JOEL SARAKULA w/ Dakini Cuddle + Steppers

Imagine if Ray Manzarek was the frontman of the Bee Gees... It’s a neat visual introduction to Joel Sarakula, a UK-based Australian artist who writes, produces and sings Soulful Pop, gazing out at a contemporary world through vintage glasses, vintage threads and long blond hair. His music is informed by a rich, 1970s-inspired palette, drawing on soft-rock, funk and disco influences: sunny, uptempo jams for darker times. Self-aware that he looks and occasionally sounds like the love child of Ray Manzarek and the Gibb brothers, his self-deprecating sense of humour is always there just below the fringe. Born in Sydney, based in UK and international in outlook Sarakula is a songwriter who has travelled the world in search of his muse, experiencing everything from being a victim of Caribbean carjackings to performing in the remote fishing villages of Norway before finally establishing his career in the UK and Europe. Since then he has released albums such as ‘Island Time’ (2023), 'Companionship' (2020), 'Love Club' (2018) and 'The Imposter' (2015) that have racked up plays on rotation across national UK and European radio and got him noticed in The New York Times, The Independent (UK), The Irish Times, Rolling Stone Germany, El Pais (Spain) and Sydney Morning Herald. He has been favourably compared to his peers and fellow Aussies Parcels and Donny Benet as well as interantional stars Prep, Drugdealer, Benny Sings and Young Gun Silver Fox. It’s been a long road finding his current cult status starting out at the piano from a young age in suburban Sydney, writing and singing songs by the time he was a teenager and onstage by fifteen years old playing jazz standards in his local golf club. “I came from humble beginnings, it’s best not to mention” as he sings in his 70s boogie influenced song ‘I’m Still Winning’ with echoes of formative musical influences such as Steely Dan, Boz Scaggs, Todd Rundgren and Sly Stone. His efforts have at least been recognised in Germany and UK where he has been awarded funding from national cultural bodies. Joel Sarakula is a fixture on the festival and club circuit having previously performed at SXSW, Primavera Sound and Glastonbury festivals. Ever the internationalist, he tours with pickup bands sourced from each territory he plays in: a Barcelona band for Spain, a Berlin band for Germany and so forth. This cross-cultural exchange is another echo of the 1970s when world travelling soul and pop artists from the US did the same and guarantees that his live shows remain fresh, exciting and absolutely contemporary. - 'The new album is dreamy and Bowie-esque. It's a really engaging and adventurous record', Lauren Laverne, BBC 6 Music - 'I love this actually. It's like modern Northern Soul, it's what it should sound like: gets under the skin, refuses to budge', Craig Charles, BBC 6 Music - 'Northern Soul is that rare thing: a pop song that would sound equally at home on Radios 1, 2 and 6', Independent on Sunday Joel Sarakula will be joined by Steppers and Dakini Cuddle. Melbourne based, 7-faced, acid-laced, psychedelic-soul machine Steppers are a testament to musicianship. Led by the soulful vocals and beats of the esteemed Reginald AK, Steppers boasts a heaving line up of Melbourne heavy handed funk specialists, deadset on twisting your brain and moving your feet. Dakini Cuddle is a newly formed, unsigned, project in Naarm Melbourne, founded in late 2023, led by visionary artist Ty La Moonchild and held together by three multi-instrumentalist craftsmen; Rory Wilson on Bass, Oliver George on Drums and Gabe Coleman on keys. The band create nu soul, future funk, jazz that's influenced by a plethora of genres. Not only that but the music is embellished in ideas, channellings and philosophies that are personal, mystic and euphoric, inspiring its vivid lyricism and imaginative soundscapes. This is a dynamic that's both fierce, gentle & playful. https://brunswickballroom.com.au/brunswickartistsbar/ [https://brunswickballroom.com.au/brunswickartistsbar/] ------------------------- TICKETING INFO  Please have a digital or printed copy of your ticket ready on arrival along with a valid photo ID. Acceptable ID includes a current and valid Australian Photo Drivers Licence, State Approved ‘Proof of Age’ card or Passport. The Brunswick Ballroom strives to improve our practices when it comes to sustainability and to reduce our carbon footprint. We don’t sell or provide plastic water bottles. VENUE INFO  THE BALLROOM MENU [https://brunswickballroom.com.au/food/] The kitchen will be serving The Ballroom Menu for this show. You can view the delicious offerings available by clicking here [https://brunswickballroom.com.au/ballroom-menu/]. ACCESSIBILITY [https://brunswickballroom.com.au/frequently-asked-questions/] THE BRUNSWICK BALLROOM IS ACCESSIBLE. The Brunswick Ballroom has made significant improvements to accessibility by installing an Acorn Chairlift [https://www.acornstairlifts.com.au/stairlift/stairlift-curved-staircase]. (Model: New Acorn Indoor 180 Curved Stairlift.) VENUE FAQS [https://brunswickballroom.com.au/frequently-asked-questions/] To find out more about the venue, FAQs can be viewed by clicking here [https://brunswickballroom.com.au/frequently-asked-questions/]. -------------------------