16 July 2010 (released)
21 July 2010
Australian singer/guitarist Dan Sultan is getting ready for sound check. Later on, he and his band will be supporting Corinne Bailey Rae. Sporting a white shirt, a tribal owl tattoo on his chest and an unruly mane of black curls, he radiates warmth, enthusiasm and excitement. With his exotic good looks, he is a perfect frontman who, between mobile phone messages and stage technicalities, still finds the time for a little interview.
Music-News:
There is quite a musical diversity to be found in your songs, how do all these different influences come about?
Dan Sultan:
Well, I and my friend and fellow band member Scott Wilson write the songs together. I listen to rock n’ roll, soul and country. I grew up listening to that kind of music and later on, like ten years ago, I got more and more into country music as well. I guess that in my writing, I like to pen songs that I also like to listen to, you know. I don’t like to put too many barriers on things; I prefer to be free. If I like to write a country song, then I will write a country song, and if I like to write a rock n’ roll song, then that’s what I will write. And sometimes, a song may contain all two or three styles – soul, country and rock n’ roll all in one.
MN:
What’s the scene like for that particular music in your native Australia?
DS:
Well, there aren’t that many bands that do what we are doing, I mean, there isn’t really that much of a scene as such. But we can play in a beautiful theatre for example or we can play at festivals, so we can play at things like this. We got a big band with a horn section normally; it’s just tonight that we perform in a stripped back version.
MN:
Would you consider yourself to be more indie/underground or more mainstream?
DS:
Hmm, I think we are independent but as far as our musical styles go, I think it’s pretty mainstream. They’re just nice songs, you know.
MN:
Have you ever played concerts in the States?
DS:
No, not yet. But there are plans for it in the future and if it happens, then we play anywhere and everywhere in the States. But I especially would like to play New York and LA and well, I would like to go to Texas.
MN:
Tell me about the owl tattoo on your chest…
DS:
Oh, it is my unofficial totem – I claimed him when I was very little. I like the owl, he looks after me.
MN:
Thanks Dan, see you on stage.
(Please read my Dan Sultan gig review in our ‘Latest Live Reviews’ section)
