Joel Havea has many stories to tell from his decade-long career as an independent, worldwide touring musician. He is a singer-songwriter and guitarist, whose engaging and energetic performances reflect his roots as a true world citizen.
Since 2012, the Tongan-born, Melbourne-raised musician has played more than 800 concerts in 25 countries on 4 continents and established himself as a fixture on the European club and festival circuit. Either as a solo artist, together with his brother Dave (the Havea Brothers), or with his German-based band (Joel Havea Trio), he has performed everywhere from cozy lounge rooms and cafes to grand European castles and major live clubs, on luxury cruise ships in the Mediterranean, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, to some of the biggest festival stages in Europe including the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg and the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
Joel has released 3 albums and 3 EPs in this time, all of which being self-made, self-financed productions and released on his own label Tastic Records, including his latest record “Ki ‘a Lavaka” (released in April 2020), heavily influenced by the rich culture of his Tongan homeland.
The last couple of years have seen Joel showcase for Folk Alliance International, release an EP ”Mother Moana“ from the Outlaw Ocean Music Project, by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist/author Ian Urbina, participate in the world’s biggest online music matching-making program (Global Music Match co-presented by Sounds Australia) and perform at the Australian Pavilion at the World Expo in Dubai. Having recently relocated back to Australia, Joel has started hosting the monthly songwriter showcase The Lyric Room at Howler in Brunswick and is currently working on a live trio album, planned for release in October coinciding with his German tour dates.
