Tag: Dan Sultan

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Kiwat Kennell Collaborates With Dan Sultan on “Disconnected”

I’ve been so impressed by the music coming out of The Archie Roach Foundation’s Singing Our Futures program. This initiative which pairs emerging First Nations artists with some iconic mentors is giving a leg up to some extraordinary talents like Kiwat Kennell, who’s just released his latest single “Disconnected.” Kiwat worked with none other than Dan Sultan to tell his story through this song.

“’Disconnected’ tells the story of how my father saved my life, from my own actions, in one of the darkest periods of my life,” he admitted. “The yearning for a connection of any kind in a post-lockdown life is one that too many of us have all experienced. Through an unhealthy relationship with my mental health, I lost many personal relationships, resulting in a downward spiral, solo journey, that would eventually have me reconnect with my father, after many years of being apart. What began as a deeply negative and traumatic experience, has me now connecting to family, culture, and life!”

While the song came from feelings of being disconnected, it also sparked a very powerful connection between Kiwat and his mentor, Dan Sultan.

“We had known each other socially for a few years, but when I found out that Dan would be my mentor, and I would have the chance to work with him in a professional capacity, I couldn’t believe it. Dan Sultan has always been a huge influence on my career, his ability to captivate a whole audience with just his voice and a guitar, will always astound me! Being able to collaborate with Dan on this track has really changed how I approach songwriting. He taught me that the story, or song, that you start writing at one point in time, doesn’t have to be finished at that moment. Because like in life, you evolve … and your story isn’t finished yet. Sometimes you have to walk the path, to see where it leads.”

“Disconnected” is the latest track from the Singing Our Futures EP, which drops later this year.

Image used with permission from On the Map PR; credit: Jacinta Keefe

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Sultan Releases Children’s Music That Doesn’t Suck

Any time I have any inkling that I might be cut out for motherhood, I think about how difficult it must be to hear a Wiggles album or the Frozen soundtrack for the umpteenth time. I feel for you parents of Australia, so I figure it’s my duty to put any good kids’ music on your radar. Wrap your ears around “Nali,” the first single from Dan Sultan’s soon-to-be-released kids album Nali & Friends.

Dan was inspired to write Nali & Friends with his longtime pal and collaborator, filmmaker Rhys Graham, after the pair trekked through Uganda and Kenya for their work with the Thin Green Line Foundation. During that journey Dan and Rhys spent a lot of time with baby animals, watching them play and observing their quirky personalities. The result is a collection of heart-warming songs about growing up, accepting differences, and protecting our natural world.

“It was one of the most rewarding musical experiences I’ve had to date. I like a lot of different types of music, and what was really refreshing for me was this opportunity to dip into so many musical styles, to represent the various characters’ stories,” Dan explained. “There’s everything from calypso to flat out honky-tonk to cinematic ballads with strings. Artistically it was very fulfilling. I’m in some rare form at the moment, I’m feeling really good.”

Nali, the album’s central character, is a baby Arctic bird with a crooked wing who loses her way migrating from the North to the South Pole. Her journey off course isn’t all bad though, because she meets animals from all around the world, from the jungles of Uganda to Australia’s deserts.

Normally I find children’s music a little grating on the ear, but “Nali” is every bit as cool as you’d expect from Dan Sultan. It’s the perfect gateway into his material for mini-music lovers out there. Nali & Friends hits stores on April 12.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard and Chet Faker Do it Again

For the second week running we’ve got a pair of Aussies sitting on the top of the charts. Both Sheppard and Chet Faker have continued to dominate the singles and albums charts respectively. With their third week at number one, Sheppard’s “Geronimo” becomes the first song since Guy Sebastian’s “Battle Scars” to enjoy a multi-week run at the top of the singles charts. Chet Faker’s also breaking records. Built on Glass is the first Aussie album to enjoy consecutive weeks at number once since the Sapphires soundtrack reigned in August 2012.

But that’s not the only good news. We’re enjoying a real purple patch, with four singles and six albums sitting in the top 10. All but one album in the top five is a local release too!

