A Quick Chat With Joel Andrew B
Joel Andrew B delivers a tender gut-punch with Something Between You and I, his second solo single. With roots in WA’s folk scene and a past life in the indie outfit Sixth Avenue, Joel brings seasoned songwriting to this intimate, slow-burning ballad. Anchored by delicate guitar work and an aching vocal delivery, the track captures the innocence and heartbreak of first love, a blend of infatuation and quiet grief. It’s a rich, reflective follow-up to his debut, and another glimpse into a rising voice in Australia’s indie-folk world. We caught up with Joel to talk about the track and his journey.
Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
I’ve always seen it as a challenge to be as earnest and heartfelt as possible—it takes real conviction and, frankly, a bloody good song to pull that off. ‘Something Between You & I’ is the closest I’ve come to hitting that mark I feel, and it’s probably why I am the most nervous about releasing it. What people take from it isn’t really up to me, but I hope that by keeping it as raw and unfiltered as it felt when I wrote it, there’s something in there for anyone to hold onto.
Who are some of your influences, and why?
I try not to box myself in too tightly when it comes to which wells I draw from, but there are definitely a few artists I could pin for this project. I fell headfirst in my early adolescence into the worlds of Nick Drake and Elliott Smith—their haunting, almost inner-monologue style of songwriting. Then there are the indie-folk staples like Ben Howard, Dermot Kennedy, and Bon Iver, who I still turn to constantly.
What’s the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
To be honest, there isn't one. Every song is its own animal and has its own process. Being able to self-produce this record has been a privilege, and while there are some patterns (I’ll usually write the guitar parts and vocal melodies with draft lyrics pretty quickly when an idea comes), fleshing out the arrangement and final lyrics comes later and takes longer, but it’s funny. Some songs take months to wrestle into shape, others seem to arrive in minutes.
What do you think makes a great song?
For me, a great song doesn’t need anything to hide behind—no flashy production or cryptic lyrics dressed up as mystique. It’s ‘Free Fallin’, or ‘Dreams’—there’s no stacked-up studio tricks or overcooked effects because they don’t need it. They’re just great songs at their core.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
I’m pretty selective when it comes to collaborations, but the Aussie scene is full of so many incredible artists. Right now, I’d love to go duet mode with Stella Donnelly.
When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
I’ve always been big on graphic design and still do as much of it as I can for my music, so there’s that! Lately, I’ve been trying to paint more too. It’s difficult and frustrating as hell, but it’s good to push yourself out of that damn comfort zone.
Who are some local bands we should check out?
Oh, such a good question! In Melbourne, if you haven’t seen Alison Parade yet, you’re doing yourself a massive disservice. Over in Perth, there’s an exciting wave of bands like Fool Nelson, Ullah, and plainsight that are also definitely worth your time.
Winter or summer, and why?
Man this Melbourne winter has been kicking my ass… but if there’s one thing I hate more, it’s being uncomfortably hot. So let’s go winter and rug up, baby.
What do you have planned for the rest of 2025?
Plenty! I’m pumped to be playing more shows—including my first headline at Northcote Social Club on July 28—while wrapping up a heap of unreleased music. If you’re thinking about putting on a show, hit me up!
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