Tickets for Tash Sultana’s Fremantle performance sold out so fast she’s added another date. Scoop catches up with the Aussie singer-songwriter ahead of her gigs in Fremantle and Margaret River in December.
Tash Sultana is Australia’s pride and joy. She’s been described as a 'one-woman band' with her ability to sing, beatbox and play over ten instruments including the guitar, piano, drums and trumpet. She skyrocketed to fame after the bedroom recording of her hit single
Jungle went viral in 2016. Since then, she’s landed at #3 in
Triple J’s Hottest 100 and is now in the midst of her first world tour.
Hi Tash! How’s the big tour going?
Hectic, but amazing. I honestly feel like touring makes or breaks you. It’s not just the shows – they’re the easy part. It’s the time in between those performances when you’re doing all the hard work.
You’ve performed in Australia loads of times before – do you get a different reception from the crowd when playing overseas?
Not really, but having an audience that doesn’t even speak English, singing your lyrics back to you is just crazy. Knowing that that’s your message to the world that is being sung back to you, it’s like the ultimate respect.
What do you enjoy most about touring?
For me, the stage is where I’m most comfortable and can completely be who I am – and what I was born to be.
What do you look forward to when you’re coming home?
Seeing my dog and getting into the ocean.
Your music has been described as soulful, rock, electronic, indie – a wide mix of sounds. Which other artists are your biggest inspirations?
I love Erykah Badu. She wrote my favourite song in the world ‘Didn’t Cha Know’. Every time I hear it I’m laying out all the instruments in the song, like how I would loop a song. But I didn’t write it and I can’t play as well, so getting the chance to work with her would be cool.
What kind of music do you listen to when you’re on the road?
Erykah Badu, Ocean Alley, Gang of Youths, Bob Marley, Led Zeppelin, Bon Iver, Frank Ocean.
You seem to go into your own world when you’re performing – like music is just a natural extension of you. What first inspired you to pick up a guitar and start playing?
I’m centred when I’m playing, sometimes it's like a current runs through my body and I shake. I’m in my own zone and I like when people get into that zone with me. Music is what I was born to do, so I’m doing exactly what I’m supposed to be doing. My family saw that in me when I was really young and so my grandad gave me my first guitar when I was three years old.
Have you been over to the West Coast before?
Yeah, I’ve played several shows and festivals in Perth and the South West area of WA. You guys have really nice beaches.
Have you got any big plans after this tour?
I'm going to write and record my album.
Tash Sultana is performing at Fremantle Arts Centre on December 7 & 8 and at 3 Oceans Winery, Margaret River on December 9. Find out more.
Get tickets