Alt R&B music maker Joel Culpepper on the political power of music

[B]orn and bred in South East London, Joel Culpepper is breaking the mould one belt at a time. A sound as distinctive as some of history’s best, his alt R&B lilt mixed with a classic soul sway marks Joel’s stereotype-smashing vibe. His music is etched with an admiration of music’s wondrous abilities – from Luther Vandross to Childish Gambino, Diana Ross to D’Angelo – culminating in creations as diverse as they are recognisable. Immersing himself in the world of music from the get-go, he’s changed as his tastes change, expanding his mind from ballads to soul to hip-hop to psychedelia (to name just a few). And whilst Joel’s voice is as powerful as the greats, there’s an intimate rawness in it that seems rare to find today. So meet the mind behind the retrofuturist gamechager that was ‘Woman’, we find out what it’s like to be called the UK’s answer to Frank Ocean and how he’s stayed true to his cause all along the way.

What’s going on with you atm?

It’s all great, I’ve been doing a few gigs in Europe: Paris, Berlin, and now I’m getting ready for All Points East.

Is this how you saw 2018 going?

I think since doing Colors in Berlin, that was really a turning point for me. It’s exposed so much to me and I’m so grateful for that. So many more people have got me on their radar since I think and it’s kind of exploded. It’s so positive though we’ve been working hard a long long time so I’m really pleased.

Was there a moment you knew you had to make music?

Yeah definitely – I’d say it was college, when I was studying art. My art teacher said to me I spend too much time in the music room and need to be doing more coursework. They said I need to choose one or the other, and I said I choose music. I told my mum and she was devastated at first, she wanted me to continue with my art. But I knew music was what I had to do and that I’d have to persevere, and that was 15 years ago! But it really spoke to me, it resonated more. I still like to have a paint or a draw, but music is my heart and I think I realised that in that moment.

Were you brought up with music?

Music was always in the house: mum was always Teddy Pendergrass and Luther Vandross… Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, a bit of Gloria Estefan, a lot of ballad-y stuff. I remember going to school with the radio on everyday, always surrounded by music. My love for it just grew, no one in my family really made me musical but we all love it. In college I found all this new-soul music, from D’Angelo, Musiq Soulchild, Raphael Saadiq and Jill Scott. Then I went back more and found Prince and David Bowie and was just like oh my god I need this in my life, I need more. I found a lot of who I am then.

What has inspired you through that?

I think just a drive to be the best artist I can be. I look at Bowie and I look at Prince and I see artists who are themselves and who are celebrated for that. That’s what makes me want to do it more and to be more myself. When I see those artists, and they don’t have to be soul or a specific genre, they’ve just got to be real and influential. I want to bridge the point of completely being myself to where people recognise that, and can say “hey that’s Joel”.

You’ve embraced a lot of genres and styles over the years, how would you say your sounds evolved over the years?

It’s a moulding of the music I’ve been listening to over the years. It’s wild how varied it can be, I mean right now I’m loving the new Arctic Monkey’s album. It’s been criticised but I’ve really enjoyed it. I like those sounds and I like that, it’s diverse but it leads me in new directions. So it’s very dependent on what I’ve been listening to in those moments.

What sound is coming next?

More funk. More psychedelia. Even more soul.

Can you tell me a bit about how you created ‘Woman’?

It’s such a great example of being in the moment. Me and Swindle [the track’s producer] were in the studio and he just had a few beats. He started doing the piano riff and I said just record me. And what you hear on the track is just a one take of that. We were going to go back and fix it but instead we just decided no we’re going to keep it raw and genuine. So yeah, I really didn’t think about it, what you hear is just what came out. It’s what I was feeling. I had James brown in my head and that’s it really. I just wanted it to be an expression, and “Woman” just came right out of me. In order to sing it I have to go from 0 to 100 straight away, it commands everything from me. I can’t sing it mellow or quiet, I’ve got to give it my all.

What is your key inspiration?

Every day brings a new inspiration for why you sing. Happiness makes me want to sing, but melancholy does as well. It’s a bag of emotions.

If you could describe your music in just 3 words what would you pick?

Honest, raw, me.

Do you think that music has the power to change things?

Yeah. I think it already has. Music has contributed to social commentary for as long as time. I think Childish Gambino is a great example of that, what he’s done with ‘This is America’. It proves the power in music, he is forming and continuing a conversation. Making it relevant to all walks of life. That’s the power of music. Nina Simone was an advocate it being a responsibility of artists to make a social commentary, to reflect the time. I think I’m becoming more confident in that, it’s something I want to do more of in my career. Everyone’s got a view and an opinion so it could be dangerous territory, but I think it’s important. There’s ways to do it, so that you engage all different people, from all walks. I want to talk about relevant things, that we all go through and then my music will resonate. When people are really tuned in with music it’s because the artists are great storytellers, great picture painters. That’s what I want.

It’s funny you mention that because your style resembles some of Childish Gambino’s work. You’ve also been compared to the likes of Frank Ocean, how does that feel? 

I’m a big fan of both of there’s so thank you to that! Frank to me is a modern day poet. It’s great that an artist of his style is on such a huge platform now, it’s awesome.

If you had to pick 5 albums to take to a desert island for eternity, what would you pick?

Oo ok. It would be Lauryn Hill’s The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, Prince’s Sign ‘O’ the Times, The Beach Boys’ Pet Sounds, Dr Dre’s 2001, and finally the Doobie Brothers – I just love Michael McDonald and Kenny Loggins.

Are there any artists catching your eye at the moment?

Loads. Loyle Carner and Tom Misch. Koje Radical is so cool. Childish Gambino. Lianne La Havas. I’m into a lot of different stuff, but it’s exciting times in music right now. Especially in the UK. Loads of really cool people doing cool shit.

Finally, what’s next for you?

Currently making my album, going to do some more shows. All Points East is my next which I’m so excited for. Then a couple of European dates. But I’ve got some new music and I’m really proud of it. 

Joel Culpepper will be playing the JägerHaus Stage at All Points East on Sunday 27th May at 2pm. Other acts playing the JägerHaus stage over the two weekends include: Hot Chip, Bakar, Marika Hackman, The Big Moon, Warpaint and more. Featuring the Lodge Bar, the Backyard, The Warehouse and The Loft, the JägerHaus is a must-visit for festival goers looking to unearth new music and sample Jägermeister’s ice cold shots and cocktail creations. The JägerHaus will be open for two weekends of back-to-back live music at All Points East 25th May –  3rd June in Victoria Park, London. For more information see online here.

Follow Joel Culpepper on Instagram here, Twitter here and Facebook here. Check out his Tortoise EP online here.