About Me
The soulful, yet intricate vocal phrases; the contemporary melodies echoing the great rock and soul masters of the past; the dimples every woman wants to pinch; the acrobatic tricks of his eyebrows...this is Joel Lindsey.
When the first note from this 26-year-old singer/songwriter rings from the stage, the pure emotion and dedication of a lifetime of music making ensnares the audiences attention. From the funkalicious James The Cat to the contemplative Man in The Photograph, Joel promises something for everyones taste.
During his studies in Graphic Arts at Central Saint Martin's College of Art, his dramatic talents were spotted by National Youth Theatre leading to his work under the musical and theatrical direction of Gary Kemp (Spandau Ballet and theatre songwriter) and Guy Pratt (Pink Floyd). This experience was invaluable as Joel received formal training to sing to a large theatre audience, yet retained his rock/soul characteristics. Joel also wrote, directed and performed a play, which he took to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, receiving excellent reviews over its two week run.
After graduation, Joel began to form his uniquely vibrant sound as a soloist, writing and performing on both acoustic guitar and piano across London. Influenced by Free, The Beatles, Jeff Buckley and Stevie Wonder, he began to selectively recruit a band for an enhanced sound that would support the rich melodies and memorable hooks which he and his older brother and co-writer, Marlon, had created. Joel rejoined with Adam Lewis, electric bassist and childhood friend, to perform throughout London as an acoustic duo. In the months to follow, the duo expanded to include Billy Brown, a well established, versatile (and slightly nutty) touring drummer and Kieron Redmond, an educated electric guitarist thus completing THE JOEL LINDSEY BAND. With each member contributing a varied background of interests and tastes, their music created a uniquely crossbred sound of soul, funk, rock and swing, generating a broad demographic amongst their fan base.
In March 2007 The JLB performed their farewell gig at The University London Union in front of 200 devoted and slightly tearful fans.... The very next day Joel jetted off for what would be a life-changing journey - he began a solo tour across America. Initially based in Pittsburgh with his fiancee Amy, he began playing small bars and clubs where he was welcomed and well received. This was the first time Joel had performed outside of the UK. The pair then drove to DC and then Baltimore where Amy forced Joel into proposing to her, to which he said yes. They returned to PA where Adam Lewis (bass player) met them , and the three of them drove 10 hours to Nashville, the home of country music. Yeehah. From there, Joel and Adam flew to Houston where they played some great gigs including The Corkscrew and Christian's Tailgate. It was after this stop that Joel went it alone, and found himself in his favourite city in America, Austin Texas. Joel played every night, in bars and clubs like The Blind Pig and The Chuggin Monkey on 6th Street, infront of audiences in the hundreds. Joel signed many autographs and sold a lot of cds. He then went on to Arizona, and finally San Francisco, where he again met the right people and ended up performing in front of very large crowds, including at an outdoor stage on Fisherman's Wharf.
Joel returned to Pittsburgh, where his success did not end. He was featured on the front cover of The Allegheny and Beaver County Times, in which a lengthy article was written on the Brit's music and his American journey. Joel became a monthly resident at the infamous 'Thursday's' in Bridgewater, which has seen the likes of Jon Mayer and The Lemonheads to name but a few. Here Joel has opened for Bill Deasy and Rob James, who are nationally known artists. Joel even befriended Donni Iris at one gig, receiving compliments for his cover of 'Love is Like a Rock.' .
Joel and Amy presently reside on Josephine Street in The Southside, the music capital of Pittsburgh. Here he is gradually building a fanbase, and is gigging in some great venues, including Club Cafe, Bloomsfield Bridge Tavern, and Diesel. Joel hosts showcase nights in various venues in Oakland, and is is in the process of forming a new band. He has already recruited Jim Kurasch, a highly talented bass player from Buffalo. The pair are in search of a djembe player.
Joel's cds Blackheath to Beaver vols 1 and 2 document his best music to date, and his biography, music and video diaries can be found on the official Joel Lindsey website, WWW.THERETURNOFTHEMELODY.COM where you can download tracks and even buy a James the Cat T shirt. The new album 'photograph' is coming very soon!!
Joel Lindsey. The Return of the Melody.