Sia is breathing down Sheppard’s neck with her song “Chandelier,” which holds steady at number two this week. Jessica Mauboy and Peking Duk have both fallen a little this week, but they’re still selling well to appear in the top ten. “Never Be the Same” has slipped one spot to land at number seven this week, while “High” has dropped three spots to land at number eight.

Somehow I don’t think Jess will be too disappointed though, as her latest album Beautiful has zoomed from number 17 to number four this week. This is the first time the album’s been in the top 10 since October 2013. She’s just behind INXS, whose The Very Best has dropped to number three this week.

Harrison Craig’s proved he’s got real staying power with L.O.V.E., which sits at number five again. I expect it to linger around a little longer too as we head towards Mother’s Day.

The final two Aussie entries in the albums charts come from Russell Morris and Dan Sultan. Van Diemen’s Land and Blackbird are at number seven and eight respectively.

Click below for the complete top tens.

Continue reading “Sheppard and Chet Faker Do it Again” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard & Chet Faker Complete an Aussie Chart Double

It’s so great to see a pair of Aussies sitting at the top of our charts this week. Sheppard are still sitting at number one on the singles charts with “Geronimo.” Meanwhile, Chet Faker has dethroned INXS on the albums charts. His long awaited debut album Built on Glass has debuted at number one.

INXS’ The Very Best is still going gangbusters though. It’s at number two this week.

Russell Morris also has reason to celebrate this week. His new album Van Diemen’s Land has debuted at number four, which is the highest position he’s ever achieved on the album charts.

Russell edged out Harrison Craig, although something tells me he won’t be too upset with his number five debut. The hype around Harrison’s died down a bit as the new season of The Voice is upon us, but with L.O.V.E. it seems he’s still on the minds of music fans.

All those debuts have pushed Dan Sultan down the charts, but his latest album Blackbird is still selling well to land at number six. And it looks like The John Butler Trio’s album Flesh & Blood has plenty of life left in it. It’s actually jumped a spot to sit at number nine this week.

Meanwhile on the singles charts, Sia continues to breathe down Sheppard’s neck. Her song “Chandelier” has bounded up to number two this week. Peking Duk hold steady with “High” celebrating another week at number five. Ahead of her big Eurovision performance, Jessica Mauboy’s shot from number 17 up to number six with “Never Be the Same.” “She Looks So Perfect” by 5 Seconds of Summer seems to be on the way out, slipping to number nine.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Sheppard & Chet Faker Complete an Aussie Chart Double” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Sheppard & INXS Both at Number One

You could have bowled me over with a feather when I saw that Sheppard were sitting at the top of the ARIA singles chart this week. It’s not that the song isn’t stellar, but Australia doesn’t have the best record of supporting local singles. We’re an albums nation, while the singles chart is generally dominated by international fare of the urban variety. It’s even rarer to see an independent local act on the top of the charts. And then consider how unstoppable Pharrell Williams seemed to be and you’ll start to appreciate the enormity of “Geronimo’s” meteoric rise.

“It’s like a dream,” said singer George Sheppard. “You secretly think about having a number one record when you’re in your bedroom writing songs, but you never really believe that it could come true. To have the public embrace us like they have is just such a special feeling and being able to share the success with my siblings and mates just makes it all the sweeter.”

Sheppard’s feat ensures that Aussies are dominating the charts this week. Over on the albums charts we’ve got INXS continuing their reign with “The Very Best,” which notches up its seventh week at number one.

They’re the big guns, but we’ve got plenty of other Aussies threatening to steal their thunder. Last week, Sia had her first every top ten appearance as a solo act with “Chandelier.” Now she’s achieved her first ever top five finish. The song sits at number four this week after jumping six positions.

“High,” by Peking Duk featuring Nicole Millar has also jumped into the top five this week. This betters last week’s position by a couple of spots.
5 Seconds of Summer look to be on the way out with “She Looks So Perfect.” It’s at number seven this week after tumbling three spots. Still, a top ten finish seven weeks after its release is nothing to sneeze at.

