CARAMEL

Words: Keeley Thompson

Images: Josh Dobrik (@joshdobrik)

Neon signs blink back at the doe-eyed night crawler as the sound of warm celebrations spill out from their corner of the world. Clouds give way to welcome rain, cooling the warm cement and feeding the ecstasy highs of those it touches.

Reminiscent of naked night-time swims, Brisbane/Meanjin project Caramel create music that honours nostalgia but doesn’t drown in longing for the past.

An ode to youthful home-sickness and the inimitable “first times” we leave behind, Caramel finds sweetness in growing old but not necessarily growing up.

The dream pop-electronic-psychedelic-ambient-nu gaze project of Joel De Vita, Caramel epitomises the soundtrack of a teenage party where secret crushes are revealed, alcohol/mixer ratios become increasingly questionable and energetic conversations are held on plastic chairs.

KEELEY: How did you get into music and music making?

JOEL: When I was a kid I was obsessed with Tame Impala. Seeing Kevin Parker create his music was a driving force for my interest in making and learning music. I was living in a share house with some of my mates that also skate and make music. One of my friends came over with his guitar, pedals and amp and seeing him do that was a really formative moment for me. I’d been interested in making music up until that point, but when it was in front of my face I realised it was actually something I wanted to pursue.

After that I kind of threw myself into it by purchasing a guitar and getting lessons straight away. I learnt a bunch of music theory as well and just wanted to be “good” as quickly as I could.

I really have to thank my friends and musical idols for inspiring me to chase something that has become a very important part of my life.

KEELEY: So from there, how did Caramel come about?

JOEL: I actually started Caramel with my mate Michael (the guy that came over with his guitar and actually inspired me to pursue music, which is pretty cool). As I improved I was jamming with friends a lot and had started to build my own creative identity.

We’d gone to Michaels after a gig and both had a (drunken) moment of like “dude, we should make music together”.

Up until this year Caramel had been a joint project between Michael and I but he’s recently moved to Adelaide so I’ve taken on Caramel as a solo thing.

We had a full band for a few years and played shows around Brisbane/Meanjin and I actually still have songs on my phone with them all playing and singing. It’s a bit bittersweet listening to them, it reminds me of how quickly time passes.

KKEELEY: How have you found the transition from a full band to a solo project?

JOEL: To be honest, it’s not as fun. The band practices, the shows, the (perhaps misguided) partying and spending time with friends and making magic was such a beautiful time. I was also playing in other bands (Polygon Woods, GIRL and In Caves) at the time, so I was just surrounded by music and I hold those memories very close. Caramel was (and still is) “my” project and has always been where my heart is, so I’ve really pushed to keep it going.

On the flip side, being solo is a lot easier logistically. Getting five people together on a school night to jam for three-ish hours is such a mission to organise. Another bonus is that because it’s self-directed, I’m able to really dictate where Caramel goes and what I want it to sound like. It gets to grow and change with me.

KKEELEY: What’s one thing you think everyone should try or do at least once in their life?

JOEL: Look, I don’t want to condone drug culture, but I do think psychedelics can have a really positive impact on creative expression and artistic perspective.

That aside, I think the thing that hit me the most was solo travelling. It brings in new perspectives and inspiration from all directions.

KEELEY: How do you define success? What would your “I’ve made it” moment look like?

JOEL: Wow. That’s really hard.

To be honest, it would just be if I didn’t have to have a second job. I’m an electrician at the moment and I’d really love to just do music and get enough income to live off music but in this world, gee it’s hard to see that happening.

As sad as it is, I’ve kind of written off “making it” as a musician. I just make music because it’s an outlet and because I love it.

KEELEY: Yeah, there’s been a lot of changes to the way the music industry operates. How have you found it trying to navigate and create through those changes?

JOEL: I really hate being at the whims of an algorithm, it’s really about how well you can use and manipulate social media now. If you don't have 10,000 streams on Spotify no one takes you seriously but the only way to get that is by being extremely active on social media and a little bit lucky.

Release day is the most exciting and depressing day sometimes. You’ve been so pumped making the track and spent $800 to get it recorded and mastered and you get maybe 20 plays.

KEELEY: How has your music and self-expression changed over time?

JOEL: I don’t care what people think anymore. I just released a new track called Romance in Rome and it’s probably my corniest, cheesiest, lamest song ever. I know there’s going to be people that won’t like it because of that, but it’s an expression of something I’ve felt and experienced, and that’s what’s important to me now.

I’m at the point now where whatever I make, I’m just glad to be making something. If I try to control what comes out, I’m not being authentic. As long as it’s coming from a place of emotion and realness, that’s sick.

KEELEY: As you mentioned, Romance in Rome was just released. How did that song come about?

JOEL: Being half-Italian, I was excited to meet someone and really live out that cliche of “whirlwind romance while travelling the world”. When I travelled to Italy I did meet someone, but it so happened that it was on my last night there. My flight was at 6am the next day and I was at this venue with her till 4am. I walked her home and the sun was coming up and I had to leave. I ended up lime-scootering past the Colosseum at 5am to get my things and get on the plane.

It was very cinematic and very cliché but also very beautiful, so I decided to make a song out of it.

KEELEY: What’s been your biggest hurdle as a person creating music?

JOEL: I’ve realised that my expectations on myself in the beginning were quite unrealistic. I really aspired to be and create exactly like my idols (looking at you, Kevin Parker). I was trying to do it all without realising that sometimes it’s better to channel your skills to one place and do that really well rather than trying to do everything and doing an okay job.

I’d spend so long focussing on doing everything that I just wasn’t able to fully apply myself to the thing that I actually want to do and am good at - and that’s writing music.

Moral of the story - you don’t have to do it alone.

KEELEY: What’s your go-to cocktail?

JOEL: I’m more of a beer person, but if I’m getting a cocktail it’s definitely an espresso martini. So dangerous but so good.

KEELEY: You’re heading on a road trip with your friends. It’s a beautiful day and you’re all excited. You’re on aux duty - what are you playing?

JOEL: That’s a big question.

My go-to is Washed Out’s Life of Leisure, so that would be one. I’d also say Bonobo’s Migration or The North Borders.

KEELEY: What can people expect to see next from Caramel?

JOEL: I’ve got a DJ gig coming up on the 3rd of November at EC Venue with El Delpha and Sugar Leaves. I’ve just finished another track so that’ll be coming out next month so keep an eye out for that too!

Other than that, just keep working. Can’t be a full-time muso, so gotta keep paying the bills somehow.

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