Zoom: Joel Adams

JOEL ADAMS

THE AUSSIE PRODIGY

At 22 years old, Joel Adams is a complete artist from Australia. Singer, songwriter and musician, he is best known for his 2015 single “Please Don’t Go”, that he self-released. In fact, Joel Adams is only eleven years old when he starts writing music and the least we can say is that he definitely knows how to create a true hit.

If you are a fan of singing contests or viral videos of auditions, you may have already heard about Joel Adams, or rather Joel Goncalves. Indeed, the young artist from Brisbane first gained attention under this name before changing it for his mother’s maiden name a couple of years later.

Everything really starts in 2012, when he performs Michael Jackson’s “The Girl Is Mine” on The X Factor Australia’s stage. Although he is only fifteen at the time, Joel knows what he wants: “I really can’t picture myself doing anything but music”. The judges see potential in him and give him four “yes” but, a few weeks later, he is sent home before the live shows. However, that does not stop him from pursuing his dream.

Two years after his experience at The X Factor, Joel Adams launches a YouTube channel, posts covers online and keeps catching attention.

This is finally at the end of 2015 that the young Australian releases his first single, his most successful one. Called “Please Don’t Go”, the song is quickly followed by a music video that has now more than seventy-six million views on YouTube. And to think that this track was just an improvisation at first! Fun fact: Joel wrote the first version of “Please Don’t Go” at school when he was fifteen. Indeed, having completely forgotten that he had to write an original song for a class, he grabbed his guitar and quickly came up with melodies and some lyrics a few minutes before the deadline. Who would have thought “Please Don’t Go” was born like that?

Joel Adams especially has the privilege of singing it on the set of The Morning Show in Sydney. However, after all the excitement around this first hit, the young artist slowly becomes very discreet.

Last summer, it was then a pleasure to learn that the Aussie was back in the studio. In September, Joel really starts teasing his comeback on his Instagram account: “It’s all finally happening… stay tuned”. A few weeks later, the world discovers “Fake Friends”, his brand new single! A catchy pop track in which Joel’s mature voice can remind us of Liam Payne’s, especially in the chorus.

Going back and forth between Brisbane and Los Angeles, Joel Adams seems to be on a roll now and releases singles one after another! In February, he reveals “A Big World”, a relatable, tender song which shows how humble the young artist is: “I want the world to feel big, like it did when we were kids” . The single has now hit more than a million streams on Spotify. Next, only a month later, “Coffee” is released and we discover another facet of Joel Adams. The tune especially showcases a beautiful, sensual head voice, different from what he had done before.

One thing is for sure, Joel Adams is back in the spotlight and new projects should come very soon. The young singer-songwriter knows where he wants to go and we are more than ready to follow him on this journey!

Listen if you are a fan of:

Liam Payne’s tone, the Aussie accent, young, ambitious artists, pop-soul singers.

One song to listen to:

“Fake Friends”: Joel Adams’ comeback song and its catchy chorus and irresistible melodies.

Words by Coline Gaillard - PHOTO: MARCELLO AMBRIZ