Julia Biel

An award-winning original-singer, songwriter, piano player, producer and guitarist - whose neo mellow sound combines an indie jazz approach with art-pop sensibilities, Julia Biel’s unhurried, unmistakable and timeless voice drips with emotion with every syllable.

Biography

An award-winning original - singer, songwriter, piano player, producer and guitarist - whose neo mellow sound combines her jazz approach with art-pop sensibilities, Julia Biel’s unhurried, unmistakable and timeless voice drips with emotion with every syllable. Dubbed ‘fiercely gentle’ (Jazzwise) early on in her career, she continues to sooth and stir the listener in equal measure whether accompanying herself on her acoustic, stripped back piano versions in her current ‘Black and White’ series or singing over fuller studio productions.

Critically acclaimed solo albums featuring her self-penned songs, ‘Black and White, Vol.1’ (2020), ‘Julia Biel’ (2018), ‘Love Letters and Other Missiles’ (2015) and ‘Not Alone’ (2005), as well as MOBO and Urban Music Award nominations have launched the British artist onto the worldwide stage whilst collaborations with the likes of Ben Watt (Everything But the Girl), Stimming, Polar Bear and Soothsayers have given added momentum to her word of mouth success. In 2019 her music reached the ears of Bob Dylan who hand-picked her to open for him at his concert in Schloßplatz, Stuttgart as part of the Jazzopen Festival.

Her trademark warm and textured voice draws on the spirituality of gospel music, the joie-de-vivre of soul, the sorrow of the blues and the freedom of jazz, whilst poetic lyrics reveal a sharp perspective on life and love against a magical backdrop of contemporary musical soundscapes to lose yourself in. The sound of an intense inner musicality paired with a defiant passion and a burning and individualistic creative spirit, these are the qualities that have seen Julia Biel compared time and again to some of the most celebrated greats of music ranging from Joni Mitchell, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday to Björk, Radiohead, Amy Winehouse and Chet Baker.

“There’s so much strength that shines through their vulnerabilities”, says Julia of these comparisons. “They inspire me to be fearless in mood and melody - that’s what I’m striving for.” Wherever the mood may take her next, hers is a musical universe steeped in emotion conveyed through a raft of timeless songs always delivered with an unnerving authenticity.

Current album

Black and White, Vol.1

With 'Black and White, Volume 1' Julia Biel presents her fourth and most personal album to date. Titled both as a reference to the piano and as a commentary on the binary concepts of 'black' and 'white', in a world that she believes should be post-'racial' by now. Music that comes from the depth of her soul and strives up to the light. Eleven songs, clothed only by her voice and piano playing, as seductive as vulnerable and at the same time strong and self-confident. Eleven songs that captivate in their simplicity and with which she finally leaves the status of insider tip behind.

The London singer, songwriter, guitarist, pianist and producer moves in a musically creative in-between realm of jazz, alternative pop, soul and gospel. Julia Biel manages to combine intellectual ambition and emotionality. Her voice reflects the experience of hope and deprivation, of sadness and happiness. Julia Biel is not one of the great vocal acrobats, but her compositions are imbued with her unique, grandiose vocal delivery and her magical spell immediately captures the listener and never lets go. Recorded in her own studio, produced by her longtime partner Idris Rahman and mixed by Emre Ramazanoglu, the music enchants from the first note.

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