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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Tash Sultana
Tash Sultana (born 15 June 1995) is an Australian singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and music producer, described as a "one-person band". Sultana rose to international prominence with their 2016 single "Jungle", which was voted into third place in Triple J's Hottest 100 countdown of 2016. The following year, Sultana had three songs voted into Triple J's Hottest 100 of 2017; "Mystik" placing at number 28, "Murder to the Mind" at number 43, and their Like a Version cover of MGMT's "Electric Feel" at number 78.

Sultana grew up in Melbourne and has been playing guitar from the age of three, beginning a career in music through busking. An active musician on Bandcamp since 2013, Sultana's recordings were viewed millions of times on YouTube in 2016. Sultana's EP, Notion, was released in September 2016, followed by a sold-out world tour in early 2017.

Sultana plays a large variety of instruments including guitar, keyboard, bass, percussion, beatmaking/sampling, trumpet, saxophone, flute, mandolin, oud, harmonica, panpipes; and arranges it into loop style performances along with percussive and finger tapping style guitar playing. Sultana has a vocal range stretching five octaves.

Early life

An Australian of Maltese ancestry on their father's side, Sultana was born in and grew up in Melbourne. They received a guitar from their grandfather at the age of three.

Career

Sultana on stage at Oslo Spektrum 2022

Early career: "Jungle" and home busking videos

At the age of 13, Sultana performed in open mic nights up to 6 times a week across Victoria. Their refusal to conform to social norms pushed the artist, who at the time was unable to find regular work, to busking on the streets of Melbourne to make a living. From 2008 to 2012, Sultana was the vocalist of the band Mindpilot with Patrick O'Brien, Emily Daye and David Herbert. This band won several Battles of the Bands competitions in Melbourne. The band split in 2012.

In 2016, Sultana shared a video on social media of "Jungle" that amassed over one million views within five days, and has since been viewed over 40 million times. In the same year, they won Triple J's J Award for Unearthed Artist of the Year, and had two tracks voted into the Triple J Hottest 100, 2016: "Jungle" (No. 3) and "Notion" (No. 32). Both are singles from their subsequently released EP, Notion. Sultana performed at the Woodford Folk Festival, Southbound, and St Jerome's Laneway Festival. Sultana is managed by Lemon Tree Music with whom they signed in June 2016.

Sultana spent time in the recording studio with producer Nikita Miltiadou, and began working on the EP release Notion. In September 2016, they released the EP through their own independent record label, Lonely Lands Records. The EP reached a peak position of number 8 on the ARIA Album Chart.

2016–2017: Debut world tour, and singles

Following the success of Notion, Sultana announced a world tour, which included hundreds of live performances across Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Their father resigned from his job to become their roadie. A product of sessions with Miltiadou in April 2017, Sultana released "Murder to the Mind", the first single since the release of Notion. It reached number 59 on the ARIA Australian Singles Chart. Not long after the release of "Murder to the Mind", Sultana was diagnosed with laryngitis, and was forced to cancel and postpone shows across Australia.

In a June 2017 interview Sultana told Fairfax that their debut album was slated for release in April 2018, after which they had planned to tour, record a second album, tour again, and then take a break and return to normal life. On 25 July 2017, Sultana announced the Homecoming Tour, including performances in Adelaide (Entertainment Centre), Sydney (Hordern Pavilion), Fremantle (Arts Centre), Margaret River (3 Oceans Winery), Melbourne (Margaret Court Arena) and Noosa (Noosa Sporting Grounds), with Pierce Brothers and Willow Beats as supporting acts.

In October 2017 Sultana announced the premiere of a new single "Mystik" on Triple J. Also in October, Sultana made their US late-night television debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers, performing "Jungle". In the same year, Sultana was nominated for four ARIA Awards: Breakthrough Artist, Best Independent Release, Best Blues and Roots Album and Best Australian Live Act.

