SELF-TAUGHT Rockingham musician Joel Takurua (17) qualified for a state final after wowing audiences with his one-man performance at Mojos Bar in Fremantle last Friday.
He was one of 24 acts to qualify for the state finals to be held at the Rosemount Hotel next month as part of the international Emergenza festival for unsigned acts.
He was the only one-man-band to compete at a heat of the competition in Fremantle and was up against seven rock bands, performing a seven-song set of mostly originals.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWJoel writes his own songs and is a fan of late 1960s and early 1970s musicians including Jimmy Hendrix, The Doors, Led Zeppelin, Janice Joplin and The Beatles.
“I went into the competition for the experience, to see what it’s like and show people the music that I like,” he said.
He tries to play wherever he can at local venues and also busks.
“I like experimenting with different sounds and that kind of music from the ’60s and ’70s needs to be brought back.”
Joel is not a fan of modern music because he says it’s got no soul.
He performs with a backing track on a keyboard and also pre-records bass guitar beats through a looping machine.
He could go onto the national finals in Sydney later this year if he is one of four finalists selected to represent WA.
As well as being a proficient guitarist and singer, Joel also plays the keyboard and harmonica and is aiming for a music career.
He is a self-taught musician and learnt by listening to heaps of different songs since he was about 12.
“My nanna introduced me to The Beatles with the Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album,” he said.
“I just got hooked on that kind of music and as soon as I heard Jimmy Hendrix I wanted to be like him.”
Next year he plans to study sound engineering. The annual Emergenza festival features up and coming bands from 150 countries. There are elimination rounds in different countries throughout the year.
Anyone wanting a ticket to hear Joel perform next month can call him on 0423 836 528.
MORE: Police hunt man after attack on elderly female postie
MORE: Perth punter wins $6 million Powerball windfall
MORE: Celebrant pleads guilty to marrying unconscious, dying woman