Bio
-
Australian singer-songwriter Joel Sarakula writes catchy, thoughtful songs that you can’t get out of your head. He has been pursuing the dream of writing the perfect pop song while backing himself confidently at the piano.
Maybe it was his experience as a young lad watching piano man Billy Joel performing live that set Joel on his course. He started to pick out melodies from TV shows on the family home organ, and in a role-reversal, begged his parents for piano lessons. Classically trained on the piano, Joel then taught himself how to sing and play guitar. He was obsessed with music of all styles and began to write and perform while still in school. Various pop and jazz artists influenced his life and, after finding The Beatles, Bowie and The Beach Boys, Joel was on his way.
In 2003 Joel released an album of original material entitled Mystery Morning. For this project he was accompanied by some close musical allies. Joel and band toured the album around Sydney, Australia, receiving great critical praise.
After the release of this album, Joel moved to London to further develop his music. He quickly found his footing performing in piano bars and becoming a travelling, journeyman entertainer. Joel has been in high demand on the international piano bar circuit ever since, and sometimes jokingly refers to himself as a human jukebox of great pop songs. Joel’s live act has been shaped by these years of performing in Europe and the USA. On stage he is electric, changing his show for every venue and every song. And even after receiving thousands of requests for “Piano Man” he can still play it with a smile… or a cheeky grin.
Joel has focused his attention once again on his songwriting and has spent three years producing his latest record, on and off the road. He has honed his songwriting talents and learned a lot about the human condition. Joel will release Souvenirs in mid 2008. It is full of timeless songs delivered with a jazzy, rock edge. Joel’s new batch of songs is simply the souvenirs that he has collected along his musical journey. He knows these songs are destined to find their way into many hearts and minds.
gigs
- 30 May - Spectrum, Oxford St.
30 May, 8pm :: Spectrum, 34 Oxford St. :: Supporting Tracy Redhead as she launches a new single.
- 14 May - University of Wollongong supporting Bob Evans
UniBar @ University of Wollongong :: 8pm :: $25 :: Supporting Bob Evans and Steve Poltz on their national Australian tour.
- 8 May - Sandringham Hotel, Newtown
Sandringham Hotel, 387 King St. Newtown :: 8pm :: Supporting the incredibly talented young guitarist Joe Robinson as he returns from his first European tour. He is in fact so talented that he won Australia’s got talent last year.
- 18 April - Surry Hills Festival, Prince Alfred Park
2.30pm sharp! :: Free
- 28 April - Beach Road Hotel, Bondi
8pm :: Free!
- 22 April - The Hopetoun Hotel
The Hopetoun Hotel, 416 Bourke St., Surry Hills :: 7.30pm :: $8 :: First headline gig of the year! Special guests mcArtney, Des Miller and Brendan Maclean.
- 15 Mar - The Hopetoun Hotel
The Hopetoun Hotel, 416 Bourke St., Surry Hills :: 6pm :: $8 :: Supporting Sierra Fin
- 5 Mar - Bondi Openair cinema
Bondi Pavillion, Bondi Beach :: 7pm sharp :: $17 + booking fee :: Performing pre-screening of the Coen Brothers most recent film ‘Burn After Reading’ :: http://www.bondiopenair.com.au/
- 28 Feb - The Basement, Sydney
29 Reiby Place, Circular Quay :: 8pm sharp :: $20 :: Supporting Jumbledat, and featuring Daryl Beaton and The Myall High Club
- 26 Feb - Excelsior Hotel, Sydney
64 Foveaux St., Surry Hills :: 8pm :: $10 :: Supporting Dan Dawes’ on his album launch. Also featuring Bryan Estepa and Ben Aylward
discography
- SOUVENIRS

-
- 1. Feels Like The First Time
- 2. Are You Going Out Tonight
- 3. Maybe I've Changed
- 4. See Me In The Night
- 5. Beyond The Broken Sea
- 6. Blood Brother
- 7. Daytime Night-Time
- 8. Like A Gypsy
- 9. Before You Say Goodbye
- 10. A Reason Why
- Feels Like The First Time

-
- 1. Feels Like The First Time
- 3. That's When I Fell
- 2. Are You Going Out Tonight
- 4. Daytime Night-Time
- 5. Lisa
- 6. Tomorrow You'll Belong
- Mystery Morning

-
- 1. Doing Lately
- 2. Ordinary Man
- 3. Looking For A Friend
- 4. Blood Brother
- 5. Mystery Morning
- 6. At The Top
- 7. The Flame
- 8. Into The Sun
- 9. The Life + Times Of...
- 10. Tonight We Sing
- 11. Your Favourite Photo
- 12. Your Favourite Photo - Pt.2
- 13. MoveOnMoveOn