Baring their musical “soul”, four virtual strangers will come together at Fremantle music venue Kulcha, as the Soul Men, August 16.

Kulcha staffers scoured the metropolitan music scene for four of the finest male singer/songwriters in Perth, inviting just four to take part in a soulful night of music.

The multicultural venue reckons Soul Men will be a real showcase of their talent, however the artists were yet to meet, or play together, when the Herald caught up with Trevor Jalla and Jarred Wall this week.

Malay-born Australian Jalla has worked with Kiwi Ceelay Petera, who has a background in musical theatre, but Donovan de Souza and Jarred Wall are comparative strangers to him.

“But [they] have played together,” Jalla says.

He’s unfazed at facing the unknown, saying the four will do their own set of songs, before a loose jam at the end of the show.

Chosen for their songwriting skills as well as their voices all four will perform some of their own compositions.

Beeliar local Jarrad Wall, lead singer of Jake and the Cowboys, is proud of his Nyoongar heritage and his music reflects that connection.

His mother and aunt were part of the stolen generation, growing up in Sister Kate’s, but cultural ties and connection to land remained strong, something they passed on, Wall says.

“We all have pretty good ties with our culture.”

His music crosses the cultural divide between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people, with themes that are universal, Wall says. “I write about the land and where you come from, particularly when you face trouble…I write about love lost and substance abuse,” he says, adding the latter comes from watching mates struggle with addiction, some not surviving.

Wall’s first guitar, given aged nine, was a gift from his dad and­—coupled with an older brother who played—was his introduction to music.

He studied briefly at WAPAA, but didn’t stay to finish a degree.

But with a couple of WAMIs to his credit, Wall—on the cusp of turning 30—reckons he arrived at the same destination as former student mates, just by a different route.

Jella kicked off his musical career singing at the Blues Club aged 18.

He spent four years immersed in Singapore’s vibrant music scene, honing his skills.

And has travelled Europe singing for his supper, including the Barcelona Blues Festival, Memphis’ International Blues Challenge, and Buddy Guy’s Legends in Chicago.

Soul Men is on Friday August 16, 8.30pm. Tix $10 pre-sale to http://www.kulcha.com.au or 9336 4544, or $15 at the door.

by JENNY D’ANGER