Ira Caplan - Songwriter
Ira Caplan - Songwriter, Composer, Recording and Performing Artist - has been crafting words and melodies since he was 15. Influenced by the great musical Minds from the early Rock era until today, Ira evolved his own style of lucid chord progressions and strumming patterns blended with insightful lyrics during high school, and began gigging across the U.S. Luck found Ira playing in England, in a huge movie theater-now-Pub, The Flea and Firkin, (Manchester, 1991).He played twice a week in front of crowds of sometimes more than 300 rowdy English folk. But the gig was a new high, and resulted in Ira recording his first album, Father's Day, in Manchester that spring.
With only 20 copies produced, the album found favor among both university cohorts and the music industry alike; Ira was invited after his return to the U.S. to record 4 of the songs with big-time musicians at a top studio in Germantown, N.Y (The Clubhouse). The tracks were laid down under the masterful guidance of Producer/Guitarist John Platania (Van Morrison/Natalie Merchant) and Ira had his first experience of collaborating with gifted industry professionals.
Ira began writing much more prolifically, bringing Platania tunes week after week. His style grew clearer, and his message...stronger. Ira’s Sacred City and Oracle commented on an evocative and complex world, and his melody lines complemented prophetic messages with rich emotion.
That summer (1992), Ira embarked cross-country with Directing/Producing talent Rob Fox and Photographic wiz Kevin Rolly, capturing the imagery of the Southwestern U.S and extolling the spiritual virtues of America in word, film and song.
Unbeknownst to Ira, the brilliant pair produced Track 5, The Late Great Rebellion, of Father's Day into Ira’s first music video, setting the stage for Ira later making his way to Hollywood. But first, Ira was drawn back to the mystique of the Superstition Mountains, recording his second full album, Ghost of Apollo, in Fountain Hills, AZ. Ira enjoyed an rich contrast to Platania adjacent to Producer Leo LaBranche, who’s expert musicianship (the Marshall Tucker Band) brought out the elegant craft in songs, Follow Love and Lady of Fire. Ghost of Apollo was produced in the spring of 1995, and sold out quickly.
Ira began touring on the album, gaining insight into the personal philosophy from which his composing flowed. Published several times in the International Avatar Journal (1992 - 1995) Ira's travels brought him back home to Pittsburgh, PA where he continued to write, arrange and produce, including the cohesive Songbook compilation, Return Of Apollo - The Songs of Ira Caplan (© Ira Caplan, G of A Music ® ™, 1997). But echoes from the big-time music industry eventually drew Ira back to Studio and Stage, with the recording and corresponding tour of Behind the Shadows (Chicago, G of A Music, 2000).
Ira resides currently in Los Angeles, where his second music video Shelter from the Wind was filmed, again by the steady hand of Rob Fox, (© Ira Caplan, G of A Music ® ™, 2003). He has since landed a live, digitally-recorded double cd (Ira Caplan – Live!!!, 2006) in his hometown of Pittsburgh, and is now completing his fourth full-length album, Sacred City, in Jerusalem, Israel.
Ira has performed internationally, in every kind of venue, from coffee shops and nightclubs to international conferences and Earth Day Celebrations. He is proud to have opened for his friends RebbeSoul (www.RebbeSoul.com) and Moshav (www.Moshavband.com). Ira appears weekly with Emmy Award-winning TV Writer/Producer and beloved Torah Scholar David Sacks (The Simpsons/Third Rock from the Sun) at the popular Lecture Series, Living With G-d (www.HappyTorah.com, www.HappyMinyan.org).
Ira is also a Cantor, bringing his music and leading of prayer services to Torah Shiurim (Classes), Shabbatons (Sabbath Excursions) and Yom Tovim (Torah Festival Observances), including those for the Jewish High Holidays and Passover Gatherings at the Westin Rio Mar Hotel and Resort in Puerto Rico. His rare insights and lucid storytelling have been woven into music appearances with brilliant Rabbis and Teachers of Kabala and Masters of Breslov Chassidus throughout New York, Florida and California, at Commemorative Concerts (Reb Shlomo Carlebach, zt"l), and at International Rainbow Gatherings (the Golan, Israel).
Ira’s music has taken on a theme of Eco-care for the Earth’s environment and alludes to enlightened ways of sustainable living. His Mission Statement includes awakening individuals, clients, companies, corporations and even political entities to their unique gifts and potential contributions, nurturing a vision of profound Well-being and Harmony for the future of our civilization and our Planet.
www.irassongs.com
www.cdbaby.com/iracaplan
www.myspace.com/iracaplan
Ira can be reached at Ghostofapollo@yahoo.com.