Press / Media Information

Crikey Blogs: Johnny's in the Basement

Get Out While You Can review - 1 February, 2010

... Is there a bigger hunk of musical, masculine talent and gorgeousness in Australian music at the moment? Has there ever been? I doubt it. Dan Sultan is a tower of appeal and ability who nonetheless — judging by the way he presents himself on his website and on album — is content to continue as an independent artist rather than try and take his music to a bigger, more lucrative mainstream audience. Nothing wrong with that, of course, if that’s how he wants to play it, but I reckon if he ever did want to reach out to that mainstream they would eat him up. That is, buy lots of his albums and spend up big on seeing him live. I’ll say a bit more about this after I talk about the album....

Read the full review here >>

Beat Magazine : Graham Blackley

Queenscliff Music Festival - 9 December, 2009

... Dan Sultan’s powerhouse Saturday evening extravaganza was as exciting as you would expect from this scenery chewing frontman. The judicious combination of old classics and sterling newcomers inspired your flat-footed scribe to dance as if he had rhythm (a rare and disturbing visual treat for other festival goers).

Ten points should be immediately awarded to a rather vocal contingent of the audience known unofficially as “The Vodka Choir” who provided some spirited backing vocals during Dan’s electrifying performance ...

Pre Performance

Womadelaide 2009 Media

Dan Sultan, singer and guitarist, could be described as equal parts blues, soul, and country, infused with a dry sense of humour and a storyteller’s ability to take us on a lyrical journey into a world where the roads are dusty, the heart is lonely, and the likes of Johnny Cash and Otis Redding blare out of the car stereo.

While Sultan is clearly influenced by American legends, the music on his 2007 debut, Homemade Biscuits, has a definate Australian flavour - whether he’s talking about ‘rain falling down on the steps of Flinders Street’ or simply through the sound of his distinctly Aussie accent, the Melbourne-born muso is one of the finest roots musicians to come out of the city in recent years.

Accompanied by his six-piece touring band, and already garnering impressive accolades from everyone from Rhythms Magazine to Paul Kelly himself - who he played with on the critically-acclaimed Cannot Buy My Soul at the 2008 Sydney Festival - this is one artist you’ll want to check out in the unique surrounds of the Garden of Unearthly Delights - see him either on Stage Four at 6.15pm on Friday, or at 4pm on Stage One Saturday evening.

Post Performance

Womadelaide 2009 Media

Wandering over to Stage One, I’m noticing a convergence of hippie elements today. Some people are flamboyantly dressed – from the dude with a bizarre array of tie-dyed horns, to the dude with a plastic garden planted on his bright-green beard, the freaks had come out to play. Settling in to check out the rockabilly-country tunes of Dan Sultan, I’m surprised at his ability, quite unique amongst Aussie artists, to make country cool. This is due in part to his persona, which channels the likes of Johnny Cash, with the hip-swivelling cool of Elvis.

The horn section adds a bluesy tone to the jazz-guitar cool. It’s certainly refreshing to hear a distinctly Aussie accent amongst the international talent on show. It’s comforting to see our crop can measure up to the best in the world!

Womad Artist CD Review - Peter C. Pugsley

Album Review "Homemade Biscuits"

Dan Sultan plays indie rock with a vast range of styles in his armoury. His debut album "Homemade Biscuits" is a fine introduction to this Melbourne-based artist. For the most part, including the openers ‘Your Love Is Like A Song’ and ‘Enemy’ there are echoes of Paul Kelly in his pop/rock phase with the Coloured Girls. At other times the country influence kicks in – ‘Lonesome Tears’ has a low n’ dirty Johnny Cash feel, like 1990s Melbourne act The Blackeyed Susans.

Sultan’s assembled gang of musicians is tight, with some delightful harmonies – at times oddly reminiscent of the Little River Band, especially on ‘Fool’, although this album is far removed from LRB’s syrupy pop legacy. ‘Caroline’ is beautifully laid back, and those great harmonies return in ‘Miss Linda’.

But just when you think you might have Sultan pegged, he rips out tracks like the guitar-drenched boogie ‘Money’, or the soul-filled ‘Voices’. Sultan’s versatility as a vocalist is faultless, and the great production by lead guitarist Scott Wilson make this a world class indie-rock ensemble. Dan Sultan plays Womadelaide 2009. Album through MGM Distribution.

The Alternative Media Group : Chris Peken

Album Review "Homemade Biscuits"

Remember where you first heard Dan Sultan sing? You will. For me it was a glimpse at last year's Sydney Festival followed by a religious experience in a hot, sweaty, pumping Famous Spiegeltent a few weeks ago.

With a voice that is equal parts Archie Roach and Otis Redding, and hips that have been inherited from Elvis Presley, Sultan and band blew away all and sundry.

