April 4 is turning out to be quite the day for fans of Dan Sultan. First, the release of his new album, Blackbird. And now, the news that Sultan will hit the road for a mammoth national tour from June. The Blackbird tour will see Sultan touring for close to two months, visiting every state in the country including capital cities and smaller, regional towns. Sultan will be backed by a full band at all shows, with gig-goers in capital cities treated to a little extra glitz from a big-band set-up.

The past few months have seen the award-winning Melbourne artist deliver smouldering live performances - both in support of Bruce Springsteen and on his own 'Under Your Skin' headline dates.

Sultan's new album is the culmination of many months of writing and recording, and sees powerhouse riffs met by crackling gospel interludes, old-school rock and roll jams, pure country tones, bare and aching ballads, harmonies, horns, banjos - even an Arabic scale or two. Blackbird is the simple journey of a man singing about love, desire and identity - an Australian musician coming into his own.

Sultan is awash with nervous anticipation for the release. "It was very daunting thinking about writing a new record as it had been so long since Get Out While You Can, but it was a relief to finally be writing again. And then it was just as daunting thinking about recording a new record but then a real relief to be doing so.

"And then it was also daunting thinking about a new album actually coming out but now it's very satisfying that it's in the bag and ready to go! It has taken a lot to finally get to this point and now I'm looking forward to getting on the road and touring it."

Positive reviews for Blackbird are already flowing in:

- Rolling Stone

"The rebirth is evident....This is a big step forward for Dan Sultan."

- TheMusic.com.au

"It's clear Dan Sultan was born to do this." - HIT

"Dan Sultan's Blackbird epitomises everything a good Australian rock album should be. A perfectly balanced blend of big band rock n' roll matched with soft, soulful ballads."

- 8/10, Tonedeaf

In addition to releasing his third LP, Sultan is also giving back to the industry by way of his role as an ambassador for AMRAP (and their inaugural Community Radio ambassador no less) - and for Record Store Day Australia. Melbourne fans can catch him at Readings in St Kilda on Record Store Day - April 19.

Joining Sultan on the road for the Blackbird tour is stellar four-piece rock band Stonefield, whose self-titled album has been making a splash on radio over the past six months, as well Jan Skubiszewski from Way Of The Eagle. The Melbourne musician and producer will perform a DJ set. His single 'Rattlesnake' topped triple j's Most Played chart last year. His new single 'Shadows' is out now.

Blackbird is available now. Tickets for the Blackbird tour are on sale from Thursday April 10.

BLACKBIRD ALBUM TOUR
With support from Stonefield and Way Of The Eagle
Tickets on sale from Thursday April 10