Music that tells a story

 

Brooklyn born singer-songwriter, Joel E pretty much defines the term “all-round musician”. He had spent most of his early life, playing guitar for various bands and artists in the NY bar scene, as his skills were in regular demand. 

 

By 16 years of age, he was already making waves when his band “Poison Whiskey” won a “Battle of the Bands” competition.  Only a few years later, Lager was invited to play on Ed McMahon’s famous TV Show “Star Search” with his band “JJ Red”. 

 

In 2009, Joel E began to find himself in the most difficult time of his life, due to being struck down by a major illness (stage 4 lymphoma). This would prove to be a long grueling test of his character, over a period of several years. Neuropathy in his fingers and hands made him unable to play the guitar. For much of the time he felt lifeless and was barely functioning. This in turn, zapped his musical desire and creativity. Nevertheless, after a tenacious battle, Lager managed to make a strong recovery after undergoing multiple bouts of intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 

 

Once he could start playing the guitar again, Joel E reinvented himself as a solo artist, and became inspired to start really singing for the first time in his life, developing his unique, gutsy, and raw soulful sound. 

 

As a performer and studio musician, Lager has worked with many high profile artists, including “Taylor Dayne”, “Jim Pons” (of “Frank Zappa & The Mothers of Invention”, and “The Turtles”,) as well as “John Macandoe” (“Jeff Golub” Rod Stewart's guitarist) and many more.  

 

Lager is currently performing in the Los Angeles area, and has performed at the world famous Whisky A Go Go, The Mint, Room 5, and Genghis Cohen. The music is a mixture of grunge, swampy blues, country cross-over, rock, and soul.