Dan Sultan talks social justice, music and the St Kilda Festival
UNASHAMEDLY outspoken singer-songwriter Dan Sultan has a fierce determination to speak up on controversial issues. But despite copping a barrage of abuse on social media recently, he has a simple message for the haters.
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DAN Sultan might be best known for his singing voice, but his social voice has also thrown him into the spotlight.
The renowned indigenous singer-songwriter copped a barrage of abuse on social media in the lead-up to Australia Day.
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But Sultan, who is one of the main acts at this Sunday’s St Kilda Festival, said that was never going to stop him sharing his fiercely held views.
“There are a hell of a lot of people who disagree with me and people are entitled to their own (opinions) but there are also fundamental rights and fundamental wrongs regardless of where you were brought up.”
He said it was simple — be nice and don’t be rude to one another.
“People talk about loving this country but aren’t interested in its history,” the 34-year-old said.
“They think they need to stand on people to get what they need and that’s wrong.
“The amount of vile, disgusting stuff that’s been sent to me on social media has been disappointing and pretty sad but I’m not surprised by it.
“It’s been happening to us our whole lives.”
He is unashamedly outspoken and is a member of the musical theatre activist group Black Arm Band, has marched in Walk For Justice For Refugees, and is a past ambassador for the Polished Man anti-violence campaign.
He sparred with Jacqui Lambie on Q & A last year over the Australia Day debate.
Sultan’s activism runs in tandem with a burgeoning music career.
He is five albums into his career, taking out the 2010 ARIA for Best Male Artist and Best Blues and Roots Album for Get Out While You Can, and the 2014 ARIA for Best Rock Album for Blackbird.
He’s partnered acts such as Paul Kelly and Hilltop Hoods and once supported Bruce Springsteen.
Despite this high profile and swathe of accolades, his plea on the ARIA red carpet in 2014 for people to look more at indigenous issues was overshadowed.
“They didn’t even mention me in the papers the next day and only talked about what dress someone was wearing,” Sultan said.
“In that sense I think we’ve come a long way but at the same time there are still people who are very scared.”
The social justice warrior, with an aboriginal mother and Irish father, said it was music that remained the steady force in his life.
He was first touched by it at age three, as he sat around a fire in Yundemu, a remote Northern Territory village, surrounded by dozens of Warlpiri elders.
He was handed a pair of clap sticks and hasn’t looked back since.
“Dancing and people singing is something a lot of people are drawn to particularly when they’re younger, and I guess some people grow up and some people don’t,” Sultan said.
“I’m proud of where I come from but at the same time it’s just me and when you’re passionate about something it’s not so much a choice as it is something you’re just drawn to.”
Slowing down isn’t Sultan’s way and aside from releasing his latest, reflective album Killer last July, gearing up for this week’s St Kilda Festival and an upcoming national solo tour, he is also writing a documentary about a recent trip to Kenya and Uganda.
Travelling in partnership with The Thin Green Line Foundation, he connected with Maasai community rangers in their tribal homelands during the week-long program.
It’s these travel experiences that help slow his mind and ground him among the chaos of Melbourne city life.
“I had a lot of work on last year and found myself … in not such a good space,” he said.
“Whether it was wanting my songs to be played on the radio more, or wanting more or less gigs, I went over to (Africa) and came home with a really beautiful perspective.
“I’ve always had that but it affirmed a lot of what I thought.
“I think with social media it’s even more important to broaden your horizons and get out of your own scene.”
After easing into 2018 with a short break, he’s ready for the next jam-packed chapter — first up, St Kilda Festival.
He said it was an event close to his heart, with fond memories of lining up on the foreshore at age eight or nine to see the legendary band Yothu Yindi.
“This festival is unique and is a big part of Melbourne, it’s important to Melbourne,” Sultan said.
Now Sultan is one of the headline acts, alongside acts such as Architecture in Helsinki, Japanese Wallpaper, Baker Boy and Tkay Maidza.
Sultan has tipped The Jezabels and Brian El Dorado as festival highlights.
“Independent music is very important culturally and all artwork and forms of expression are things that need to be looked after,” he said.
“The more we can come together and celebrate different stuff is only a positive thing.
“The important thing is to try to have fun, try not to take yourself too seriously and realise there are going to be disappointments and triumphs but you just have to ride with it.”
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