Joel Sarakula – 'Soft Focus' Tour – Berlin, Badehaus (Support: Red Bird)

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Joel Sarakula has recently released his new album titled “Soft Focus.” The album, which he produced himself alongside two tracks produced by Shawn Lee, features a total of twelve new songs inspired by the golden ages of soft rock and disco. Notable singles from the album include “I’ll Get By Without You,” “Loved Up,” and “King Of Spain.”

“Soft Focus” represents a significant point in Sarakula's career, showcasing a blend of influences and genres such as soft rock, funk, and indie pop, all wrapped in his distinct gentle aesthetic. The title also references a photographic technique that creates a slightly blurred image, which is fitting considering Sarakula's ongoing exploration of sound and texture. His journey as an artist informs this collection of warm, abstract vignettes.

The highlights of the album include the Shawn Lee produced tracks “I'll Get By Without You” and “Telephone Calls,” along with the vibrant beats of “King Of Spain,” the heartfelt “Back For Your Love,” and the psychedelic sounds found in “Bird Of Paradise” and “Microdosing.” “Soft Focus” is a meticulously crafted album that feels like the culmination of Sarakula's soulful soft rock adventures. Comparisons have been made to contemporary acts such as Young Gun Silver Fox, Drugdealer, Benny Sings, and Prep, while also echoing the soft rock legends like Ned Doheny, Boz Scaggs, Todd Rundgren, and Michael Franks.

About Joel Sarakula
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Imagining Ray Manzarek as the frontman of the Bee Gees offers a charming visual introduction to Joel Sarakula. An Australian artist residing in the UK and Spain, he crafts soulful pop while embracing vintage aesthetics. His music draws from rich influences from the 1970s, encompassing soft rock and funk, providing uplifting tunes for challenging times. Sarakula's self-awareness about his stylistic similarities to the Doors' keyboardist and the Gibb brothers adds a layer of self-irony to his persona.

Born in Sydney, Sarakula has traveled the globe in search of inspiration, experiencing everything from car thefts in the Caribbean to performances in remote Norwegian fishing villages. His career has since flourished in the UK and Europe, with albums like "Island Time" (2023) and "Companionship" (2020) making waves across British and European radio, receiving recognition from prominent media outlets. He has been favorably compared to fellow Australians Parcels and Donny Benet, as well as acts like Prep, Benny Sings, and Young Gun Silver Fox.

Sarakula's journey to his current cult status began in his youth, where he first started playing the piano in a Sydney suburb, writing songs as a teenager, and performing jazz standards at a local golf club by the age of sixteen. He captures his humble beginnings in his track "I'm Still Winning," which echoes the musical influences of the 70s from artists like Steely Dan and Sly Stone.

As a staple of the festival and club scenes, he has performed at renowned venues such as SXSW, Primavera Sound, and Glastonbury Festival. Sarakula often tours with local pickup bands, creating an exciting cultural exchange that mirrors the 1970s spirit, ensuring his live performances remain fresh and relevant for modern audiences.

SUPPORT: Red Bird
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Red Bird is a Lithuanian soul, funk, disco, and jazz fusion singer-songwriter, currently based in Berlin, who has been significantly influenced by the new British jazz scene during her time in London. Her debut solo EP, “Volcano,” released in March 2024, explores the theme of embracing one’s creative destiny, recorded in NYC.

She is currently working on her second EP, “Common Emotions,” set to release next year, focusing on bass elements and Cuban brass within her genre-blending style.

Red Bird will perform some of her unreleased tracks with her Portuguese bassist, Manel João Matos, at the concert.

DJ Support: Too Slow To Disco (DJ Supermarkt)
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