Sultana performing in 2017

Following the Homecoming Tour, Sultana continued work on their debut LP, Flow State.

2018: Debut LP Flow State

On 13 June 2018 Sultana sent out a private Facebook message to selected fans, with a video sneak peek of a new single titled "Salvation", accompanied by footage in the studio. In the same month, Sultana announced that the new single would premiere on Triple J on 21 June, and would be released the following day on 22 June.

On 21 June 2018 they announced the album's forthcoming release date would be 31 August 2018, and made pre-orders available. Sultana also announced the album's tracklist, including the previously released tracks "Mystik", "Murder To The Mind", "Harvest Love" and "Free Mind".

The album was released on 31 August 2018 via Lonely Lands Records, distributed by Sony Music Australia in Australia, and Mom + Pop Music across the rest of the world. Flow State peaked at number 2 on the ARIA Albums Charts.

2019: Flow State Tour, "Can't Buy Happiness", "Daydreaming" and "Talk It Out"

In February 2019, and in support of Flow State, Sultana played their biggest headlining Australian shows yet, including a sold-out show at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl, and Brisbane's Riverstage. Sultana's first release for 2019 was the standalone single "Can't Buy Happiness", released on 4 April. Then, on 10 July, Sultana released their first collaborative track "Talk It Out", which featured Australian singer Matt Corby. Sultana's third and final single release for 2019 was the single "Daydreaming", a collaboration with Milky Chance.

2020–2022: Sophomore album Terra Firma

Early in 2020 Sultana announced they were recruiting for live session musicians to round out their on stage presence on social media, stating they 'didn't have enough hands' to play all instruments on stage at the same time. On 26 February, Sultana played their final partial solo live show at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl as part of the one-day fundraising music festival Down To Earth. The event was raising funds for bushfire relief, following Australia's Black Summer bushfires, and included performances by Gang of Youths, Angus and Julia Stone and more.

In April 2020 Sultana announced that they had found session band members to take on the road. They subsequently released their first single for 2020, "Pretty Lady" on 9 April. The track was premiered on triple j Breakfast the same day. Shortly after, Sultana released the "Pretty Lady" music video, featuring a selection of fans, friends and family from across the world dancing.

In June 2020 Sultana announced the next single "Greed", which was released on 20 June 2020. This was followed by a third single, "Beyond The Pine" in September, and a fourth single "Willow Tree" in October, which featured Australian rapper Jerome Farah.

On the same day as the release of "Willow Tree", Sultana announced that their new album Terra Firma would be released on 19 February 2021.

Written and recorded over a period of almost 2 years, between 2019 and 2021, Terra Firma saw Sultana lead the entire recording process. They recorded, engineered, performed, arranged and produced the album in its entirety.

On 22 January 2021 Sultana released the fifth and final single from Terra Firma, "Sweet & Dandy".

Terra Firma was released on 19 February 2021, and was met with generally favourable reviews from critics.

In 2021 Sultana announced a United Kingdom and Europe tour in support of Terra Firma, with dates taking place from March 2022. They also announced a one-off performance at Colorado's Red Rocks Amphitheatre, which sold 10,000 tickets within five minutes.

On 1 February 2022 Sultana announced their anticipated two-month tour of North America. The North America tour has dates listed from 10 June (Las Vegas) to 23 July (Los Angeles).

On 18 February 2022 Sultana released "Coma", the lead single from MTV Unplugged, Live in Melbourne album, scheduled for release in May 2022.

2023:Sugar

In March 2023, Sultana released "James Dean", the lead single from an EP scheduled for release in 2023. IN July 2023, Sultana released "Bitter Lovers" and announced Sugar would be released on 11 August 2023.

Personal life

Sultana identifies as gender-fluid and uses they/them pronouns.

Discography

Main article: Tash Sultana discography

Awards and nominations

APRA Awards

The APRA Awards are presented annually from 1982 by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA), "honouring composers and songwriters".

