MICHAEL DUNSTAN ANNOUNCES AUSTRALIAN TOUR + RELEASES NEW SINGLE “SMOULDER OR IGNITE”
Hailing from Wheatbelt Western Australia, singer-songwriter and folk extraordinaire Michael Dunstan has enchanted us with the release of his new single “Smoulder Or Ignite”, revealed on Friday 14th February 2020, from his forthcoming debut album ‘In The Grand Scheme’ (February 28th).
To celebrate the arrival of his diverse and thoughtful album, Dunstan has also announced a huge national tour, where for the first time, he will be touring with a 3-piece band. Building on momentum from a large headline Australian and New Zealand tour in 2019, 2020 will see Michael Dunstan taking his dynamic live show to another level.
TOUR DATES
Thursday 27th February @ Rosemount Hotel Perth, WA, Australia
Friday 28th February @ Link Theatre Northam, WA, Australia
Saturday 29th February @ Cannery Arts Centre Esperance, WA, Australia
Wednesday 4th March @ Beer Garden Brewing Port Lincoln, SA, Australia
Thursday 5th March @ Jive Bar Adelaide, SA, Australia
Thursday 12th March @ Northcote Social Club Northcote, VIC, Australia
Friday 13th March @ The Boardwalk Bendigo, VIC, Australia
Saturday 14th @ Macedon Ranges Music Fest 2020 Gisborne, VIC, Australia
Thursday 2nd April @ The Factory Floor Marrickville, NSW, Australia
Friday 3rd April @ The Baroque Room, Carrington Hotel Katoomba, NSW, Australia
Saturday 18th April @ Byron Bay Brewery Byron Bay, NSW, Australia
Friday 24th April @ The Solbar Maroochydore, QLD, Australia
Saturday 25th April @ Milk Factory Kitchen And Bar Brisbane, QLD, Australia
Wednesday 13th May @ The Basement Belconnen, ACT, Australia
Michael Dunstan’s Australian tour will also be donating $1 per ticket to Happy Monday, the mission of his friend and touring member Daniel Hedley, who is riding 6500kms from Brisbane to Perth on a Penny Farthing, with the aim to raise 1 million dollars for a variety of mental health organisations, including Beyond Blue and Headspace.
Providing a taste of what fans can expect from these upcoming live shows, “Smoulder Or Ignite” is a luscious, poetic song that has emerged from Dunstan’s adventurous lifestyle. Featuring a warm tonal acoustic guitar, soothing vocals, instrumental harmonies and uplifting percussion, Dunstan carves a vivid campfire image into the listeners mind, and poses a simple question… Will it smoulder or will it ignite?
LISTEN TO "SMOULDER OR IGNITE" HERE
“‘Smoulder or Ignite’ is akin to a rainbow after a storm,” says Dunstan. “An optimistic outlook on an unexpected turn of events, which lead to the unavoidable end to a relationship between myself and a dearly loved one. When the circumstances are so far out of each other’s control, I guess all you can do is treasure a little hope that something magically aligns and you’ll get to see that person just one more time. In the meantime however, it’s reassuring to remember that love can be found all around us, and in ourselves, not just in that one special person alone.”
This single solidifies Dunstan as one of Australia’s most promising surf-folk artists, as his mellow storytelling transports listeners through his journeys, and consequently places his worldly knowledge on display.
Venturing far from his quaint regional upbringing in the vast Western Australian Wheatbelt, Michael Dunstan has accomplished a huge amount for being only 24 years old. Touring Australia four times and New Zealand twice in the last 18 months, Dunstan has been welcomed with a warm and loyal following, with shows largely selling out. Openly sharing personal past struggles with heavy anxiety, Dunstan hopes that all those who see him perform will leave with a sense of mindfulness, and share a new-found appreciation of the beautiful world in which we live.
With a love for the open road, Dunstan’s pensive writing reflects and explores periods of travel, calm and silence, and the accompanying growth found while transitioning through light to dark periods of our lives, evident in singles “Lay In The Sun” (2020) and “Smiling At Strangers” (2019).
The music video for “Smiling At Strangers”, filmed and edited by Dunstan himself in Brighton Beach, Western Australia, is a heartwarming visualiser that perfectly compliments the uplifting feeling of the track.
Dunstan’s stunning debut album ‘In the Grand Scheme’ will mark the fourth chapter of his career; a diverse 14 track journey that promises to consolidate him as a profound Australian singer-songwriter.
‘In the Grand Scheme’ is out worldwide on Friday February 28th 2020.
Praise for Michael Dunstan
“Michael’s pensive writing reflects and explores periods of travel, calm and silence, and the accompanying revelations and growth found while transitioning through life.” - The Western Australian
“Dunstan’s sound is characterised by warm soulful vocals, intricate fingerpicking, and up-beat foot stomping grooves.” - Busselton Mail