Dan’s Killer new album finds its own direction

RATHER than setting out with a particular theme in mind for his latest album, Dan Sultan let it find its own direction.

“I didn’t necessarily set out to write anything in particular or not write anything particular, you know what I mean?” Sultan said. “It’s just the way it’s turned out. “What I let happen was I just let it present itself. A record will always present itself, it will always let you know where it wants to go and where it wants to be.

“Once you start writing, within that last year, you know what you want the record to sound like.”

Sultan released his fourth album Killer yesterday, less than a week after taking Splendour in the Grass by storm – playing his own set and joining both AB Original and Peking Duck on stage for their shows.

Killer was recorded with Sultan’s producer and long-time collaborator Jan Skubiszewski in Melbourne.

The singer-songwriter said he was excited to get the album out there, after taking about a year to write enough music, recording about 15 songs and eventually culling the track list down to 11.

“I’m feeling great, it’s very exciting,” Sultan said.

“It’s been a long time and a lot of work.”

“I suppose there’s nerves, there’s always nerves, you know? But it’s good, it’s exciting.

“There were a lot of songs written, and we got it down to 11 and we’re really proud of it.

“And we’re really happy with where it ended up, so hopefully people get a chance to hear it.”

After featuring on the massively popular and provocative AB Original song January 26 – calling for the date of Australia Day to be reconsidered – Sultan said Killer would be no more political than his past three releases.

“I think there might be a bit of that (political themes), but no more than usual,” he said.

“I’ve always been pretty opinionated with this stuff.”

Killer will be showcased in an 11-date national tour with backing from a full band, kicking off in Geelong at the Wool Exchange on Friday, September 1.

The tour comes as the Melbourne muso enjoys a continually rising popularity, coming from a sold-out tour earlier this year and the success of his 2014 album Blackbird, which debuted at No.4 on the ARIA charts, and was certified gold.

“If something like that happens again I’ll be obviously pleased, but I’m just happy that it’s all finished and I’m about to get it out there. It’s a good feeling,” he said.

“I’m pretty realistic, it’s up to everyone else whether they want to buy it or not, or whether they like it or not.

“What can I do about it?” Dan Sultan will bring his Killer tour to Geelong’s Wool Exchange on Friday, September 1. For more information, or tickets, visit dansultan.com