AJ Kohl Charts The Artistic Path On “Get Lost”
What is it about an artistic heart that makes it feel so far-fetched to most? When we discuss work projects or upcoming life milestones, no one thinks twice; the conversation still moves along at a comfortable tempo. But express an interest in finding meaning in the abstract, direction in the aimless, and suddenly that rhythm halts, replaced by questions impolite and intrusive.
Humanity has always been adept at finding meaning in the world around us. Our minds are wired for it, finding the cosmos reflected in the iris of an eye or becoming convinced by simple pareidolia. The fact that these tendencies can even have names proves the point. We observe, interpret, assign, and connect. So why does the next step feel like one too far for most?
This question sits at the crux of “Get Lost,” the new song from Richmond singer-songwriter AJ Kohl, which places its faith on meaning not being found in any documented process or clearly defined route. Instead, it bets on itself, even if it needs reminding of that fact while it travels and learns to replace the phrase “stray from” with “arrive at.” Filmed as an entry in this year’s NPR Tiny Desk contest, the video performance strips the song down, letting its quiet convictions speak plainly and directly.
“What if I told you I like to get lost,” Kohl poses in a candid hush over a gentle strum, casting the idea as a lark to some, a gamble, even, in a world obsessed with purpose and control. Here, though, it lands as something closer to certainty, a quiet artistic credo made plain in the line, “my hours in the woods are all profit, no loss.” Time spent wandering, reflecting, simply being… that’s a net gain, even if a productivity-driven culture insists on calling it otherwise.
As the song unfolds, it becomes clear Kohl is speaking as much to himself as anyone listening, laying bare his deepest doubts while admitting this path might be a “crazy dream.” Still, that internal push-and-pull between freedom and futility shapes a way of moving through the world that feels both lighter and more meaningful. “Proficient with drivel,” he quips with self-aware humor, before grounding it in “embracing the scene,” choosing immersion over detachment and ultimately arriving at a truth many spend a lifetime circling: “No deeper meaning than the need to be free.”
Even outside its broader philosophical leanings, “Get Lost” lands with a quieter, more cutting weight in the truths it lets slip through, none more haunting than the refrain, “that the world has no room for old boys who make art.” Creativity is often treated as a folly of the youth, an indulgence that people just entering their life can enjoy rather than those in the thick of it, as if art and creativity aren’t a lifelong calling that may take decades to fully realize. Why can’t we invite people to get lost at any age, any stage, any moment? “What if I scold you,” Kohl sings immediately after, a small but pointed pivot that underscores the lack of empathy and grace embedded in that cultural assumption, one that may well have cost us some of the most meaningful work still left unmade.
“Get Lost” comes from AJ Kohl’s new record West Of Grace, released this past February. Recorded at Gavel Productions alongside local musician Felix Falcon (also known under the pseudonym Mild Blue Days), the nine-track album pairs incisive lyricism with sweeping arrangements, allowing cuts like “Spiderweb” to savor the moment while “Troubadour” leans into the beautiful futility of being a musician. The record is deeply rooted in the Richmond scene, brought to life through contributions from Stephanie Hunt, Erin Lunsford, Ian Blackwood, Tyler Meacham, Chip Hale, Mackenzie Roark, Billy Bacci, and many more.
Both Kohl and Falcon are constant presences at the regular Anyfolk singer-songwriter series, helping to pass out flyers, set up chairs, and quiet any disturbances so that the performers can tell their truths and share their art in a meaningful space. That feeling permeates West Of Grace, where polished production elevates the intimacy rather than obscures it, giving each song the room to breathe while keeping its humanity firmly intact like a circle of listeners leaning in just a little closer.
Watch the video for “Get Lost” below and make sure to follow AJ Kohl on social media for more updates.
