Your own music is often like a journey. Listeners or musicians rarely remain loyal to a style forever. On the contrary: depending on your mood, season, stage of life or companions, the music seems to adapt, change or even resonate. This also happened with the Munich musician Joel Selon, 26, whose full name is Joel Selon Fastidio.
Since he was 17, Joel has been constantly in the studio. In collaborations with various Munich musicians, he travels through various genres: R’n’B with John Dash, reggaeton with Cashmere Caramel or dance pop with Roby Lion. “I just wanted to make music all the time,” says Joel.
From pop to R’n’B to reggaeton: diversity or perhaps the search for your own sound? In his solo project “Bitter Sweet” Joel seems to have found it: alternative R’n’B. “Dance genre music was more like a hobby for me,” says Joel. “The current sound, that’s really me.”
“Bitter Sweet” and “Tears Won’t Dry” are the names of the two songs that Joel has already released from his debut album. In addition to some pop elements, prominently placed string passages can also be found. It’s partly reminiscent of The Weeknd. Joel produced the album together with the Munich film music composer Giovanni Berg.
In his lyrics, Joel processes his experiences in love. Like the end of a long-term relationship. “‘Bitter Sweet’ represents how everything could have been so perfect, but unfortunately there couldn’t be a happy ending due to many factors,” says Joel. His singing is clearly recognizable. The voice is bright and clear and almost reminiscent of Justin Bieber. No wonder: “I’m an absolute fan of Justin Bieber,” says Joel and laughs. “From the beginning.”
Joel’s own musical beginnings? That was busking with his father. They performed together as a duo in the English Garden, covered songs, their father played the guitar and Joel sang along. Especially Italian hits, which his father loves above all else, says Joel, “songs of the heart.”
After school, Joel went traveling from Munich to Spain with many stopovers where he played street music in order to earn some extra money for the trip. So his music was always there: “Music means everything to me. Sometimes I ask myself what would happen if I didn’t make music. Then I would probably have no identity,” says Joel. “That’s why music, both listening and doing it, is essential for me.”
Joel Selon
Occupation: Joel Selon Fastidiot
Style: Alternative R’n’B, Pop
Since: 2015
Internet: https://www.instagram.com/joelselon/