Stereoboard Talk To Moscow-Based Singer-Songwriter Dan Sultanov (Interview)
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Written by V O'Hagan
Moscow-based but Azerbaijani by birth, Dan Sultanov is a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, visual artist and scriptwriter. Stereoboard decided to catch up with him before he releases his debut single - 'Keep On Running' - on February 25th.
Hello Dan! Tell me, when did you first begin making music?
I began writing my own music seven years ago. As for playing music, I`ve been doing this since I was four
What was it like growing up as an artist/musician in Russia?
The heritage of Russian classical music is amazing so it was great to grow up around all these traditional forms and soak it all up! As for modern pop or rock music - Russian mainstream music is very different from the rest of the world and I’m not a big fan of it.
You’re an artist as well as a musician, but which of the two are more important to you?
Music is definitely at my core.
You come from a family of artists, but has anyone else in your family been inspired to make music, or are you the first?
I`m the first one!
Considering your own aunt’s artwork has been censored in the past, how do you feel about the censorship of Pussy Riot’s protest performance in Moscow?
Personally speaking I think that censorship, especially one-sided and driven by politics, is disgusting. Especially when it comes to works of art. That being said as regards to Pussy Riot, in my opinion I do not consider them artists in either a musical or artistic sense. They are definitely honest political protesters but not artists in my eyes.
You say you take inspiration from Michael Jackson and Tchaikovsky, what is it about those artists in particular that influence your work?
Their melodies, the fantastic harmonies and the romance in their work.
Your new single 'Keep On Running' comes out on February 25th. What does the song sound like and what is its principal message?
The song sounds like summer to me. Vintage French films with people driving around in open top cars and beautiful people smiling all around!! The message of the song is that you should have a good time, don't let yourself down and never stop running towards your dreams.
The video to 'Keep On Running' is based on your own ink drawings. Talk us through your inspiration for the video.
I wanted to create a video that combined both sides of my creative life - the arty side and the musical side. That's why we decided to go with an animated video, and based the animation style on my ink pen drawings. The song is about a guy that never gives up and keeps running after his dream so we thought creating the story with the guy running after a girl was a good fit. I wanted the video to be colourful and uplifting so that it reflected the summery feeling I had when I wrote it.
Andy Wright (who’s produced everyone from Annie Lennox to Jeff Beck) produced your new single. What was it like working with him?
Andy is a wonderful person! He is very warm, has a great sense of humour and after all these years has become a good friend of mine.
You once said that “…all these sounds, rhythms, colours, canvases, paints, charcoals, everything, helped develop my vision of the world.” What exactly is your vision of the world?
My vision of the world is that even though we are constantly surrounded by so many images of the suffering around the world via our TVs, the wars, the starvation and the displacement of millions, I still hope and believe that there are a lot of really kind people who genuinely care about others. And these people drive the life of the world forward.
Lastly, Sultanov, what are your hopes for the future?
My hopes for the future are for people to like and accept my music. I would love my music to be the soundtrack to the happy moments of their lives!
Sultanov releases new single 'Keep On Running' on Monday 25th February.
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Hello Dan! Tell me, when did you first begin making music?
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