Joel Turner’s Mullet
Photo credit Peter Stagg - Stagg Photography
Aussie singer-songwriter and beatbox extraordinaire Joel Turner has released his first new material in well over a decade. Joel has made an ode to the most iconic of all hairstyles…the mullet. The new track ‘Mullet’ features Macca the Rappa and has led Joel to make an appearance at Mulletfest in Dubbo in August, where he performed the song live and took part in the judging for the event that raises funds for brain cancer. The multi-talented artist has suffered some serious blows over the last few years but these have never extinguished Joel’s to desire make music. MFA asked Joel about his “return” to music (although he never really left), collabing with Macca the Rappa, MDP and wanting to do a song with Tommy Emmanual.
Joel , you have just released your first new music in 10 years. Firstly, it's great to have you back on the airwaves but what was it that convinced you to make that return and why now?
I’ve always planned to bring new music out and I’ve always remained active as a live artist so I never left the music scene. There have been some setbacks along the way like being attacked with a 2x4 just before the release of my second album and then my manager passing away from pancreatic cancer which hit me pretty hard as he was a real mentor for me then I had some health issues but have been working on my weight and have lost over 30kg since mid 2020 through healthy eating so I’m feeling better now. I was also working towards a release but then my gigs got cancelled because of Covid from early 2021 to April of this year so it’s good to be back doing what I love doing.
“No hairstyle has copped more crap over the years than the mullet”
The new track 'Mullet' is a collab with Macca the Rappa, how did this joining of forces come about?
I’ve been working with Macca the Rappa for many years now. Macca wrote the song as a funny comedy track and wanted me to make the beats for it so we started from there.
It may be self-explanatory but tell us about the new song, what inspired you to pen this comedy-rap ode to Australia's most famous hairstyle?
No hairstyle has copped more crap over the years than the mullet. So we felt they needed a little bit more representation. We noticed that mullets have made a comeback and that everyone from celebrities to football players, and athletes were wearing them, so we knew it was the right time to release mullet.
You recently attended "Mulletfest" in Dubbo which raises money for Brain Cancer Research and treatment. Safe to say, not the type of festival you usually attend. what was that like?
It was cool to see so many different types of mullets in one place. There were blokes with mullets, girls that had their mullets dyed different colours and we even met a Dad and his toddler who were rocking identical mullets and threads.
The 'Mullet' video stars Sun-Son & Maxim, as junior Joel & Macca. Who came up with the concept for the video? Were there any memorable or funny moments during the making of it?
Macca the Rappa came up with the original story board for the official video and I helped along the way with some ideas like the eccentric barber. We couldn’t keep a straight face when doing the Bohemian Rhapsody bridge part because we kept laughing making it hard to get the take right. It took us about 40 takes to get the right one. Mark Holden had the idea to do a kids version of the clip. Sun-Son was really cool to work with. He was only 5 years old at the time of filming but took direction really well and had already learnt the whole song before the day of the filming.
Do you have more music ready to release or will Joel Turner fans have a bit of a wait for a 'Mullet' follow-up?
Fans don’t have to worry. The next track is already lined up and I’ve got new music ready to go!
Do you prefer the collaboration process when it comes to making your music opposed to the singularity of a solo artist?
No, I like both. It all depends on the track I’m writing. Sometimes I like to work in my own zone and other times I like with collab with artists to bounce ideas back and forth.
“I think a guitar beatbox track with Tommy Emmanuel would be awesome.”
You can tick Macca the Rapper off, who else is still on your list for dream collabs?
I think a guitar beatbox track with Tommy Emmanuel would be awesome. He’s an absolute legend
You started making music with your cousin and brother, which then grew into the Modern Day Poets, so was going solo eventually always part of your plan? I go with the flow when it comes to music. The Modern Day Poets and myself still write together and there’ll be more music to come both solo and featuring MDP. It’s the way it’s always been. We’d practice our craft and record our own stuff separately but then come together and write tracks.
Did the three of you audition for Australian Idol and you were asked to try out by yourself? how did it come about that Australia was introduced to you as an artist, not as a band member?
Yeah, we auditioned together and then I did a solo audition. I think because I got seen beatboxing first I became the front man but regardless of the name we were always a crew and wrote and performed together.
You are highly regarded as not only a Beatboxer but also as a very talented singer, songwriter, producer and guitarist. Which label do you prefer? Do you enjoy one of the crafts over the others?
Guitar was the first instrument I got into but I enjoy the whole process of making music and am a diverse artist that likes different styles of music so it’s hard to put a label on what I do.
Are you excited to be getting back to playling live shows again? Have you missed that audience connection?
I stayed active as a live artist over the years and was performing up until early 2021 when my gigs got cancelled because of Covid so I had about a year off which was boring so It’s good to be back doing what I love doing.
If you weren’t a musician what else would you be doing now?
I was really into art back in the day and love cooking so I would probably be a cartoonist or a chef.
“I’ve enjoyed so many awesome moments over my career but beatboxing on stage with Public Enemy at their show and playing in front of a 60 000 crowd, televised live across Australia were pretty dope!”
What’s been the highlight in your career so far personally? And why?
It’s hard to pick one thing as I’ve enjoyed so many awesome moments over my career but beatboxing on stage with Public Enemy at their show and playing in front of a 60 000 crowd televised live across Australia were pretty dope!
Who in your crew or team deserves a shout out but never gets one? And what is they do that keeps your world turning?
Dub LT and C4 from the Modern Day Poets have both been great confidants over the years and have helped me with motivation also my partner has been a great help and she’s very supportive with my reminding my “slow man brain” about PR and interviews
What's next for Joel Turner? What can we expect with 20223 approaching?
I’ve got more music on the way so stay tuned! We will keep fans updated on my socials with upcoming shows. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok @thejoelturner.
Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions for Music Festivals Australia/Music Kingdom Australia
