Julia Biel - Biography
'Soulful, expressive and subtle, Julia Biel is a star on the rise' John Fordham, The Guardian
'Not quite pop, not quite jazz, Julia Biel hovers in her own stratosphere' BBC on-line
With a recent EP release 'Love in the Dead of Night' on Ben Watt's Buzzin' Fly label with collective UNITY, Julia Biel continues to turn heads with her 'heartbreaker voice' (Ben Watt, Ex-EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL). In 2004 alone she appeared as a featured artist for award-winner (BBC Jazz Award: Rising Star) Sebastian Rochford's critically acclaimed album 'Dimlit' (Babel) with his band POLAR BEAR and on a VENETIAN SNARES remix of the same track entitled 'Snow' released by Lo Recordings. Musicians collective F-IRE, who are themselves award-winners and gaining a well-deserved reputation for innovation and drive, have recently released two more of her originals co-written with guitarist Jonny Phillips for his band ORIOLE on the album 'Song for the Sleeping'.
No stranger to awards herself, Julia Biel initially burst on to the scene in 2000 by winning the Perrier Vocalist of the Year award and since then critics have compared her unique vocal sound to some incredible artists: described as grittier than Norah Jones, richer-toned than Bjork and with the bitter-sweetness of Billie Holiday, there have also been comparisons with Alison Goldfrapp, Rickie Lee Jones and Nina Simone and even Robert Wyatt amongst many others.
'Not Alone' is the acclaimed vocalist's debut album which features songs co-written with Jonny Phillips, guitarist and her musical co-conspirator of several years. Their distinctive cinematic nu-folk has grown organically out of their collective influences to form a body of original work that is simultaneously epic and delicately acoustic. 'Not Alone' was recorded at their South London studio with a line-up of hand-picked musicians who rank among some of the most vibrant and respected in London today:
Tom Herbert (double bass)
Sebastian Rochford (drums)
Ben Davis (cello)
Idris Rahman (clarinet/flute/tenor sax)
and co-composer Jonny Phillips (guitars)
with guest appearances from:
Adriano Adewale Itauna (percussion), Dorian Ford (piano), Dan Hewson (rhodes), Vicky Fiefeld (violin), and John Greswell (viola)
The live band (6-piece) have performed in such UK venues as The Vortex, The National Theatre Watch This Space festival, The Spitz, The Big Chill's London base, and the 'In the City' conference. In the words of a recent review, 'Watch out for this stunning vocalist...' Jazzwise
Releases
01/2005
JULIA BIEL Not Alone
Watch out for the forthcoming debut album release Not Alone. (Listen). Not in the shops yet but you can get your hands on a preview CD. Send us an email...
11/2004
UNITY COLLECTIVE Love in the Dead of Night EP (Buzzin Fly)
Two co-written originals, (I Love You and Pressure) appeared on this vinyl EP released by Buzzin Fly (Best Breakthrough Label 2004, UK House Awards) with remixes by Manoo and Francois A and Alex S.
10/2004
ORIOLE Song for the Sleeping (F-IRE)
Two originals (Song for the Sleeping and Deep Snow), co-written with Jonny Phillips for his band ORIOLE, are on the band's debut album released by F-IRE.
01/2004
POLAR BEAR Dimlit (Babel Label)
Featured vocalist on Sebastian Rochford's debut album with his band POLAR BEAR. Singing his track, Snow.
07/2000
THE PERRIER JAZZ AWARD WINNERS CD 2000 (Jazz-Fm Records)
Recorded 3 tracks for release.
Listen
julia biel : not alone
track-listing (click the links to download the songs):
Links
www.oriole-music.com - info on guitarist Jonny Phillips' band ORIOLE - flying high...
www.polarbearmusic.com - info on drummer Sebastian Rochford's movements in his Polar Bear outfit...
www.soothsayers.net - info on clarinettist Idris Rahman's band (he plays sax in Soothsayers) with Robin Hopcraft - funky afro-jazzsters with a new album on the way...
www.bendavis.info - info on cellist Ben Davis' escapades...
www.buzzinfly.com - info on the award-winning label
julianburdock@onetel.com - thanks go to Julian Burdock for his great photographic skills on the main picture and on the cover of 'Not Alone'...
chriscmr1@aol.com - thanks go to Chris Balmer for his great photographic skills on the live shot
www.gnosspelius.co.uk - info on artist Staffan Gnosspelius. Thanks go to him for the picture of Jonny Phillips, top left corner of the 'Not Alone' album cover...
www.f-ire.com - info on the F-IRE network, a unique musicians collective...
www.blackspike.com - thanks to Felix for the great work on the website...
Thanks also to the Cafe on the Common in Clapham where the 'Not Alone' album cover shot was taken