MICHAEL DUNSTAN REVEALS ACOUSTIC VERSION OF HIT SINGLE ‘LAY IN THE SUN’
It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that Michael Dunstan is on his way to becoming Australia’s answer to Jack Johnson. The Western Australian native has had an incredible 2020, which has seen the release of his debut album In the Grand Scheme as well as eighteen months of extensive touring between Australia and New Zealand.
Now, Dunstan has re-released a special acoustic version of the fan-favourite single from In the Grand Scheme, “Lay in the Sun”.
A beautiful, easygoing track centred around a catchy guitar riff, echoed vocals and relaxed percussion, “Lay in the Sun” serves as a reminder that life isn’t just about “building a portfolio” in order to validate yourself in the eyes of others. As the second track on In the Grand Scheme, it cements the personal themes of mental health and experiencing life instead of allowing it to pass us by for the remainder of the record. As Dunstan says himself:
“[This song] is a casual musing regarding the realisation that simply experiencing and being, will always bring more value to my life than any achievement. It’s a warm ode to honouring your own passion or pursuing a lifestyle that makes you happy, rather than ‘living this life to build a portfolio’ merely to validate your existence in the eyes of another and I’ll do that to the day I die.”
Born and raised in the quaint Wheatbelt of Western Australia, Michael Dunstan’s career has seen the twenty-four year-old expand his horizons as his music takes him around Australia and New Zealand. However, that doesn’t mean he’s left his regional roots in the dust. His laid-back attitude and preference for a slower pace of life is exemplified in his music, which is rooted in a mix of traditional folk and relaxed surf-rock styles. His lyrics are open and honest, and they seek to reflect on travel, serenity and growth.
With the release of In the Grand Scheme, Dunstan managed to reach an audience who not only appreciates his songs, but also empathises with them. There’s no sign of slowing down this bright, young talent’s path to success, and if one thing’s for sure, it’s that the name Michael Dunstan will be cemented in the Australian music scene for a long time.
Praise for Michael Dustan:
"Damn this is a pleasant few minutes spent in Michael's company. Warm and a smidge bit wistful." - Dave Ruby Howe (triple j) on "Lay In The Sun"
"Western Australian singer-songwriter Michael Dunstan makes thoughtful, warm folk music that at once feels universal and intimate. His latest single, ‘Smoulder or Ignite’, is a lush campfire meditation on the unpredictable passage of time, and the inevitable change in relationships that the future brings." - Music Feeds
"Pleasing guitar plucks and soothing tones welcome us into the song. Dunstan’s mesmerizing and calming vocals quickly cut in as you begin the journey with him... Dunstan... sings in a way where you know he is feeling each and every word. The lyrics take on a life of their own in a way that is unique to only him." - Atwood Magazine
"A cracking folk tune." - The AU Review on "Smoulder Or Ignite"
“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