David Sattout

Go Gentle, Dave Sattout’s first release under his own name in over ten years, reveals a patient and considered guitarist and composer. Inspired by the likes of Marc Ribot, Bill Frisell and Nels Cline, Sattout carefully leans into supporting the melody above all else, smarter than a showcase for fretboard acrobatics. The result is a beautifully intricate and reflective release, where each track conjures up a world with cinematic ease.

Throughout Go Gentle, Sattout’s progressions retain an unexpected balance of calmness and chaos – one moment may feel light and optimistic, others feel sombre and uncertain. Licks fluctuate between buttery-smooth technicality, beachy, upbeat rhythms and heaving waltzes, all serving as definitive evidence of Sattout’s attentiveness to song structure. Sattout’s attention to song-writing paint him as more than just a talented instrumentalist – his compositions capture feeling and thought in a way that lyricism sometimes misses. These tracks are bolstered by the ever-crisp production of Julian Curwin (The Tango Saloon), whose work on the record ensures these moments of unsaid curiosity ring close to the heart.

“Go Gentle reflects a small pursuit of mine in recent years to be kinder to myself and to others,” says Sattout. “There’s a bit of a “pick your battles” sentiment in there as well. At a certain point in my life I realised I wasn’t responding favourably any longer to how I was treating myself, to how I related to the world, and to what I was getting out of music.”

“A decade ago I might have put on some Zappa or Naked City to get going, or even to relax. It was funny and fun – and clever – on Facemeat’s Questions For Men, you can essentially hear my tribute to those approaches to music. However, the underpinning of that sort of style started stressing me out – I suppose in reaction I began listening to lots of ambient music (Loscil, Tim Hecker, Stars of the Lid). I started trying to play guitar with more space in mind. I also tried hard to relax (i.e. pull back) my timing a bit, as I was naturally a pushy player. I’ve come to really enjoy listening to guitarists who sit behind the beat a little bit.”

The first single from the album is Go Gentle, which unfolds with an unhurriedness that calls to mind legendary slow-jazz ensemble Bohren & Der Club Of Gore. The track conjures a scene of a melancholy goodbye with masterful restraint and maturity. One might consider it a lament were there not so much subtle texture and colour. “It’s an unsubtle reference to the Dylan Thomas poem Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,” explains Sattout. “I love that poem.”

Throughout the album, Sattout’s lead guitar lays out his ideas like a proposal, accompanied by infallible arguments. A string of unexpected moments keep your attention; the drums bounce and poke a spring reverb (“Go Gentle”), a rich trumpet solo points to the sky (“Warringah”), a quiet four chords with the rhythm guitar (“Dead Plant”), the thick and powerful tensions in the bass (“Bit”)… all these moments are equally as powerful as the cut loose solo on “Hell To Pay”… and that’s just the way it should be. All these curiosities show Sattout’s trust in the listener to lean in and listen.

With an east-coast tour to support the release in the works, Sattout also has plans for new music projects – both of the solo and improvised-group variety. Individuals who are familiar with Sattout’s work in Helu and Anti-Guitar Trio would do well to watch for dates in the not too distant future. Sattout’s individual talents, as proven by Go Gentle, are exceptional and not to be missed. 

David Sattout’s new release Go Gentle is out 20 October on Art As Catharsis. The eponymous first single sees release on 22 September.