not songs about fun going out on a Saturday night, that should be clear. Every song is really about something. Hopefully they offer recognition and comfort.”

Now that she can do it again and the weather is possible, AJ Plug will go on tour extensively. The smile on the photos of her first performances is significant. She sings more freely and uninhibitedly than ever. In the coming months she will be touring the country with Johan Derksen’s theater performance The Sound Of The Blues & Americana.

The best blues album of 2021
Her record has been named the best blues album of 2021 by the Dutch Blues Foundation. (photo: Paul Scholman) The Katwijk singer received the award from secretary Lianne Ruijgrok. “Killer King is a special album with a special story. The best Dutch blues record of the year.”

Source : PLT Theater Website