Meanwhile on the albums charts, INXS very nearly lost their top spot to Ball Park Music. The Brisbane band’s third album Puddinghead debuted at number two, which is their highest peak on the local charts.

Dan Sultan’s also debuted well at number four with his album Blackbird. It’s amazing to note that with his third release he’s actually achieved his first ever appearance in the ARIA top 50.

The John Butler Trio round out the top 10 with their latest album Flesh & Blood holding steady at number 10.

Click below for more information about this week’s top 10s.

Continue reading “Sheppard & INXS Both at Number One” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Sultan Guests on Way of the Eagle Single

When ARIA-nominated producer Jan Skubisewski recruited Dan Sultan to provide guest vocals for his debut single as solo act Way of the Eagle, the result was always bound to be musical magic.

The song that came out of their work together is “Rattlesnake”, a Triple J favorite that takes us right to the cantinas of Nevada. It’s sultry and bluesy, with a dash of mariachi thrown in.

Way of the Eagle will launch this sexy single with the following shows in the major capitals.

12 September 2013 — The Zoo, Brisbane
20 September 2013 — Upstairs Beresford, Sydney (FREE)
27 September 2013 — Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Sultan Rocks for Recognition & Constitutional Change

Dan Sultan will headline a series of shows in November to highlight the need for recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Australian Constitution.

Rock for Recognition will touch down in Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, and Fremantle. At each show he’ll be joined by other indigenous acts. Yabu Band, Leah Flanagan, and Ken Eavel have been announced so far, but more artists are expected to join the events as the concert gains momentum.

As a proud Gurindji man, Dan Sultan promises to raise the roof at these shows. Changing the constitution is likely to prove much harder, as any amendments require a successful referendum, but these awareness raising concerts are a step in the right direction.

Learn more about constitutional change and see Dan Sultan Rock for Recognition at the following shows. Pre-booked tickets cost $30, or you can pay $35 at the door.

8 November 2012 – The Corner Hotel, Melbourne (Dan Sultan, Leah Flanagan, and DJ Ken Eavel)
9 November 2012 – The Factory Theatre, Sydney (Dan Sultan and Leah Flanagan)
10 November 2012 – Bakery Artrage, Perth (Dan Sultan, Leah Flanagan and Yabu Band)
11 November 2012 – Fly By Night, Fremantle (Dan Sultan and Leah Flanagan)

Image source: The Harbour Agency

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Dan Sultan & Archie Roach Play Bilyana

Two of Australia’s leading indigenous performers, Dan Sultan and Archie Roach, will come together for one special show on April 9.

These two talents will play at Bilyana, a natural amphitheatre nestled in Mount Pilot National Park, just outside the small Victorian town of Eldorado. It’s a beautiful spot, where families can come together to appreciate music. So it seems fitting that in Dan and Archie we see two generations coming together to entertain the masses.

Show tickets are available from the Try Booking website for $55 for adults, $38 for children, and $165 for families. This price includes use of a camp site at Bilyana, so it’s a great deal for music lovers looking for a show that’s a bit different.

Image used with permission from AUM

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

The Verses Duet with Dan Sultan

The Verses are one of my favorite new acts from 2010, and I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Dan Sultan, so when I heard they’d teamed up for a single I knew it’d be good.

If the song “Running Away” sounds familiar it’s because you’ve heard it on The Verses debut album Seasons. I loved the original, but I think it works even better as a duet. The chemistry between Ella Hooper and Dan Sultan is only natural as they’ve been close mates for years.

“As soon as we met we knew we had a really strong musical chemistry and incredibly similar taste, so we’ve been plotting and planning, waiting for the right moment to do something together and ‘Running Away’ was one of Dan’s favorite songs of mine,” Ella explained. “The song really came to life when Dan started singing along one day when we were demo-ing it, so we turned it into a duet. He often jumps up at our gigs and sings and I was very proud and excited to sing backing vocals and a duet on his record. It’s
a fantastic feeling to sing with one of my best friends who also happens to be one of the country’s best talents!”

This new version of “Running Away” is available as a digital download from iTunes.