Homemade Biscuits was recorded and released some two years ago, but due to a strong stance of Independence, is only now making its way to the wider audience. Along with guitarist and co-writer Scott Wilson, Dan Sultan comfortably traverses pop-reggae with Whip on Hide, raw-hide country - Lonesome Tears - and a heart-wrenching finish to the album with the simple guitar-and-voice tale of his mother's stolen-generation story Roslyn - a song the equal of anything Archie or Paul Kelly have ever written.

Throw in the albums opener Your Love is Like a Song, the best soul-stompin', brass-belting number this side of Motown/Stax and there can be no excuse for not liking Dan Sultan. Rarely does an important, outstanding talent introduce himself as impressively as Dan Sultan has.

Rythms Magazine : Martin Jones

Album Review "Homemade Biscuits"

I’ve been regrettably slow to get around to Dan Sultan, despite numerous and vehement recommendations. Well… better late than never. Others have been quicker to recognise Sultan’s considerable talents, John Butler gave Sultan a JB Seed grant to records this very album. Paul Kelly invited Dan to contribute to a Kev Carmody Tribute album. He was nominated for a 2006 Deadly Award for most Promising New Talent. And he’s been invited to perform at nearly every major Festival this summer, including Queenscliff, Woodford and the Falls Festival.

Only moments into the first track of Homemade Biscuits and it’s easy to see why such recognition has flowed Sultan’s way- His powerful musical personality erupts from the first moment he opens his mouth on ‘Your Love is Like a Song’ and doesn’t let up for 12 tracks. Blasting to life with ‘know your product’ style rock/soul brass, it’s a potent album introduction.

But it Sultan’s voice- a warmly authoritative instrument rich with character and range- that ultimately grabs your attention. And as he continues to weave his way through intuitively well-constructed tales of fresh sincerity, you have to marvel that this is a debut album. I’m not the first and I won’t be the last to comment on the accomplished nature of Sultan’s writing and performance.

Dropping the pace back to a delicious swagger, tracks two and three ‘Enemy’ and ‘Forever’ are both affecting roots rock ballads, graceful in melody and delivery and poignant in lyrical content. Sultan proves to be fond of locating his stories for added authenticity. The opening lines of ‘Your Love is like a Son’ mention Melbourne’s Flinder St, and the almost Polynesian summer sway of ‘Caroline’ sees Sultan toking on a joint overlooking the Yarra River

Completing the impeccable tones of Homemade Biscuits is some tasteful rootsy playing courtesy of Sultan and Producer Scott Wilson. Though the liner notes don’t reveal who’s actually responsible for what, the electric guitar sounds and playing are especially strong. Vintage tones wobble with tremolo and ring with reverb around Sultan’s vocal melodies.

But the you hear some incredible bluesy acoustic guitar playing which you have to assume is Sultan’s own, on “the Door Still Open (to my Heart) a song of timeless nature, it sounds like a genuine long lost country /blues standard of the Sun Record era. Stunning.

Beat Magazine, Melbourne

Deep Roots Festival, Esplanade Hotel (Anzac Eve 2007)

... I caught the last song by The Roys and was so impressed by their garage-tinged dirty blues rock that I wished immediately that I had seen their whole set. With Scott Wilson on guitar it’s hardly surprising that they sounded so amazing. Scott’s work with the soon-to-be-legendary Dan Sultan is superlative.

When Dan and his shit-hot, tight ‘n’ terrific band took to the Gershwin Room’s hallowed stage, I knew that there was magic in the air. Dan, who has the type of classic soulful vocal delivery guaranteed to ignite the goose-bumps, is a likeable, confident performer adept at building the vibe to fever pitch.

The audience screamed and jived as Dan whipped out some funktastic dance moves, held his guitar like it was a weapon and rode the surging wave of joyous energy pumped out by the type of band James Brown would have been proud of.

With Dan’s talent being so prodigious, there may come a time when, due to an ever-expanding fan-base, seeing him live in such intimate surroundings is a nostalgic memory. Dan Sultan is destined for the big time and I am glad that I have seen him at this exciting stage of his career. It’s like hanging around the launching pad just before the rocket blasts towards the stars!...

Graham Blackley : Beat Magazine, Melbourne

The 31st Port Fairy Folk Festival (9-12 March 2007)

... The highlight of the entire weekend, however, was seeing the phenomenally talented Dan Sultan play live on three separate occasions. Dan, who is blessed with a voice like velvet, possesses a magnetic stage presence that demands the audience’s attention. Sunday evening’s performance, accompanied by his six-piece band, would rank as one of the best gigs I have ever witnessed.

It was almost as if the spirit of Elvis, Johnny Cash, James Brown and Sam Cooke were channeling through him as he brought maximum soul to the stage. Dan embodied all that is great, spirited and vibrant about this festival of festivals. Roll on 2008!