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Joelle Charan strives to contribute to the healing of Indian-Surinamese collective injury by fusing east and west in her musical style. Following the example set by her parents, who blended eastern and western ideals in their home, she hopes her music will help to break the cycle of prejudiced attitudes which are still too prominent in today’s society. 

Born and raised in Amsterdam to a Catholic mother and a Hindu father, Joelle is empowered by her mixed heritage and religions. Her father is a descendant of indentured labourers from northwest India who worked under harsh conditions in Suriname following the abolition of slavery. Joelle has reclaimed the surname ‘Charan’ after her family’s original surname, 'Goercharan,' was misspelled by a municipal official as 'Goercharn' upon their arrival in Amsterdam from Paramaribo, Suriname. With its correct spelling, ‘Charan’ means feet of the Lord, a name of honour which she celebrates in her identity and music.

Despite being raised in an open-minded home, Joelle recalls being bullied by her classmates who thought her skin had been painted on and mocked her for not eating beef. As a child she received an official letter in front of her mostly white peers, which informed her of her allochtoon status due to her father having been born in Suriname, outside of the Netherlands. The Dutch government has since stopped using the term which carries negative connotations of lower status, poor education and involvement in crime, but its legacy is yet to be overcome.  She responds by fusing her heritage into her sound, bringing ancient Indian instruments into a modern context.

Upon graduating from the Conservatory of Amsterdam, Joelle moved to New York to deepen her knowledge of songwriting. She studied at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan with generous scholarships from the prestigious Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds and the conservatory itself. Joelle found inspiration in all corners of the city and returned from her year in New York with a suitcase full of beautiful new songs.

Joelle writes songs with a strong narrative. She captures her listener with descriptive lyrics that tell stories inspired by her Indian grandparents, her family’s hardships, and her adventures in New York. Drawing musical inspiration from the likes of Laura Mvula, Daniel Lanois and Lizz Wright, Joelle’s dreamy pop songs are infused with classical Indian elements for a sound which is both immersive and full of surprises. 

Since releasing her debut EP Silhouette in 2018, Joelle has performed extensively, attracting attention from radio, television and press throughout the Netherlands. Highlights include performing in Het Concertgebouw Amsterdam for Uitmarkt Festival 2019 and airplay on NPO Radio 1. She returns with her new single ‘I Believe In You’, which was released on 24th August. 

Joelle wrote ‘I Believe In You’ in a desolate corner of Scotland, surrounded by quiet and beautiful nature. Her lyrics paint a picture of a brave, lonely man desperately trying to escape the mistakes of his past. Walking by the sea one night, he reaches his hand out towards the light of a lighthouse and is frozen in time. Joelle’s message is clear. She believes in him, sees the beauty inside, and knows he could be much more than his past. 

“The inspiration for this song came on a holiday in northwestern Scotland. One night I saw a lonely man standing at the edge of the sea, staring over the waves towards a lighthouse reflected in the bay. When the light came his way, he just reached for it. He seemed to be looking for something, trying to grasp its light in his fingers. I wondered who he was and what had happened to him to make him do what he did. I wanted to write a song that encourages people, and lets them know they are never alone.”

In much the same way as the man in her song, Joelle Charan is no longer trapped by the injustices of her family’s past. She feels blessed by her heritage. Reclaiming her name and integrating Indian sounds into her music, she pays tribute to her Indian roots and is free to dream of her future.