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2017 "Jungle" Song of the Year Shortlisted
2018 "Murder to the Mind" Song of the Year Shortlisted
"Jungle" Blues & Roots Work of the Year Nominated
2019 Tash Sultana Songwriter of the Year Nominated
"Mystik" Blues & Roots Work of the Year Nominated
2020 "Blackbird" Most Performed Blues & Roots Work of the Year Nominated
2021 "Pretty Lady" Most Performed Blues & Roots Work of the Year Nominated

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are annual awards, which recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. They commenced in 1987. Sultana has won one award from thirteen nominations.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Notion Best Independent Release Nominated
Breakthrough Artists Nominated
Best Blues and Roots Album Nominated
Notion Tour Best Australian Live Act Nominated
2018 Flow State Best Female Artist Nominated
Best Blues and Roots Album Won
Homecoming Tour Best Australian Live Act Nominated
Tash Sultana for Flow State Producer of the Year Nominated
Ben Lopez for Flow State Best Cover Art Nominated
Glenn Mossop and Tash Sultana for "Salvation" Best Video Nominated
2019 "Can't Buy Happiness" Best Soul/R&B Release Nominated
2020 "Pretty Lady" Best Soul/R&B Release Nominated
2021 Terra Firma Best Soul/R&B Release Nominated

Environmental Music Prize

The Environmental Music Prize is a quest to find a theme song to inspire action on climate and conservation. It commenced in 2022.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Willow Tree" Environmental Music Prize Nominated

J Awards

The J Awards are an annual series of Australian music awards that were established by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's youth-focused radio station Triple J. They commenced in 2005.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 Themself Unearthed Artist of the Year Won
2018 Flow State Australian Album of the Year Nominated

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards are an annual awards night celebrating Victorian music. They commenced in 2006.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2017 Tash Sultana Best Female Artist Nominated
2018 Tash Sultana Best Solo Artist Nominated

National Live Music Awards

The National Live Music Awards (NLMAs) are a broad recognition of Australia's diverse live industry, celebrating the success of the Australian live scene. The awards commenced in 2016.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2016 Tash Sultana Live Roots Act of the Year Won
2017 Tash Sultana Live Country or Folk Act of the Year Nominated
Live Guitarist of the Year Won
International Live Achievement (Solo) Won
Best Live Voice – People's Choice Nominated
2018 Tash Sultana International Live Achievement (Solo) Nominated
2019 Tash Sultana Live Blues and Roots Act of the Year Nominated
International Live Achievement (Solo) Nominated

Pop Awards

The Pop Awards are presented annually by Pop Magazine, honoring the best in popular music. Tash Sultana has won two awards from two nominations and is the first artist to win multiple Pop Awards.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2019 Flow State Album of the Year Award Won
Tash Sultana Emerging Artist of the Year Award Won

Rolling Stone Australia Awards

The Rolling Stone Australia Awards are awarded annually in January or February by the Australian edition of Rolling Stone magazine for outstanding contributions to popular culture in the previous year.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2021 "Pretty Lady" Best Single Won
Tash Sultana Rolling Stone Global Award Nominated
2022 Terra Firma Best Record Nominated
2023 Tash Sultana Rolling Stone Global Award Won

Touring

All tour dates and ticketing information can be located at www.tashsultana.com

  • Gemini Tour: Australia (2016)
  • Notion World Tour: Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand (2016–17)
  • USA Tour 2017: United States (2017)
  • North American Tour: United States (2017)
  • Australia/New Zealand Tour: Australia, New Zealand (2017)
  • UK/Europe Tour: United Kingdom (2017)
  • Homecoming Tour: Australia (2017)
  • World Tour 2018: Europe, United States, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom (2018)
  • Flow State World Tour: Canada, United States, Europe, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand (2019)
  • Tash Sultana And Friends: Australia, New Zealand (2019)
  • UK And Europe 2022: United Kingdom, Europe (2022)
  • North America 2022: North America, USA (2022)

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