It’s been a busy 12 months for Melbourne’s Dan Sultan. Having released one of the most acclaimed local records of 2014 in Blackbird, the acclaimed singer-songwriter followed it up with the new EP, Dirty Ground.
Sultan is currently on a massive national tour in support of his latest EP, playing 28 dates all across the country.
In celebration, we decided to compile a short and sweet guide to best of Dan Sultan.
‘Your Love Is Like A Song’ – Homemade Biscuits (2006)
Taken from his debut album Homemade Biscuits released in 2006, ‘Your Love Is Like A Song’ is a triumphant blues and roots jam with a full brass backing. It’s vintage Dan Sultan, and one of the first shining glimpses into one of the country’s most soulful musicians. It was back when Sultan was just a rising artist full of promise. Today, of course, that promise has been more than just fulfilled.0
Catch Sultan performing it live on a rainy afternoon at Meredith back in 2008, complete with his trademark Elvis-like dancing which the crowd do their best at mimicking. Not even a mid-summer downpour could ruin the atmosphere.
‘Old Fitzroy’ – Get Out While You Can (2009)
The video for this country-rock ballad shows Sultan strolling through the backstreets of Fitzroy, passing by local landmarks like The Tote with many of shots of the suburb’s infamously colourful inhabitants.
It’s a fitting visual accompaniment to Sultan’s ode to Melbourne – a place that has undoubtedly shaped who he is both as a musician and person today. ‘Old Fitzroy’ is often the final encore song at his hometown Melbourne gigs, and the love in the air flowing between the performer and his crowd is palpable.
‘Under Your Skin’ – Blackbird (2014)
“This is a creepy song about an obsessed, murderous, drug addicted stalker who eventually plays out their fantasies. It’s a love song,” Sultan explained to Music Feeds.
Its creepy message is easy to miss the first couple of times you hear it, until you pay closer attention to the lyrics hiding beneath that earworm bass line and hum-along hook. Utterly catchy.
‘Kimberly Calling’ – Blackbird (2014)
“Although many may never have set foot on the red dirt of the northwest, there is a strong sense of familiarity in ‘Kimberley Calling’, which transports listeners alongside Sultan to Kimberley icons like the Roebuck Hotel and the Aboriginal township of Beagle Bay,” wrote our reviewer who raved about Blackbird.
The Kimberley is an important place for Sultan, whose grandmother was buried at One Armed Point. It’s a special place for the singer that makes him feel “at home and at ease”. You can hear that in the song – an upbeat, carefree track that feels as free as the Kimberley river.
‘Dirty Ground’ – Dirty Ground EP (2014)
If Blackbird was Sultan unleashing his electrifying blues-rock onto the world, his Dirty Ground EP released just months later in the year was the other side of the coin. It’s Sultan stripped back to just his raw, husky voice and quiet acoustic instruments.
The title track is intimate, emotional and soulful. It’s a testament to Sultan’s flexibility: whether a full band backs him or he’s alone performing a sparse and simple folk ballad, Sultan is simply captivating.
From Little Things, Big Things Grow – Triple J’s Tribute To Paul Kelly, The Forum, 2009
It was a night of stunning tributes to one of Australia’s most pivotal singer-songwriters, the godly Paul Kelly.
It’s a big task to do a Kelly cover – but it possibly doesn’t get much harder than his iconic Australian anthem, ‘From Little Things, Big Things Grow’. Luckily Dan Sultan, John Butler and Missy Higgins were up to the task.
The result is a powerful cover, in which Sultan’s passion shines through when he takes over the final leg of the song. A magical moment.
Upcoming Dates
Saturday 7 Theatre Royal – Castlemaine VIC
Tuesday 10 Powerhouse Theatre – Brisbane QLD
Wednesday 11 Arts Theatre – Gold Coast QLD
Friday 13 Taronga Zoo – Sydney NSW
Saturday 14 Blue Mountains Folk Festival – Katoomba NSW
Sunday 15 Anita’s Theatre – Thirroul NSW
Tuesday 17 Newcastle City Hall – Newcastle NSW
Wednesday 18 Street Theatre – Canberra ACT
Thursday 19 Street Theatre – Canberra ACT
Saturday 21 National Theatre – St Kilda VIC
Tickets and info at www.dansultan.com
